1 . The Enchanting Scenery of Zhangjiajie

Located in China’s Hunan province, Zhangjiajie offers a unique and breathtaking landscape with nature’s unbound creativity. This region, famous for its rock formations and deep gorges (峡谷), is a popular destination for travelers to see the nature’s wonders.

Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain, the tallest peak in Zhangjiajie, stands tall at 1,518 meters. Its most famous Tianmen Cave, a natural arch which spans over 100 meters wide, offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. There is also a challenging glass walkway, offering visitors a thrilling walk above the clouds.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

This park is a shelter for nature lovers, with over 2,400 species of plants and animals. Its highlights include the “Avatar” Hallelujah Mountains, which were a filming location for the popular movie “Avatar”. The park’s hiking trails offer visitors the chance to explore its thick forests and breathtaking valleys.

Huangshi Village

Known for its traditional Tujia architecture, Huangshi Village offers a look into the rich cultural heritage of the local community. Visitors can enjoy the village’s peaceful atmosphere, admire the unique stone houses, and taste the delicious local cuisine.

Baofeng Lake

This beautiful lake, surrounded by lush green hills, offers a peaceful escape. Boating on the lake, one can appreciate the reflections of the surrounding mountains, creating a picture-perfect scene.

1. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Tianmen Mountain?

A．It is the tallest peak in Zhangjiajie.

B．Its glass walkway gives visitors a thrilling walk.

C．It is famous for its flat and plain landscape.

D．A natural arch called Tianmen Cave is the most famous.

2. Where was the movie “Avatar” filmed?

A．Tianmen Mountain.	B．Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
C．Huangshi Village.	D．Baofeng Lake.

3. What can visitors experience in Huangshi Village?

A．The beautiful lakes and green hills.	B．The traditional architecture and cuisine.
C．Various species of plants and animals.	D．The uniqueness of its rocks and mountains.

2 . Nate had recently transferred to our school. Before he joined my class, I was informed by the headteacher that he used a wheelchair. I learned that when he was three, Nate had undergone amputations (截肢) of his legs.

One morning, I noticed that Nate’s seat was empty in the classroom. The headteacher told me that he was in the hospital for a regular surgery. I called Nate’s mother to ask if it would be alright to visit him in the hospital. She expressed gratitude, saying that Nate talked about me often. After school, I made my way to the hospital. As he saw me, his face lit up, his eyebrows raising sharply and his mouth forming a small ‘O’ of disbelief. A few days later, he was discharged and returned to school.

Unfortunately, just as Nate was about to start year three, Nate’s mom couldn’t currently look after him, and he’d been put in foster care (寄养). His social worker Jackie said Nate’s foster home was a three-hour round trip to school. I worried about how it would affect his learning, and the doctors were concerned about him missing medical appointments too. Desperate to help, I thought: Maybe I could foster him?

“I’ll have to ask Nate if he’d prefer to live with you,” Jackie explained. She called me from the hospital and put Nate on the phone.

“I’m coming to live with you!” he said and I burst into happy tears. I rushed to the hospital where nurses took me through his daily medication, and all the appointments he’d need to attend. It was demanding, but I was determined to rise to the challenge.

Nate’s 10 now. Although he’ll always have health issues, he’s such a positive boy and I feel honored to be his mom. I may have started out as Nate’s teacher, but he’s the one who taught me an incredible lesson—how to be a parent.

1. How was Nate feeling when he saw the author in the hospital?

A．Worried.

B．Astonished.

C．Upset.

D．Satisfied.

2. What made the author decide to adopt Nate?

A．The suggestion of Nate’s social worker.

B．The unexpected illness of Nate’s mother.

C．The thirst of the author’s husband for a child.

D．The inconvenience of Nate’s living in the foster home.

3. What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A．Nate hesitated to accept the adoption.	B．Nate was pessimistic about his recovery.
C．Nate inspired the author while living with her.	D．Nate got deeply troubled by the daily medication.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Parenting: A Lifelong Career	B．A Moving Experience on the Wheelchair
C．Love: An Unconditional Acceptance	D．A Sympathetic Bond Beyond the Classroom

3 . Handwriting notes in class might seem outdated as smartphones and other digital technology cover every aspect of learning across schools and universities. But a steady stream of research continues to suggest that taking notes the traditional way is still the best way to learn, especially for young children. And now scientists are finally zeroing in on why.

