1 . Far too often, we look at ourselves in the mirror and tell ourselves we aren’t good enough.     1    . Here’re some tips on how to accept yourself.

Accept your individuality

View your weaknesses as what makes you a unique person. As humans, we all have weaknesses that set us apart from others. Instead of viewing your weaknesses as bad things, turn them into what makes you an individual.     2    . However, that same quality may also mean you’re awesome at art or English.

    3    

We are often our own worst critics, and we tend to hold ourselves to standards that we wouldn’t expect of other people. Think about the standards you set for yourself, and then think about if you’d hold a friend or loved one to the same standards. If you wouldn’t, then you don’t need to hold yourself to those standards either.

Don’t compare yourself to others

Stick to your own standards. While it can be tough, try not to compare yourself to your peers (同龄人).     4    , and you don’t need to match someone else’s journey. Be grateful for what you have, and think about how far you’ve come to make it where you are today.

Surround yourself with people who support you

    5    . Your friends and family members often have your best interests at heart, and they’ll want to improve your self-confidence as much as they can. On the other hand, try to watch out for people pointing out your weaknesses often. Spending too much time with them can make you feel worse about yourself.

A．Everyone’s life path is different

B．Set realistic standards for yourself

C．Learn not to criticize yourself too often

D．You can always seek trust from friends and family

E．Accepting your weaknesses is a great way to love yourself

F．Hang out with people who make you feel good about yourself

G．For instance, maybe you feel like you aren’t as good at math as your classmates are

2 . About a decade ago, I attended a dinner in Guangzhou. The bird’s nest soup was gentle and delicious, the fish fresh and perfectly steamed. The most memorable dish, however, was the plain soup served at the end. Made from chicken, probably with ham as well, it was simple but perfect.

Ending a banquet with soup may seem odd to Westerners, accustomed as they are to sweets at a meal’s close. But, as Fuchsia Dunlop, an English food writer, explains in her new book, Invitation to a Banquet, “The transparent soup is an ideal conclusion to a meal.”

Invitation to a Banquet is Ms Dunlop’s seventh book. Unlike those for which she is best known, including The Food of Sichuan, Shark’s Fin and Sichuan Pepper, and Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook(about Hunanese cuisine), this is not a cookbook. Instead, she has chosen 30 dishes and used each to illustrate different aspects of Chinese cuisine—and, in turn, Chinese life and history.

“Westerners have traditionally assumed that the Chinese eat animal parts because they are poor, when in fact turning up one’s nose at pigs’ heads and legs shuts the door on a wide range of foods that are really wonderful,” Ms Dunlop argues in the book.

In short, Ms Dunlop has made a convincing case for the superiority of Chinese cuisine, but in a delighted and expansive rather than chauvinistic (沙文主义的) way. She shows how it has absorbed foreign influences(as other cuisines have, too), how it has changed with China’s increasing wealth and how central it is to the country’s intellectual and cultural history.

She makes an equally good case in this book that the Chinese food most Westerners can find at their local takeaway is neither inauthentic nor wrong. Instead, it reflects local tastes which are as representative of the cuisine’s diversity as a frozen pizza is of Italy’s adventurousness. The local takeaway has made the real thing more accessible than ever outside China.

1. Which word best describes the author’s impression of the dinner in Guangzhou?

A．Favorable.

B．Conservative.

C．Negative.

D．Unclear.

2. Which book should readers select if they are interested in Chinese history?

A．Shark’s Fin and Sichuan Pepper.	B．The Food of Sichuan.
C．Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook.	D．Invitation to a Banquet.

3. What does Ms Dunlop suggest Westerners do concerning Chinese cuisine?

A．Avoid eating pigs’ heads and legs.	B．Go to the most expensive restaurants.
C．Be open-minded about any Chinese food.	D．Don’t try the local takeaway outside China.

4. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A cookbook.

B．A book review.

C．A biography.

D．A travel journal.

