1 . One single night every January, volunteers all over America search parks, woodlands and pavements to count those without shelter. After seeing their own figures for homelessness increase by 20%between 2022 and early 2023. Jersey officials were shocked into action. Officials spent more on rental assistance for those at risk of becoming homeless. More services for people living rough have led to a rise in sheltered homelessness. The state also gathers real time data. In November New Jersey’s Office of Homelessness Prevention released its own figures , showing unsheltered homelessness falling across the state by 23% year on year.

Newark, New Jersey’s largest city and home to the state’s largest homeless population, recorded a 58% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since the start of the year due to the government’s financial support to reduce street homelessness, improve the shelter system and expand housing and prevention services.

Luis Ulerio, the director of Newark’s Office of Homeless Services, says “there’s just been a lot of hard work behind that number.” Mr. Baraka, the mayor (市长)，converted a local primary school into a 166-bed facility. He built temporary housing out of shipping containers. A second cluster (群) of containers with supportive services, called Hope Village II, will open soon. The containers have been altered to look like little cottages. A third cluster is in the works Mr.Baraka wants to create a pipeline from shelters to transitional housing and then to getting long-term homeless people into permanent housing.

More services for people living rough have led to a rise in sheltered homelessness. The city also provides money for overdue rent to prevent homelessness. Beth Shinn of Vanderbilt University points out that it’s cheaper to give $ 200 to help make due rent for the poor than to pay thousands later. The city also relies on data , updated daily by those working with Newark’s homeless people. Real-time data is crucial , he says , in order to carry out interventions in state policy all on the frontline.

1. What can we learn about homelessness in New Jersey from paragraph 1?

A．It has greatly affected people’s lives.	B．Official efforts are lacking to address it.
C．Great progress has been made to ease it.	D．It is the most serious all over America.

2. How did Mr. Baraka help the homeless in Newark??

A．He designed and built the Hope Village series for them.

B．He turned a school and shipping containers into o homes.

C．He joined a permanent pipeline to the homeless houses.

D．He led the volunteers to count people without shelter.

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

A．Extended.

B．Donated.

C．Distributed.

D．Changed.

4. What does Beth Shinn suggest about overdue rent?

A．Rent should be provided for the poor when it’s due.

B．No rent should be charged to stop overdue rent .

C．Real-time data should be in place to spot overdue rent.

D．A limit should be set to avoid large sum of overdue rent.

2 . In order to grow and be better than before , you must learn to be emotionally intelligent. Here are some strategies to help you become emotionally mature!

You cannot change others. Everyone else is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions. It is completely normal. Keeping that in mind, it is better if you understand that you cannot change others, no matter how hard you try. Even if you try changing others and their feelings, you will only be hurting yourself in the process.     1    

People interact with us like we are mind readers sometimes.    2     This can be extremely painful. You need to communicate your needs to the other person, and they need to do the same with you. Never rely on expectations, which will only make you feel disappointed. Share your needs with your loved ones and see the positive changes. So communicate your needs.

It is necessary to take responsibility for your actions. Just like your words, you need to take full responsibility for your actions. Many people make silly excuses and don’t take responsibility for their actions. That is where they hurt others and themselves.    3     It won’t bring your self-respect down, and it will actually raise you as a person.

    4     So it is wise to avoid negative people. If you are surrounded by negative people that only bring others down, then you will always feel uncomfortable. If you are surrounded by happy people, you will always be delighted. Keep away from people who emotionally control others.    5     In order to be emotionally intelligent, you must have a supporting partner by your side.

A．You need to mind whatever you do.

B．You are known by the company you keep.

C．Just as you try to be a mind reader, others expect so.

D．The best course of action would be to change yourself.

E．Whenever you feel something like that, cut ties with them.

F．Your partner would want you to know exactly what they want.

G．If you make a mistake and affect others negatively, apologize immediately.

3 . Dozens of scientists are ready to delight, provoke, and shed light on global scientific issues. Hosted by different columns on New Scientist, they’re here to engage with latest discoveries. Read on for what New Scientist has offered this week.

NS Live

Why do we need more women in science? Physicist Athene Donald will be at New Scientist Live on & January to explore the disadvantages that women in science face. Her talk will erase myths (传言) about “gendered” brains and what attributes are needed to become a successful scientist. Now, more than ever, there is a moral and business case for greater diversity in research, she says.

Weekender

From black holes to Big Bang, explore the space in this getaway featuring talks from some of the brightest minds in astrophysics. Visit the Lovell Telescope at the Jodrell Bank UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plus, go stargazing with New Scientist features editor Abigail Beall. This weekender runs from 19 January to 1 February and costs £959.