The new research, by Audrey van der Meer and Ruud van der Weel at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), builds on a foundational 2014 study suggesting that people taking notes by computer were typing without thinking. “It kind of goes in through your ears and comes out through your fingertips, but you don’t process the incoming information,” she says. But when taking notes by hand, it’s often impossible to write everything down; students have to actively pay attention to the incoming information and process it—prioritize it, consolidate it and try to relate it to things they’ve learned before. This conscious action of building onto existing knowledge can make it easier to stay engaged and grasp new concepts.

To understand specific brain activity differences during the two note-taking approaches, the researchers sewed electrodes (电极) into a hairnet with 256 sensors that recorded the brain activity of 36 students as they wrote or typed 15 words from the game Pictionary that were displayed on a screen.

When students wrote the words by hand, the sensors detected widespread connectivity across many brain regions. Typing, however, led to minimal activity, if any, in the same areas. Handwriting set off connection patterns covering visual regions, which receive and process sensory information, and the motor cortex (运动皮层). The latter handles body movement and sensorimotor integration, which helps the brain use environmental inputs to inform a person’s next action.

Sophia Vinci-Booher, an assistant professor of educational brain science at Vanderbilt University, says, “People may not realize when they materialize something by writing or drawing it, this strengthens the concept and helps it stick in their memory.”

1. What do we know about the new research?

A．It is an initial study on note-taking.	B．It offers a new note-taking method.
C．It finds the evidence for previous finding.	D．It introduces how to take notes effectively.

2. What does the underlined word “consolidate” probably mean in paragraph 2?

A．Integrate.

B．Demonstrate.

C．Obtain.

D．Share.

3. What happens in the brain when taking notes by hand?

A．Visual systems are lacking in activities.	B．Some brain areas are highly involved.
C．Sensory information is processed rapidly.	D．The motor cortex accepts visual information.

4. What is Sophia Vinci-Booher’s attitude towards the new research?

A．Approving.

B．Dismissive.

C．Doubtful.

D．Unclear.

4 . Come and join the fantastic team at the Wyoming State Library! The WSL has an opening for a Resource Sharing Librarian, who will support statewide resource-sharing projects for the 105 member libraries. The position may assist library staff using the Integrated Library Systems(ILS) in other areas as needed.

This position is perfect for the candidate who:

·Has experience using the ILS and Library Services Platforms.

·Can apply the ILS-related technologies such as interlibrary loan software and collection analysis tools.

·Can creatively solve problems and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.

·Is comfortable providing training using a variety of methods for users.

The person in this position will be responsible for:

·Providing support and training for library staff throughout Wyoming.

·Using reporting tools to collect and analyze data related to shared lending, and share findings with library staff throughout Wyoming.

·Participating in resource-sharing communities and taking part in education al events and conferences related to resource-sharing.

·Maintaining awareness of interlibrary loan software developments.

Preference will be given to applicants with:

·A Master's in Library Science or equivalent from an ALA-accredited institution.

·At least two years of post-MLS professional-level work in a library, including experience with interlibrary loan platforms.

·Effective communication, organization, analytical skills and problem-solving skills.

If you have a question about this article, please contact us at statelibrary@wyo.gov .

1. Who is suitable to work as a Resource Sharing Librarian?

A．One who can use the computer.	B．One who is devoted to his work.
C．One who has ILS & Library Platform Skills.	D．One who has working experience in the library.

2. What should the person in the position do?

A．Study the usage of the interlibrary loan software.

B．Organize some educational events and conferences.

C．Offer assistance and training to Wyoming librarians.

D．Work with other library staff to collect and analyze data.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A book review.	B．An official website.
C．A news report.	D．An academic article.

5 . Urban agriculture, the practice of farming within the limits of a city, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide and is considered a way to make cities and urban food systems more sustainable. Despite strong evidence of the social and nutritional benefits of urban agriculture, its carbon footprint remains understudied.