3 . It was early September, a season of less rain. I paid a visit to the Exploradores Glacier in southern Chile’s Laguna San Rafael National Park.

The glacier is an ice sheet that reached its biggest size about 28,000 years ago. But like all glaciers, its growth or decline relies on the amount of snow it receives and the temperatures that either keep it frozen or speed up its disappearance.

“Glaciers are like nature’s thermometer (温度计),” said Jorge O’Kuinghttons Villena, the guardian of the glacier who was accompanying me. “When you see them melt, you know that human lives nearby are at risk. ”

O’Kuinghttons was referring to the fact that melting ice might result in glacial lake outburst floods, or GLOFs, that can destroy nearby communities. A striking case of this occurred in 1977.

“Many people were taken by surprise, because it was a sunny day without rain,” said O’Kuinghttons.

“Was the GLOF a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence?” I asked.

“No, it was an extreme event,” he replied. “But it happens more frequently here, with more violence recently.”

Hiking around the glacier was a unique experience. Owing to its remoteness, there was no life, no movement, no change of any sort in sight. Every 10 minutes or so, the deep silence gave way to a gunfire-like sound: the cracking of ice. Just as suddenly, silence returned.

“It is an everyday occurrence. The glacier is dying,” O’Kuinghttons said. “Take your photo here, and then come back in five years. You can see the difference. What really worries me is the glacier’s slow but accelerated disappearance due to the rising temperatures.”

Late in the evening, I found myself lying in the comfort of my bed and listening to the unmistakable sounds followed by the quietness. The cycle kept me awake all night. I wondered when we would be punished for our own activities.

1. What can we learn about the Exploradores Glacier?

A．It is about 28,000 years old.	B．It is in a national park in Chile.
C．It is easily accessible to tourists.	D．It should be visited in September.

2. Why did O’Kuinghttons mention the flood in 1977?

A．To explain the history of GLOFs.	B．To stress the importance of glaciers.
C．To prove the predictability of GLOFs.	D．To show the consequences of melting glaciers.

3. How did the author most probably feel in the evening?

A．Excited.

B．Relieved.

C．Concerned.

D．Annoyed.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．My Unforgettable Visit to the Exploradores Glacier

B．Urgent Measures Are Needed to Protect Glaciers

C．Glaciers in Southern Chile Are Disappearing Fast

D．GLOFs Have Become a New Threat in Southern Chile

4 . Keeping your home neat and tidy is a continual process that takes a lot of emotional energy and time. Here are some useful decluttering (清理) strategies.

    1    

If you have a lot of clutter in your house, ask yourself what has made it hard to get rid of. In many cases, it is due to the fact that you hope to hold on to the past or want a different reality than the one you’re living in.

Take the emotion out of it

Then comes the hardest part: figuring out what to get rid of.    2    . Go through it as though you’re helping a friend and none of your stuff means anything to you.

Start small

Don’t try to tidy up all your clutter in one afternoon. Instead, start with something less challenging, like one single bathroom drawer.    3    . This kind of work often takes the most time and emotional energy.

You can also work within short time periods. If you only have an hour to declutter your home this week, divide that time into three 20-minute periods. For the first 20 minutes, look for trash to throw away. For the next 20 minutes, identify anything you want to give away or donate.    4    .

Make it easy to stay organized

It’s easy to be organized the day after decluttering. But what happens when you come home from a trip and are too tired to unpack your luggage? Or when you get the flu and are too sick to clean up?    5    . For example, label storage containers on all four sides so they’re easier to spot. Make sure your most used items are always the easiest to reach.

A．Understand your unwanted stuff

B．Don’t bite off more than you can chew

C．Spend the last 20 minutes putting items back where they belong

D．It would be much better for you to have a rest or see a doctor first

E．At this stage, you have to look at your clutter without any emotion

F．Leave more difficult tasks, like selecting family photos, for another day

G．The key is to find a system that works for you even when you are too tired or sick

5 . On February 15, 2024, OpenAI, the maker of Chat GPT, released a new AI tool that can make instant short videos from written commands.

