1 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

It was 40 years ago. One day, Emma came back to their apartment from work and realized that her husband, David, was extremely ill. He was throwing up and slurring (发音不清) his words. Immediately, Emma grabbed her purse and took him by taxi to the nearest hospital, on the Lower East Side of New York City. The minutes slowly passed as they waited to see a doctor.

They sat there for a couple of hours, and it was pretty clear that nobody was going to pay attention to David. So they rushed to a second hospital, where they were also ignored. Emma knew something was very wrong with David, so they went to a third hospital. As she told the receptionist what was happening, Emma sensed the person wasn’t going to treat their case with urgency.

Emma was on the edge of a breakdown. After three failed attempts to get help, she had reached her limit. She started to shout in the lobby (大厅). That’s when her unsung hero appeared.

That person was a young man with dark hair and a white physician’s coat. He came to Emma and said, “How can I help you? What’s going on here?” Emma explained what was happening to David, and that she was afraid it was serious.

The young man said, “You know, I just got done with my neurological residency (神经系统的实习期) up at Lenox Hill Hospital. I’ll take him in the back and look.” Within two or three minutes, the young man came out and said, “You are absolutely right. Something is very seriously wrong with your husband.”

The man told Emma to take her husband to Lenox Hill Hospital, and that he had called the doctor with whom he had done his residency.

“He’ll be waiting for you,” said the young man.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

But Emma began to cry, realizing she had no way of getting there, because she didn’t have any more cash for a taxi.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Soon Emma and her husband arrived at the hospital.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2 . It was a heartwarming turn of events on the special night. The Inner Finland Police Department successfully _______ a missing child with the help of their police dog, Kuha. According to Finland’s Police Dog Association, the _______ went missing at around 7:00 pm on December 23. The snow covered the tracks, so the family had to seek _______ from the authorities. A rescue team was quickly _______ , including a dog, which played a(n) _______ role in the rescue.

The search initially focused on the city center, but the _______ came near the child’s home. Kuha carefully _______ a snow pile(堆)where children had built snow caves. Despite the challenging conditions, Kuha’s keen(敏锐的)sense of smell and its devotion _______ .

At around 12:30 am that night, Kuha discovered a shoe _______ under three feet of snow. The child, who had been trapped in a collapsed snow cave, was ________ firstly but gradually recovered after receiving medical attention. The community breathed a collective sigh of ________ as the child was able to speak in the ambulance.

The success of this rescue mission was ________ to the extensive training of police dog Kuha. The dog handler’s knowledge that human ________ rises in the snow led to a second search of the pile, ________ leading to the child’s discovery. The Finnish Police Dog Association also ________ Kuha’s role in the successful rescue.

1.

A．entertained

B．located

C．educated

D．trained

2.

A．team

B．family

C．child

D．dog

3.

A．announcements

B．equipment

C．explanations

D．assistance

4.

A．established

B．reported

C．transformed

D．awarded

5.

A．unknown

B．crucial

C．alternative

D．strange

6.

A．passion

B．accident

C．breakthrough

D．challenge

7.

A．constructed

B．restored

C．guarded

D．inspected

8.

A．left behind

B．ran out

C．went back

D．paid off

9.

A．burned

B．buried

C．dried

D．ruined

10.

A．unresponsive

B．unbelievable

C．unapproachable

D．unchangeable

11.

A．relief

B．envy

C．regret

D．sympathy

12.

A．adjusted

B．credited

C．devoted

D．limited

13.

A．temperature

B．spirit

C．smell

D．energy

14.

A．completely

B．initially

C．similarly

D．ultimately

15.

A．designed

B．discussed

C．celebrated

D．played

3 . Learning often requires taking different risks, whether it’s the willingness to try something new or keep trying after a failed attempt. For children, it’s this process of learning how to take risks and becoming comfortable with failure that can help them grow and develop.     1     As research is showing, children’s willingness to take risks in learning can depend on their relationship with their parents.

According to the research, children who viewed their parents as being supportive and reliable were more willing to take risks while learning. “     2     When their parents support them and are trustworthy, the children get a sense of how things work,” said Seth Pollak, the lead researcher of the study.

Here is what you, as parents, should remember.

