1 . To get the most out of literary works, one must approach them with intention and skill. Here are five key strategies to enhance your reading experience.
Engage with the text. Engagement is crucial when reading literature.
Understand the historical and cultural context.
Reflect on themes and personal relevance. Great literature often deals with themes that are universal and timeless. Reflect on the themes you encounter in the text and consider how they relate to your own experiences and beliefs.
Discuss and share insights. Literature is meant to be shared and discussed. Conversations with others can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of a text. Join a book club, participate in online forums, or simply discuss the book with friends or classmates. These discussions can provide you with new perspectives (观点).
| A．Think of words in the book |
| B．Analyze literary techniques |
| C．Every piece of literature is a product of its time |
| D．They can lessen your appreciation of the literature |
| E．Interacting with others will lead you about the book |
| F．This personal connection can make reading more meaningful |
| G．This means actively interacting with the text, not just reading the words |
2 . As people worldwide focus on a healthy planet, renewable (可再生的) energy engineers are key. These engineers work on cool projects that use the power of the sun, wind, and water to create energy. Their work combats climate change, leading to a cleaner world. Here are details.
Key responsibilities:System Design: It’s like being an inventor who figures out the best way to turn sunlight, wind, or water into electricity that we can use to power things like homes and schools.
Project Management: This is like being the leader of a team working on a school project, but instead, it’s for big energy projects. The engineer makes sure everything is done right on time, and doesn’t cost too much money.
Technical Research: Here, the engineer is like a detective or a scientist, always looking for new and better ways to make energy. They try to find methods that are more effective and less expensive.
Maintenance and Optimization: This part is about taking care of the energy systems that are already built. The engineer checks the systems, fixes any problems, and makes improvements so they work even better.
Skill requirements:Engineering background: A degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
Analytical Skills: Abilities to analyze data and system performance to propose improvements.
Innovative Thinking: Maintain (保持) an openness to new technologies and methods, constantly seeking innovation.
Environmental Awareness: A deep understanding of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Career prospects:The renewable energy industry is having a period of rapid development, with strong support from both the government and the private company. Renewable energy engineers can find opportunities in energy companies, consulting firms, research institutions or government agencies. With technological advances and the growing demand for energy, the future prospects to r this career are very bright.
1. What do renewable energy engineers mainly do?| A．Do fuel tests. | B．Do plant preservation. |
| C．Make use of clean energy. | D．Make a great many budget plans. |
| A．Analytical skills. | B．Innovative thinking. |
| C．Environmental awareness. | D．Fluency in multiple languages. |
| A．Promising. | B．Uncertain. | C．Decreasing. | D．Limited. |
3 . Filming in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest
The Kamas Ranger District handles film permits for the Kamas district of the Wasatch- Cache National Forest.
To ensure that permits are issued in time for filming, the Forest Service requests that application form be handed in three to four weeks prior to filming.
The fee structure for filming in the National Forest is as follows:
Filming Special Use Fee1 to 10 people-$150 per day
11 to 30 people-$200 per day
31 to 60 people-$500 per day
Over 61 people-$600 per day
Film Monitoring Fee
1 day filming-FREE
Extra days-$200 per day
Additional FeesAdditional fees will be charged in the following situations:
Large production (greater than 100 people), multiple site filming that may require additional film monitoring to protect natural resources and a performance agreement in the form of a deposited check.
Upon approval, a Special Use Permit will be issued with a bill for collection. Checks should be made payable to “USDA Forest Service, ” and payment must be received before filming.
NoteSome areas of the forest are especially sensitive to impacts from vehicles, domestic animals, and people. These areas include wetlands, streams, lake shorelines, and most meadow areas. Filming requests in these sensitive areas will require special surveys to determine possible environmental impacts. The request may be denied.
1. What is one expected to do for filming?| A．Issue the permit weeks before filming. | B．Submit the application form in advance. |
| C．Give top priority to time arrangement. | D．Outline the fee structure in the forest. |
| A．$1200. | B．$200. | C．$1400. | D．$600. |
| A．Paying the bill in cash. | B．Entry into the sensitive areas. |
| C．Production with over 61 people. | D．Filming in different sites. |
4 . To produce the classic clothing, blue jeans, producers rely on indigo dye (靛蓝染料), the only molecule known to provide jeans’ unique, beloved color. While indigo itself naturally comes from a plant, growing demand for blue jeans throughout the 20th century gave rise to synthetic (合成的) indigo, which is now more commonly used.
