1 . Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing promise in earthquake prediction, challenging the long-held belief that it is impossible. Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have developed an AI algorithm (算法) that correctly predicted 70% of earthquakes a week in advance during a trial in China and provided accurate strength calculations for the predicted earthquakes.
The research team believes their method succeeded because they stuck with a relatively simple machine learning approach. The AI was provided with a set of statistical features based on the team’s knowledge of earthquake physics, and then instructed to train itself using a five-year database of earthquake recordings. Once trained, the AI provided its prediction by listening for signs of incoming earthquakes within the background rumblings (隆隆声) in the Earth.
This work is clearly a milestone in research for AI-driven earthquake prediction. “You don’t see earth-quakes coming,” explains Alexandros Savvaidis, a senior research scientist who leads the Texas Seismological Network Program (TexNet). “It’s a matter of milliseconds, and the only thing you can control is how prepared you are. Even with the 70% accuracy, that’s a huge result and could help minimize economic and human losses and has the potential to remarkably improve earthquake preparation worldwide.”
While it is unknown whether the same approach will work at other locations, the researchers are confident that their AI algorithm could produce more accurate predictions if used in areas with reliable earthquake tracking networks. The next step is to test artificial intelligence in Texas, since UT’s Bureau TexNet has 300 earth-quake stations and over six years worth of continuous records, making it an ideal location for these purposes.
Eventually, the authors hope to combine the system with physics-based models. This strategy could prove especially important where data is poor or lacking. “That may be a long way off, but many advances such as this one, taken together, are what moves science forward,” concludes Scott Tinker, the bureau’s director.
1. How does the AI forecast earthquakes?| A．By identifying data from the satellites. |
| B．By analyzing background sounds in the Earth. |
| C．By modeling data based on earthquake recordings. |
| D．By monitoring changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. |
| A．The ways to reduce losses in earthquakes. |
| B．The importance of preparing for earthquakes. |
| C．The significance of developing the AI prediction. |
| D．The limitation of AI algorithms in earthquake prediction. |
| A．Conducting tests in different locations. |
| B．Applying the AI approach to other fields. |
| C．Building more earthquake stations in Texas. |
| D．Enlarging the database to train the calculation accuracy. |
| A．Stable but outdated. | B．Effective but costly. |
| C．Potential and economical. | D．Pioneering and promising. |
2 . When you only have a balcony (阳台), it can be difficult to know what to grow.
First and foremost, you need to choose the right plants. Dreams of 10m-tall magnolias (兰树) have to be set aside, but there are plenty of plants that will grow well in pots on a balcony. Some plants, like Busy Lizzies, are all great container plants.
Another challenge you may face is wind. Many balconies are windy and exposed.
You don’t need a garden to grow your own vegetables at home. There are lots of eatable crops that you can grow in pots-tomatoes and some herbs are all ideal.
| A．Many balconies are shady. |
| B．Create a windbreak if you can. |
| C．And you don’t need to buy purpose-made pots. |
| D．Plants in pots on sunny balconies can really bake. |
| E．You could make a dramatic statement with a living wall. |
| F．There are also lots of vegetables that will grow happily in pots. |
| G．Stepping out to be greeted by bare walls can be pretty dispiriting. |
3 . Handwriting notes in class might seem out of date as smartphones and other digital technology include every aspect of learning across schools. But a steady stream of research suggests that taking notes in the traditional way — with pen and paper or even tablet — is still the best way to learn, especially for young children, And now scientists are focusing on why.
The new research, by Audrey van der Meer and Ruud van der Weel at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), is based on a 2014 study. That work suggested that people taking notes by computer were typing without thinking, says van der Meer, a professor at NTNU. “It’s very attractive to type down everything that the lecturer is saying, she says. “It kind of goes in through your ears and comes out through your fingertips, but you don ‘t process the information.”
But when taking notes by hand, it’s often impossible to write everything down; student have to actively pay attention to the information and process it. This conscious (有意识地) action can make it easier to stay engaged and grasp new concepts.
