1 . Before the Internet age, critical thinking was the most important skill of people. But in the digital age, according to Anastasia Kozyreva, a famous psychologist, a more important skill is critical ignoring..
As researchers point out, we live in an attention economy where content producers on the Internet compete for our attention. They attract us with many eye-catching stories while providing little useful information, so they can expose us to profit-generating advertisements. Therefore, we are not customers but products, and each link we click is a sale of our time and attention. To protect ourselves from this, Kozyreva advocates (提倡) for learning the skill of critical ignoring, in which readers can control their information environment to reduce exposure to raise information.
According to Kozyreva, critical ignoring includes three strategies. The first is to design our environments, which includes removing low-quality yet hard-to-resist (难以抵制的) information from around. Successful dieters need to keep unhealthy food out of their homes. Similarly, we need to set up a digital environment where attention-grabbing items are kept out of sight. Like dieting, if one tries to depend on willpower not to click eye-catching "news", he'll surely fail. So, it's better to keep them out of sight at first!
The next is to evaluate the reliability (可靠性) of information, whose purpose is to protect you from false information. It can be realized by checking the source in the mainstream, news agencies, which are trustworthy.
The last is: "never feed the trolls." Trolls are some people who spread false information online to cause harm. Do not correct them, because they do not care about whether the information is correct. Annoying others is their goal. So, never respond to their bad behaviour with our attention.
By using the above critical ignoring skills, we can make the most of the Internet while avoiding falling victim to those who try to control our attention, time, and minds.
1. What can we learn about the attention economy from paragraph 2?| A．It offers more information. | B．It features depressing stories. |
| C．It saves time for Internet users. | D．It seeks profits from each click. |
| A．To discuss the quality of information. | B．To prove the benefits of healthy food. |
| C．To show the importance of environments. | D．To explain the effectiveness of willpower. |
| A．Review their intention. | B．Turn a deaf ear to them.. |
| C．Correct their behaviour. | D．Send hard facts to them. |
| A．Reasons for critical thinking in the attention economy. |
| B．Practising the skills of critical ignoring in the digital age. |
| C．Maximizing the benefits of critical ignoring on the Internet. |
| D．Strategies of abandoning critical thinking for Internet users. |
2 . Breakthrough Junior Challenge
For students looking for a more creatively inspired and nontraditional competition, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge tasks students with creating a short video in which they explain a complex scientific idea.
Rules
•Students between the ages of 13 and 18 can participate.
•Your video must be two minutes or under. One participant is required to submit (提交) only one entry.
•Entries are limited to individuals only. Previous award holders are not allowed to participate
•Go to breakthrough junior challenge org to submit your application and video before June 25.
Judging
Participants also play an important role in the judging process. You must score at least five videos submitted by other participants. After that , the seventy-five top-scoring videos from the process will be reviewed by the Evaluation Panel (评审团) made up of top-class scholars and science leaders. Each of these videos will receive at least an additional five review s from the Evaluation Panel members. Lastly, the Selection Committee will review and score the top group of finalists determined by the Evaluation Panel and select five entries for final consideration. Besides, the competition invites Internet users to participate in its judging process. The top-scoring video in the Popular Vote will be added to this group for the final review.
Prizes
The total value of the prizes is $400,000. The winner will receive a $250,000 scholarship (奖学金) to leading universities, as well as a $100,000 grant to the winner’s school for the development of a science lab and a $50,000 award to a teacher of the winner’s choice
1. Which of the following students can compete in the challenge?| A．A 19-year-old science lover. | B．The winner of last year. |
| C．A team of high schoolers. | D．A first-am e participant aged 15. |
| A．Participants’ opinions are valued most | B．Both public and expert views are considered. |
| C．Five entries are chosen for the final review. | D．Experts’ scoring is involved in every round. |
| A．$400,000 | B．$250,000 | C．$100,000 | D．$50,000 |
3 . Welcome to Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is one of the most-visited destinations in New York City for a reason: history, architecture, dining, and shopping, all under one magnificent roof. Let’s take a look at a few of public events.
Easter Brunch at City WineryDate(s): Sunday, March 31
Time(s): 12:00 pm — 4:00 pm
Location: Vanderbilt Hall West, Upper Level
Celebrate your Easter at Vanderbilt Hall with City Winery’s fine Easter Brunch. Taste half-priced cocktails while enjoying the beauty of Grand Central Terminal!
