1 . Digital reading appears to be destroying habits of “deep reading”. Amazing numbers of people with year of schooling are in effect illiterate (不识字的). Admittedly, some people have been complaining about new media since 1492, but today’s complaints have an evidential basis, Ljubljana Reading Manifesto says, “The digital area may lead to more reading than ever in history, but it also offers many attractions to read in a shallow and scattered (碎片化的) manner — or even not to read at all. This increasingly endangers higher-level reading.”

Digital literacy has changed reading. When you read a book on paper, you can be entirely inside the experience, absorbing hundreds of pages to capture the world’s complexity. Online, says Maryanne Wolf of UCLA, we are “skimming, scanning, scrolling”. The medium is the message: doing deep reading on your phone is as hard as playing tennis with your phone. Recently, a bright 11-year-old told me I was wasting time on books: he absorbed more information faster from Wikipedia. He had a point. But digital readers also absorb more misinformation. And they seldom, absorb nuanced (微妙的) ideas.

In the white paper that underlies the Ljubljana Reading Manifesto, experts catalogue the passive parts of digital reading: “Recent studies of various kinds indicate a decline of... critical and conscious reading, slow reading, non-strategic reading and long-form reading.” In the 2021 international PISA survey, 49 percent of students agreed that “I read only if I have to”, 13 percentage points higher than in 2000.

As professors from Northwestern University foresaw in 2005, we are returning to the days when only an elite (精英的) “reading class” consumes long texts — despite more people spending longer in education and book sales remaining robust.

People who lose higher-level reading skills also lose thinking skills. That’s horrible, because “higher-level reading” has been essential to civilization. It enabled the Enlightenment, and an international rise in sympathy for people who aren’t like us.

1. What is the advantage of the digital reading?

A．It makes more people start to read widely.

B．It makes more people begin to think deeper.

C．It helps the young to make use of the Internet.

D．It helps people take advantage of their spare time.

2. What is Maryanne Wolf’s attitude towards digital reading?

A．Supportive.

B．Opposed.

C．Objective.

D．Unconcerned.

3. What can be inferred about the teens now according to paragraph 3?

A．Teens should change the critical and conscious reading.

B．Nearly half of the teens never read at all.

C．They don’t believe what the experts indicate.

D．The trend of reading books is increasingly declining.

4. Which statement is fit for the underlined word in paragraph 4?

A．More and more books are purchased.

B．It’s unnecessary for people to buy books.

C．More and more people like to visit the bookstores.

D．The sales of books keep still for a really long time.

2 . Do you believe that a baby can only have one parent? It is widely understood that animals have two parents, each contributing essential DNA. However, a female shark became pregnant and gave birth to a baby shark at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois, US,     1    , a new study documented.

This is a phenomenon called parthenogenesis (孤雌生殖), which means “virgin creation” in Greek. For most animals, an egg cell and a sperm (精子) cell are essential to create offspring (后代).     2    . However, in cases of parthenogenesis, the body finds a way to make up for the genetic material usually provided by sperm.

As the female generates an egg cell, small cells called polar bodies are produced in the process. In the case of parthenogenesis, an egg merges with one of its polar bodies, which replaces a sperm cell.     3    . So, the baby is similar to the mother but not a cloned version of her.

    4    . In 2018, a female crocodile who had been living alone for 16 years at a zoo in Costa Rica laid 14 eggs. Scientists found a fully-formed baby crocodile inside one of these eggs. In 2012, scientists incubated (培育) six snake eggs without fertilization (受精), and these eggs developed into healthy baby snakes.

Parthenogenesis may occur in “lower animals” like some species of insects, fish, reptiles and even birds.     5    . So, it is currently impossible for female mammals to reproduce without a male.

A．It is not the best way to reproduce

B．without the involvement of a male

C．with the application of a new technology

D．They each provide one-half of the genetic information for the new life

E．During this process, the mother’s genes get shuffled (打乱顺序) slightly

F．Although seemingly magical, parthenogenesis is not as rare as you might think

G．However, for mammals, including human beings, an egg can not provide all the genes required to form a viable (可存活的) offspring

3 . Birds do it. Bees do it. People do it, though often less than they would like to. Owls do it in the daytime. Sleep is an ancient, universal experience.

But partly because it is the order of the day, for a long time sleep was a subject that scientists had not woken up to. It is only in the past half-century or so that it has attracted the attention of dedicated researchers. A new book from Kenneth Miller, a science journalist, sets out to record the field’s short but fascinating history.

