1 . The waves were clean and curling one day about ten years ago when surfer Will Rose stepped into the water at Ocean Beach in San Diego, California. Rose was an experienced surfer then in his mid-20s. Midway through his session, he spotted a young surfer, perhaps 10 years old, who’d lost his board and was struggling in a powerful rip current (离岸流). Rose paddled over as the boy was carried underneath a long pier (码头) and s wept rapidly out to sea.

“It was one of the craziest rip currents I’ve ever seen,” Rose recalls.

He traded places with the boy, handing over his board and pushing the younger surfer towards the shore in a breaking wave. Rose held onto a pier pile tightly in the fast-flowing water as a lifeguard hurried over on his own board before helping him back to the beach.

Rose’s act of heroism, new research suggests, is a surprisingly common one for surfers. In a recent survey conducted in New Zealand, scientists found that throughout their lives, surfers reportedly rescue an average of three people who are drowning (溺死) or otherwise struggling in the water. The findings cast new light on the role of surfers: as largely overlooked guardians of the beach.

The study was conducted by Jamie Mead, then a graduate student at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. It began with an online survey of 418 surfers from across New Zealand. Processing the responses, Mead found that these surfers were claiming to have participated in a total of 1,274 rescues, including 296 times when they felt they’d saved a person’s life. Of these rescues, 73 percent took place on beaches without lifeguards present. It showed the crucial role surfers have played in protecting beach goers.

The survey responses also show that in nearly nine out of ten rescues, the people the surfers helped required no further treatment after the incident, and probably left no official record or report of the event.

“We need to get surfers the praise they deserve.” Mead says. The research, Mead writes in his paper, suggests that organizations involved in drowning prevention, “Should work closely with surfing communities on ways to reduce deaths at coastal beaches?”

1. What did Will Rose do when he saw the struggling young boy?

A．He ignored the boy.	B．He called for help from a nearby lifeguard.
C．He helped the boy escape the danger.	D．He helped the boy find his lost surfboard.

2. What is the purpose of mentioning Will Rose’s experience?

A．To highlight the dangers of rip currents.

B．To show the bravery and skills of experienced surfers.

C．To stress the potential dangers faced by young surfers.

D．To exhibit a typical rescue example by experienced surfers.

3. What are para.5 and para.6 mainly about?

A．The findings of Jamie Mead’s study.	B．The purpose of Jamie Mead’s study.
C．Jamie Mead’s comments on surfers.	D．Jamie Mead’s advice on drowning prevention.

4. What is the main conclusion Mead draws from the findings?

A．Surfers deserve public praise.

B．Increased lifeguard coverage is needed.

C．Beaches are safe with both surfers and lifeguards present.

D．Drowning prevention efforts need to involve surfing communities.

2 . Social media scam is a form of phishing in which cybercriminals connect with their victims through social media platforms.     1     After the victim accepts it, they soon form a conversation. They can also publish a link that sounds attractive (“put your data and win a car”). Below, see how to protect yourself from scammers on social media;

Accept friend requests with caution.

    2     You should pay attention to when the account is registered and who accepts their friend request. Also remember to check the kind of information the person publishes.

Avoid links that request personal data.

No social media platform will ask its users to click an outside link to update their personal information. Check with the official customer support if you are unsure. Internet users should apply the principle better safe than sorry.

    3    

Do not use the same password across all your online accounts. If one account gets hacked, all of them will. It is always better to have distinct login details for each platform as well.

Make sure not to reveal personal information.

Do not publish your address, phone number, or place of work on your social media account for your safety.     4     Always be cautious if someone shows too much interest in your personal affairs. Even your friends might have been backed, so be careful.

Check whether the account is verified when approached with offers.

When you get a strange message, or an offer to buy or sell something on social media, first check if the account is verified.     5    

Social media scams can be financially damaging and emotionally distressing. We hope that these tips will come in handy for you. Remember, safety first in the online world just as it is in the real world.

A．Do not send money to anyone before that.

B．It usually starts by sending a friend request.

C．Always use a strong password to improve security.

D．Create a unique login and password for each platform.

E．Also, do not give away this information to strangers in conversations.