Indigo is the dye that makes jeans blue, but it doesn’t mix with water. To dye clothes, usually, chemicals are needed to make the color stick to the cloth. But in Denmark, scientists have created a new way to dye clothes using an enzyme (酶), which is a kind of protein that can cause chemical reactions, instead of harmful chemicals. This new method is better for the environment and doesn’t use poisonous stuff.
The chemical process for dyeing blue jeans has persisted for the last century. Workers are exposed to the poisonous chemicals, which also pollute the environment near factories. Waste water from those factories often ends up in waterways, decimating local ecosystems and even dyeing rivers blue.
Ditte Hededam Welner, the study’s lead researcher, says their new enzyme works really well and is strong enough for making lots of jeans without breaking down. This enzyme makes dyeing with indican, which is like indigo, much less harmful to the planet — about 92% better than the old way.
However, the new method doesn’t fix all the environmental problems of making jeans. Making a single pair of jeans uses a lot of water — enough to fill many bathtubs — from growing the cotton to putting the final touches on the jeans.
Even though the new dyeing process is better for the environment, it’s not always easy or cheap to change to it. Welner’s team isn’t sure if jeans companies will find it easy or affordable to switch to this method. It costs a little bit more — just seven cents extra per pair of jeans — to use the enzyme for dyeing. But Welner believes it’s worth it because it’s much better for the environment.
1. Why was synthetic indigo created in the 20th century?| A．It made jeans’ color unique. | B．It was easy to dye cloth with it. |
| C．People liked jeans made from it. | D．People were in greater need of jeans. |
| A．Troubling. | B．Entering. | C．Destroying. | D．Defeating. |
| A．The colour is more beautiful than the synthetic indigo. |
| B．The market can keep stable goods supplies. |
| C．Enzyme facilitates the advance of science. |
| D．The dye is more environmentally friendly. |
| A．Production costs. | B．Environmental benefits. |
| C．Water consumption. | D．Laborer shortage. |
5 . A study following nearly 30,000 older adults for more than 10 years has found six key healthy lifestyle factors can significantly reduce memory loss and those adults engaging in between four and six of the healthy lifestyle behaviors could dramatically reduce their risks of developing dementia (痴呆), even when carrying genes that increase their risks of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Six healthy lifestyle aspects were assessed: a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, active social contact, active cognitive (认知的) activity, never smoking, and never drinking alcohol,” the researchers explained in the new study. Participants were classified (分类) into the favorable group if they had four to six healthy lifestyle factors, into the average group for two to three factors, and into the unfavorable group for zero to one factor.
The study found that people with four to six healthy habits had a much slower loss of memory than those with fewer healthy habits. People with these good habits were also much less likely to get dementia than those with one or no healthy habits. Those who had two or three good habits were 30% less likely to get dementia.
The study didn’t figure out which of the six healthy habits is the best for stopping dementia or which combination is the best. However, the information did show that eating healthy seemed to help prevent memory loss the most, with brain exercise and regular physical exercise also very helpful.
About 20% of the people in the study had a gene that makes Alzheimer’s disease more likely. Even so, having several good health habits helped slow down memory loss. This shows that changing how we live can really help.
Even though each health habit helped in a different way, overall, the study found that people with more good health habits had much less memory loss than those with fewer good habits. This suggests that the choices we make in how we live can help protect our memory. The study adds to the evidence that we might be able to change our risk of memory loss.
1. What were the groups categorized based on?| A．The participants’ age. | B．What hobbies the participants got rid of. |
| C．The healthy lifestyles the participants had. | D．What the participants’ attitudes to factors were. |
| A．The favorable group was happier than the other two. |
| B．More healthy lifestyles were of more benefit to health. |
| C．Healthy habits had little impact on memory or dementia. |
| D．People with a healthy diet wouldn’t suffer a loss of memory. |
| A．A healthy diet. | B．Active social contact. |
| C．Active cognitive activities. | D．Never drinking alcohol. |
| A．Healthy Lifestyles Slowing Memory Loss | B．A Study Making A Great Breakthrough |
| C．A Healthy Diet Being The Best Lifestyle | D．Old Adults Suffering From Health Problems |
6 . Thomas was a well-known wise man. One day, he wandered in a beautiful small town. Because of his fame, people from nearby towns who heard of his arrival all came to visit and seek his advice.
