1 . When I was a child, the new year’s activity for my family is dumpling-making, but it’s been years since I’ve last experienced the uniquely carefree comfort and connection I felt during moments. My family has changed a lot, and gatherings like these simply don’t come together with the same ease as they once did.
This year, I came home in the evening to a dark house with pieces missing. I noticed things that I wouldn’t have before, like how my family slept earlier and got up later and how my dog had more trouble jumping up on my bed. After all, it’s easier to become blind to its subtle changes when you occupy it virtually every day of the year, and much harder when you must be exposed to months of accumulated change all at once.
Personally, the most precious childhood privilege is not the free extra snacks from flight attendants, but the privilege of thinking of the people and relationships around you with a sense of permanence. I mean this in the sense that it escaped my eight-year-old brain to think about how my parents were aging as I did or about the sacrifices they made for me until suddenly, I was an adult as they were.
I turn 20 in a couple months, so I’ve been seized with a feeling of adulthood, which feels far stronger than the transition into legal adulthood at 18 ever felt. It seems as if the “teen” part of“19”keeps me attached to the same category as the one my newly 13-year-old self occupied, carrying with it a certain comfort in the social allowances made for the immaturity inherent (固有的) to youth. But marching into 20 is different.
I’d so desperately wanted to move away and get a taste of independence upon starting college, but now I know that such freedom comes with loss and responsibility. Now I start to understand the governance of a circularity (循环) inherent to our lives and have a newfound appreciation for the things that remain the same.
1. What does the underlined word “subtle” in paragraph 2mean?| A．Obvious. | B．Sudden. | C．Unusual. | D．Unnoticeable. |
| A．Everything would be the same. | B．His parents were becoming old. |
| C．Free extra snacks were common. | D．His parents had done a lot to him. |
| A．Physical maturity. | B．The social expectation. |
| C．The loss of freedom. | D．The shift into legal adulthood. |
| A．A newfound appreciation for life. | B．The difference between teens and adults. |
| C．My passing memories of childhood. | D．My reflection on the switch into adulthood. |
2 . Art Appreciation
Art appreciation is an often overlooked skill. It’s more than simply looking at a piece of art and judging it based on what we see. It requires us to look deeper, beyond the surface into the artist’s intention.
The first step is to prepare yourself mentally. Before you begin viewing any artwork, take moments to clear your mind of what a piece you think should look like.
Besides, examine the artwork closely. Take note of its elements mentioned above. Consider how these elements work together to convey meaning or emotion in the piece. Notice how the work makes you feel.
Last but not least, sharing opinions on art also helps. Try discussing your thoughts on artwork with friends or family who may have different opinions. Taking the diverse understanding into consideration, you can approach viewing art work from different viewpoints. As a result, you can gain a new appreciation every time you look at it.
| A．Relevant research counts as well. |
| B．Engage all your senses and ask yourself questions. |
| C．The process can bring you a fun and educational trip. |
| D．Leave your feelings aside and check out the questions. |
| E．To sum up, communication can also do good to your art appreciation. |
| F．With the previous ideas, you can get well prepared for the appreciation. |
| G．This will help you open up to different perspectives when exploring the work. |
3 . The teenage years are a transformative period marked by great physical, psychological, and emotional changes.
Understanding and managing social emotions can help develop teenagers’ identities. Teenagers experience a wide range of emotions from social interactions, which significantly influences their self-understanding and social awareness. In the process, they learn to understand, and appropriately respond to both their own emotions and those of others.
In academic settings, social emotional competencies like self-regulation, motivation, and social awareness directly impact a teenager’s ability to learn, participate, and engage in school activities.
Learning social emotions involves a combination of personal experience, guidance, and formal education.
| A．What exactly are social emotions? |
| B．The journey into mature emotion is quite easy. |
| C．Social emotion learning for teenagers is essential. |
| D．Central to this phase is the concept of social emotions. |
| E．This helps shape their own personal principles and beliefs. |
| F．Families play a crucial role in modeling and developing these skills. |
| G．Moreover, social emotional skills are closely linked to mental health. |
4 . Every day, people share more than 2 billion photos on the Internet. While visual content provides a fun and expressive way for people to communicate online, consuming and creating it poses challenges for people who are blind or severely visually impaired (受损的). With more than 39 million people who are blind, and over 246 million who have a severe visual impairment, many people may feel excluded from the conversation around photos on the Internet. The researchers from Harvard University want to build technology that helps the blind community appreciate photos in the same way others enjoy them.
