A few weeks ago, my sister was going through her old coats and vests(背心), seeing what was no longer needed. Although she was still in junior high school. she found ways here and there to make some extra money for her holiday shopping.
She found two vests in like-new condition and asked if I would list them in our local Facebook yard sale group. She set the price at $7 each and it wasn’t long before someone replied, wanting to buy them.
The buyer replied in a short message with broken English; it was obvious that Spanish was her native language. After a few messages back and forth, she revealed that she couldn’t drive to my house to pick up the vests because she lived on the other side of town, but asked if I would be willing to ship the vests to her instead.
I hesitated. The last week of school was so crazy busy. I barely had enough time to get from place to place, much less figure out how to wrap up these heavy vests and ship them out. I was feeling overwhelmed trying to get everything accomplished and this one extra task seemed like that straw that would break the camel’s back.
She must have sensed. my hesitation as she sent another message offering to send me a money order(汇票)to pay for the vests and the shipping costs.
A money order.
I literally froze when I read her message. It was obvious this woman wanted these items, probably for a Christmas gift for a child or grandchild. I knew if she took the time to get a money order, then mailed it to me and if I waited to get the money order then shipped the vests to her, there was a really good chance they would not arrive in time for Christmas morning.
注意:1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
That’s when I heard the whisper on my heart: “Give her the vests for free.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Knowing the vests were for her disabled daughter, I decided to ship more Christmas gifts.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The third season of the music show Infinite and Beyond concluded recently on a video-streaming platform. The program brought together a diverse group of singers, involving various age groups,
These classic pop songs
From December 2023 to February 2024, the program
3 . “Medicine and technology may fail us at times, but human connection grounded in love and compassion always heals(治愈).” Those words from Dr. Vivek Murthy are relatable to many of us in the medical community who increasingly encounter individuals suffering from loneliness. There are many complex factors driving loneliness, but it is clear that positive social connections do in fact “heal”.
For more substantial connections, explore activities. with shared interests. Community centers, libraries and online groups are great resources. Community centers organize a wide range of activities for social connections.
Our deepest social connections are provided by those closest to us.
A.Deep social connections can also come with some drawbacks. |
B.There may be no quick fixes to a desperate state of loneliness. |
C.Loneliness ea n lead to feelings of sadness and a lack of purpose. |
D.Even short, positive interactions may positively impact our health. |
E.These connections greatly improve our physical and mental well-being. |
F.Libraries often host book signings and lectures that encourage engagement. |
G.Intentionally developing these relationships is crucial for strong social support. |
4 . A starfish has five identical arms with a layer of “tube feet” beneath them. Have you ever wondered whether starfish have defined front and back ends—and if they have no heads at all? The answer, suggests new genetic(基因的)research, is the opposite. “It’s as if the starfish is completely missing a trunk,” said Laurent Formery at Stanford University. “And it’s best described as just a head crawling along the seafloor.”
Starfish belong to echinoderms with lines of symmetry(对称)radiating out from a center point, like spokes on a wheel. So the unusual animals have unique body plans(结构)arranged in five equal sections that greatly differ from the bodies of bilateral animals, which have left and right sides mirroring each other.
Starfish begin as fertilized eggs that hatch and become larvae(幼虫)that float in the ocean for weeks to months before settling on the ocean floor. There, they go through a process that transforms a bilateral body into a star shape. “This has been a mystery for centuries,” said Christopher Lowe at Stanford University.
Researchers used new methods of genetic sequencing to create an unprecedented 3D map to determine where genes were expressed as starfish developed and grew. They found that genetic features associated with the development of a head were detected all-over the starfish especially concentrated in the center of the star and the center of each “arm”. Meanwhile, gene expression for trunk sections was largely absent. This suggested that starfish “have the most dramatic example of decoupling of the head and the trunk regions that we are aware of today,” said Formery.
