1 . How to Avoid Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is a common problem that can be just as damaging as any other form of addiction. Maybe you are concerned that you are too dependent on the Internet and feel very upset.
Reach out to friends and family to build more in-person connections If you desire social interaction, call up a friend and make plans to do something fun.
Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga, meditation, muscle relaxation, and deep breathing are all great ways to relax when you’re feeling stressed.
Watch for signs of Internet addiction and seek help if you notice them. If you are concerned about becoming addicted to the Internet, staying aware of the signs of Internet addiction may help you know when to seek help. Be on the lookout for any signs that you may have become addicted.
| A．Act right away to limit your Internet usage. |
| B．Replace Internet use with a-healthy activity. |
| C．Arrange a family dinner or a game night also helps. |
| D．Employ your extra time to do something worthwhile. |
| E．Following are several strategies to limit your Internet usage. |
| F．You are likely to think that the Internet addiction will ruin your life. |
| G．You should not reach for your smart phone or laptop when you are feeling pressured. |
2 . Many researchers refer to coral reefs (珊瑚礁) as the rainforests of the sea because they are not only very beautiful but also cuucial to the health of our oceans. Sadly, these delicate ecosystems face they is from pollution and overfishing. In an inspiring cooperatton, Mote Marine Laboratory (MML) and the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC) have joined hands to restore (恢复) the coral reefs off the coast of Kev West, Florida.
On a sunny day in Key West, a group of 31 wounded and injured veteratis, together with six Mote staff members, set out on a misirn to restore the Higgs Head coral reef. Equipped with specialized waterproof prosthulies and a shared determination, the group managed to plant a record-breaking 1,040 corals on the reef.
The planting mission not only belps to replace corals lost to disease, hurricanes and rising water temperatures, but symbolizes the adaptation and strength of both wounded veterans and the coral reefs themselves. Dr. Michael P. Crosby, President of MML stated, “The inspirational CWVC motto ‘I am wounded, not conquered (征服)’ is also applicable to coral reefs in Key West.”
Florida’s populations of coral reefs were once filled with life. The living coral cover, which represents the proportion of the reef covered in living coral, has plummeted from over 30% four decades ago to a mere 1-5% today, however. MML’s research and restoration programs offer hope for the recovery of Florida’s coral reefs and other coral ecosystems worldwide.
As wounded veterans and scientists work side by side to restore coral reefs, the impact of their collective efforts extends far beyond the ocean floor. The restoration missions not only help to heal the wounds of war but also provide a renewed sense of purpose for those who have sacrificed so much. Andrew Lourake, CWVC Vice President confirms, “The challenge, friendship and knowing they are making a difference are the highlight of the year for almost all our participants.”
By combining cutting-edge science, community engagement, and the spirit of resilience (复原), MML and CWVC are paving the way for a brighter future for our coral reefs. They inspire us all to protect and preserve these invaluable ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can wonder at their beauty and biodiversity.
1. Why does the author mention coral reefs in paragraph 1?| A．To lead in the topic of the text. |
| B．To compare them with rainforests. |
| C．To highlight the threats facing them. |
| D．To focus on their significance in ocean’s health. |
| A．The motivational effect of the motto. |
| B．The mufupte significance of this mission. |
| C．The background for carrying out the mission. |
| D．The cooperation of veterans and Mote staff members. |
| A．Spread widely. | B．Improved greatly. |
| C．Disappeared completely. | D．Decreased sharply. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Critical. | C．Appreciative. | D．Doubtful. |
3 . In the age of the selfie, taking photos of yourself has become a daily activity. Half of all teenagers regularly post selfies. But what happens when the desire for the best selfie starts damaging nature—or even ourselves?
Social media tourism is dramatically changing who visits natural places like Figure Eight Pools in Sydney’s Royal National Park. Many people are now drawn to these places for the best selfie background. These new tourists, motivated to seek out photos and selfies, sometimes ignore warning signs or bans on drones (无人机). Thus, many people have been severely injured or killed by taking risky selfies and photos in dangerous locations. Additionally, drone use can cause environmental harm if drones catch fire or batteries leak.
The search for the perfect selfie can also harm animals, protected plants and even First Nations rock art. In some cases, selfies have become a long-term threat to ecosystems.
But for land managers, perhaps the biggest challenge is satisfying increased interest while keeping people safe. They are working to assist this new demand by reshaping nature to make better scenery—and keep visitors safer. At Moran Falls in Queensland’s Lamington National Park, a famous view had been blocked by plants, driving some visitors to jump the fence at the viewing platform and stand directly on top of a very tall cliff (悬崖). As a solution, land managers have the trees trimmed (修剪) and then use the fallen branches to hide the track made by selfie-seekers.
