1 . Advances in AI and machine learning have sparked interest from governments that would like to use these tools for patrolling (巡查) purposefully before hand to prevent crime. However, early efforts at crime prediction have been controversial, because they do not allow for systematic biases (偏见) in police enforcement and its complex relationship with crime and society.

University of Chicago (UC) data and social scientists have developed a new algorithm (算法) that forecasts crime by learning patterns in time and geographic locations from public data on violent and property crimes. It has demonstrated success at predicting future crimes one week in advance with approximately 90% accuracy.

The new tool was tested and validated using historical data from the City of Chicago around two broad categories of reported events: violent crimes and property crimes.

The new model isolates crime by looking at the time and spatial coordinates (坐标) of separate events and detecting patterns to predict future events. It divides the city into spatial sections roughly 1,000 feet across and predicts crime within these areas instead of relying on traditional neighborhood or political boundaries, which are also subject to bias. The model performed just as well with data from seven other US cities.

Ishanu Chattopadhyay, senior author of the study, is careful to note that the tool’s accuracy does not mean that it should be used to direct law enforcement, with police departments using it to flock to neighborhoods ahead of time to stop crime. Instead, it should be added to a toolbox of urban policies and policing strategies to address crime.

“We created a digital twin of urban environments. If you feed it data from what happened in the past, it will tell you what’s going to happen in future. It’s not magical; there are limitations, but we tested it and it works well,” Chattopadhyay said. “Now you can use this as a model tool to see what happens if crime goes up in one area, or there is increased enforcement in another area. If you apply all these different data, you can see how the system evolves in response.”

1. What information would data and social scientists in UC collect?

A．Periods of traffic jams.	B．Items of lost and found.
C．Thefts and robberies on the street.	D．Casualty (伤亡) in traffic accidents.

2. What does the underlined word “validated” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Confirmed.

B．Modified.

C．Classified.

D．Abandoned.

3. What’s Paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The advantages and disadvantages of this new tool.

B．The principles and good performances of this new tool.

C．Positive feedback from some other experts in this field.

D．The hard process of Chattopadhyay’s developing this tool.

4. What can we know from Chattopadhyay’s opinion on the tool’s use?

A．He does not think it’s accurate enough to put into use.

B．The limitations are to be removed for a better performance.

C．The police department can wholly rely on it to prevent criminals.

D．It can be of help when the authority make policies concerning crimes.

2 . It is quite true that nowadays more and more people have come to realize the importance of health. On the other hand, being healthier can be a huge challenge, especially if you don’t have the time or the energy.     1    That is because there are small changes you can make to your life where you can improve your health and still be lazy. Just start with eating well.

Eat your meals with your non-dominant hand.

Which is your non-dominant hand? For example, if you’re a right-hander, then your left hand is. Usually fork in your left hand, right? OK!     2     You’ll eat more slowly and probably consume less food.

Add in healthy food.

You can buy those Milano cookies, but also make an effort to buy frozen fruits for smoothies (奶昔) and snap pea crisps to snack on, too.     3    

Drink a glass of water before every meal.

Water will fill you up a little bit, so you won’t be hungry as a wolf at meal. Make it a habit to keep a water bottle nearby at all times, whether you’re in your house or on the go. That we should drink at least 8 cups of water every day makes sense.

Drink coffee.

Right!    4    More importantly, people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day are less likely to show early symptoms of heart disease. Don’t skip out of your morning cup of coffee or that afternoon pick-me-up.

    5    

People who eat on smaller plates end up eating less food. Buy a few inexpensive smaller plates and bowls if yours are large. You’ll think you’ve eaten more than you have.

Besides, just stretching your legs after meals every day will help a lot more.

A．Eat on smaller plates.

B．Never a coach potato!

C．A lucky dog you are now.

D．Caffeine truly refreshes you.

E．Stop eating when you feel full, never overeat.

F．Try using your right hand as your fork hand, rather than your left one.

G．Over time, fewer cookies and more healthy snacks you will have on hand.

3 . Solar power is one of the fastest growing sources of renewable power globally these years. Solar photothermal (光热) and solar photovoltaic (PV光伏)are both technical forms.