Creating a supportive learning environment for your children often includes identifying what they struggle with and what they need.     3     Your children can’t necessarily tell you what they need, but they are often showing you. For example, if your children are consistently having a meltdown (崩溃) after school, that could be a sign that they are overstimulated from the school day, and need some extra time to relieve pressure before starting their homework. Other behaviors could include refusing to do something, such as writing with a pencil or doing their math homework.

One way to create reliability is to develop routines with your children.     4     For example, it could be making the effort to give them 10 minutes of undivided attention when they come home from school, making it a habit to play LEGOs with them every Friday evening, or a predictable bedtime routine.     5    

A．That is what they expect from their children.

B．Those routines should be developed by children themselves.

C．That consistent and positive attention can make a big difference.

D．Children from more stable backgrounds perform better in learning.

E．One way to do that is to track certain behaviors over time, looking for patterns.

F．The routines are less about how big or time-consuming, and more about their predictability.

G．However, encouraging children to take these risks can be an extremely difficult task for parents.

4 . Researchers are training robots to perform an ever-growing number of tasks through trial-and-error reinforcement (强化) learning, which is often laborious and time-consuming. To help out, humans are now employing large language model (LLM) AI. A team at NVIDIA Research directed an AI protocol (协议) powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 to teach a simulation (模拟) of a robotic hand nearly 30 complex tasks, including throwing a ball, pushing blocks, pressing switches, and some other seriously impressive abilities.

NVIDIA’s new “AI agent” Eureka uses GPT-4 by asking the large language model to write its own reward-based reinforcement learning software code. According to the company, Eureka doesn’t need complicated reminders or even pre-written patterns; instead, it simply begins experimenting with a program, and then follows any external human feedback.

In the company’s announcement, Linxi “Jim” Fan, a senior research scientist at NVIDIA, described Eureka as a unique combination of LLMs and simulation programming. “We believe that Eureka will enable robots to control items flexibly and provide a new way to produce physically realistic animations for artists,” Fan added. After testing its training protocol within an advanced simulation program, Eureka then analyzes its collected data and directs the LLM to further improve upon its design. The result is a protocol capable of successfully numbering a variety of robotic hand designs to operate scissors, turn pens and open cupboards within a physics-accurate simulated environment.

Eureka’s alternatives to human-written trial-and-error learning programs aren’t just effective—in most cases, they’re actually better than those authored by humans. In the team’s open-source research paper findings, Eureka-designed reward programs outperformed humans’ code in over 80 percent of the tasks—amounting to an average performance improvement of over 50 percent in the robotic simulations.

“Reinforcement learning has contributed to impressive wins over the last decade, yet many challenges still exist, such as reward design, which remains a trial-and-error process,” said Anima Anandkumar, an AI researcher. “Eureka is the first step toward developing new algorithms (算法) that integrate generative and reinforcement learning methods to solve hard tasks.”

1. Why is AI used for the training?

A．To simplify robots’ tasks.	B．To advertise OpenAI’s GPT-4.
C．To speed up the training process.	D．To recognize artists’ role in art creation.

2. What does Eureka need to do in the training?

A．Design reward programs.	B．Copy pre-written patterns.
C．Get complicated reminders.	D．Avoid human intervention.

3. How does Anima Anandkumar find Eureka?

A．It is still poor at the reward design.	B．It should learn from hard tasks.
C．It has few challenges to solve.	D．It is of pioneering significance.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Trial-and-error learning programs are promising.

B．Robots can finish complex tasks through learning.

C．Reinforcement learning improves robotic simulations.

D．AI can better teach a simulated robotic hand to perform tasks.

5 . In 1972, Barbara Rieco penned a heartfelt children’s book that held her dream within its pages. Despite her best efforts, the manuscript (手稿) faced repeated rejection from publishers, leading her to eventually set aside her dream of becoming a published author.

Little did she know that, decades later, her grandson would turn the dream into reality. Chad Cooper, a production professional, decided to give his grandmother the ultimate Christmas gift — the publication of her treasured book. Visiting her in Baltimore for the holidays, he secretly took her original manuscript, along with the drawings for the book she had obtained from an artist years ago, and transformed them into a beautifully printed book.

On Christmas morning, as Barbara unwrapped the carefully crafted gift, she was overcome with emotion as she realized what the surprise was. The moment, captured and posted online by Chad, quickly resonated (产生共鸣) with viewers, and the video became a hit.