Essential Guide

What drives the ageing process? What can science tell us about the stages of life? And how can we use the latest research to live healthily into old age? This Essential Guide offers some fresh insight. Available to download on the website or to purchase in print from our shop.

Newsletter — Wild Wild Life

In an act of companionship, an African bird called the greater honey guide may get a badger to help it break into a beehive so the two can share the honey. Michael Marshall finds that there are many surprising truths in his reports, which lie behind the fables (寓言), though these animals’ behavior seems unusual in real life.

1. What’s the purpose of NS Live?

A．To set moral and commercial rules for the study.

B．To encourage more women to devote to science.

C．To demonstrate the vital elements to be a scientist.

D．To reveal the existence of gender differences.

2. Which will attract the amateur astronomers most?

A．NS Live.

B．Weekender.

C．Essential Guide.

D．Newsletter — Wild Wild Life.

3. What does Michael think of the animal companionship?

A．It exists indeed in wild world.	B．It happens only in the fables.
C．It is widely accepted by humans.	D．It reveals the truth behind the lie.

4 . In the field of marine (海洋) conservation , there exists a true hero of the seas whose story of preserving our oceans is nothing short of inspirational. Dr. Lisa Anderson, a marine biologist, has devoted her life to protecting our underwater ecosystems and the countless species that call them home.

Growing up near the coast, Dr.Anderson’s childhood was filled with visits to the beach and established a profound connection to the sea. She always had a passion for marine life and a deep curiosity about the creatures beneath the waves. She said, “As a kid, I used to dream about the ocean. It was this wild place full of color and life and home to these fantastic creatures. I pictured big sharks ruling the food chain and saw graceful sea turtles dancing across coral reefs. But the first time I truly went underwater, I was about 10 years old. And I can still vividly remember I was instantly surrounded by fish in all colors of the rainbow. That was the day I fell in love with the ocean. ” It’s no surprise that she pursued a career in marine biology.

Dr. Anderson’s extraordinary work has spanned decades, from conducting vital research on endangered coral reefs to leading educational initiatives about marine conservation. Her tireless efforts have led to the creation of marine protected areas that ensure the safety of critical habitats for countless species. “In my 40 years on this planet, I’ve had the great honour to explore some of its most incredible seascapes for the Save Our Seas Foundation,” she said.

One of Dr.Anderson’s most notable accomplishments is her work in raising awareness about the destructive effects of plastic pollution in our oceans. Her research on plastic waste and its impact on marine life has stimulated global initiatives to reduce plastic consumption and increase recycling.

Dr. Anderson’s dedication to marine conservation serves as a light for our oceans and their future. Her work reminds us that by protecting our seas, we not only preserve incredible biodiversity but also secure a healthier planet for generations to come.

1. What sparked Dr.Anderson’s interest in marine biology?

A．Her curiosity about marine life.	B．Her passion for global ecosystems.
C．Her visits to the beach as a scientist.	D．Her profound connection to childhood.

2. What significant issue has Dr.Anderson devoted her life to?

A．Plastic pollution.

B．Biology species.

C．Ocean waste.

D．Marine protection.

3. How has Dr.Anderson contributed to the fight against plastic pollution?

A．She promoted the speed of making plastic recycled.

B．She ensured the safety of the use of plastic products.

C．She invented a new kind of recycled plastic material.

D．She raised global awareness and conducted research.

4. What can be learned from the last paragraph?

A．Reducing plastic consumption is a light for our oceans.

B．Dr. Anderson’s dedication inspired people to become scientists.

C．Protecting our seas ensures a healthier planet for the future.

D．Preserving biodiversity is a must for new generations.

5 . The green, natural forest absorbs carbon dioxide from the air through photo- synthesis (光合作用). There is another way of dealing with the climate crisis. That is setting up fields of dark-colored solar panels (太阳能电池板), also known as “solar forests”, which replace power stations that use fossil fuels such as coal and gas to make electricity, thus mitigating harmful emissions (排放) of greenhouse gases.

But since they are both relatively dark, they absorb a lot of solar radiation. Some of the energy is used for photosynthesis in natural forests or to produce electricity in “solar forests”, but most returns to the atmosphere, heating it up. Then what would be the more effective land use option in terms of the climate crisis: planting a forest, or building solar panels? This issue has long been debated by decision-makers around the world. Now, we may have an answer, thanks to a new study.