Most previously published studies have focused on high-tech, energy-intensive forms of urban agriculture —such as vertical (垂直的) farms and rooftop greenhouses. The new study aimed to fill some of the knowledge gaps by comparing the carbon footprints of food produced at low-tech urban agriculture sites to conventional crops.

The researchers calculated the greenhouse gas emissions (排放) associated with on-farm materials and activities over the lifetime of the farm. The emissions, expressed in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents per serving of food, were then compared to foods raised by conventional methods.

Farmers and gardeners at urban agriculture sites across the world were employed to use daily diary entries to take down inputs—the materials used to construct farms and cultivate crops—and harvests from their food-growing sites throughout the 2019 season.

“By assessing actual inputs and outputs on urban agriculture sites, we were able to determine climate change impacts to each serving of produce,” says study co-lead author Benjamin Goldstein, assistant professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability. On average, food produced through urban agriculture released 0.42 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents per serving, six times higher than the 0.07 kg CO₂e per serving of conventionally grow n produce.

It’s also found that most of the climate impacts at urban farms are driven by the infrastructure (基础设施), such as the raised beds in which food is grown, or pathways between plots. “These farms typically only operate for a few years, so the greenhouse gases used to produce those materials are not used effectively. Conventional agriculture, instead, is very efficient and hard to compete with”, Goldstein says. For example, conventional farms often grow a single crop with the help of pesticides and fertilizers, resulting in larger harvests and a reduced carbon footprint when compared to urban farms, he says.

1. What is a benefit of urban agriculture?

A．Sustainable food supply.	B．High food output.
C．Effective energy conservation.	D．Low carbon footprint.

2. How is the research data collected?

A．By accessing online database.	B．By examining previous studies.
C．By conducting personal interviews.	D．By recording information every day.

3. What could be done to reduce carbon footprint according to Goldstein?

A．Increase varieties of crops.	B．Extend infrastructure lifetimes.
C．Promote rooftop greenhouses.	D．Use modern agriculture facilities.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The benefits of traditional crops.	B．The popularity of urban agriculture.
C．The strategies to fight global warming.	D．The carbon footprint of urban farm produce.

6 . Independent will is what really makes effective self-management possible. It is the ability to make decisions and choices and to act in accordance with them. It is the ability to act rather than to be acted upon.

The human will is an amazing thing. Time after time, it has won against unbelievable difficulties. The Helen Kellers of this world give dramatic evidence to the value, the power of the independent will. But as we examine it in the context of effective self-management, we realize it’s usually not the dramatic, the visible, the once-in-a-lifetime effort that brings enduring success. Empowerment comes from learning how to use independent will in the decisions we make every day.

The degree to which we have developed our independent will in our everyday lives is measured by our personal integrity. Integrity is, fundamentally, the value we place on ourselves. It’s our ability to make and keep commitments to ourselves — to “walk our talk.” It’s honor with self, a fundamental part of the character ethic, the essence of active growth.

Effective management is putting first things first. While leadership decides what “first things” are, it is management that puts them first, day-by-day, moment-by-moment. Management is discipline, carrying it out.

Discipline stems from disciple (追随者) — disciple to a philosophy, disciple to a set of principles, disciple to a set of values, and disciple to an ultimate. purpose. In other words, if you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will. You are a disciple, a follower, of your own deep values and their source. And you have the will, the integrity, to place your feelings, your urges, your moods after those values.

That placement requires a purpose, a mission. It also requires independent will, the power to do something when you don’t want to do it, to be a function of your values rather than a function of the urge or desire of any given moment. It’s the power to act with integrity to your first creation.

1. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning “the Helen Kellers” in paragraph 2?

A．To explain a reason.	B．To highlight a point.
C．To make a prediction.	D．To give a definition.

2. What do the underlined words “walk our talk” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Put words into deeds.	B．Display confidence.
C．Stop talking big.	D．Strike a balance.