Los Sabores de Mi MexicoTime(s): Thursday April 4th, 10:00 am — 3:30 pm;
Friday April 5th – Sunday April 7th, 8:00 am — 6:00 pm
Location: Vanderbilt Hall East
Immerse yourself in this unique experience that celebrates the richness of art, history, and passion that shape Mexico.
St. Patrick’s Day at City WineryDate(s): Saturday March 16 & Sunday March 17
Time(s): 8:00 am — 9:00 pm
Location: Vanderbilt Hall West, Upper Level
Don’t miss out on these delicious specials as we celebrate all things Irish this weekend! Gather your friends, wear your green, and head over to City Winery.
Long Island, Where Golfers BelongDate(s): Monday April 8th — Wednesday April 10th
Time(s): 8:30 am — 6:30 pm
Location: Grand Central Madison
Come to meet our Discover Long Island team and test your golf skills! Long Island is proud to be home of the 2025 Ryder Cup. From lovely beaches to world-class championship golf courses, learn all about why Long Island is where you belong.
1. Which event lasts the longest?| A．Easter Brunch at City Winery. | B．Los Sabores de Mi Mexico. |
| C．St. Patrick’s Day at City Winery. | D．Long Island, Where Golfers Belong. |
| A．Festival celebration. | B．Artistic experience. |
| C．Tasty food. | D．Delightful sea view. |
| A．Vanderbilt Hall West. | B．Vanderbilt Hall East. |
| C．City Winery. | D．Grand Central Madison. |
4 . There are festivals going on somewhere in the world every day of the year. These range from very large events to local celebrations in tiny villages. We have selected a few of the more unusual, colourful festivals from around the world.
Mighty Mud (泥; 泥浆) Mania: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Children’s dreams really do come true in the City of Scottsdale. Children aged 1 to 13, get to join in the mud race Mighty Mudway features water and mud games. There are also water slides, sandcastle buildings and fun for all ages. Moms and dads, remember to send your kids out with old clothes and shoes.
Songkran Festival, Thailand
What better way to celebrate the “start of the return of rains” than with a country-wide water fight? Thais celebrate their festival officially from April 13th until April 15th. These three days represent the last day of the old year, the day of transition, and the first day of the New Year. Water battles fought out for days in the streets of every town and city over the country.
The La Tomatina Festival, Spain
On the last Wednesday of every August thousands of Spaniards take part in the La Tomatina Festival in Bunol. Truckloads of tomatoes are pulled in each year and dumped in the city centre. The people throw tomatoes at each other for the whole day, but the only rule is that the tomato must be flattened in the hand first, before being thrown. Even elderly grandmothers have been known to take part.
Canberra Sled Dog Classic: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Dog sledding is one of the fastest growing sports on the east coast of Australia. As there’s no snow (the trail is earth and sand and is smooth and wide with a few hills and turns) , the sleds have wheels instead of runners, but the excitement is the same.
1. Which festival is most suitable for 10-year-old Jack and his younger brother?| A．Mighty Mud Mania | B．Songkran Festival |
| C．The La Tomatina Festival | D．Canberra Sled Dog Classic |
| A．With a dog sledding race. | B．Through a country-wide water fight. |
| C．By having a nationwide tomato fight. | D．By building sandcastles in a muddy environment. |
| A．They are all for adults. | B．They happen in the same season. |
| C．They all have joyful atmosphere. | D．They all happen in the same country. |
5 . Crested Butte is home to some fun adventure nightlife! With many different options for enjoying a night, you’re sure to have a great time! Enjoy the free bus system between the mountain and town to get around.
Kids’ Night Out
On vacation, kids and parents deserve a special night out, But sometimes, what’s special for the kids isn’t quite what you had in mind. We created Kids’ Night Out so you can all have the night you’re looking for. Our fun-loving kids’ instructors host for your kids a visit to the Adventure Park, followed by dinner and games while you head out to the town.
Ages 8-12 is welcome, $75 per child. Kids’ Night Out takes place nightly in winter. but advance reservations are required at 970—349—2211.
Majestic Movie Theater
The theater is small, personal and they offer a wide range of movies, from new films and classic films to action films and documentaries. All natural snacks and alcoholic drinks are available. For movie showtime and more information call 970-349-8955 or visit our website.
Princess Wine Bar
Escape the ordinary life and experience the Princess Wine Bar in downtown Crested Butte. Enjoy the morning coffeehouse featuring Belgian waffles, baked eggs, apple-wood smoked bacon, and espresso &. coffee drinks. Live entertainment and light appetizers (开胃小吃) make the Princess Wine Bar the perfect choice. It is open daily from 8: 00 a.m. to midnight. For more you can call 970-349-0210.