These land managers are wondering why traditional measures like signs and warnings often prove ineffective? The answer may lie in social recognition For many, the risk seems worth the reward if it means gaining admiration on social media. Nature-based content on popular social media platforms like TikTok often performs very well, giving other would-be influencers the motive to seek out new locations. This problem has been created by the combination of social media and human psychology. To solve it, we might look at how these two factors interact. Responsible selfie and tourism campaigns on popular social media platforms could be a start.
1. Why are many people attracted to visit places like Figure Eight Pools?| A．To appreciate the natural beauty. | B．To seek adventure and excitement. |
| C．To search for the ideal selfie setting. | D．To test the use of drones for photography. |
| A．By listing figures. | B．By giving examples. |
| C．By analyzing causes. | D．By making comparisons. |
| A．Risks are often ignored by people | B．Rules are rarely followed by people. |
| C．Exploring new attractions is preferred. | D．Social media attention is valued more. |
| A．Launching tourism campaigns | B．Promoting proper behaviors online |
| C．Banning selfies in natural landscape. | D．Restricting access to social media platforms. |
4 . Scientists in Brazil have developed a vaccine (疫苗) that prevents addicts from feeling pleasure from the illegal drug, cocaine (可卡因), making the addiction stop right away.
The vaccine, Calixcoca, works by stimulating the user’s immune system to produce antibodies (抗体) when cocaine is detected in the body. These antibodies attach themselves to cocaine in the blood, making it physically too large to pass into the brain’s reward system, where it can make the user feel pleasure.
Different from the failed U. S. vaccine, Calixcoca uses artificial components produced in a lab rather than natural ones, which makes it cheaper to produce and easier to store since the vaccine does not need to be stored at low temperatures.
Calixcoca has so far proven effective in testing on animals, producing significant levels of antibodies against cocaine and few side effects. It also protected unborn baby rats against cocaine, researchers found, suggesting it could be used in humans to protect the unborn babies from being damaged by their mother’s addiction. It is hoped that the introduction of such vaccines will be a significant tool in preventing deaths from cocaine use.
The vaccine is now set to enter the final stage of trials: testing on humans. The first tests on humans have had a 72% success rate in clinical settings. Given that the current treatment for cocaine addiction is only effective in 20% of patients, “anything that is more than 20% effective is already a lot,” said Garcia, a mental health doctor. He also emphasized that, while the vaccine shows promising results, it won’t be a cure-all for everyone. It targets people struggling with addiction, especially “those who are just off cocaine and want to stay that way”. Ideally, it would be used for patients during important phases of their recovery, like when they leave the drug addiction treatment centre.
1. How can the vaccine Calixcoca stop cocaine addiction?| A．By locating cocaine in the body. |
| B．By strengthening the immune system. |
| C．By increasing the antibodies in the blood. |
| D．By stopping cocaine going into the brain. |
| A．It can be found in nature. | B．It costs less to make. |
| C．It should be kept in the cold. | D． It has a lower success rate. |
| A．Its side effects. | B．Its possible benefits. |
| C．Its target users. | D．Its testing process. |
| A．A Universal Cure for Cocaine Addicts |
| B．A Breakthrough in Vaccine Production |
| C．A Promising Vaccine for Cocaine Addiction |
| D．A Treatment of Cocaine Addiction in Brazil |
5 . Here are my top choices for the world’s best eco-hotels for holidays. A visit to any of these hotels promises a memorable and fulfilling vacation.
Bambu Indah (Bali)This small hotel is the exact picture of what it calls “old-school Bali”—a restful and laid-back experience in harmony with nature. Spend your days at Bambu Indah in natural river swimming pools fed by waterfalls, open-air bamboo structures on stilts (高跷) above the rice fields.
Why Book:
● There are only oil lamps in the hotel in an effort to reduce light pollution.
● Mosquito nets around beds catch cool air as part of a cooling solution that avoids traditional air conditioning and lessens the carbon footprint.
● Banana leaves are used as plates and papaya stems as straws as part of the hotel’s no-plastic policy.
The Stanford Inn By The Sea (California)The Stanford Inn paints a picture of wellness that extends beyond diet and exercise. Private classes and scissions in nutrition and healthy living are provided and a large greenhouse houses a saltwater swimming pool for year-round use.
Why Book:
● The inn hosts students in its Environmental Leadership Field school, providing these students with 4- to 6-week explorations into sustainability.
● The property has been practicing organic farming for more than 30 years.
Soneva Kiri (Thailand)Just 90 minutes from Bangkok, within a rainforest, guests can enjoy the unspoiled beauty and beaches of Soneye Kiri. Night diving and dining in a mushroom cave are just a couple of the unforgettable activities on offer.
Why Book:
● A 2% environmental tax on all stays goes toward the Soneva Foundation, which invests in various projects.
● Soneva funds the organization Care for Children, which has opened a foster care (寄养) training and resource center in Thailand.
● Partnerships with NGOs and other organizations help protect local marine life.