3. To achieve effective self-management, what will the author probably recommend?

A．Seeking external support.	B．Undertaking more missions.
C．Sticking to one’s own values.	D．Following one’s desires.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．The Secret Behind Self-discipline	B．The Magic of Personal Integrity
C．The Power of Independent Will	D．The Road to Effective Management

7 . “A fish out of water.” “A bike without a chain.” There are many metaphors for culture shock, all of which attempt to describe the unique experience of being far from one’s home country and culture.

Scientists have studied culture shock for over a century. Rather than focus on the purely negative aspects, psychologists describe it as a process of stress and adjustment. The first stage is the honeymoon phase, when we are filled with excitement about being in another country. Eventually, as daily challenges arise, we enter a state of crisis and anxiety, harboring unfriendly feelings about the host culture. The longer we are immersed in the culture, we adjust and recover from those negative feelings. Finally, after some time we adjust even more and fully accept the new culture.

One of the factors that determines how we react to cultural stress is our personality. Not surprisingly, extraverts (外向者) tend to have an easier time adjusting to new cultures. That is because being in a new country means meeting many new people and spending a lot of time around them, and extraverts thrive in these situations. But introverts simply prefer to be alone after spending time in groups, and only have limited energy to spend in social settings.

Cultural intelligence, or CQ, also plays its part. Cultural intelligence is defined as the capability of an individual to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity. It has to do with our interest in interacting with people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and our ability to adapt to new cultural context. It is argued that the higher our CQ, the lesser the effect of culture shock on our ability to cope in new situations.

Many effective coping strategies are interpersonal. A recent study found that relating to others with empathy is significantly associated with lower stress levels abroad. The more we are able to take on other people’s points of view, the more positive our interpersonal relationships and thus our adaptation to the stress of culture shock.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．Explaining the quotes.	B．Raising an argument.
C．Introducing the topic.	D．Presenting an example.

2. How will a person feel the moment he arrives in a foreign country?

A．Anxious.

B．Thrilled.

C．Shocked.

D．Grateful.

3. Who will most probably be affected by the cultural shock?

A．An active boy interested in anything new.

B．A shy boy unwilling to socialize with strangers.

C．A quiet girl open to diverse cultural backgrounds.

D．A communicative girl fluent in the local language.

4. What is important for dealing with the cultural shock?

A．Lowering the stress level.	B．Developing self-awareness.
C．Analyzing the cause of discomfort.	D．Understanding others with sympathy.

8 . ONE CEREMONY, SEVERAL FIRSTS

The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games will be bold, original and unique. On 26 July 2024, Paris 2024 will offer an Opening Ceremony that is certain to join the most memorable moments in Olympic history.

A ceremony outside a stadium

For the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games, the Opening Ceremony will not take place in a stadium. Paris 2024 is breaking new ground by bringing sports and the Opening Ceremony into the city, set to be held in the heart of the city along its main river: the Seine (塞纳河).

A ceremony on the river

Taking on a new look, the parade of athletes will be held on the Seine with boats for each national delegation (代表团). These boats will be equipped with cameras to allow television and online viewers to see the athletes up close. Winding their way from east to west, the 10,500 athletes will cross through the centre of Paris.

A ceremony with free admission for many spectators

Holding a ceremony open to a large audience, with no admission fee for most of its spectators, is a major first. Fans won’t need tickets to access the upper quays (码头), but those wishing to access the lower quays will need to buy tickets. Eighty giant screens and strategically placed speakers will allow everyone to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this show throughout Paris.

A ceremony designed for and by athletes

By opening with the parade of athletes, Paris 2024 is breaking with tradition. Athletes will be featured on stage during the introduction to and throughout the ceremony as part of Paris 2024’s constant aim to hold Games created for and by athletes.

1. Where will the Opening Ceremony of Paris 2024 be held?

A．On the quays beside the Seine.

B．In the city center along the Seine.

C．In a stadium near the heart of Paris.

D．On the eastern and western ends of Paris.

2. What do we know about the admission fee?

A．No admission fee is required.

B．Access to the lower quays is free.

C．Tickets should be bought for the upper quays.

D．Some viewers pay for watching the ceremony.

