In the ever-evolving (不断进化的) landscape of modern education, the value of critical thinking skills cannot be overstated (过分强调). Generally     1     (speak), students today are expected to not only memorize facts but also think critically and apply their analyses in real-world     2     (situation). Schools now have made it mandatory (强制性的) to put problem-solving exercises in their courses. Many students, having been studying in these newer systems, have made significant improvements in their analytical abilities. This transition, given the strong emphasis on learning in the past,     3     (mark) a super change in educational methods.

Buster Keaton, often overshadowed (使黯然失色) by the fame of Charlie Chaplin, was a comedic talent in his own right. Born in 1895, he entered show business at a young age and quickly became known for his unique brand of physical comedy. Films     1     (produce) by him are considered timeless classics.     2    , what distinguishes (区别) him from other comedians is his ability of humor, a talent     3     depth is immeasurable. He was not just a performer; he was an artist whose works continue to influence modern comedy.

What made my childhood truly special was our next-door neighbor, Mrs. Greene, who was a retired schoolteacher then. Every weekend, I would     1     (eager) visit her. Sitting in her living room filled with books from floor to ceiling, and     2     (listen) to her tales were the best part of my week. The stories were her adventures during her younger days. I still remember the way her eyes     3     (light) up with every memory, the passion in her voice, and the life lessons. It was evident that her     4     (teach) days might have ended, but her wisdom hadn’t.

Pico Island, the second largest of the volcano-born Azores, is one of the most hard-won wine regions in the world. By the 19th century, Pico’s wine industry was at its peak,     1     (produce) three native white grape varietals: arinto dos Azores, verdelho and terrantez do Pico. But it wasn’t long before disease and desertification     2     (destroy) most of the island’s vineyards, nearly putting an end to its wine production. But some of Pico’s winemakers regrouped, centering their operations around the village of Criacao Velha,     3     high-quality grapes could still be grown.     4     only around 10 percent of Pico’s original vineyards have been restored (恢复), the appellation of origin has earned some of the country’s top wine honors.

Susana Vazquez-Torres is a fourth-year graduate student at the University of Washington who wants to someday invent new drugs     1     neglected diseases.

Lately, she     2     (think) a lot about snake bites: Around a hundred thousand people die each year from snake bites, according to the World Health Organization—and yet, she says, “the current therapeutics are not safe and are very expensive.”

Part of the problem is     3     developing new drugs for things like snake bites has been a slow and laborious process. In the past, it might have taken years to come up with a promising compound.

Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and its impact on education cannot     1     (ignore). While some people may be skeptical about the role of technology in education, there is no denying that it has brought about several positive changes.

One of the most significant advantages of technology in education is the ability     2     (personalize) learning. With the help of technology, educators can tailor their teaching methods to the needs and learning styles of individual students. For example, online learning platforms can provide students with personalized learning paths based on their progress and     3     (perform).

The number of adults worldwide     1     dementia(痴呆症)could rise from about 57. 4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million by 2050,     2    (drive)by factors like midlife obesity, smoking and social isolation, according to a study published Thursday by the Lancet.

While improvements in education are forecast     3    (reduce) dementia cases by 6.2 million in 2050, researchers said this would be canceled out by trends in obesity, high blood sugar and smoking,     4     are estimated to cause an additional 6.8 million cases, the Guardian reported.

When choosing a career, you should consider all the aspects of a job. Some jobs may seem dull     1     are important to society, while others can appear exciting but are actually difficult and boring. One example is the so-called “cool job” of being a model or     2     actor. These people seem to be living a better life than others. Actually, they have to make far greater     3    (effort) than ordinary people and only a few of them are successful. Meanwhile, those who are successful and famous have to deal with constant media attention.

The term “metaverse” (元宇宙) is the latest buzzword (流行词) to capture the tech industry’s     1     (imagine) — so much so that one of the best-known Internet platforms, Facebook, is changing its name to signal its embrace of the futuristic idea, which perhaps has been the     2    (big) thing to happen to the metaverse since science fiction writer Neal Stephenson     3    (create) the term for his 1992 novel Snow Crash.

Laughter can help us to feel more    1     (relax) and comfortable when we are feeling anxious or worried. Even if you    2     (study) for a long time and feeling sleepy and bored, laughing can make you feel energized as if you had just had a nap! There are so many    3     (benefit) of laughter that I hope you all try and find a way to add more fun and laughter to your daily life.