1. What is special about Bambu Indah?| A．It used to be a school. | B．It prefers non-electrical devices. |
| C．It charges environmental tax. | D．It has a saltwater swimming pool. |
| A．Jack, who loves adventures. | B．Mary, who is active in charity. |
| C．Tom, who majors in engineering. | D．Kate, who favors organic produce. |
| A．They are friendly to the environment. |
| B．They are located deep in the rainforest. |
| C．They support local community projects. |
| D．They offer luxurious holiday experiences. |
6 . Do Animals Have Friends?
When you see little animals playing together around a tree, or a cat and dog sleeping together in the living room, do you ever think — are they friends? One expert, Mike, believes that many animals do have friends. If they’re in the same group, they greet one another, travel together, play together and even share food with each other.
Playing together helps animals keep them close to the group. Wild dogs who don’t play much are more likely to leave the group on their own.
Sharing is another important part of friendship. For all animals, finding food is a matter of life and death. For some bats in Central and South America, if they don’t get a blood meal every three days, they die of hunger.
But sometimes members of a group also compete for food and mates, which can lead to fights. So making up after fights is a key skill. Sometimes after two male monkeys have a fight, they will sit apart, avoiding each other.
| A．Each wants the other to make the first move. |
| B．Young animals often team up for protection. |
| C．But hungry bats don’t need to worry if they have friends. |
| D．And leaving the protection of the group can be dangerous. |
| E．These friendly behaviors can be important for an animal to survive. |
| F．The friend helps to find food and water, and avoid dangerous animals. |
| G．Bats take blood from sleeping animals, but they are surprisingly good friends. |
7 . On September 17, 2022, a father and son set out to begin the first of three legs of the Ironman competition in Oxford. David, 59, and his son, John, 28, weren’t the typical competitors. Despite difficulty in walking, John has his dream of being an athlete. His father would act as his arms and legs, carrying the weight of his son throughout the race.
To qualify as having finished, competitors must complete a hard 140 miles of swimming, bicycling and running in under 17 hours. David and John had participated together in five Ironman competitions, but they had yet to finish in the required time.
The race began with a 2.4-mile swim in the Choptank River. With one end of a rope tied to a belt around his back and the other end to a boat with his son inside, the father eased himself into the water. Swimming while carrying another person is tough enough — David also had to fight with jellyfish (水母).
The pair completed the swim in 90 minutes, and went through with the 112-mile bicycle ride in about nine hours, then set their sights on the final leg of the 26.2-mile marathon with David pushing John in the racing chair.
With minutes left and 200 feet to the finish line, his mom, on the sidelines, handed him the rolling walker. Not that long ago, John could hardly walk 23 steps. But after years of painful training, he increased his step count and was determined to finish the race on his own. He knew time was almost running out and worried they wouldn’t make the cutoff. “Not because I wouldn’t get my moment,” he says, “but because dad had worked so hard.”
After 16 hours, 55 minutes and 35 seconds — with just four minutes and 25 seconds to spare — father and son crossed the finish line together.
As the crowd flooded and cheered on John, the weary father kept a low profile. “He didn’t want his finish line moment,” says John. “He wanted it to be mine.”
1. How did David help his son in the swimming part?| A．By pulling a rope tied to a boat. | B．By swimming beside his son. |
| C．By pushing his son’s lifebelt. | D．By carrying his son on his back. |
| A．He wouldn’t get his moment. |
| B．His mom would be disappointed. |
| C．His father had put in lots of effort. |
| D．The audience had high expectations. |
| A．Responsible and selfless. | B．Brave and honest. |
| C．Committed and friendly. | D．Gentle and determined. |
8 . Young babies make many short and word-like sounds such as “ba” or “aga”. Those early sounds are later replaced with words and, eventually, sentences. While some of them are born to be more talkative than others, a new study confirms that male babies make more sounds than female babies in the first year.
While the research confirms earlier findings from a much smaller study by the same team, they still come as a surprise. That’s because there’s a common and long-held belief that females have an advantage over males in language.
In the study, Dr Kim and his team included more than 450,000 hours of all-day recordings of 5,899 babies, using a device about the size of an iPod. Those recordings were processed to count the number of words spoken by babies and adults across the first two years of life.
Generally, the data showed that male babies made 10% more sounds in the first year compared to females. In the second year, the difference turned directions, with female babies making about 7% more sounds than males. Those differences were observed even though the number of words spoken by adults caring for those babies was higher for female babies in both years compared to males.
Why, then, would male babies be more talkative than females in the first year and not later? “We think it may be because boys are more likely to die in the first year than girls. Given that so many male deaths happen in the first year, boys may have been under especially high selection pressure to produce fitness signals to express their wellness and improve their chances of surviving,” says Kim. By the second year of life, as death rates drop sharply across the board, he added, “the pressure on special fitness signaling is lower for both boys and girls.”