Sophia Vinci-Booher, an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University who was not involved in the new study, says its findings are exciting and consistent with past research. “You can see that in tasks that really combine the motor and sensory systems together, such as in handwriting, there’s clear tie between this motor action being accomplished and the visual and conceptual recognition being created,” she says. “As you’re drawing a letter or writing a word, you’re taking this cognitive understanding of something and using your motor system to create it.”
That creation is then fed back into the visual system, where it’s processed again — strengthening the connection between an action and the images or words associated with it. It’s similar to imagining something and then creating it: when you materialize something from your imagination (by writing it, drawing it or building it), this reinforces the imagined concept and helps it stick in your memory.
1. How does the author introduce the topic?| A．By raising an opinion. | B．By giving an example. |
| C．By stating a research result. | D．By making a comparison. |
| A．People need to grasp new concepts when taking notes by hand. |
| B．People needn’t use their motor system when typing on a computer. |
| C．Typing op a computer makes it harder to process incoming information. |
| D．Handwriting notes requires active engagement and processing of information. |
| A．Motor system is combined with sensory system. |
| B．The new finding doesn’t agree with past research. |
| C．Sophia’s attitude towards the findings is negative. |
| D．Cognitive understanding connects with motor system in handwriting. |
| A．Taking Notes by Hand or Computer? |
| B．Handwriting Notes is Making a Comeback. |
| C．Why Handwriting Is Better for Memory and Learning. |
| D．Why Taking Notes by Computer Should be Banned. |
4 . “Adolescent Health and Physical Activity” isn’t just another health guide; it’s a comprehensive road-map to understanding the vita connection between physical activity and the well-being of our youth. Penned by the respected Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences, this book is a source of intelligence in an era where adolescent health is of leading concern.
Rather than drowning readers in professional expressions and statistics, this book serves up its insights with clarity and practicality. It’s not just about praising the benefits of exercise; it’ s about showing us how to make those benefits accessible to every adolescent, regardless background or circumstance.
Dive into its pages, and you’ll discover a treasure trove (宝库) of strategies for developing healthy habits in schools, communities, and homes. From transforming physical education programs to empowering parents to be active role models, every chapter is packed with actionable advice grounded in real-world experience.
But it’s not all about the how; this book explores deep into the why. It explores the complex interaction between physical activity and mental health, shining a light on how exercise can be a powerful solution to the stresses and strains of adolescence. And let’s not forget about the elephant in the room: sports injuries. With expert guidance on injury prevention and management, this book ensures that every adolescent can obtain there wards of physical activity without fear of harm.
Basically, “Adolescent Heath and Physical Activity” isn’t just a book; it’s a call to action. It challenges us to rethink our approach to adolescent health and empowers us with the knowledge and tools we need to make a difference. So, whether you’re a parent, educator. healthcare professional, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of our youth, this book is essential reading.
1. What is the primary focus of the book?| A．Investigating adult fitness programs. |
| B．Advocating developing healthy habits. |
| C．Exploring the link between exercise and well-being of youth. |
| D．Analyzing adolescent sports trends and sports injury prevention |
| A．Through abstract theories. | B．With practical and clear insights. |
| C．Through historical narratives. | D．With complex statistical analysis. |
| A．How to benefit from exercise. | B．Advantages of physical activities. |
| C．How to win a match without injuries. | D．Approaches to forming healthy habits. |
| A．To review a book. | B．To show respect to the institute. |
| C．To introduce the research findings of IOM. | D．To stimulate people to concern for adolescent well-being |
5 . In June 1946 an airplane traveled from Rome to Paris. There was nothing unusual about this flight except one thing: for 20 minutes of the plane’s journey, one of its passengers became its pilot. The passenger was Helen Keller, an American author, educator, and activist who since childhood had been both blind and deaf.