The thermal power station adopts the generation mode of “light--heat--electricity”. Thousands of heliostats (定日镜) reflect the sunlight to the surface of the heat absorber on the top of the solar tower. The concentrated sunlight is then used either directly as a source of heat, as in solar water heating, or to drive a heat cycle such as a Sterling Engine. PVs use semi-conductor technology to directly convert sunlight into electricity. The PV line is connected to the direct current (DC) distribution cabinet in parallel through the DC combiner box. After confluence (汇合), it is connected to the DC input end of the inverter to convert DC into alternating current (AC). The AC output end of the inverter is connected to the AC distribution cabinet and directly connected to the user side through the AC distribution cabinet.

Additionally, since solar thermal directly produces heat, it can store thermal energy into various media. Therefore, solar thermal can potentially generate power 24 hours a day. On the other hand, PVs only operate when the sun is shining, and must be coupled either with other power generation mechanisms to ensure a constant supply of electricity.

The scale of PV power generation can be large or small, ranging from thousands of watts to hundreds of megawatts, but photothermal power generation is typical economies of scale. With the increase of scale, the lower the power generation cost.

PV power generation is less limited by region, for the sun shines on the earth. Compared with other sources of renewable power, the PV system is safe and reliable as well as eco-friendly. Since it can be convenient for local power generation and power supply, you do not worry about consuming fuel or erecting transmission lines. A small PV power can be constructed in a short period with no noise or low pollution.

1. How does the author develop the text?

A．By making comparisons.	B．By giving examples.
C．By making assumptions.	D．By analyzing statistics.

2. What’s the last stop before the PV line is connected to the user side?

A．The DC distribution cabinet.	B．The DC input end of the inverter.
C．The AC distribution cabinet.	D．The AC output end of the inverter.

3. What aspect does the last paragraph focus on PV power generation?

A．Its popularity.

B．Its efficiency.

C．Its cost.

D．Its advantages.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Solar Thermal vs. Solar Photovoltaic

B．Some facts about Solar Photovoltaic

C．The development of solar power generation

D．The wide use and promising future of solar power

4 . Self drive Ireland tours are ideal for people who enjoy the freedom to go at their own pace and make their own plans. Go Irish Tours specializes in short Ireland self drive tours ranging from 5 to 8 days long-perfect for a mid-year getaway or a romantic honeymoon.

Short Break Away (5 nights). It takes you from Dublin through Cork, Kerry and the Midlands, providing a perfect taste of Irish culture and history. Drive around Ireland in style, guiding yourself through sprawling cityscapes and rolling green hills alike. Just start with Phoenix Park.

Romantic Love Tour (6 nights). This idyllic driving tour is short but sweet, perfect for newlyweds with a passion for adventure. You’ll fall in love with Ireland over the course of six nights, cosying up in castles and driving through the most romantic scenery on Earth. This tour is the perfect way to treat yourselves after the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding.

Haunted Ireland Tour (7 nights). This ghosty self drive tour is bursting with Irish culture, mythology and legend. Explore haunted castles and twisted woods, learning of our fantastic folklore (民俗学) and its origins. This tour is a truly unique way to explore Ireland on your own. Leep Castle is one you can’t miss.

Southern Loop Tour (8 nights). This is a fantastic introductory trip to Éire. This week-long escape draws a ring from Dublin through the south half of the island and back again, stopping in Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway and the Midlands. Enjoy getting to grips with Ireland’s roads as you explore hills, valleys, mountains and villages behind the wheel of your personal rented car. This self-driving tour of Ireland will leave you dying to visit again!

1. What does Go Irish Tours possibly do?

A．A local expert travel agent.	B．A local government branch.
C．An international trade company.	D．A popular travel magazine.

2. Which tour is best suitable for you and your bride?

A．Short Break Away.	B．Romantic Love Tour.
C．Southern Loop Tour.	D．Haunted Ireland Tour.

3. Which probable event will you join in if you are on the Southern Loop Tour?

A．Go on a bike tour of the Phoenix Park.

B．Buy your bride one classic ladies gold ring.

C．Brave enough to visit the notorious Leep Castle alone.

D．Experience different road conditions when driving around.

5 . In 1948, Ladies Home Journal selected our family for its “How America Lives” feature. The reporter and photographer arrived at the end of May and followed all of us (Mom, Dad, my brother, sister and me) for a week, recording our every move. Everyone was pretty excited about it, especially in our town of 6,000, where things like this just didn’t happen.