Automatic alternative text is a new development that generates a description of a photo using advancements in object recognition technology. People using screen readers on digital devices will hear a list of items a photo may contain as they click photos on the Internet. Before today, people using screen readers would only hear the name of the person who shared the photo, followed by the term “photo” when they came upon an image. Now they can offer a richer description of what’s in a photo thanks to automatic alternative text. For instance, someone could now hear “an image containing three people, smiling, outdoors”.
This is possible because of Harvard University’s object recognition technology, which is based on a network that has billions of parameters and is trained with millions of examples. Each advancement in object recognition technology means that the researchers will be able to make technology even more accessible to more people. When people are connected, they can achieve extraordinary things as individuals and as a community, and when everyone is connected, we all benefit from it.
They are launching automatic alternative text first on cellphone screen readers set to English, but they plan to add this functionality for other languages and platforms soon. While this technology is still nascent, using its current capabilities to describe photos is an important step toward providing our visually impaired community with the same benefits and enjoyment that everyone else gets from photos.
1. Why is the technology launched?| A．There are so many photos on the Internet. |
| B．There are many people suffering from blindness. |
| C．Some digital devices are in need of the technology. |
| D．People with vision problems fail to enjoy photos online. |
| A．It can offer more photos to blind people. |
| B．It can describe more about online photos. |
| C．It can recognize the person who shares photos. |
| D．It can satisfy the common needs of blind people. |
| A．The photos on the Internet. | B．People’s care for blind people. |
| C．People’s connections to each other. | D．The object recognition technology. |
| A．Emerging. | B．Reliable. | C．Powerful. | D．Conventional. |
5 . Clair Hughes first began to research money-saving ideas to get out of her £3,500 student overdraft (透支额). The shopper started surfing the Internet for discount coupons (优惠券) and cut price offers. Revealing how she seldom pays full price for an item, Ms Hughes says, “Discounts are always there; it’s just a matter of being organized. Before starting this, I thought it’d be much work, but now I’m so used to this lifestyle that it’s automatic to me. I must have easily saved over £15,000.”
Ms Hughes first focused on saving money back in 2010, when she moved in with her partner, Shane Byrne, a phone company trainer. After turning to the web for advice, she tried out a few clever money-saving tricks like switching her overdraft to a zero-interest account. Then, several years later, she came across an online community for “couponers” and decided to give it a go.
She started spending hours surfing the web for coupons, printing them all out to take with her whenever she went shopping. Over the years, she has managed to get some impressive catches. Once, two lamps worth £140 cost her just £35.
Two years ago, Ms Hughes also began using cashback apps where you are given money back on items ranging from beers to toiletries. After each shop, she uploads pictures of her receipts, which are then scanned, and money is given back on certain items.
Among her other top money-saving tips, Ms Hughes recommends taking part in paid online surveys, which have earned her hundreds in discount coupons. She says, “I’ve heard a lot about collecting other people’s abandoned receipts from shopping trolleys to check for missed discounts. I can’t believe how much coupons and cashback apps have helped me. The community does benefit me a lot. There will always be someone on hand to explain how it works.”
1. What does saving money mean to Clair Hughes?| A．It’s part of her daily life. | B．It makes her shop less. |
| C．It’s a way to leave school. | D．It keeps her work organized. |
| A．She always asks Shane for suggestions. |
| B．She likes going shopping with her friends. |
| C．She has bought some goods in low prices. |
| D．She is good at discussing prices with others. |
| A．Hughes’ feelings of her life. | B．Hughes’ ways to get coupons. |
| C．Hughes’ appreciation for society. | D．Hughes’ difficulty in saving money. |
| A．A Graduate Enjoys Shopping | B．A Community Collects Coupons |
| C．A Woman Focuses on Saving Money | D．A Shopper Is Famous for Saving Money |
6 . Four Nominees for the Best Picture of 2024 Oscar
Here are four nominees for the Best Picture of the 96th Academy Awards.
American Fiction
American Fiction is a comedy-drama film written and directed by Cord Jefferson. Based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett, it follows a frustrated novelist-professor who writes an outlandish satire of stereotypical “black” books. It was named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute.
Anatomy of a Fall
Anatomy of a Fall is a 2023 French legal drama thriller film, directed by Justine Triet from a screenplay she co-wrote with Arthur Harari. It is about a writer trying to prove her innocence in her husband’s death, which brings the audience fear. It was released theatrically in France by Le Pacte on 23 August, 2023.The film has won two awards at the Golden Globes.
Barbie
Barbie is a 2023 fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she wrote with Noah Baumbach. Based on the eponymous fashion dolls by Mattel, the film stars Margot Robbie as the title character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, and follows the pair on a journey of self-discovery through both Barbie land and the real world.