Though many women of her generation would rarely travel via airplane, this was not Keller’s first time in the air, Her first flight as a passenger took place in 1919 on the set of Deliverance, a biographical film (where she actually appeared) Though Keller had been known across America by the time she was 16 and internationally by the time she was 24, some of the public still doubted a blind and deaf person could successfully communicate with hearing people or graduate from college. To battle this doubt, Deliverance’s producers wanted, “to show her doing all those things able-bodied people do,” including “scenes where she dresses herself, just to show the public that she can.” And since the airplane, still a new technology at that time, was fashionable, the producers decided they should show Keller flying too.
And that brings us back to 1946: the year Helen Keller piloted a plane herself.
Keller and her companion Thomson, who translated Keller’s speech to others and spoke to Keller by pressing symbols into her hand, were traveling to Europe. When the small plane crossed the Mediterranean, Keller took over the pilot’s controls.
Later she would tell the story to a Scottish reporter “by the same means as she piloted the plane, through hand ‘talk’ between herself and Thomson.” “The plane crew were amazed at her sensitive touch on the controls,” Thomson said. “There was no shaking. She just sat there and flew the plane calmly and steadily.” As pilot, Keller felt “the delicate movement" of the airplane better than ever before.
Before Keller, blindness was a taboo (禁忌) topic for women’s magazines; when she became a public figure, even the Ladies’ Home Journal published her writing. With Keller writing books, lecturing, and flying a plane, public ignorance regarding the deaf-blind could no longer be left unacknowledged.
1. What’s the purpose of the second paragraph?| A．To explain the popularity of a new technology. |
| B．To introduce the background of her flying experience. |
| C．To give examples of Keller’s ability to do many unexpected things. |
| D．To argue that Keller was braver than many women of her generation. |
| A．To prove Keller could pilot a plane. |
| B．To record Keller’s usual life in detail. |
| C．To record Keller was the first disabled person who flew. |
| D．To prove Keller could do many things able-bodied people could do. |
| A．The pilot taught her hand in hand. |
| B．The copilot, Thomson, helped her. |
| C．She followed the symbols pressed into her hand. |
| D．She could speak like able-bodied people with a new technology |
| A．Keller was able to behave like an able-bodied person. |
| B．Keller had an impact on women’s career |
| C．Keller was mere sensitive than pilots, |
| D．Public concern about the deaf-blind arouse because of Keller! |
6 . Having thousands of photos, songs and films available at our fingertips would have seemed amazing just a few decades ago, but how long will these files last for and be available? Could the digital data now put a time limit on our memories?
The materials that phones and computers are made of can decay (腐蚀) over time.
Licensing rather than buying content is an example of how our behaviour towards digital content has changed.
So, what can we do? Technology writer Jack Schofield said that “data doesn’t really exist unless you have at least two copies of it”.
| A．It’s necessary to store memories now. |
| B．Digital memories might not last forever. |
| C．Thus, this will impact the data they store. |
| D．So it’s important to back up what is important to us. |
| E．Storing information in the cloud can also present problems. |
| F．However, the quality of the data they store will remain unchanged. |
| G．Another example is that we take far more pictures than people did in the past. |
7 . My journey into the world of rock climbing began through an online connection with Octavia via LinkedIn. I’ve been curious about climbing for a long time, wondering how such a dangerous sport can be practiced so extensively by people of all ages.
Octavia got into climbing as a teenager and hasn’t stopped since. Now she and her husband Dani live a life organized around a shared passion and their days are spent in nature, surrounded by good friends and incredible views. During the video chat, Octavia extended an invitation for me to come and climb near Braşov.
We met in Zărneşti and headed to Prăpăstiile Zărneştilor, an amazing spot for climbers seeking the thrill of vertical challenges. Arriving at the rock face, I found some climbers were there already. Some of them were acquaintances, others not, but they treated each other as long-time friends.
The couple walked me through the basics of the climb, ensuring I was comfortable and equipped with the necessary climbing gear. They had prepared a beginner-friendly climbing route, thoughtfully designed to provide both challenges and victories. After they explained the safety features of the whole climbing setup, I embarked on my first climbing.