Since the article would be published in early December, we had to pretend it was already autumn. The reporter asked mom to cook and serve a complete Thanksgiving meal. She told Mom to “go all out” and use her best holiday dishes for the feast.

Mom’s face fell. She didn’t want to admit that our best dishes weren’t exactly the best, let alone suitable for a national magazine. While the reporter continued with her interview, the photographer quietly excused himself and slipped away for over an hour. When he came back, he had a large box, which he placed on the floor, telling Mom to open it.

Her mouth wide open, her face lit up as if it was Christmas. Inside was a beautiful set of 12 dishes, each painted with patterns of flowers and golden brims (金边), made by the Homer Laughlin China Co. There was even a soup bowl, something we kids had never seen before. Mom was near tears as she lovingly handled each piece.

When it came time to serve dinner, Mom walked slowly from the kitchen with the lovely new plate, which contained a small “turkey” (in reality, a large chicken).

From that day on, Mom made sure they never saw the light of day unless it was a major event, though they were a must at every Thanksgiving.

I carry on the tradition, using the dishes for our Thanksgiving feast. But I serve a real turkey, and I serve it on the real Thanksgiving Day.

1. Where did the photographer possibly go while mom was interviewed?

A．A bookstore.

B．A china store.

C．A flower shop.

D．A candy shop.

2. What was mother’s first reaction when seeing the beautiful dishes?

A．She was calm as usual.	B．She was moved into tears.
C．She had a mix of feelings.	D．She thought little of them.

3. What a life can we infer the author’s family led in 1948?

A．Cozy.

B．Leisured.

C．Troubled.

D．Badly-off.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To persuade readers to buy the same dishes her family cherishes.

B．To tell us about the moving story behind the family-cherished dishes.

C．To contribute an article concerning her family to a popular magazine.

D．To write something down in memory of her mother and good days.

6 . Making a Backup Plan Weakens Performance

There are certainly important benefits to making backup plans. One is the psychological comfort it brings: People think, “I’m going to be Okay, even if I fail because I can then do X or Y.” Another benefit is that if you fail, you won’t keep thinking about it; you can quickly implement your backup plan.     1     Jihae Shin of Wisconsin School of Business believes that acknowledging the costs and benefits can lead to better and more informed decision making.

She gave 160 university students a sentence-unscrambling (理清句子) task and promised an energy bar to those who performed it well.     2     People encouraged to think about those backup plans unscrambled significantly fewer sentences on average than people who hadn’t been asked to formulate a plan B.

In the follow-up experiment, Shin took the same approach but offered people different rewards — an extra dollar. “We think that when achieving a goal requires work, not luck, making a backup plan can hurt performance by reducing the desire for the goal.” said professor Shin. “In the third study in which participants were asked about how much they wanted the promised reward of one dollar, those who had been asked to think through backup plans reported that they wanted the cash less than others.     3     So they put in less effort which hurt their results.

The participants in the lab studies spent less than 10 minutes, thinking about their backup plans -- a tiny investment of their attention -- yet it significantly affected their motivation and performance on goal pursuit. In real life when the stakes are higher, people would be expected to devote more time and energy to mapping out the detailed backup plans.     4    

The practical advice from the researchers is: Hold off on making back up plans until you’ve put as much effort as possible into your primary goal.

A．As that reduces effort over a sustained period, it could result in even more significant negative effects.

B．Before receiving the text, half the participants were asked to think about the different ways they could obtain free food, should they fail to earn the snack.

C．But participants asked to brainstorm other things before unscrambling sentences did just fine.

D．However, the costs of making backup plans haven’t previously been examined.

E．If you prepare for failure, you may be more likely to fail.

F．They might not have been aware of this shift in their mindset while working, but they were less motivated.

7 .

Fellowships for Postdoctoral Scholars AT WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION Scholarships designed to extend the education and training of the applicants and to advance their research careers are available to new or recent doctoral graduates in diverse areas of research.

Applications will be accepted from doctoral recipients with research interests associated with the following Departments: ·APPLIED OCEAN PHYSICS & ENGINEERING ·MARINE CHEMISTRY AND GEOCHEMISTRY ·PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY ·GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS ·BIOLOGY Interdepartmental research, including with the Marine Policy Center, is also encouraged. Applications will also be accepted from those with research interests on the following: ·USGS/WHOI-   areas of common interest between USGS and WHOI Scientific Staff. The individual will interact with both USGS and WHOI based advisors on their research. Criteria for awards include demonstrated research independence, productivity and novelty, and community service including contributions to making ocean sciences and engineering more diverse and welcoming. Scholarships are awarded for 18-month appointments（$68,500 annually, plus a health and welfare allowance; a travel allowance; and a research budget）.