F．Be careful of friend requests from unknown individuals, as they may have ill intent.

G．Before making friends with someone that you do not know, carefully examine the account.

3 . Three scientists jointly won this year’s Nobel Prize in physics for proving that tiny particles (粒子) could keep a connection with each other even when separated, a phenomenon once doubted but now being explored for potential real-world applications such as encoding information. Frenchman Alain Aspect, American John F. Clauser and Austrian Anton Zeilinger were quoted by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for experiments proving the “totally crazy” field of quantum entanglements (量子纠缠) to be all too real. They demonstrated that unseen particles, such as photons (光子) , can be linked, or “entangled”, with each other even when they are separated by large distances.

In quantum entanglement, establishing common information between two photons not near each other “allows us to do things like secret communication, in ways which weren’t possible to do before”, said David Haviland, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics. Quantum information “has broad and potential effects in areas such as secure information transmission, quantum computing and sensing technology”. The kind of secure communication used by China’s Micius satellite, as well as by some banks, is a “success story of quantum entanglement”, said Harun Siljak of Trinity College Dublin.

The Nobel Committee said Clauser developed quantum theories first put forward in the 1960s into a practical experiment. Aspect was able to correct an error in those theories, while Zeilinger demonstrated a phenomenon called quantum teleportation that effectively allows information to be sent over distances. “Using entanglement you can send all the information which is carried by an object over to some other place where the object is.” Zeilinger said. He added that this only works for tiny particles. “It is not like in the Star Trek films transporting something, certainly not the person, over some distance,” he said.

1. Which of the following statements about quantum entanglements is NOT true?

A．Scientists were doubtful whether it exists in the real world.

B．The Nobel Prize winner has put it into practical experiment.

C．Two particles can actually be connected regardless of distances.

D．The more distant 2 photons get, the less entangled they’ll become.

2. Which has the closest meaning to the underlined word “transmission”?

A．Affecting.	B．Transforming.
C．Communicating.	D．Spreading.

3. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The achievements these 3 scientists have got individually.

B．The explanation for information transmission over large distances.

C．The clarification that science fiction is no equal to scientific theory.

D．The reason why these 3 scientists share this year’s Nobel Prize in physics.

4. What can we conclude from the passage?

A．Classical physics can be applied to tiny particles.

B．Quantum physics is the focus of modern physical research.

C．Particles, photons, and quanta are all the basic composition of matter.

D．Quantum entanglements can contribute to more cutting-edge technologies.

4 . Artificial intelligence(AI)models have long surpassed (超过) just creating text responses and images. Now, with only one sentence, OpenAI’s latest text-to-video model, Sora, can turn your words into video with good visual quality while faithfully following your content instructions.

Sora is said to perform better than many other existing models with similar functions. The Al model can create video at suitable aspect ratios (屏幕高宽比) for different devices, such as both widescreen videos and vertical videos that we usually see on social media. It also lets users quickly test out content in lower quality before making the high-quality version, which helps speed up output.

Aside from this, its ability to present videos in a realistic and smooth manner is amazing. Sora can create detailed scenes with several characters, scientific types of motion, and accurate subject and background details while generating multiple shots with a single video. Beyond the user’s requests, it also understands how these elements exist in the real world. For example, reflections in the water changes as a woman walks by.

Sora’s performance wouldn’t be possible without its helpful assistant, ChatGPT, which transforms simple sentences into detailed descriptions. improving the accuracy of output according to the user’s prompts (提示语).

However, the current model isn’t perfect. It may have trouble accurately showing how things move in a complicated scene and might not get how one action leads to another. For example, if someone eats part of a cookie in a Sora-made video, the cookie might not look like it’s been bitten into. The model might mix up directions like left and right, and find it hard to describe events in the right order.

As of February, Sora is still in the testing stage of development. OpenAI is now inviting cybersecurity professionals to make random attacks on Sora’s system, aiming to test the model’s possible weaknesses and risks. Sora has also been open to some visual artists, designers and filmmakers. Their feedback (反馈) will assist OpenAI in enhancing the model to better serve creative professionals.

1. What is the main focus of paragraphs 2-3?

A．Sora’s strengths.	B．Sora’s variety.
C．Sora’s development.	D．Sora’s techniques.