After my initial climb, exhaustion surged through my body, but their unwavering encouragement kept me coming back for more. It was an extra fun challenge when people from down below shouted clues up to me, which helped me find ways to put my hands and find a foothold so that I could get over particularly tricky parts of the line.
As I left the crag (峭壁) that day, I was part of something bigger than myself. I now look forward to future climbs. Not just for the thrill of ascending heights, but to once again bask in the warmth of the encouragement of my newfound friends. With their guidance, every climb will become evidence to the heights we can reach, both on and off the rock face.
1. What made the writer try rock climbing?| A．An invitation from LinkedIn. | B．Her desire to practice climbing skills. |
| C．Her curiosity in a friend’s life. | D．An online chat with a newfound friend. |
| A．Appreciated. | B．Evaluated. | C．Began. | D．Improved. |
| A．Genuine and thoughtful. | B．Enthusiastic and wise. |
| C．United and hardworking. | D．Passionate and humorous. |
| A．She expected little for future climbs. |
| B．She got great support and gained a lot. |
| C．She was left out by the experienced climbers. |
| D．She mastered the skills and made it to the top easily. |
8 . In 2022, the Nature Conservancy launched two 5-year pilot projects at working ranches (牧场) in Kansas and New Mexico to determine if virtual fences enable land managers to better perform regenerative management practices and to assess potential benefits for biodiversity and for ranchers’ bottom lines, as well as impacts on soil carbon storage.
Applauded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a climate adaption strategy, virtual fencing is an innovative technology that enables ranchers to use a smartphone or web app to remotely monitor and control where and when cattle graze (吃草). Virtual fences can reduce the need for physical fences, which require significant time, expense and labor to maintain. Physical fences also limit land managers in their ability to change grazing boundaries to adapt to seasonal changes in vegetation or to exclude cattle from ecologically sensitive areas.
The cows are outfitted with battery-operated, GPS-enabled collars that send out a radio frequency to communicate with reception towers, creating virtual grazing boundaries set by a rancher. When a cow approaches the edge of the virtual boundary, the collar produces a sound signaling it to turn around. If the cow proceeds to cross the boundary, it receives a momentary mild shock, signaling that it’s gone too far and should rejoin its group.
Grasslands are the least protected habitat on earth and one of the most effective carbon sinks, storing up to 20% of the world’s soil organic carbon. Unfortunately, grasslands are continuing to rapidly disappear for several reasons. For ecological health, most grassland ecosystems need periods of disturbance to aerate (使透气) the soil, stimulate plant growth and recycle nutrients into the soil. Ranchers complete this disturbance-rest cycle by managing the timing, location, herd size and intensity of grazing activities, all of which can be time-consuming and painstaking.
“Currently, the costs of virtual fencing are still high, but in the long run it can help land managers better carry out management practices that regenerate land health, help address climate change and biodiversity loss,” said William Burnidge, director of the Nature Conservancy.
1. What’s stressed concerning virtual fencing in paragraph 2?| A．Its smart design. | B．Its major advantages. |
| C．Its wide application. | D．Its working principles. |
| A．It’s time to return. | B．It’s time to graze. |
| C．It’s in danger. | D．It’s in a wrong direction. |
| A．Intense efforts. | B．Polluted soil. | C．Financial failure. | D．Ecological imbalance. |
| A．Intolerant. | B．Objective. | C．Doubtful. | D．Conservative. |
9 . Travelling seemed like falsehood to me. I grew tired of backpackers expressing too much praise about how petting a baby elephant in Thailand “transformed” them. Globe-traveling to me held no more promise than finding a few bills in the pocket of an old coat. I needed something deeper than an Eat, Play, Love moment.
One day, Vasilis, my Greek best friend, reminded me of our decade-old promise: after our final exams, I would visit his hometown in Athens. Maybe, it was time to make good on that promise.
I finally boarded the plane. Vasilis picked me up at the airport. I smiled, thinking how improbable this moment seemed all those years ago.