Its contents range from the discovery of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and circadian rhythms (昼夜节律) — the biological clocks that govern humanity’s days — to the effects of sleep deprivation(which can be deadly, at least in lab animals). It also explores the purpose, if any, of dreams.

Sleep is a state of lowered consciousness and reduced metabolism (新陈代谢) which takes up about one third of a person’s life. Two distinct types of sleep have been recognized: REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM(non-rapid eye movement). The latter, which accounts for the major part of sleep, starts with drowsiness (困倦); brain waves become increasingly deeper and slower until brain activity and metabolism fall to their lowest level. In REM sleep, the brain suddenly becomes more electrically active, its blood flow increases, the eyes move rapidly and dreaming occurs.

Discoveries often lead to new questions in turn. That is why neat, tidy endings are hard to achieve in most science books; this one is no different. Despite all the progress of the past 50 years, scientists are still unsure what sleep is for. The fact that it is so widespread suggests it is vital.

But why evolution would see fit to produce animals that must spend large amounts of their time unconscious and unable to respond to threats is still a mystery researchers are trying to solve. For anyone curious about asking the right questions, however, Mr Miller’s book is a good place to start.

1. Part of why scientists failed to explore sleep was because ______.

A．it was so commonplace as to be taken for granted.

B．ancient people had done thorough research into it.

C．there was no high-tech research facility.

D．they regarded sleep as too complicated a phenomenon to explain.

2. How long does the text show a person should sleep every day?

A．About 12 hours.

B．About 10 hours.

C．About 8 hours.

D．About 6 hours.

3. What does the author think of Miller’s book?

A．It is well received by readers.	B．It presents a better ending than most science books.
C．It has little to recommend it.	D．It is instructive despite its limitation.

4. In which section of a magazine may this text appear?

A．Entertainment.

B．Culture.

C．Finance.

D．Sports.

4 . Aum Gandhi, a runner from California, experienced weight changes and mental health issues due to the high stress of his job. But five years ago, once he picked up running by accident, he immediately developed a thirst for taking on greater challenges. A 5-kilometer run led to a half marathon, which led to a full marathon, and after discovering trail running (山径越野跑), he completed his first 100-mile race in April 2021.

Along the way, Gandhi discovered that his running could be more meaningful when it became a vehicle for change. When in college at California State University, Gandhi began volunteering at the Richstone Family Center — a nonprofit devoted to treating and preventing child abuse and family violence. Gandhi soon grew passionate about the cause and began fundraising for the organization in combination with his races.

“I grew up in a similar environment in the Los Angeles area and experienced things such as abuse, being around domestic violence, and seeing the damage of generational pain,” he says, “I saw how passionate their volunteers are and I just see myself in those kids.”

The athlete uses his social media platform to ask for donations, and at each race, he attaches the Richstone logo to the back of his shirt to spread people’s awareness on the trails. “To me, as long as that money and that awareness is going toward goodwill, good stuff is going to happen in the world,” he says.

For the next year, Gandhi has his eyes set on the Triple Crown of 200 Miles. He’ll have to complete all 654 miles of the series in a calendar year, and he plans to continue upping his fundraising goals — even if that means being overly ambitious. “I’ve always had the mindset of failing big instead of winning small,” he says.

1. What do we know about Aum Gandhi in paragraph 1?

A．He is a popular runner.	B．He is under great stress.
C．He has a passion for running.	D．He has gained fame from running.

2. How does Gandhi help with fundraising?

A．By stop ping violence.	B．By spreading goodwill.
C．By winning running races.	D．By setting bigger running goals.

3. Which of the following best describes Aum Gandhi as a volunteer?

A．Modest.

B．Committed.

C．Intelligent.

D．Adventurous.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Fundraising: A Key to Success.	B．Failing Big: To Run happily.
C．Volunteering: To Prevent Child Abuse.	D．Trail Running: A Path to Transformation.

5 . Imagine your home on its messages today. Legos spread over the floor. Dirty socks are jammed between couch cushions. Receipts and pieces of mail litter on the table. Though many of us feel shame when your homes end up in this state, a messy house is not a moral failing. The only thing that actually matters is whether your house is functional and livable.     1    .

Collect trash. First get a trash bag or a trash can. Then move around the room, collecting the garbage. But don’t take out the trash yet.     2    .