Recipients are encouraged to pursue their own research interest supervised by resident staff. Communication with potential WHOI advisors prior to submitting an application is encouraged. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 15, 2023, to start any time after January 1, 2024 and before December 1, 2024. Awards will be announced in December. Further information about the Scholarships and application forms as well as links to the individual Departments and their research themes may be obtained at: https://go.whoi.edu/pdscholarship A goal of the Postdoctoral Scholar Program is the long-term broadening of participation in ocean science and engineering: women, minorities, veterans, those with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION

1. What can be learned about the Postdoctoral Scholar Program?

A．Women applicants are more likely to be considered than men applicants.

B．Applicants whose research is independent and original will be given priority.

C．All applicants must agree to work with the Marine Policy Center.

D．Applicants without a degree in engineering will be rejected.

2. The earliest time for the scholarship recipient to start the research work is _________.

A．October 15, 2023	B．January 1, 2024
C．December 1, 2024	D．December 12, 2023

3. The scholarship recipient will be able to ________.

A．get a health and welfare allowance of $70,000 a year

B．use the database at http://go.whoi.edu/pdscholarship

C．appoint any WHOI advisor as his/her research partner

D．do research under the guidance of resident staff at WHOI

8 . My sister, Lynn, taught me my first word: kira-kira. I pronounced it ka-a-ahhh, but she knew what I meant. Kira-kira means “glittering” in Japanese. Lynn told me that when I was a baby, she used to take me onto our empty road at night, where we would lie on our backs and look at the stars while she said over and over, “Katie, say ‘kira-kira, kira-kira!’” I loved that word! When I grew older, I used kira-kira to describe everything I liked: the beautiful blue sky, puppies, kittens, butterflies, colored tissues.

My mother said we were misusing the word; you could not call colored tissues kira-kira. She was dismayed over how un-Japanese we were and swore to send us to Japan one day. I didn’t care where she sent me, so long as Lynn came along.

When she wasn’t in school, she stayed with me constantly. Both our parents worked. Officially, I stayed all day with a lady from down the road, but unofficially, Lynn was the one who took care of me.

My sister used to keep a diary. Today I keep her diary in a drawer next to my bed. I like to see how her memories were the same as mine, but also different. For instance, one of my earliest memories is of the day Lynn saved my life. I was almost five, and she was almost nine. We were playing on the empty road near our house. Fields of tall corn stretched into the distance wherever you looked. A dirty gray dog ran out of the field near us, and then he ran back in. Lynn loved animals. Her long black hair disappeared into the corn as she chased the dog. The summer sky was clear and blue. I felt a brief fear as Lynn disappeared into the cornstalks. After Lynn ran into the field, I couldn’t see anything but corn. “Lynnie!” I shouted. We weren’t that far from our house, but I felt scared. I burst into tears.

Somehow or other, Lynn got behind me and said, “Boo!” and I cried some more. She just laughed and hugged me and said, “You’re the best little sister in the world!” I liked it when she said that, so I stopped crying.

1. What can be learned about Katie as a little child from the first paragraph?

A．She only listened to Lynn’s advice.

B．She didn’t like to learn the Japanese language.

C．She mispronounced kira-kira on purpose.

D．She associated kira-kira with nice things.

2. The underlined word dismayed in the second paragraph probably means ________.

A．discouraged

B．amused

C．relieved

D．unconvinced

3. Which of the following lines is probably in Lynn’s diary description of the event?

A．...I was sure that the dog would hurt Katie...

B．...My heart melted at the sight of the lovely dog...

C．...I kept chasing the dog until Katie appeared...

D．...I regretted taking Katie out when I saw the dog...

4. The author writes about her childhood to ________.

A．sing praise of her Japanese roots	B．share an adventurous experience
C．recall unique style of language learning	D．show the sisterly affection

9 . On April 20, SpaceX’s Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever, exploded during its first test flight only minutes after it took off from Texas, US.