The new text-to-video generator, Sora, isn’t the first of its kind. Google, Meta and Runway ML are among the other companies to have demonstrated similar technology. But industry analysts are deeply impressed by the quality and length of the videos shared so far. Fred Havemeyer, head of AI and software research at Macquarie, said that Sora’s launch marks a big step forward for both OpenAI and the future of text-to-video generation technology.

“Sora’s videos not only run up to 60 seconds in length, but also look so natural that it seems to actually respect physics and the real world,” Havemeyer said. “The length and consistency of the videos represent new opportunities for creatives to generate videos from one or a few written commands.”

Although Sora’s abilities have amazed observers since its launch, anxiety over potential problems of AI-generated video uses also remains.

“Having a potentially magical way to generate videos that look and sound realistic may present a number of issues for the society,” Havemeyer added. “It’s a serious issue that every business and every person needs to face.”

However, tech companies are still calling the shots when it comes to controlling AI and its risks as governments around the world are still struggling to catch up. Last year, the European Union reached a deal on the world’s first comprehensive AI rules, but the act won’t take effect until two years after final approval.

OpenAI promised to take important safety steps before making Sora widely available. “We are working with experts in areas like misinformation, hateful content, and bias,” OpenAI’s Vice President of Global Affairs Anna Makanju said at a conference. “We’re also building tools to help detect misleading content such as a detection classifier that can tell when a video was generated by Sora.”

While Sora can create complex, incredibly detailed scenes, OpenAI admits that there are still some weaknesses. For example, a person might take a bite out of a cookie, but afterward, the cookie may not have a bite mark.

1. What did Fred Havemeyer say about Sora?

A．It is more creative than artists.	B．It can make high-quality videos.
C．It is based on an existing technology.	D．It can work without human intervention.

2. The underlined words “calling the shots” in paragraph 6 can be understood as ______.

A．in charge

B．at a loss

C．out of reach

D．under investigation

3. What can be inferred from Anna Makanju’s words?

A．OpenAI will help governments to regulate AI.	B．Sora will be available to the public very soon.
C．OpenAI is sharply aware of Sora’s weaknesses.	D．Sora is smart enough to detect harmful content.

4. What does the author most probably want to tell us in the last paragraph?

A．The task itself is too difficult.	B．It is unnecessary to focus on details.
C．Sora can be easily cheated by humans.	D．Sora cannot understand the real world very well.

6 . You may feel like a master multitask er as you drink your morning coffee, catch up on email and tune into a conference call. But did you know for most people, in most situations, multitasking makes us less efficient and more likely to make a mistake.

This might not be as apparent when we’re doing simple and routine tasks, like listening to music while walking, or folding laundry while watching TV. But when the stakes are higher and the tasks are more complex, trying to multitask can negatively impact our lives — or even be dangerous.

So-called multitasking divides our attention. It makes it harder for us to give our full attention to one thing. For example, attempting to complete additional tasks during a driving simulation led to poorer driving performance. It can also affect our ability to learn, because in order to learn, we need to be able to focus. Dr. Kubu, a neuropsychologist, says, “If we’re constantly attempting to multitask, we don’t practice tuning out the rest of the word to engage in deeper processing and learning.” Another pitfall (缺陷) is that trying to do too much at once makes it harder to be mindful and truly present in the moment — and mindfulness comes with a plethora (过量) of benefits for our minds and our bodies. In fact, many therapies based on mindfulness can even help patients suffering from depression, anxiety and other conditions.

Choosing to focus on one task at a time can benefit many aspects of our life. Take surgeons for example. “People assume a surgeon’s skill is primarily in the precision and steadiness of their hands. While there’s some truth to that, the true gift of a surgeon is the ability to single-mindedly focus on one person and complete a series of task over the course of many hours.” Dr. Kubu explains. But surgeons aren’t necessarily born with this ability to monotask. Rather, they develop and perfect it through hours of practice. It is true that we perform best one thing at a time. Why not give it a try?