Talk of the Town
If you are looking for a good time, the Talk offers football, video games, good music, and pool tables any night of the week. Open daily at 3:00 p.m., the Talk’s Happy Hour is from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and it is located on Elk Avenue. For further information, you can call 970—349—6809.
1. What should you do if you intend to go to Kids’ Night Out?| A．Make special preparations ahead. | B．Keep something unique in mind. |
| C．First visit the Adventure Park. | D．Make reservations in advance. |
| A．You should visit a related website. | B．You can call 970—349—6809. |
| C．You can write a letter at once. | D．You can visit the Movie Theater. |
| A．It is located in a quiet and peaceful place. |
| B．It is the best place to taste Belgian waffles. |
| C．It is open as long as sixteen hours a day. |
| D．It is famous for all kinds of eggs and bacon. |
6 . An apology tells someone that we’re sorry for the hurt we caused — even if we didn’t do it on purpose. It’s a way of saying we’re aware of what we did and we’ll try to do better in future.
Apologies are one of the tools that we use to get along better with other people. Saying that you’re sorry is more than just words.
Everyone needs to apologize when they do something wrong. For example, if someone is irritated because of something you did, you need to apologize. If you say something that hurts someone, even if you don’t mean it, then you should apologize.
When someone apologizes to you, you may welcome it and be ready to forgive.
| A．When you apologize in a caring way |
| B．When you accept an apology in a desirable way |
| C．It’s difficult to mend a relationship if we don’t apologize |
| D．Or you might not feel like being friendly again right away |
| E．It isn’t always easy for us to get along well with everyone all the time |
| F．If you lose or break something belonging to someone else, you should say sorry |
| G．You’re also saying that you respect and care about the other person’s feelings |
7 . Thanks to artificial intelligence, education is more accessible and efficient than ever. To give you an overview of the industry, we round up some AI technology applied in education.
Duolingo
Duolingo provides listening, reading and speaking exercises in dozens of global languages, all the while providing aspects of gamification to keep users coming back. By applying AI, Duolingo’s lessons are paced and leveled specifically for each student according to their performance. It also uses data and machine learning to make course improvements, taking into consideration the differences of various languages.
Amira Learning
Amira Learning is a virtual learning application created to accelerate young students’ reading comprehension. Using AI technology, Amira has students read stories aloud and can assess oral reading fluency as well as identify areas for improvement. For teachers and parents, Amira also provides services such as student progress reports and dyslexia (阅读障碍) risk screening.
Blippar
Blippar’s products combine computer vision intelligence technology and augmented reality to enhance the way students learn in the classroom. The interactive materials bring subjects like geography, biology and physics to a visual space. For example, instead of reading about a volcanic eruption, the system shows students a virtual 3D model of the eruption process.
Nuance
Nuance makes speech-to-text software used by students and faculty to transcribe (转成) up to 160 words per minute. The technology is especially helpful for students who struggle with writing or have limited mobility. It also enhances spelling ability and word identification. Instructors use the software to dictate lectures for later use or quicken repetitive tasks like document and email creation.
1. Which platform uses gamification to engage users in language learning?| A．Amira Learning. | B．Blippar. |
| C．Nuance. | D．Duolingo. |
| A．Speech-to-text software. |
| B．Reading comprehension. |
| C．Computer vision intelligence technology. |
| D．Personalized language learning with gamification. |
| A．They focus on language learning. |
| B．They specialize in science subjects. |
| C．They use technology to aid learning. |
| D．They offer computer programming courses. |
8 . Getting Around Montreal
Montreal is a city for fun and festivals as dozens of summer celebrations highlight everything. Your best bet for getting around Montreal can be on foot, but there are other options if this isn’t the best mode of transport for you.
The Montreal subway is the best way to get about town quickly. It’s easy to navigate because there are only four color-coded lines: green, blue, orange, and yellow. The subway does not operate around the clock. It stops running from about 1:00 am to 5:30 am.
The bus system is even more extensive and equally recommended. A one-way fare costs $2.50. A strip of six tickets costs $11.50. A one-day tourist card, good for unlimited use, costs $9; a three-day tourist card costs $17. If you’re staying longer, purchase a regular weekly pass for $18.50.