Even though the two-stage rocket ship made it less than halfway to the edge of space, climbing to just under 25 miles, the flight achieved its primary objective of getting the new vehicle off the ground despite some of its engines failing at liftoff. The plan was for Starship to soar into space at least 90 miles above Earth.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk congratulated team members on “an exciting test launch” in a post-launch tweet and said they “learned a lot for the next test launch in a few months.”

Back in September 2017, Musk came up with the idea of developing a rocket that would be able to send astronauts to Mars, build a base on the moon, and allow commercial travel to anywhere on Earth in under an hour, according to The Guardian (卫报).

The most important aspect in Musk’s view, however, would be the rocket’s ability to be reused for multiple flights. This would allow for massive savings as it would reduce the number of spacecraft that would otherwise simply crash. Also, the rocket relies on low-cost fuel, methane (甲烷), making the cost of spaceflight drop dramatically.

The results of Starship’s first launch are not too far off from what Musk and SpaceX’s engineers had predicted. Musk himself gave 50-50 odds that Starship would reach orbit, but also stressed that “clearing the launch tower and not blowing up the pad (发射台) would be a win”.

In all, “it fell somewhere between a small step and their hoped-for giant leap, but it still represents significant progress toward a reusable super-heavy lift rocket,” said Jordan Bimm, a space historian at the university of Chicago, US.

Prepared for the likely outcome, SpaceX already has more boosters and spacecraft ready for more test flights, with the next full set “almost ready to go”. The plan is to fire off similar rockets in quick succession (连续) to gather data and start using Starships to launch satellites into low Earth orbit then put people on board. Each launch will take SpaceX a step closer to its ultimate goal of making commercial space flight a reality.

1. What happened minutes after Starship took off?

A．It crashed into the sea.	B．It flew off the course.
C．It blew up in the sky.	D．Its engines all failed.

2. What are paragraphs 4 and 5 about?

A．The problems with the launch.	B．The risks of test flights.
C．The advantages of the rocket.	D．Musk’s idea of Starship.

3. How did people involved find the results of the first launch?

A．Disastrous.

B．Record-breaking.

C．Acceptable.

D．Unexpected.

4. What is the most suitable title for the report?

A．A Big Successful Failure	B．A Giant Leap in Space Exploration
C．Good Prospects for travel	D．Incredible Progress in Space Flight

10 . Imagine walking by a maple (枫树) tree that is no taller than a ruler. You may think that this is a special type of miniature tree, but it actually isn’t! Creating a tree like this is a form of art called bonsai. Bonsai are tiny trees grown in small pots. Bonsai can be any kind of tree. They just need to be planted in a small container and cultivated in a way that stunts their growth.

Cultivating, or taking care of, a bonsai tree requires patience and care. Pruning — removing branches, leaves, and roots — is an important part of raising bonsai. It keeps the trees small, and it also controls their shape. Pinching off new buds (嫩芽) and tying wire around branches help create a beautiful design. These processes allow the grower to control what shape the bonsai tree will take as it develops.

People who raise bonsai want their trees to look like they belong in nature. Even though it is contained in a pot, a bonsai tree should look similar to its larger counterpart (相对物，参照物). For example, the bonsai maple should have the same forked branches and vibrant leaves as the full-sized maple. This makes the bonsai a tiny copy of the full-sized maple that towers overhead.

Like other plants, bonsai need water and food from the soil. In order to keep bonsai the proper size, you need to carefully control the amount of water and fertilizer you provide. If you want to grow a bonsai, it is best to start with a species that grows in your area. Most bonsai do best when kept outdoors, so they need to be able to survive the weather. If kept indoors, the bonsai must be placed near a window. Interestingly, with proper care, bonsai can live for a hundred years or more.

1. Why does a bonsai tree need pruning frequently?

A．To control its size.

B．To help it grow well.

C．To save fertilizer and water.

D．To create a shape as designed.

2. What example does the bonsai maple in Para. 3 serve as?

A．One of a larger counterpart.

B．A tiny copy of the full-sized maple.

C．One looking like its counterpart in nature.

D．One with forked branches and vibrant leaver.

3. What advice is given to a bonsai beginner?

A．To keep the bonsai indoors.

B．To start with a native species.

C．To keep bonsai the proper size.

D．To control the amount of water.

4. Which would be a best title for this passage?

A．Bonsai — a special hobby

B．How to be bonsai grower

C．What does bonsai refer to?

D．Why is bonsai so popular?