2. How does ChatGPT contributes to Sora’s capabilities?

A．By specifying user input.	B．By providing verbal feedback.
C．By examining sample videos.	D．By improving video quality.

3. Why does the author provide the example in paragraph 5?

A．To stress Sora’s potential safety risks.

B．To illustrate Sora’s existing limitations.

C．To show Sora’s perfect performance.

D．To explain the concept of a space time patch.

4. What can we know about Sora up to now?

A．It has been made available to various industries.

B．Its commercial release has been called off.

C．It has exposed alarming security issues.

D．It is undergoing testing and improvement.

5 . In a recent heartwarming story, Mr. Sun has touched the hearts of many by using AI face-swapping technology to create a video message from his late father.

The touching video captures Sun’s emotions as he replicates his father’s appearance and voice to convey a message of well-being to his grandmother. The entire process of face-swapping and video creation took a lot of effort and lasted nearly half a month, during which Sun couldn’t help but shed tears as he missed his deceased father.

In 2022, Sun’s father was diagnosed with a rare condition known as appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma (阑尾黏液腺癌). Despite Sun’s efforts to seek medical treatment for his father, the disease progressed rapidly, and his father passed away in 2023.

Concerned about his grandmother’s fragile health, the family decided to keep Sun’s father’s passing a secret. They fabricated (编造) a story, telling the elderly woman that her son was still receiving treatment in a Beijing hospital. The prolonged separation depressed the grandmother a lot, who continuously expressed her longing to speak with her son.

In a creative attempt to comfort his grandmother, Sun, inspired by science fiction films, decided to use AI face-swapping technology to create a video message from his father. Prior to recording the video, he even shaved off his bear d to look more like his late father. By using AI software, he successfully transformed his appearance into that of his father, delivering a heartfelt message to his grandmother: “Mom, it’s Jihai. I’m doing well in Beijing.” Despite the relatively low pixel (像素) quality, the grandmother believed the well-intentioned fabrication.

Sun admitted that his emotions almost broke down within the half-month, as every mention of his father’s name or a glance of his photograph brought great sorrow. He also expressed uncertainty about how long he can keep up the fabrication and whether he will make use of face-swapping again. Nevertheless, he is determined to follow in his father’s footstep to be a strong support for his family.

1. What does the underlined word in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Copies.

B．Paints.

C．Recalls.

D．Preserves.

2. How did Sun comfort his grandmother?

A．By seeking medical treatment for his father.

B．By making up to look like his father.

C．By showing his father’s previous photographs and voice to her.

D．By telling a white lie and giving his father an online rebirth.

3. Which is NOT true about Sun’s use of AI face-swapping technology?

A．It was a laborious process.	B．Sun will employ face-swapping again.
C．Sun got inspiration from science-fiction films.	D．The images this technology made were unclear.

4. Which words can best describe Sun according to the passage?

A．Creative and honest.	B．Optimistic and generous.
C．Considerate and responsible.	D．Talented and courageous.

6 . Beginning your journey abroad, you’ll witness excitement fill the air. Each step brings new experiences and adventures from busy streets to beautiful landscapes. Pack your bags and welcome the thrill of discovery that awaits. Here are a few things for you to get started with before you set foot.

Do thorough research on your destination.

Conduct complete research about the country or region you plan to visit before your trip.     1    . Understanding the cultural differences and societal norms will help you travel between unfamiliar situations with respect and sensitivity. Additionally, research practical information such as transportation options, local currency, and communication networks to facilitate a smooth travel experience.

Plan your packing in a reasonable way.

When packing for your trip abroad, prioritize essentials and pack light to avoid unnecessary weight.     2    . Remember to bring important documents such as your passport, visa if required, travel insurance information, and any necessary medication. Organize your belongings efficiently to minimize stress and maximize convenience while traveling.

    3    .

Be alarmed and aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid risky areas, especially at night, and keep your belongings secure. Familiarize yourself with local emergency contact numbers, the location of your country’s embassy (大使馆), and any specific safety precautions recommended for travelers in your destination.

Welcome new experiences that come your way.