3. What is the main idea of this text?

A．The history of the Olympics.	B．The procedure of Paris 2024.
C．The novel points of a ceremony.	D．The charging rules of a ceremony.

9 . Abstract painter Harold Cohen had represented Britain at important festivals with his oil paintings and was seeking a new challenge by the end of 1960s. “Maybe there are more interesting things going on outside my studio than inside it,” he thought. Cohen turned from the canvas to the screen, using computers to find new ways of creating art. In the late 1960s, he created a program that he named Aaron. It was the first artificial intelligence software in the world of fine art, and Cohen first presented Aaron in 1974 at the University of California.

Now, with AI dominating the headlines, a new exhibition at New York’s Whitney Museum of American Art, “Harold Cohen: Aaron,” running through June 2024, draws attention to Cohen’s pioneering work. The Whitney is offering something deeper than most previous Aaron exhibits: a real-time experience, in which visitors can watch the software produce art.

Cohen seeded Aaron with all sorts of knowledge: about basic objects, physics, and fundamental techniques of drawing. Aaron uses this knowledge to follow instructions, complete tasks, and make decisions like human beings — a very different approach from today’s generative AI art programs, which don't draw from scratch (从零开始) but rather rely on databases of images. Versions of Aaron still generate output, but anything done after Cohen’s death in 2016 is not considered genuine.

The Whitney is showcasing two versions of Cohen’s software, along with the art that each produced before Cohen died. The 2001 version, Aaron KCAT, generates images of figures and plants and projects them onto a wall more than ten feet high, while the 2007 version produces jungle-like scenes. The software will also create art physically, on paper, for the first time since the 1990s. “It is absolutely thrilling,” said Christiane Paul, the museum’s director of digital art, “to have one of those remarkable treasures of digital art in the collection.”

1. What made Aaron created?

A．Harold’s curiosity.	B．The museum’s donation.
C．Visitors’ expectation.	D．The university’s support.

2. What can visitors do in the “Harold Cohen: Aaron” exhibition?

A．See the original 1960s version of Aaron.	B．Generate images with the help of Aaron.
C．Learn about the physical rules in art.	D．Observe Aaron creating art on the spot.

3. What makes Aaron different from modern AI art programs?

A．Its ability to assign tasks.	B．Its use of modern techniques.
C． Its capability to make choices.	D． Its dependence on existing database.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The masterpieces of digital art.	B．A new show of the art world’s first AI.
C．The latest technologies in the Whitney.	D．Harold Cohen’s impact on generative AI.

10 . Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise hits Disney’s streaming service alongside its arrival at cinemas. As such, you’ll have to pay $30 on top of your subscription fee to see it — a high price for a solo viewing, but a great deal for a family session. That’s good news, because this really is a winner of a family movie, thanks to the production values you’d come to expect from a Disney blockbuster (大片) and the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

Inside Out

Just when we thought Pixar was on the decline, it released Inside Out, one of its most thoughtful and powerful movies. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, Inside Out made over $850 million at the box office upon its 2015 release. It wasn’t just a commercial success, as it scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Free Solo

Free Solo is one of the best documentaries ever made. Telling the story of Alex Honnold, the first man to “free solo” El Capitan, it’s a character study of a man who makes the impossible look almost ordinary; an Oscar-winning story that culminates (到达极点) — quite literally — in a close-up view of one of humanity’s wildest achievements.

Aladdin

You can agree or you can disagree, but I believe that Aladdin has the best song lineup of any animated movie that Disney has ever produced. A Whole New World, Prince Ali, Friend Like Me, Arabian Nights — banger after banger (一部接一部). That’s reflected in the critical response: Aladdin is one of the best-rated Disney movies ever, with a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

1. What do we know about the movie Jungle Cruise?

A．It takes a total of $30 to see it.

B．It doesn’t require a subscription.

C．It is mainly intended for children.

D．It stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

2. What makes Aladdin stand out among the movies above?

A．Its music.	B．Its voice actors.
C．Its approval rating.	D．Its dialogues.

3. Which movie tells an inspiring real-life story?

A．Jungle Cruise.

B．Inside Out.

C．Free Solo.

D．Aladdin.