1. Multitasking will make negative influences when tasks are ________.

A．clear and apparent	B．routine and regular
C．simple and relaxing	D．risky and complicated

2. How did the author develop paragraph 3?

A．By listing data.	B．By stating reasons.
C．By giving definitions.	D．By making comparisons.

3. What does the underlined word “monotask” mean in the last paragraph?

A．Single-task.

B．Multitask.

C．Efficiency.

D．Task-switching.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Why multitasking doesn’t work.	B．How to improve daily performance.
C．Which career less needs multitasking.	D．What positive effects multitasking has.

7 . 2023 was a good year for archaeological discoveries. Here are some of the most interesting new finds.

A moai

In February, volunteers unearthed a stone head called a moai on Easter Island. The statue is small for a moai — a little over five feet tall, while others of the roughly 900 statues on the island are up to 33 feet tall.

Most of the moai were created between 1250 and 1500, and local people regard them as the living faces of their ancestors. But nothing is known about this new moai, including which ancestor it represents.

Two mummy workshops

Archaeologists announced in May that they discovered two more workshops near the ruins of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis. One of the workshops features stone beds meant for the preservation of human bodies, while the other one has smaller beds that were used to mummify animals.

A Maya city

In June, Mexican archaeologists discovered a lost city called Ocomtun. They thought it was a major center from about AD 250 until it was abandoned when the Maya civilization collapsed between 900 and 1000, possibly from drought and civil wars.

Ocomtun covers more than 120 acres and features well-preserved homes, raised platforms and pyramid temples. The remains of the largest pyramid are more than 80 feet high.

Roman jewelry

In June, dozens of precious stones were discovered by archaeologists in the ruins of an ancient pipe system that carried water away from public baths in the third and fourth centuries. It’s thought they were worn by wealthy bathers. Some of these precious stones are carved with images of Roman gods, such as Apollo, Venus, and Mars, while others show animals, such as rabbits and birds.

The public baths were found at Carlisle in England. The city was a regional center in Roman Britain, when it was known as Luguvalium.

1. What is the height of the newly found stone statue?

A．About 5 feet.

B．About 33 feet.

C．About 80 feet.

D．About 900 feet.

2. Where were the new mummy workshops unearthed?

A．In Chile.

B．In England.

C．In Egypt.

D．In Mexico.

3. What do the last two discoveries have in common?

A．They are located in North America.	B．They were discovered by volunteers.
C．They were related to religious celebrations.	D．They can reveal ancient urban development.

8 . Four Powerful US National Parks

Glacier

Montana

The Crown of the Continent is a playground of peaks, lakes, hiking paths and, of course, glaciers. Twenty-five of the original 150 remain, and scientists warn they may begone by 2030. Don’t miss Going-to-the-Sun Road, with a stop at Logan Pass to stretch your legs on the 2. 8-mile Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.

Yosemite

California

Not only is Yosemite home to the world’s tallest granite monolith (花岗岩巨石), but also North America’s largest waterfall (Yosemite Falls). The park has many 3, 000-year-old giant sequoia trees, so it’s easy to see why this 1, 100-square-mile wilderness is Eden for nature lovers.

Grand Canyon

Arizona

The power of nature on display at the Grand Canyon both humbles and excites the park’s 5 million annual visitors. There are many heart-stopping overlooks on the South Rim, but don’t miss the descent (斜坡) into the mile-deep gorge (峡谷) for adventures on foot, by mule or in a white-water raft.

Denali

Alaska

Travel to this remote park, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2017, and mark two major items off your list: North America’s highest peak: 20, 310-foot Denali; and Alaska’s “big five”: moose, Dall sheep, caribou, wolves and grizzlies. See it all from the comfort of a bus tour, or explore 35. 5 miles of official hiking paths.

1. Which national park should you visit if you want to travel Going-to-the-Sun Road?

A．Glacier.