First, the researchers compared the impact of a forest on the climate crisis in a dry area to that of a solar farm in a similar environment. The researchers found that the albedo effect (反射效应) of both of these “forests” was similar, but that the absorption or prevention of carbon emissions was very different. It turns out that it takes 2.5 years for the heat emitted by solar farms to be balanced by the carbon emissions that are avoided, thanks to the energy they produce. In the case of a natural forest of similar size, it would take more than 100 years of photosynthesis to balance its heating effect.

The researchers also studied how the heating-cooling relationship changed in other climates and found that in more humid environments, the heating effect of planting large numbers of trees is smaller. And the break-even point is reached within 15 to 18 years.

“In dry places, building solar forests seems far more effective in addressing the climate crisis. Meanwhile, forests absorb about a third of annual carbon emissions and play a vital role in the global rain cycle, in maintaining biodiversity and in many other environmental and social contexts. Preventing them from being cut down and planting more trees in humid areas are of great significance,” explains one of the researchers in the study.

1. What does the underlined word “mitigating” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Releasing.

B．Decreasing.

C．Generating.

D．Stabilizing.

2. What is the root cause of the long-running debate over the two types of forests?

A．They cause much damage to the land.

B．They result in a serious loss of farmland.

C．They contribute to the warming of the atmosphere.

D．They lose energy during the absorption of solar radiation.

3. What did the researchers find in the study conducted in the dry environment?

A．The natural forest exhibits a stronger albedo effect.

B．The solar forest can generate more energy in dry areas.

C．The solar forest is superior in balancing the heating effect.

D．The natural forest is more effective in solving the climate crisis.

4. What can be concluded from the last paragraph?

A．More trees should be planted in dry regions.

B．More methods should be adopted to address the climate crisis.

C．Fields of solar panels should be set up everywhere on the earth.

D．Building solar panels and planting trees should be effectively combined.

6 . In one of my teaching experiences, a colleague invited me to talk to his undergraduate class about being a clinical psychologist. Afterward, a line of students stopped me before I could go out. They didn’t have questions about the lecture.     1     The students’ enthusiasm showed the anxiety about navigating (找到正确方法) opportunity-seeking.

    2     We encourage people to earn a college degree. We cheer on people who seek raises. However, emotional difficulties in opportunity-seeking and -taking can lead to our feeling stuck in the process. Because you can’t control how an opportunity will pan out, making your self-worth contingent (依情况而定的) on it creates a ground for anxiety and fear.

There are two ways that people try to deal with these feelings: avoiding opportunities and seeking them excessively. Opportunity-avoiders are too hesitant to follow through with pursuing opportunities. Since they are afraid of failure, they avoid having a try at the opportunity.     3     They might also turn down opportunities that come their way because they don’t feel confident enough to pursue them.

Compulsive (难控制的) opportunity-seekers get excited by the idea of an opportunity itself rather than identifying what the opportunity will mean for their quality of life. They find it painful to pass up opportunities even when they don’t have time for them and might say “yes” to thankless tasks.     4    

These two ways are well-intentioned but they are also self-defeating. The healthiest way to go about opportunity-seeking and -taking is building self-awareness.     5     Additionally, have a sense of what you want, which will help you choose opportunities more purposely and carefully.

A．But I didn’t have any opportunities for them.

B．They hesitate to ask for help, sometimes out of shame.

C．Figure out whether your behavior is clouded by emotion.

D．Rather, they were eager to seek a chance to work with me.

E．Pursuing opportunity is a healthy behavior that society celebrates.

F．It could also mean being patient for a better time to start a new opportunity.

G．As can be imagined, overloading one’s schedule does not do much to improve self-worth.

7 . Seated at the grand piano in MIT’s Killian Hall last fall, first-year student Jacqueline Wang played one piece of Mozart’s music. When she’d finished, Mi-Eun Kim, a pianist and lecturer at MIT, asked her to move to the back of the hall. Kim tapped at an iPad. Suddenly, the music Wang had just played poured forth again from the piano — its keys sinking and rising just as they had with Wang’s fingers on them. Wang stood with a confused expression, taking in a repeat of her own performance.

This unusual lesson took place during a three-week residency (驻留期) of the Steinway Spirio|r, a piano that obtains the data of live performances and offers students new possibilities for studying and experimenting with music.