The Holdovers
The Holdovers is a 2023 American comedy-drama film directed by Alexander Payne. The film is about a strict classics teacher at a New England boarding school who is forced to look after a handful of students.
1. Anatomy of a Fall is a ____________ film.| A．war | B．horror | C．fantasy | D．disaster |
| A．American Fiction. | B．Anatomy of a Fall. |
| C．Barbie. | D．The Holdovers. |
| A．They are comedy films. | B．They are American films. |
| C．They were based on screenplays. | D．They were released in the same year. |
7 . “Sating from now on, to be healthy, I will NOT eat any snacks besides granola bars (燕麦棒),” is what I told myself yesterday, and yet here I am today chewing a Chocopie. I’m aware that I’m breaking my own promise to myself. Instead of eating this, I should be working out or something. But the thing is, chocolate is too good at this moment for me to refuse it!
As I type this, I’m experiencing what’s called instant gratification — the desire to experience pleasure or fulfillment without delaying it for a future benefit. Essentially, when you want it, you get it.
Instant gratification is also the exact opposite of what we’re taught to do-delayed gratification: deciding to put off satisfying our current want to gain something better in the future. We’ve all encountered instant gratification before. Should I sleep in or wake up early to work out? When I get home, should I rest and watch TV first or get started on my homework?
All humans have the tendency to seek pleasure and avoid pain, which is a basic but fundamental concept known as the pleasure principle. Originally coined by Sigmund Freud, it clearly states that all humans are driven, to some extent, by pleasure.
Constantly seeking quick pleasure may bring subsequent troubles. However pleasant not doing your homework may seem pleasant right now, it only results in pleasure plagued by guilt and last-minute panicking late at night. An inability to resist instant gratification may result in underachieving in the long term and failure to meet certain goals.
Instant gratification, however, is not necessarily a bad thing. You don’t always have to say no to things you want at that moment, and it’s good to treat yourself when you need it. In other words, times where you “treat yourself” are only valuable in combination with delayed gratification. While my Chocopie may taste good now, it’ll taste even better if I only eat it after I’ve worked out or done something healthy.
1. How does the author introduce the topic?| A．By making a contrast. | B．By giving a definition. |
| C．By citing a personal case. | D．By listing detailed problems. |
| A．Purchasing items regardless of budgets. | B．Exercising regularly for long-term health. |
| C．Limiting time on social media platforms. | D．Finishing homework before watching TV. |
| A．Reminded. | B．Highlighted. | C．Introduced. | D．Bothered. |
| A．Delayed gratification is pointless. |
| B．Instant gratification should be prioritized. |
| C．Enjoying the moment brings in endless pleasure. |
| D．Instant treats paired with delayed gratification are sweeter. |
8 . Upcoming Events in Essex County Environmental Center
LITTLE EXPLORERS Mondays -May 6, 20, June 3, 17For ages 2 and 3; 10am to 1lam; For ages 2 and 5; 3pm to 4pm
Join us for explorations of nature as we study plants and animals and observe the colors, shapes, and sounds in the Center’s forest habitat. Please come dressed and prepared for all weather conditions; all classes include an outdoor adventure. All children must be walking and accompanied by an adult. Maximum of two children per adult. All sessions are limited to 10 children. Fee: $15 per child per session.
FOREST FRIENDS CLUBThursdays -May 9, June 6, 4pm to 5pm
For children ages 5 through 10
We’ll explore the forest to investigate nature in our wooded wetland habitat. Together we hope to raise our children’s nature responsibilities and offer an opportunity to take part in hands-on conservation projects. Fee: $12 per child per session.
SPRING WILD EDIBLE WALKFriday, May 10, 6pm to 7:30pm
For families
Take a walk in the forest to identify and discuss the variety of forest groceries available for harvest. You’ll meet Spice Bush, Mountain Mint and others. Learn some folklore (FIA) behind the plants and we’ll discuss proper identification, growing environment and methods of preparation while walking. Fee: $40 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $12 per child, $15 per adult.
4-H YOUNG GARDENERS CLUBSaturdays -May 4, 18, 25, 10am to 11 am
For children in grades K-12
Have you ever wondered how vegetables and flowers grow? How to find a rainbow in a garden? The 4-H Young Gardener’s Club can guide you to find the answers to these questions and more. Learning and fun happen all the time here. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advanced registration required; please call 973 3531337.
1. When can children join in hands-on projects?| A．On May 6. | B．On May 9. | C．On May 10. | D．On May 18. |
| A．$40. | B．$52. | C．$55. | D．$67. |
| A．They are targeted at families. | B．They focus on theoretical courses. |
| C．They offer experiences in nature. | D．They present local folk cultures. |
9 . Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) have developed a groundbreaking sweat biosensor that opens up new possibilities for real-time health monitoring.