Pile up dirty dishes.     3    . Or you can pile them up. Maybe do the dishes. With unwashed plates in the kitchen and dining table, we are sure to be distracted and upset.

Pick up clothing and laundry. Collect the laundry that’s lying around. You can use a laundry basket or a bag. Bring the laundry to the machine and start it, if you want.

Put back things that have a place. This one is pretty straightforward.     4    . But if some items be long in another part of the house, put them in a basket or pile them up by the door for now.

    5    . Sometimes our belongings become disordered because we’ve never chosen a place to store them. We may decide to gather all the stuff that doesn’t have a place, put it in a basket and set it aside. At this point, you may also decide to create a home for these random odds and ends. Some people call this a “junk drawer.”

Once you’ve gone through the five methods, then use your space! Might we suggest a celebratory dance party?

A．Gather things that don’t have a place

B．You can put them in the sink if it’s nearby

C．If that book belongs on the shelf, put it back

D．Pick out your belongings and throw away those unwanted

E．We can’t concentrate with too much trash all around the house

F．The more you leave that room, the less likely you are concentrated

G．This five-step method can quickly get a messy room back to functioning

6 . Festivals in March Around the World in 2024

SXSW Festival, USA

8th-16th March, 2024

SXSW is a famous festival in Austin. This media festival features plenty of film, music, and comedy events. SXSW also hosts tech panels (讨论会). Therefore, you have an opportunity to interact with celebrities and well-known businessmen. Austin is also famous for its outstanding drink and food! Travelers of all ages and interests can find something to enjoy at SXSW.

Pasifika Festival, New Zealand

9th-10th March, 2024

The Pasifika Festival showcases Pacific Island cultures. It takes place in Auckland where you can see contemporary art, music, dance, and cuisine from various Pacific communities. You’ll be able to witness and gain a deeper understanding about cultures like Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, and Maori, among others.

St Patrick’s Day, Ireland

14th-17th March, 2024

St Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish culture, music, food, and entertainment. Wrap up the party on St Patrick’s Day with a massive street carnival on 17th March. You’ll find parades, vendors (商贩), live music stages and fun across the centre of Dublin. You will find festivities all over Ireland, not just in the capital city.

Cape Town Jazz Festival, South Africa

22nd-31st March, 2024

For over twenty years, the Festival has attracted nearly 40, 000 people annually to its five major venues. It features music by dozens of musicians worldwide. Performers play Jazz, R&B, rap and so on. Enjoy the area before and after the Festival. Cape Town has extremely beautiful art and culture, restaurants, bars and outdoor activities.

1. Where can people attend a street carnival according to the text?

A．In Ireland.

B．In South Africa.

C．In the USA.

D．In New Zealand.

2. Which festival lasts the longest?

A．Pasifika Festival.	B．SXSW Festival.
C．St Patrick’s Day.	D．Cape Town Jazz Festival.

3. What can people do during the four festivals?

A．Attend technical panels.	B．Enjoy beautiful music.
C．Meet well-known people.	D．Appreciate contemporary art.

7 . We’ve all heard the age-old advice to drink eight cups of water a day. But if you fall short, don’t worry: That advice is probably wrong anyway. That’s according to new research. which found that for most healthy adults, there is no real benefit to drinking eight cups of water a day.

The advice to drink eight cups of water a day comes from a 1945 recommendation from the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, which encouraged adults to consume about 64 ounces of water daily. The recommendation referred to a person’s total daily intake of water, including from all their foods and drinks, but it was widely misinterpreted to mean that people should drink 8-ounce glasses of water every day.

To see how much water people really need, Herman Pontzer, a professor at Duke University and his co-authors analyzed data on 5,600 people. The participants were tracked with a gold-standard technique called “doubly labeled water”, which uses water laced with tracers that can be used to track the body’s production of carbon dioxide, allowing the researchers to get precise measurements of the participants’ daily energy consumption.

The researchers determined how much water the participants lost and replaced each day. a measurement known as water turnover (水周转率). They found that a person’s daily water turnover was largely determined by their size and their level of body fat, which contains less water than muscle and other organs. The more “fat-free” mass a person has, the more water they need.

The research showed that how much water you need changes over your lifetime. In general, our water needs peak between the ages of 20 and 50 and then decline in parallel with the slowing down of our metabolisms (新陈代谢).