Wang was one of several participants to have the experience of hearing herself play while watching the data of her performance move up and down across a screen: color-coded rectangles (矩形) indicating the speed and duration of each note, and a moving line charting her use of the damper pedal (阻尼踏板). Wang could even edit her own performance when Kim suggested her rhythmic use of the pedal might be unnecessary. Using the iPad interface to erase the pedaling entirely, they listened to the playback again, the notes gaining new clarity,

For Wang, the session introduced an element she’d never experienced since beginning her piano studies. The visual display of how long each key was played and with what speed gave her a more precise demonstration of the ideas of voicing and evenness.

Playing the piano is one of the most complex activities that humans do with their hands. Some people might think the new technology will replace the pianist. In Kim’s view, that human complexity is complemented by this kind of technical possibility. But it doesn’t mean all of the things that go into learning music will be abandoned. It’s going to be an invaluable third partner: the student, the teacher, and the Spirio|r. It’s going to play a necessary role in lots of musical efforts.

1. What happened after Jacqueline Wang finished her performance?

A．Her teacher played a piece of music to compete against her.

B．She got her performance reviewed on the Spirio|r.

C．She was asked to comment on her performance.

D．Her teacher instructed her to improve her skills.

2. What can we say about the new piano technology?

A．It is difficult to operate.	B．It needs to be more intelligent.
C．It might reveal users’ privacy.	D．It is beneficial for students’ learning.

3. What does the author intend to express in the last paragraph?

A．The music world is full of uncertainties.

B．Technology cannot replace human pianists.

C．There won’t be fiercer competition among pianists.

D．Pianists should be updated with the latest technology.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Making Full Use of MIT’s Program

B．The Evolution of Musical Instruments

C．Exploring Music with the Steinway Spirio|r

D．The Challenges of Learning a New Instrument

8 . Four Wonderful Hotels in India

Vythiri Resort, Lakkidi, Kerala

Vythiri Resort has five tree houses, including the one that’s child-friendly and buried in the jungle. This 150-acre property is built around a stream, and the tree houses have been hand-made by local people using local materials. The resort has an Ayurvedic spa, a game room, a health club, and a big free parking lot.

The regular tree house for one night is CNY 1,300 for two adults and a free stay for your child. Breakfast is included in the fee.

Rainforest Resort, Kerala

If the thought of a bird’s eye view of Athirapally Falls, Kerala’s largest waterfall, appeals to you, then book yourself into the tree house at the Rainforest Resort, which hides in the Sholayar rainforest. The resort is set among seven acres of jungle. It’s not cheap, though. You can use free parking and free Internet.

A standard double room for one night is CNY1,920 with meals included for two adults and a child.

The Tree House Resort, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Situated around an hour’s drive from the city center, The Tree House Resort is the largest resort in the world of its kind. It’s located at Nature Farms in the Syari Valley. The tree houses are divided into many “nests”. Some even have tree trunks running through them. All are air-conditioned and have wireless Internet and satellite TV. Activities include jeep tours and nature walks.

A garden room for one night is CNY 820 for two adults and one child. However, breakfast is not included.

Tranquil Resort, Kolagappara, Kerala

Also located in Kerala’s Wayanad district, the Tranquil Resort is, in fact, a coffee plantation homestay. There are 13 walking trails (小路) there and more than 100 species of birds. The resort has a tree house and a 1,000-square-foot tree villa. The villa is apparently a bit expensive. The two are popular, so do book early online or by phone. Fresh coffee is served.

The prices of a tree house and a tree villa are respectively CNY 1,430 and CNY 2,100 per night. And for more than 2 guests, an additional fee of CNY 200 is required.

1. What do the above four hotels offer guests?

A．The free parking service.	B．A chance to get close to nature.
C．A taste of India’s traditional cuisine.	D．Interactive activities for parents and children.

2. What’s the disadvantage of The Tree House Resort?

A．It’s relatively small.	B．It’s unfriendly to kids.
C．It charges for breakfast.	D．It’s inconveniently located.

3. How much will a family of three pay for the villa at the Tranquil Resort for a night?

A．CNY 1,430.

B．CNY 1,630.

C．CNY 2,100.

D．CNY 2,300.

9 . While many of us might long to just sleep through this entire winter, humans, unlike a lot of other mammals - don’t have the capacity to hibernate (冬眠). But researchers think they have found some tell-tale marks on the fossils, which suggests that early humans may have survived the harsh winter by hibernating.

Bears have specialized metabolic (新陈代谢的) processes to protect them from this extended sleep, but sometimes this process doesn’t quite go to plan. For example, hibernators can end up with a host of diseases after hibernation if they don’t get enough food reserves before they go down for the winter. The researchers believe this may have been the circumstance of some human ancestors whose remains with deep cracks in bones were discovered in a Spanish cave called Sima de los Huesos. This deep hole is home to an incredible number of fossils, with archaeologists having discovered thousands of early humans’ skeletal remains that are around 430,000 years old and probably the ancestors of the Sima people or others.