    4    . Welcome the adventure of exploring unfamiliar places, trying local foods, and interacting with people from different backgrounds. Keep an open mind and be willing to step outside your comfort zone to fully appreciate the richness and diversity of the world.

As your journey abroad comes to a close, memories of adventure and discovery will remain in your heart. Cherish (珍惜) the moments shared, the sights seen, and the lessons learned.     5    .

A．Pay attention to safety at all times.

B．Respect local customs and traditions.

C．Learn about its history, culture, customs, and local laws.

D．Stay updated on travel guidelines issued by your government.

E．Traveling abroad offers access to new cultures and experiences.

F．Though your travels may end, the spirit of exploration will live on.

G．Consider the climate and your activities, and pack proper clothing and equipment.

7 . On hearing the word vacation, most people react positively. Experienced travelers will argue that more important than where they go on vacation is who they go with.     1    

Family travel is special and creates lasting memories, but it can also have some challenges. For one, the success of a trip often depends on the relationships that the family members have with one another. If two brothers do not get along at home, the chances are that they will fight during a vacation.     2     If a family is traveling by air, purchasing plane tickets for everyone can be very expensive.

    3     Close friends often have similar personalities, so they generally get along with each other and fight less than family members might on a trip. Furthermore, if friends are close, even a terrible trip will not ruin the friendship.     4     All in all, traveling with friends can be a positive experience that results in a great vacation and, likely, a stronger friendship.

Finally, people can choose to travel alone. Solo travelers can be more flexible with transportation than those traveling in a large group.     5     And they also have better chances of getting a seat on buses or planes since they only need one. In addition, solo travelers are more likely to meet locals or other vacationers because they are more likely to want to talk with others.

A．They can change plans more easily.

B．Each person tends to cover his or her individual expenses.

C．Another potential problem of family travel is transportation.

D．Sightseeing and scheduling are not a problem for solo travelers.

E．In fact, friendships are often strengthened with the travel memories.

F．Traveling with friends can be an unforgettable experience for several reasons.

G．Vacations can be classified on the basis of who vacationers choose to travel with.

8 . On the bustling streets of Sydney, Australia, Dong Min, a young Chinese woman, dressed in elegant Chinese traditional clothing — hanfu, gracefully holds a dizi, the bamboo flute of China, fascinating passersby with the melodies of traditional Chinese music.

Dong Min, a talented musician was born in 1990. Seeing a female performer playing the bamboo flute on TV fired her interest in this Chinese traditional instrument at the age of 8. Soon her interest blossomed into talent. At the age of 10, winning a provincial-level Chinese musical instrument competition earned her one of only four spots for further studies in Beijing. After graduating from Minzu University of China with a major in Chinese bamboo flute in 2015, she enrolled at the University of New South Wales in Australia to study cultural leadership where she initiated street performances, featuring Chinese traditional instruments. One year later, she formed a band and founded the Sydney Meya Institute of Chinese Music to teach various Chinese traditional instruments to more people.

Apart from street performances and her institution, Dong also offers online dizi lessons to a global audience and organizes online exchange concerts for her students worldwide. “Our students range from 4-year-olds to 80-year-olds, reflecting the timeless appeal of Chinese music across generations,” Dong said.

Her effort paid off eventually. Her performances grew in popularity. Many audiences traveled all the way from cities like Melbourne and Brisbane to Sydney just to attend her performances.” Many music schools now offer courses on Chinese instruments. I hope to create a platform for music enthusiasts to connect and cultivate friendships through their shared love for music. Thus, we can not only raise awareness of Chinese traditional music in Australia but also share the richness of Chinese culture through music with the international audience.” Dong Min said.

1. Which of the following is true?

A．Dong Min founded the institution at 26.

B．Dong Min taught dizi through street performances.

C．Dong Min majored in Chinese bamboo flute in Australia.

D．Dong Min wished to gain popularity through her performances.

2. How is paragraph 2 mainly developed?

A．By analyzing reasons.	B．By providing examples.
C．By making comparisons.	D．By following time order.

3. Which of the following can best describe Dong Min?

A．Brave and humorous.	B．Gifted and passionate.
C．Creative and stubborn.	D．Patient and experienced.