So how much water should you drink? The answer is simple: Drink when you’re thirsty. Prioritize water, and try to avoid sugary drinks, which can cause metabolic problems. “If you’re paying attention to your body and drinking when you feel like you need to, then you should be fine,” Pontzer said.

1. What is the author’s attitude toward the advice to drink eight cups of water a day?

A．Critical.

B．Supportive.

C．Tolerant.

D．Uncertain.

2. What can be known about the research conducted by Pontzer?

A．It was conducted in 1945.

B．It tracked participants’ daily water turnover.

C．It studied participants’ feelings about drinking water.

D．It found that body fat contains less water than muscle and other organs.

3. Which of the following is correct according to the passage?

A．When people get older, they should drink more water.

B．Drinking 64 ounces of water per day is beneficial to people.

C．When people have more muscles, they need relatively more water.

D．Drinking water with sugar can help improve metabolism.

4. Which is the best way to determine how much water to drink?

A．By following the advice of experts.

B．By drinking as much water as possible.

C．By paying attention to one’s body and drinking when thirsty.

D．By measuring one’s water turnover.

8 . How long does it take to become an elite (精英) in your field?     1     That’s what John Hayes, a cognitive psychology professor at Carnegie Mellon University, wanted to know.

For decades, Hayes has been investigating the role of effort, practice and knowledge in top performers.     2     The research focused on people like Mozart and Picasso-to determine how long it took them to become world-class at their craft.

Let’s talk about what Hayes has discovered about world-class-performers. And more importantly, let’s discuss how you can use these insights to achieve your goals and become your best.

    3     He analyzed thousands of musical pieces produced from 1685 to 1900. The central question that drove his work was, “How long after one becomes interested in music is it that one becomes world-class?” Eventually, Hayes developed a list of 500 pieces of “masterworks” in the field, which were created by a total of 76 composers.

text, Hayes mapped out the timeline of each composers career.     4     What he discovered was that virtually every single “masterwork” was written after the tenth year of the composer’s career. Not a single person produced incredible work without putting in a decade of practice first. Even a genius like Mozart had to work for at least ten years before he produced something that became popular.     5    

In follow-up studies, Hayes found similar patterns among famous painters and popular poets. These findings have been further confirmed by research from professors like K. Anders Ericsson, who produced research that revealed that you needed to put in “10, 000 hours” to become an elite or expert in your field.

A．It takes time to achieve your goals.

B．And what do people like doing in their spare time?

C．He has studied the most talented creators in history.

D．Hayes started his research by examining successful composers

E．Professor Hayes began to refer to this period as the “ten years of silence”.

F．And what do the successful people do differently than the rest of us?

G．And then he calculated how long they had been working before they created their popular works.

9 . Art galleries you can visit for free with your Paris Pass

Centre Pompidou

Normally €7.00       Wednesday-Monday: 11 AM-10 PM

Centre Pompidou is a must-see attraction when you’re visiting Paris. Featuring late 19th-20th century art, the museum has collection of over 50,000 works, including movements from Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.

Musée Gustave Moreau

Normally €13.00       Wednesday- Monday: 10 AM-6 PM

Musée Gustave Moreau was designed by the painter himself and includes his private apartment and the large gallery he built to display his work. The apartment is preserved exactly as it was 100 years ago.

Musée de l’Orangerie

Normally €9.00       Wednesday-Monday: 9 AM-6 PM

The museum is best known for its association with the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet and his Water Lilies series of paintings. Before it was an art gallery housing some of the most famous pieces in history, Musée de l’Orangerie was used as a storehouse and a home for mobilized soldiers.

Musée d’Orsay

Normally €14.00       Tuesday-Sunday: 9:30 AM-6 PM

Musée d’Orsay was an old turn-of-the-century railway station that was built on the site of the Palais d’Orsay. Exemplifying the architecture of the Beaux-Arts movement, Musée d’Orsay is one of Paris’ most popular art galleries and houses art and sculpture from 1848 to 1915.

1. How much is the admission to Centre Pompidou without a Paris Pass?

A．€7.00.

B．€9.00.

C．€13.00.

D．€14.00.

2. Where can visitors enjoy a series of Monet’s Water Lilies?

A．Centre Pompidou.	B．Musée Gustave Moreau.
C．Musée de l’Orangerie.	D．Musée d’Orsay.

3. What was the original use of Musé e d’Orsay?

A．An art gallery.	B．A storehouse.
C．A railway station.	D．A personal apartment.