Studying groups like echinoderms could solve some of the most complex mysteries about the evolution of life on Earth. “People are generally not drawn to these animals, and yet they probably represent how much of life got started,” Lowe said. Understanding how animals like starfish have developed could also allow insights into the varied ways that different species remain healthy. Daniel Rokhsar at the University of California said, “If we explore unusual animals that are operating in unusual ways, that means we are broadening our perspective of biology. This is eventually going to help us solve both ecological and biomedical problems.”
1. In what aspect are starfish different?A.They have no trunks at all. |
B.They have left and right sides. |
C.They have a star shape from birth. |
D.They have unequally stretching arms. |
A.By creating a seabed map. |
B.By comparing body plans. |
C.By locating their gene expressions. |
D.By tracking their development and growth. |
A.Forming. | B.Separating. | C.Exchanging. | D.Expanding. |
A.To reveal the origin of life. |
B.To improve health of diverse species. |
C.To promote the research in related fields. |
D.To raise people’s concern about marine animals. |
5 . It is very likely that you eat three meals a day. Modern life is designed around this way of eating. However, is this the healthiest way to eat? Before considering how frequently we should eat, scientists urge us to consider when we shouldn’t.
Intermittent fasting (间歇性断食), where you restrict your food intake to an eight-hour window, has become a popular area of research. “It allows our digestive system to rest,” says Emily Manoogian at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Rozalyn Anderson at the University of Wisconsin explains, “Fasting puts the body in a different state, where it’s more ready to clear misfolded proteins.” Misfolded proteins are faulty versions of ordinary proteins, which have been associated with a number of diseases.
But if intermittent fasting is a healthy way to eat, how many meals does this leave room for? Some experts argue that it is best to have one meal a day. Manoogian does not recommend doing this, since it can increase the level of glucose (葡萄糖) in our blood when we are not eating. Keeping blood glucose levels down requires eating more regularly than once a day, as this prevents the body from thinking that it is starving and releasing more glucose when you do eventually eat in response. Instead, she says, two to three meals a day is best — with most of your calories consumed earlier in the day.“ So, your body can use the energy you feed it throughout the day, rather than it being stored in your system as fat.” But eating too early in the morning should be avoided, as this would not give you sufficient time to fast. This does not mean we should skip breakfast altogether, either, but some evidence suggests we should wait an hour or two after waking up before cracking open the eggs.
Is intermittent fasting realistic? Manoogian thinks that it is best not to specify the best time to eat, as this can be difficult for people with responsibilities and irregular time commitments, such as those working night shifts. But whatever changes you make, researchers agree that consistency is crucial.
1. What can we know about intermittent fasting?A.It focuses on what to eat. |
B.It cures a number of diseases. |
C.It keeps the digestive system clean. |
D.It limits food intake to a fixed duration. |
A.Calories can be hardly consumed in the evening. |
B.Frequent meals bring about steady blood glucose. |
C.Two to three meals in the day reduces storage of fat. |
D.Early eating is recommended for intermittent fasting. |
A.How intermittent fasting is tested. |
B.Whether intermittent fasting is safe. |
C.How intermittent fasting is practiced. |
D.When people eat during intermittent fasting. |
A.Sticking to a routine. |
B.Defining a best meal time. |
C.Having regular working hours. |
D.Maintaining consistent menus. |
6 . Raised in Jacksonville, a small town in North Carolina, Christina Koch always knew she wanted to be an astronaut. This dream began as early as kindergarten, during a time when spaceflight was dominated by men. “Fortunately, when I told my kindergarten teachers that I wanted to be an astronaut they supported me. No one told me that it was unattainable. And whether it was my own hard-headedness or that encouragement, I did go full forward into pursuing my dream to become an astronaut,” she says.
Koch found inspiration in pioneers like Sally Ride and Mae Jemison, but also in everyday heroes — from civil rights activists to her independent grandmother. These examples, along with her family’s emphasis on hard work, instilled in her the courage to chase her dreams.
Koch studied physics and electrical engineering before joining NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center, where she contributed to the development of scientific instruments on several space missions. Driven by a thirst for adventure, she spent a year in Antarctica’s tough environment and then in other remote locations like Greenland. Unsurprisingly, she cited photography, travel, camping and climbing among her hobbies.