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

A．Chinese Traditional Music: From China to Australia.

B．Bamboo Flute: Chinese Instrument Shared in Australia.

C．Dong Min: A Culture Messenger Bridging Cultures through Music.

D．Dong Min: A Talented Chinese Girl Spreading Chinese Instruments.

9 . Reasons Why You Need to Read More Historical Fiction

Historical fiction refers to fictional stories set in true historical contexts. This mixes the lines between reality and imagination, because it is both factual and fictional.     1     Here’s why.

It gives you an alternative perspective（思考方法）to look at the past.

It is a common belief that victors write history. Indeed, it is always victors who have had the last say in the documentation of facts. But through stories，which demand imagination and innovation, it is possible to rewrite histories from the perspective of those on the losing side. This allows unheard voices to get recognition, and unknown stories to be told.     2    

It makes you more aware of the world as well as local legacies.

Because historical fiction doesn’t exist in a completely made-up world and is written instead in definite places and times, it has a context.     3    . It provides information about local as well as global histories, allowing you to better understand why certain people, communities and countries are the way they are.

    4    

Among various fiction types, historical fiction stands out as a highly informative category. This is due to the extensive and precise research it demands, creating an impressive experience that transports you to different eras. This, in turn, allows you to get a sense of a life and times so vastly different from yours.

It challenges your perspectives about culture.

    5     By providing alternative perspectives to a known reality, it offers alternative ways of looking at people. Postcolonial (后殖民主义的) historical fiction, for instance, has long worked to challenge the idea of imperial (帝国的) superiority. Slave fiction challenges the idea of racism.

A．It makes you connect with your ancestors.

B．It offers alternative perspectives to past realities.

C．Alternative perspectives make you broad-minded.

D．It gives you a sense of a life and times before yours.

E．You should definitely invest in reading historical fiction.

F．It is this context that makes historical fiction unique and essential.

G．One social influence historical fiction has is that it challenges cultural assumptions.

10 . On 17 September 2023, Senior 1 student Charlie Robson was enjoying his dinner at the stand when there came a sudden scream from the boy next to his table, who accidentally swallowed the plastic wrapper stuck to the bottom of his food.

Seeing him unable to cough it up, the boy’s mother was immediately filled with fear as she stood there, patting his son’s back anxiously. “Somebody help! My son is going to choke with the wrapper in his throat.”

Charlie noticed that the boy’s face had turned complete purple. He knew he must take action immediately. Otherwise, the boy’s life was in great danger. Charlie quickly ran behind the boy and started doing the Heimlich maneuver (海姆立克急救法) whose theory is to push air through the airway to force whatever is in there out. Minutes later, the plastic wrapper was eventually forced out and the boy began to breathe again.

Seeing the boy was safe, Charlie rushed to the school without knowing his act of kindness went viral after someone in the scene posted the video on Tik Tok. Charlie’s father said, “I’m so proud of my son. He is a brave boy with great responsibility. He didn’t tell me what had happened until I saw the video on Tik Tok.”

Plus, the boy’s mother wrote to the headmaster, saying “The student who saved my son’s life the other day is really a hero. We’re so grateful that he stepped in to help when my son was faced with such a dangerous situation. Thanks so much for educating such well-rounded students with good moral virtues.” In response to the letter, Jimmy Mehwish, the headmaster of the school, said, “At the very beginning of the semester, Charlie has set a great example for all the students. His kindness really sets a tone for everyone else.”

1. How did the boy’s mother feel after he ate the plastic wrapper?

A．Concerned.

B．Scared.

C．Upset.

D．Embarrassed.

2. What does the underlined phrase “went viral” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Be attacked by viruses on social media.

B．Be sold to make a profit on social media.

C．Became familiar with fans on social media.

D．Spread quickly and widely on social media.

3. What do we know about Charlie?

A．He is afraid of his father.

B．He is a brave boy of few words.

C．He dislikes the attention from Tik Tok.

D．He thought little about his act of kindness.

4. What can we infer from Jimmy’s words?

A．Charlie is a well-rounded student.

B．The boy’s mother is grateful to Charlie.

C．Other students should learn from Charlie.

D．Charlie is responsible for the boy’s safety.