In a paper published in L’Anthropologie, two experts argue that the fossils found in Sima de los Huesos show seasonal variations that suggest that bone growth got interrupted for several months of each year. They suggest these early humans found themselves being in metabolic states that helped them to survive for long periods of time in extremely cold conditions with limited stores of body fat.

The researchers admit the idea “may sound like science fiction”, but they point out that many mammals including primates (灵长类动物) do this. “This suggests that the genetic basis and physiology for such slow metabolism could be preserved in many mammalian species including humans," state Arsuaga and Bartsiokas.

However, Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London pointed out that large mammals such as bears do not actually hibernate, because their large bodies cannot lower their core temperature enough. Instead, they enter a less deep sleep known as torpor. In such a condition, the energy demands of the human-sized brains of the Sima people would have remained very large, creating an additional survival problem for them during torpor.

1. Why does the author mention the example in Paragraph 2?

A．To explain the special ability of bears.	B．To provide the background to the research.
C．To show the basis of researchers’ evaluation.	D．To discuss a new cause of hibernating disease.

2. What can we know about the bones found in the Spanish cave?

A．They were badly preserved with deep cracks.

B．Their growth discontinued temporarily for some reason.

C．Their appearances varied from individual to individual.

D．They showed signs of people living in comfort in the past.

3. What is Arsuaga and Bartsiokas’ attitude towards humans’ hibernation?

A．It’s quite possible.	B．It merely appears in science fiction.
C．It’s an exception to human genetics.	D．It solved the mystery of humans’ evolution in Europe.

4. What might the hibernation of the Sima people result in according to Chris?

A．They might have developed smaller brains.

B．Their daily sleep quality might become poor.

C．Their body temperature might increase rapidly.

D．They might suffer from life-threatening starvation.

10 . Every year over the Christmas holiday, I declutter and organize my kids’ rooms. I just can’t stand the thought of adding more clutter (杂物) to their cabinets when they’re already fully packed with all that stuff. It’s no secret that clutter weighs on us mentally, and when it’s not dealt with, the problem only worsens. All that stuff can make us feel anxious and overwhelmed. And if it’s in our bedrooms, it can even keep us from sleeping well. Research has shown that those with cluttered bedrooms have more trouble getting enough sleep.

I separate their toys, books, and clothing into one of three piles: for donations, friends with younger children, and, finally, that which is too damaged to keep at all. The process can take hours, but when I’m done, there’s a huge weight lifted as all the clutter finds a new home.

Organizing and decluttering our space gives us a sense of control over our surroundings, says Jourdan Travers, a psychotherapist and clinical director of Awake Therapy in New York City. “Mess is stress. Humans have limited bandwidth, and it isn’t easy to focus on essential tasks when we are in messy or unclean spaces,” says Travers. The research backs this up. A study published in the September 2017 issue of Current Psychology found that “clutter problems led to a significant decrease in satisfaction with life among older adults.” The study found that those who delay decluttering because of “indecision” end up with a mounting issue that weighs on their mind.

Sometimes, however, we have trouble parting with our stuff. It can start to mount up because the task of decluttering and reorganizing can start to feel overwhelming and intense. There are various reasons why we hold onto stuff, some of which are valid. If something is a family heirloom, for example, and has deep meaning, we may not want to part with it.

Maybe it’s that outfit you hope one day you’ll fit into. Maybe the items were expensive, and even though you don’t wear them anymore, you hate the idea of parting with them. If there are some items you have trouble parting with, try getting rid of the easy stuff first.

1. What is a direct consequence of cluttering?

A．One will feel out of control over his life.

B．One will feel burden piling up in his brain.

C．One will feel unable to deal with all the stuff.

D．One will feel relieved by his mental problems.

2. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “bandwidth” in paragraph 3?

A．Brain capacity.

B．Work efficiency.

C．Energy level.

D．Learning competence.

3. In what way is decluttering rewarding?

A．It can boost our well-being.

B．It can bring hope to the needy.

C．It can guarantee a sound sleep.

D．It can teach children how to organize.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Decluttering-A Lifestyle in fashion.

B．Decluttering-A Psychological Therapy.

C．Decluttering-A Solution to “Indecision”.

D．Decluttering-A Way to Clear Our Mind Out.