A number of taxis are lined up on the airport’s ground level. Payment must be made in Canadian funds, but some drivers will make exceptions and accept US currency. It costs a minimum of $3.15 for the taxi ride and an additional $1.45 per kilometer. There’s a wait time charge of 55 cents per minute as well before you are picked up.
Like any other major city, Montreal’s rush hour ranks with the best or worst of them. Driving through city traffic is an art because there are a maze of one-way streets and lots of pedestrians (行人). In addition, a summer festival means the closing of some of the busiest streets in the city. Your biggest driving challenge may be when it comes time to park the car, as there are daily parking restrictions for street cleaning, rush hour, and residential parking.
Other ways to travel in Montreal are on foot or by bike. Montreal boasts hundreds of miles of walk and bike paths throughout the region.
1. How many transportation means are mentioned in the text?| A．Three. | B．Four. | C．Five. | D．Six. |
| A．Increase your wait time for the taxi. |
| B．Avoid ordering the taxi much earlier. |
| C．Take US currency whenever possible. |
| D．Pay an extra tip of $1.45 to the driver. |
| A．A guide of ways of traveling. | B．A travel journal. |
| C．A survey on ways of traveling. | D．A travel schedule. |
9 . Magazines make great reading materials for kids. Libraries often have a large selection of periodicals (期刊) for every age group and reading level, and for many areas of interest. And some magazines may even have issues going back years and even decades! Below is a list of some of them!
Military Kids LifeIt is about finding the bright side of life as a military kid! Inside each quarterly issue, your child will encounter inspiring stories, articles, and photographs! (8 to 16 years)
FacesWith articles, folk tales, and hands-on projects, Faces magazine takes young readers around the world for an honest and objective view of how children in other regions live. (9 to 14 years)
MakeMake magazine publishes tested projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews and inspirational stories, accessible by all ages and skill ranges. (9 to 18 years)
BrioBrio magazine for teen girls has a fresh new look that includes more pages filled with inspiring profiles, cultural insights, health & beauty tips, faith-filled features and added fun! (13 to 18 years)
Please note: Though all the magazines on this list are written for children, some issues may contain content that you may feel inappropriate for your child. As always, please review all reading materials before giving them to your child to read.
1. Which magazine can help develop kids’ international awareness?| A．Military Kids Life. | B．Faces. | C．Make. | D．Brio. |
| A．Only magazines for kids are accessible in libraries. |
| B．Some magazines have long-ago issues in libraries. |
| C．All the magazines have inspiring stories. |
| D．All the magazines are proper for children. |
| A．To inform. | B．To argue. | C．To entertain. | D．To persuade. |
10 . In 2019, a white-haired senior was awarded the Friendship Medal, the highest order of honor of China for foreigners. It was Isabel Crook. In her more than a century of life, she spent more than 90 years in China and cultivated (培养) a large number of foreign language talents for China.
In 1915, Isabel was born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1938, Isabel couldn’t wait to return to China. With hard work, she and her colleague completed the survey of over 1,500 families in some villages in Bishan County. She recorded the daily life of the villagers in Xinglongchang with detailed field notes, which give the young people today some idea of the state of affairs in villages at that time.
In 1947, Isabel and her husband David Crook came to China to observe and study the ongoing land reform. A year later, they completed the study and accepted the invitation to stay in China for language teaching.
One could hardly imagine the teaching conditions in the midst of a war. They asked their students to take small stools (凳子) with them so that they could give class everywhere. They tailored (定制) teaching approaches to suit students’ different language proficiency levels. Without handy teaching materials, they collected articles from English newspapers and magazines. In oral English teaching, Isabel asked students to watch their teachers in a given conversation first. Since there were no tape recorders at school, she had to perform the conversation again and again.
Isabel retired in 1981, but she returned to Southwest China many times to set up scholarship for children from poor families. She also went to Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and other places to help with foreign language teaching. Isabel died in 2023 in Beijing.
1. What do we know about Isabel according to the text?| A．She got China’s highest honor for foreigners. |
| B．She received her college education in China. |
| C．She returned to China as a teacher at age 23. |
| D．She helped children in need all over China. |
| A．In 1915. | B．In 1938. | C．In 1948. | D．In 1981. |
| A．Boring but helpful. | B．Simple and modern. |
| C．Traditional but attractive. | D．Flexible and personalized. |
| A．Her working experiences were rich. |
| B．Her life in China was quite colorful. |
| C．She devoted herself to teaching in China. |
| D．She showed great interest in Chinese history. |