The ultimate fulfillment (实现) of her dream came in 2013, when she was selected as an astronaut, joining a groundbreaking class with an equal number of men and women. Previously, women comprised only 17% of NASA’s astronauts. After completing training in 2015, she was assigned her first long-stay mission on the International Space Station (ISS). Her success is undeniable. As part of the Artemis II mission, scheduled for 2025, she’ll travel further than any human since Apollo, an evidence of her constant ambition.
Koch advocates following passions and embracing challenges. “Do what scares you,” she advises, “because those things often lead to the greatest fulfillment and contributions.”Besides, Koch also says that there’s one that should never be forgotten: “Support the people around you. Make sure that you’re thinking about the success of those around you, that you’re helping them, and together we all will achieve as much as we possibly can.”
1. What initially motivated Koch to become an astronaut?A.Her desire to push herself to the limit. |
B.Her early enthusiasm in space exploration. |
C.Her wish to reward her kindergarten teachers. |
D.Her ambition to change the position of women astronauts. |
A.Koch invented some scientific devices. |
B.Koch set a record for the longest spaceflight. |
C.Various hobbies prepared Koch for adventure. |
D.Role models impacted Koch greatly in her life journey. |
A.Seeking support is crucial for dream chasers. |
B.Being kind to others is the stepstone to success. |
C.Welcoming challenges leads to personal growth. |
D.Working tirelessly is key to overcoming barriers. |
A.Christina Koch: An Explorer of Nature |
B.Christina Koch: A Dream Pursuer to Space |
C.Christina Koch: A Role Model from Jacksonville |
D.Christina Koch: A Distinguished Female Scientist |
7 . Life can change in the blink of an eye. While Bridgette was in the parking lot, together with her kids, a car hit them. This left them
Soon, Chris Crowder, CEO of the school, joined her. Without delay, he
Still, this wasn’t an easy
The mother and kids were
In addition to being grateful for Bridgette and her kids’safe rescue, the heroic students who helped are also getting their
A.trapped | B.lost | C.ignored | D.hidden |
A.warmed | B.weathered | C.blinded | D.shone |
A.normal | B.complex | C.puzzling | D.suspected |
A.jumped | B.fell | C.rolled | D.slipped |
A.followed | B.gathered | C.pulled | D.advised |
A.fierce | B.competitive | C.urgent | D.strange |
A.searched for | B.wandered through | C.pointed at | D.rushed into |
A.sigh | B.scream | C.weep | D.pray |
A.project | B.task | C.preparation | D.solution |
A.dragged | B.appointed | C.transported | D.called |
A.judgements | B.efforts | C.returns | D.recoveries |
A.expenses | B.medicines | C.foods | D.wards |
A.learn | B.heal | C.escape | D.change |
A.honest | B.enthusiastic | C.incredible | D.optimistic |
A.promised | B.desired | C.continued | D.deserved |
8 . The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) facilities have the primary purpose of supporting MIT’s educational and research programs as well as serving the local community, the nation, and the world. Access to and use of the MIT Libraries is a privilege extended to the members of the MIT community of faculty, students, staff and their families. Visitors can access Libraries’ resources for scholarly, research, and educational purposes.
MIT Libraries use policies are consistent with current MIT campus policies.
Principles for Library Use
Library users and staff will interact with mutual respect and consideration. Library users will:
Respect private and Institute property.
Obey all Institute and Libraries’ policies, licensing and contractual agreements.
Show valid identification upon request.
Use MIT Libraries’ resources (content, equipment, or facilities) safely and appropriately.
Prohibited Behaviors
Behaviors that threaten personal safety or the security of personal or Institute property.
Behaviors that disturb the activities of other library users or staff, including excessive (过度的) noise, cell phones, music and rudeness.
Alcohol, drug use and smoking — as detailed in MIT’s Policy on Substance Use.
The MIT Libraries may limit or refuse access to individuals or groups who fail to follow these guidelines. Interpretation of policies or guidelines is at the decision of the MIT Libraries’ staff.