Wearable sensors, typically worn directly on the skin, can monitor vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle activity. However, designing chemical sensors for detecting substance in bodily liquid, like sweat, has proven more complex due to issues of skin irritation (刺激) and accuracy when integrated into clothing.
Addressing these challenges, the research team at TUS used a technique called “heat-transfer Printing” to fix a thin, flexible chloride ion (氯离子) sensor onto a clothing base and then integrated it into clothes such as T-shirts. Further, health signs such as chloride ion concentration in sweat can be measured by simply wearing them. By moving the sensor outside of the clothing piece, skin irritation is prevented. The wicking effect (芯吸效应) of fiber helps distributing sweat evenly between the sensor’s electrodes (电极), ensuring stable electrical contact and therefore improving the accuracy.
Additionally, the team carefully selected skin-friendly materials and conducted various experiments using artificial sweat to prove the sensor’s accuracy in measuring chloride ion concentration. To assess its practicality, the team tested the sensor on a volunteer who engaged in a 30-minute exercise on a still bicycle. Measurements of bodily liquid were taken every five minutes and compared with the data collected by the sensor. The wearable sensor reliably measured the concentration of chloride ions in sweat. Moreover, the sensor has the capability to deliver data wirelessly, enabling real-time health monitoring.
This breakthrough can boost the development of advanced healthcare devices that offer precise and convenient monitoring of important health indicators. With the power of these tiny electronics, researchers are pushing the boundaries of healthcare innovation to improve disease prevention and overall well-being.
1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．Varieties of sweat biosensors. |
| B．Popularity of wearable equipment. |
| C．Complexity in monitoring vital body signs. |
| D．Difficulties in designing chemical sensors. |
| A．The technique of heat-transfer printing. |
| B．The chloride ion sensor. |
| C．The wicking effect of fibre. |
| D．Selected skin-friendly materials. |
| A．To evaluate the sensor’s reliability. |
| B．To improve the volunteer’s performance. |
| C．To determine the sensor’s duration. |
| D．To ensure the volunteer’s well-being. |
| A．Critical. | B．Expectant. | C．Reserved. | D．Doubtful. |
10 . “It’s not unusual for guests to feel emotional when they discover the story behind our food,” says Patrick Navis. “Not to mention when they taste it. One even cried with happiness.” The setting for these tearful scenes? Navis’s restaurant in a Dutch city. Here, the owner and his team create experimental food using herbs, roots, flowers and nuts — some common, others less so.
Most of these ingredients (食材) come from the Ketelbroek Food Forest nearby. To the untrained eye, it’s like an ordinary wood. But there’s one key difference: everything in it is edible. It was set up in 2009 by Dutch botanist and environmentalist Noah Eck as an experiment in slow farming, to see what would happen if the right combination of food plants were left to grow together like a natural forest, without chemicals.
“It’s the first ‘food forest’ of its kind in Europe and we’re one of the few restaurants around the world cooperating in this way,”says Navis.“We have over 400 different species of edible plants we plan our menus around, including some we previously knew little about.” He harvests the ingredients and, with his fellow chefs, works them into beautifully presented tasting menus, served in a dining room hidden in the backstreets of the city,
“To us, fine dining is not about the fame of a restaurant, its location, expensive decoration, fancy cooking and wine list,”says Navis.“It’s about adding value through creativity and using ingredients nobody knows of, which are grown with great attention.” However, he adds, luxury cooking can be about enhancing everyday ingredients, too.
“When looking at cooking in this way, who can argue that caviar (鱼子酱), for example, is more valuable than a carrot grown with specialist knowledge?”
Experimentation is extremely important to Navis. In the next five years, he hopes to open an outdoor restaurant. But for now, the most important thing is to continue focusing on how plants are being grown and the perennial system used in the Food Forest, reducing the need for replanting each season.
1. What can we learn about Navis’s restaurant?| A．It is well received by its guests. | B．It serves food with moving stories. |
| C．It offers experimental food for free. | D．It is known for its rare food sources. |
| A．It is a natural forest. | B．Diverse plants coexist in it. |
| C．Plants there take longer to grow. | D．It provides safe food ingredients. |
| A．Convenient locations. | B．Expensive ingredients. |
| C．Innovative menus. | D．Fancy cooking techniques. |
| A．The sustainable farming practice. | B．Farming with proper use of chemicals. |
| C．Natural farming without human intervention. | D．An experimental farm for an outdoor restaurant. |