The decade-long wait proved to be well worth it. Every step through the ancient streets revealed new wonders. However, none of them truly mattered. What would forever alter my perception of travel was a chance encounter with a local.
Vasilis and I were wandering Athens when a special sound caught our attention — a rhythmic clinking disturbing the quietness of the residential street. Curiously, we followed the sound to a humble workshop. Inside, a welder (焊工) gave no mind to our presence behind him. He wore no flashy protective suit — this was just another day for him, another dance with fire and metal that had become second nature. Under the sunshade, his orange cat rested in the comforting warmth...
As the man continued welding, I felt a bit of envy. I envied his peace and contentment. I admired the simplicity he embodied. I imagined the welder happy, finding fulfillment in his craft (手艺) and returning to his loving family...The moment moved me to tears. Leaving the workshop, rain blending with tears, I realized how easily life’s poetry could pass unnoticed.
Home again in Montreal, I stop simply pursuing better things, better experiences and better people that are never grasped. I realize the real journey is inward — to appreciate life’s ordinary magic. That sure beats petting any baby elephant. I may not have returned home “transformed,” but I’ll always think of the welder and his cat.
1. Which aspect of travelling makes the author feel uneasy?| A．Shortage of adequate funds. | B．Discomfort in dietary habits. |
| C．Overstatement of travel’s effects. | D．Danger of petting baby animals. |
| A．Meeting a commitment. | B．Exploring a unique landscape. |
| C．Receiving further education. | D．Escaping from the current life. |
| A．Poems written by masters. | B．Peace and simplicity. |
| C．Spirit of craftsmanship. | D．Special sound in the street. |
| A．Friendship Lasts Forever | B．Travelling Shapes a Better Self |
| C．Pursuit of Happiness Never Stops | D．The Ordinary Makes Extraordinary |
10 . Over the past few months, I’ve been invited to speak with well-known writers, musicians and film producers regarding my recent book, Extraterrestrial. Prior to these conversations, I was on the receiving (and admiring) end of their artistic work, but now they were curious about my own research as a scientist. The reverse led me to recognize the similarities between innovation in the arts and the sciences.
In sciences and arts alike, creativity appears magically as an unpredictable fountain of inspiration from the subconscious (潜意识). Its unexpected content breaks routines within traditional thinking. It delivers something new that is distinct from common practices, often taking people out of their comfort zone because it is ahead of its time. As a result, many innovators are laughed at and denied the recognition they deserve when they need it the most.
There are many examples of such circumstances. In 1933 Fritz Zwicky inferred the existence of “dark matter”, but it took four decades for this concept to gain recognition within the astronomy community. Vincent van Gogh was considered a madman and a failure throughout his life. Today, his paintings are among the most expensive ever sold, though.
Typically, life offers two ways of acquiring objects. One is by collecting available items, and the other is by creating things that never existed before. Whereas most items on the shelves of supermarkets are mass-produced, products that are newly created by artists or scientists are originally unique. Just like aging wine, a product of creative work acquires quality over time. It is colored by the response of the audience as well as by imitations. The initial circumstances are a reminder of an admirable baby. It is fascinating for a scientist or an artist to watch the interaction of their creation with the world, just as it is for parents to watch their children.
Creativity in arts and sciences establishes a backdrop for human existence, as the content it invents gives pleasure and meaning to our lives. The human act of creation is an infinite-sum game, from which all of us benefit. And we can all participate in the creative process.
1. Which can best replace the underlined word “reverse” in paragraph 1?| A．Priority. | B．Assumption. | C．Shift. | D．Preference. |
| A．It tends to be forecastable. | B．It mirrors common beliefs. |
| C．It usually leads the times. | D．It enjoys instant acceptance. |
| A．Creative works withstand the test of time. |
| B．Mass-produced items are preferable. |
| C．Old wine can’t be put into new bottles. |
| D．Inventiveness starts from childhood. |
| A．To clarify a concept. | B．To launch an appeal. |
| C．To offer an entertainment. | D．To advocate a lifestyle. |