B．Yosemite.

C．Grand Canyon.

D．Denali.

2. What can you do in Yosemite national park?

A．Watch Alaska’s “big five”.	B．Explore the mile-deep gorge on foot.
C．Hike on the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.	D．Admire North America’s largest waterfall.

3. Where is the national park having North America’s highest peak located?

A．In Montana.

B．In California.

C．In Arizona.

D．In Alaska.

9 . Make me a chili pepper lover! People who often chow down on chili peppers may live for longer and have a significantly reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (心血管疾病) or cancer, research from Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute suggests.

Previous studies have found that capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their characteristic kick, can have anti-inflammatory (消炎的), antioxidant, anti-cancer and blood-glucose regulating effects when eaten. To further investigate the effects of consuming chili peppers, the researchers gathered together the health and dietary records of more than 570,000 patients in the US, Italy, China and Iran, published in four previous large-scale scientific studies.

They found that those who ate chili peppers regularly had a 26% reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) death, a 23% relative reduction in cancer death, and a 25% relative reduction in all-cause death, compared to those who rarely or never ate them.

“We were surprised to find that in these previously published studies, regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with an overall risk reduction of all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality. It highlights that dietary factors may play an important role in overall health,” said senior author Dr. Bo Xu, a cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute.

“The exact reasons and mechanisms that might explain our findings, though, are currently unknown,” he added. “Therefore, it is impossible to convincingly say that eating more chili pepper can prolong life and reduce deaths, especially from cardiovascular factors or cancer. More research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed to confirm these new findings.”

Additionally, as the precise amount and type of chili pepper consumed varied across the four studies used in the research, it’s tricky to determine exactly how much and what type of chili peppers may provide the health benefits. However, the researchers are continuing to analyze the data in the hope of uncovering more concrete evidence.

1. What does the research reveal?

A．Chili peppers can cure heart diseases.	B．People who love chili peppers live longer.
C．Eating hot peppers may be good for the health.	D．Some peppers have been used as medicine.

2. Why are data listed in paragraph 3?

A．To correct misunderstandings.	B．To clarify a concept.
C．To prove researchers’ ideas.	D．To provide readers with the truth.

3. What is Dr. Bo Xu’s attitude toward the new findings?

A．Tolerant.

B．Doubtful.

C．Objective.

D．Dismissive.

4. What are the researchers planning to do according to the text?

A．Go on the study to find more proofs.	B．Conduct a large-scale clinical trials.
C．Discover more potential health benefits.	D．Develop new nutrition dietary guidelines.

10 . We’ve all been there — staring at a pile of books, desperately hoping that what we study will stick in our mind. Many of us have probably asked if there’s any way that we can get better at remembering things.     1    

Every student who has made flashcards knows that it can be helpful to go back over what they’ve studied before. The Learning Scientists, a group of cognitive scientists, have made a new discovery.    2     They say that trying to retrieve (找回) something from your memory after you have had some time to forget it will make it easier to remember in future.

    3     The Learning Scientists say this can help you build links between different ideas. Now, linking ideas and relating them to each other or to images are often suggested as good ways to memorise something. Former world memory champion Jonathan Hancock highlights how picturing pieces of information in different physical locations or linking them to memorable images makes them easier to remember. Linking new information to things that are easier to remember is a technique that many people use.    4    

There are also more general things that we can do to improve our memory. Hancock says that being generally organised makes things easier for your brain, while many other experts also recommend avoiding stress, alcohol and smoking, and that we should get a lot of rest and exercise.    5    

A．We don’t know exactly why this happens.

B．It’s important to the long-term memory.

C．So, why don’t we look at what memory experts say about this?

D．Another study tip is to change between different topics as you study.

E．It could be making letter patterns into words, or by sorting things into categories.

F．According to them, we can learn things better if we wait for some time before trying to study them again.

G．So, while it may be hard, improving our memory is something we can control.