The General Hour Rules
Weekdays: Libraries typically operate from early morning to late evening, with extended hours during examinations.
Weekends: Reduced hours are offered, with generally later opening and earlier closing times.
Special hours may apply during holidays, breaks, and summer. Some libraries may close entirely, while others operate on limited schedules.
Users are advised to consult the library website for the most current information on specific hours, closures, and exceptions.
1. What is the main purpose of the MIT Libraries?A.To promote MIT’s academic pursuit. |
B.To serve as a public library for the nation. |
C.To provide Internet access for MIT students. |
D.To offer a gathering center for the local community. |
A.Using library resources for essays. |
B.Inquiring about checking out books. |
C.Presenting valid identification as required. |
D.Engaging in loud discussions with library users. |
A.Open early on weekends. |
B.Flexible hours on demand. |
C.Closed entirely during the summer. |
D.Longer hours in exam sessions on weekdays. |
9 . As the world faces extinction crisis and severe climate change, a growing body of scientific research has found that we should set aside more protected areas and manage them well.
Protected areas are extremely important for conservation and can help protect against habitat loss and other human activities. In many areas they may be the only places that can support the survival of some species.
Globally we’ve protected nearly 17% of our lands and 7% of the ocean, but a study published in Nature found that current protected areas on their own are too small or poorly connected to ensure the long-term survival of about half of all mammals studied — between 1,700 and 2,500 species.
If current protected areas don’t do enough, how do we do it better? The researchers suggest that first we need to increase the size and number of protected areas and improve the connectivity between them. But above all, they need to be managed with a clear understanding of the animals’ habitat needs.
In a recent research, after studying 1,500 protected areas with 27,000 waterbird populations in 68 countries, researchers found that areas that were actively managed for waterbirds — such as by preventing hunting or restoring wetlands — were more successful, and often those that were larger had better results, too.
If protected areas are well taken care of, we can not only protect biodiversity (生物多样性) but also achieve other benefits. One of those benefits is to avoid runaway climate change. As we know, the earth is becoming warmer and warmer. Protecting 30% of lands could provide one-third of the reductions needed to limit global warming emissions to under 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Of course, this work won’t be easy. The next step, according to researchers, is to promote understanding and communicating the multiple benefits of increasing protected areas, and drive more support from government and local communities.
1. Why are protected areas of great importance?A.They contribute to conserving wildlife. |
B.They can influence the researches of scientists. |
C.They are the only places for species to survive. |
D.They strengthen the animal-human relationship. |
A.Increasing animal species. |
B.Connecting with nearby areas. |
C.Enlarging the size of protected areas. |
D.Knowing the animals’ habitat needs well. |
A.Protected areas helped avoid severe climate. |
B.Suitable measures brought about better results. |
C.Waterbirds were protected well in protected areas. |
D.Restoring wetland was the best protection for waterbirds. |
A.Measures to be taken. |
B.Responsibilities of governments. |
C.Benefits to be gained. |
D.Support from local communities. |
10 . Swimming is one of the few exercises people can do to work all parts of their body.
Swimming can strengthen your lungs.
You might hear that lungs benefit from swimming most.
Swimming may boost brain power.
Swimming has unique benefits in improving cognition (认知). In one study, participants who did a 20-minute swim responded faster on cognitive tests conducted immediately after their swim.
Swimming may put you in a better mood.
All exercise can be a mood booster.
If the previous reasons aren’t enough to convince you of the benefits of swimming, perhaps this one will: It can keep you from early dying. According to a report conducted by Swim England, swimmers had a 28 percent lower risk of early death compared with those who don't swim.
A.Swimming may enrich your life. |
B.Swimming may lengthen your life. |
C.The water workout trains the muscles involved with breathing. |
D.All of the muscle groups work at the same time. |
E.The happiness is due to the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain. |
F.It will help you to keep in good shape, lose weight and look younger. |
G.Another study linked swimming with improved short- and long-term memory in mice. |