1. Why are the findings of the new study surprising?| A．They are similar to earlier ones. |
| B．They show males are more talkative. |
| C．They go against people’s common belief. |
| D．They show babies learn language differently |
| A．They received more language input. |
| B．They showed better language abilities. |
| C．They communicated more with adults. |
| D．They made less sounds than female babies. |
| A．Improved language skills. | B．Change in living environment. |
| C．Less need for fitness signaling. | D．Increase in social communication. |
9 . Every morning in graduate school, Christy would wave to the woman selling hot dogs outside her building. “If she wasn’t there on a given day, things didn’t feel right. I missed her,” says Christy, now a psychology (心理学) expert at a university in the U.K. “It was this huge source of comfort and safety, and it was with someone I never talked to.”
That connection satisfied a deep, bodily need for Christy, just like water relieves thirst. Humans are intensely social animals, and research increasingly suggests that losing our connections to others can negatively impact our health. A 2023 report called widespread loneliness in the U.S. a deadly health risk comparable to smoking up to15 cigarettes (香烟) a day. On the other hand, a Harvard study found that having strong relationships is key to living a long and happy life. The study also showed that people between 80 and 89 years old in happy marriages reported that their happiness remained stable even on days when they were in greater physical pain.
But close relationships aren’t the only social ties that matter. Chatting with a stranger, giving a smile of recognition to the waiter in your local coffee shop, or waving to the people you see every day at the park creates a much-needed sense of community. “We can’t achieve happiness by ourselves. We simply cannot survive or live well without feeling like we are accepted,” says Christy.
These “weak tie” relationships aren’t a replacement for the deeper, more meaningful connections we also need. But Christy says we should recognize and celebrate their importance, and push ourselves to engage in them because they’re so beneficial to our sense of well-being. “I am not outgoing,” she says. “And, at the same time, I love talking to strangers. I believe that anyone can do it.”
1. How did Christy feel when she couldn’t see the woman as usual?| A．Safe. | B．Disappointed. | C．Angry. | D．Satisfied. |
| A．Older adults feel happier in marriages. |
| B．Physical pain negatively affects happiness. |
| C．Close relationships lead to long-term well-being. |
| D．Happiness has little to do with social connections. |
| A．They contribute to our happiness. | B．They help us to be outgoing. |
| C．They replace close relationships. | D．They push us to communicate. |
| A．Advantages of Being Lonely | B．Influence of Meeting New People |
| C．Value of Strong Social Connections | D．Importance of “Weak Tie” Relationships |
10 . In a groundbreaking discovery, bumblebees (大黄蜂) have shown a previously unseen level of cognitive (认知的) ability. A new study, published in Nature, shows that they can learn difficult, multi-step tasks through social interaction, even if they cannot figure them out on their own.
Led by Dr Alice Bridges and Professor Lars Chittka, the research team designed a two-step puzzle (谜题) box requiring bumblebees to perform two separated actions to get a sweet reward at the end. Training bees to do this was no easy task, and bees had to be helped along by the addition of an extra reward at the end of the first step. This reward in the middle was finally taken away, and bees later had to open the whole box before getting their treat. Then some trained bees repeated the whole process for demonstration.
Surprisingly, while bees that worked on their own had great difficulty in solving the puzzle, those allowed to watch a demonstrator bee finished the two steps easily — even the first — while only getting a reward at the end.
This study shows that bumblebees have a level of social learning previously thought to be unique to humans. They can share and learn behaviors that are beyond their individual cognitive abilities. Professor Chittka further notes the implications, “This challenges the traditional view that only humans can socially learn difficult behavior beyond individual learning. It raises the amazing possibility that many of the greatest achievements of the social insects, like the nesting architectures of bees or the agricultural habits of ants, may have initially spread by copying clever innovators, before they finally became part of the species-specific behaviors.”
This groundbreaking research opens new possibilities for understanding animal intelligence and the development of social learning. It challenges longstanding assumptions and helps us learn more about the cognitive wonders of insects, even suggesting the exciting possibility of advanced culture amongst seemingly simple creatures.
1. What is the purpose of the study?| A．To learn how to train bumblebees. |
| B．To compare bumblebees with ants. |
| C．To develop puzzles for bumblebees. |
| D．To test cognitive abilities of bumblebees. |
| A．By breaking it into two steps. |
| B．By providing an extra reward. |
| C．By demonstrating the process. |
| D．By making the puzzle interesting. |
| A．Both bees and ants are intelligent creatures. |
| B．Only humans are capable of social learning. |
| C．Individual learning may not be that important. |
| D．Bees’ nest-building may be a learned behavior. |
| A．Bumblebees — willing learners |
| B．Bumblebees — smarter than you think |
| C．Social learning — intelligence indicator |
| D．Social learning — universal across species |