Many who came sought help with difficulties in daily life, and Thomas, unable to bear turning them away, patiently offered suggestions. Word spread quickly, and more and more people came to see Thomas for guidance.
One day, dozens of people crowded outside Thomas’s door, all clamoring (大声地要求) that their problems were the most serious and urgent, each insisting that Thomas address their concerns first, with no one willing to yield (让步).
After a moment of thought, Thomas took out some paper and a pen and said, “I can’t hear clearly with everyone talking at once. How about everyone write down your problem on a piece of paper and place it in this basket beside me?”
Once everyone had placed their notes in the basket, Thomas shook the basket and said, “Please each take a piece of paper from the basket and read what it says.”
As everyone read a note from someone else, they all realized that indeed, each person has their own troubles, and every household has its own challenges. Then Thomas spoke up, “Now, whose problem is the most urgent to solve?” Hearing that question, no one spoke again, because now no one dared to claim that their problem was the most severe.
Often, we are bound by our immediate feelings. When difficulties and problems strike, it feels as though we are caught in a vortex of pain. But if we shift our focus from ourselves and look towards others, we might discover that the problems we face are not so significant. Perhaps others are the ones who need help more urgently, or maybe there is something within our power that we can do for them.
1. Why did people visit Thomas?| A．For advice. | B．For a meeting. |
| C．For a competition. | D．For introductions. |
| A．He ignored them. | B．He listened to each one individually. |
| C．He prioritized the problems himself. | D．He asked them to write down their problems. |
| A．The complexity of their difficulties. | B．The similarity of their situations. |
| C．Their need for more advice. | D．Their living conditions. |
| A．Competition. | B．Sympathy. | C．Prioritization. | D．Self-confidence. |
7 . The process of sorting through my childhood stuff started out easy. At first, I was excited to toss everything out. But as the bedroom emptied out, I felt a creeping sense of sadness. My childhood was over, and I entered full-fledged (成熟的) adulthood. And I wondered:
Before you start sorting, determine how much storage space you’re willing to devote to your childhood items.
During this process, it can be useful to have someone you trust by your side. They can help you honor the memories associated with each object and let go.
And you don’t have to pile your childhood stuff in the attic (阁楼).
Remember, there is someone who care enough to hold on all old stuff for you. This is a value of all of the time and effort and money your parents have poured into you. This has been saved in love.
| A．Get creative and think outside the box. |
| B．Could my childhood memories be regained? |
| C．You can find meaning in your life experiences. |
| D．Loved ones can also help you decide what to save. |
| E．But it will probably still be a bittersweet experience. |
| F．That will help you figure out how much stuff you can keep. |
| G．Was there a less heartbreaking, more strategic way to do this? |
Our pick of the month’s smartest tech
Opal Tadpole webcam
Marketed as the world’s first portable webcam, the Opal Tadpole is tiny and surprisingly affordable. Despite its small size, the camera features a directional mic that blocks surrounding noise, and offers an unexpectedly high-quality 4K camera. It can be clipped on top of any laptop and taken anywhere.
Humane AI PinThis device will seem familiar to any keen-eyed readers. Currently, it’s hard to tell if this is revolutionary or just a trend that won’t last the year. The Humane AI Pin is a device to replace your smartphone, offering an Al assistant, camera and a display that lights up on your hand. The aim is to decrease dependence on a smartphone, so you can make calls, text, check maps and do all your phone tasks in an easier way.
TranscribeGlassA smart pair of glasses with one single purpose: to record your thoughts. Designed for deaf people or those who are hard of hearing, they use a small microphone to pick up voices. Whether it’s from a conversation, a video or a museum tour, the glasses will automatically record voices and display subtitles in front of your eyes. It all happens in real time and, according to the company, is highly accurate.
CMF by Nothing Watch ProCMF is all about making popular tech more affordable. The Watch Pro costs an impressively low £69. Most competitors at that price are somewhat limited, but CMF has managed to create something that looks like the Apple Watch, while offering a lot of the same features. Sure, it isn’t quite as powerful, or feature-packed, but for this price it’s impressive what they’ve managed to cram into it.
1. What is the main purpose of the Humane AI Pin device?| A．To restrict teenagers’ screentime. | B．To reduce reliance on smartphones. |
| C．To maximize smartphones’ portability. | D．To enhance smartphones’ performance. |
| A．TranscribeGlass. | B．Humane AI Pin. |
| C．Opal Tadpole webcam. | D．CMF by Nothing Watch Pro. |
| A．Their unique designs. | B．Their affordable prices. |
| C．Their limited functions. | D．Their high-quality cameras. |
9 . For more than 60 years bringing the cost of food down had been one of the greatest challenge of the 21 century. That cost, however, is not in immediate cash, for most food is now far cheaper in relative terms than in 1960.
The cost is in the unintended damage of the very methods of food production that have made the food cheaper: in the pollution of water, the weakness of soil, the destruction of wildlife, the harm to animal welfare and the threat to human health caused by modern industrial agriculture.
First mechanisation, then mass use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and now genetic engineering — modern industrial farming has seemed unstoppable, as the yields of produce have soared. But it comes with extensive loss of wildlife and habitat, soil degradation and fertilizer run-off.
Put it together and it’s like a battleground, but consumers rarely make the connection at the dinner table. The problems are called “externalities” by economists because they’re not part of the main transaction, like growing and selling wheat. These costs aren’t directly paid by the producers or consumers.
But the costs to society can amount to shocking sums. According to a research by Professor Jules Pretty at the University of Essex, repairing the damage caused by intensive farming in one particular year costs £2, 343m in the UK alone, almost as much as the total UK and EU spend on British farming in that year.
Can the true cost of food be brought down? In some countries, moving away from industrial agriculture to address hunger is difficult. However, in developed countries, it’s more possible. Governments should support sustainable farming that benefits the environment, economy, health, and animal welfare. Instead of immediately switching to organic farming, Professor Pretty suggests adopting a “Greener Food Standard” which would push the market towards more sustainable environmental practices than the current norm, while not requiring the full commitment to organic production. This standard would guide farmers on better practices in farming, promoting a shift towards a more sustainable agricultural system for both producers and consumers.
1. What is the cost associated with food production?| A．Immediate cash loss. | B．Increased agriculture yields. |
| C．Promotion of organic farming. | D．Impairment to human welfare. |
| A．The costs are included in the price. | B．The costs lie in food growing and selling. |
| C．The costs aren’t directly visible to people. | D．People aren’t affected by modern farming. |
| A．Giving up clean-up efforts. | B．Overlooking global hunger. |
| C．Making flexible farming policies. | D．Adopting full organic approaches. |
| A．Critical. | B．Supportive. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Mindless. |
10 . A new study led by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health finds air pollution may negatively impact standardized test scores. Using data from the North Carolina Education Research Data Center, the researchers tracked 2.8 million public school students in North Carolina from 2001 to 2018 and measured their exposure to PM2.5 found in polluted air. While previous research has shown negative effects on academic performance, it has relied on relatively small or less representative samples. “The biggest strength of this study is that we tracked every student in North Carolina in those years, for the whole time period that they were in the public schools,” said Emma Zang, coauthor of the study.
The study also finds that test scores of ethnic minorities and girls are disproportionately (不成比例地) impacted by PM2.5 levels. “Females and ethnic minorities face sexism and racism,” said Zang. “There are a lot of policies that are not friendly towards them. So, when they’re exposed to the same level of air pollution, they don’t have the resources to lessen the negative influences.” More privileged populations, however, might have more resources that allow them to live in a better environment, such as in houses with air purifiers.
“The level of PM2.5 pollution in the US is relatively low, but students living in areas below the current air quality standard of annual PM2.5 concentration are still negatively impacted by air pollution when it comes to their test scores,” said Zang. “We should aim to strengthen the annual PM2.5 standard to better protect our children.”
Air pollution is known to contribute to disease and death, and it also negatively affects students’ academic performance even at low levels of pollution. The subsequent studies, the researchers said, would involve looking at whether the findings hold true in different areas, and also the reasons behind the ethnic and sexual differences.
1. What’s the greatest advantage of the study?| A．Tracking each student for 18 years. | B．Collecting more comprehensive data. |
| C．Measuring students’ PM2.5 exposure precisely. | D．Building links between air pollution and test scores. |
| A．benefit from current policies on PM2.5 pollution |
| B．have the lowest test scores due to their identities |
| C．lack resources to reduce the impact of air pollution |
| D．suffer from educational inequalities owing to their background |
| A．Offering a suggestion. | B．Raising a doubt. |
| C．Making a comparison. | D．Giving a prediction. |
| A．Applicability of the findings to other regions. | B．Ways to address racial and sexual differences. |
| C．Long-term impacts of air pollution on children. | D．Establishment of PM2.5 standard fit for children. |