“This is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me in my entire life,” Barbara said in the video, who also gave her grandson a big hug, with tears.

Chad’s thoughtful gesture didn’t just end with the surprise; he also included a link to the book on Amazon, making it available to the public. The response was nothing short of magic — within days, Barbara’s once-forgotten book skyrocketed to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list, earning the coveted spot as a best seller.

Chad filmed the reaction to that news and shared more updates. Barbara said she had been reading every single comment online and wanted to respond to them all but there were thousands of them.

“I’ve bought Barbara Rieco’s book even though I’m 21 and don’t even have kids. I’ve read it and I really like it,” said one viewer.

“My children enjoy reading the book and they recommend me to read it as well,” another viewer commented.

Barbara Rieco’s book, now accepted by a new generation of readers, continues to spread joy and inspiration.

1. What did Chad Cooper do for his grandmother?

A．He had her book published.	B．He drew for her new book.
C．He arranged an artist to meet her.	D．He helped finish her manuscript.

2. How did Barbara Rieco feel when receiving her grandson’s Christmas gift?

A．Calm and proud.	B．Lucky but regretful.
C．Delighted but worried.	D．Excited and grateful.

3. What does the underlined word “coveted” in paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Dangerous.

B．Desired.

C．Empty.

D．Forgotten.

4. Why are the two viewers mentioned in the text?

A．To reveal Barbara’s gift for writing books.

B．To show the popularity of Barbara’s book.

C．To tell the influence of reading on the young.

D．To highlight the value of Chad’s Christmas gift.

6 . At Reader’s Digest, we understand a holiday is never just a holiday. It’s visiting new and inspiring places, enabling you to experience different cultures, broaden minds and discover the unknown. It’s something exciting to look forward to and talk about when you get home. It’s making memories that will last a lifetime.

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1. From which is the text probably taken?

A．A magazine.	B．A web page.
C．A book guide.	D．A shopping list.

2. Who can get the promo codes for discounts on travel bookings?

A．Experienced authors.	B．Experts in group travel.
C．Reader’s Digest subscribers.	D．Publishers of Reader’s Digest.

3. How much can a couple save with promo codes for a holiday of 7 nights?

A．£60.

B．£100.

C．£120.

D．£200.

7 . Before I leave for college, there are 5 things that I want you to know:

I’m going to make mistakes. Making mistakes is just a part of shaping who we are, and just because I didn’t make some mistakes doesn’t mean I didn’t make others. It’s important to remember that my mistakes made me into the person I am today.     1    

I’m going to change, based on who I’m friends with. I copied a lot of my friends in high school. It just means that a part of who I am is a part of who my friends are.     2     While I’ll still be me, I’ll be carrying my friends everywhere I go.

    3     When I’m crying alone on a Sunday night because I miss home, you won’t get a Skype call from me in tears. I won’t call you not because I don’t want to talk to you, but because I need to learn how to handle life’s heartaches without my mom and dad.

I will mess up, but I will do my best to make it right. I’m probably not going to be all honor roll student. I might lose my room key and I’ll probably spend too much money on useless things.     4     But I will always try my hardest to measure up to the daughter you raised me to be.

I’ll be okay.     5     As a result, the idea of entering what seems like a whole new world terrifies me. Despite all of this, I’m determined to become the one who’s “most likely to succeed”. You’ve raised me to do great things, and now is when I’ll show you that I can.

A．That’s just how life works.

B．I’m going to let go of you.

C．You know that I’m not as strong as I seem.

D．You won’t have to struggle to understand me.

E．I’m going to evolve more and more as I get older.

F．I just want to warn you that I’m not a perfect daughter.

G．It won’t make me any better of a person in the future.

8 . Weekend Visitor Engagement Volunteers—Museum of Zoology

Our wonderful team of Visitor Engagement Volunteers help us make the Museum a friendly, accessible and safe place to visit. We need extra help at weekends when we are at our busiest. This role will suit anyone who is keen to take on a public facing role. Knowledge of the Museum or the collections is not a necessity, but much enthusiasm and willingness to learn is all that is needed. We are looking for a minimum commitment of two shifts per month, which is approximately 7 hours in total.

Visitor Engagement Volunteers provide a friendly welcome and interact with visitors. They supply information about the exhibitions and displays, and answer questions from visitors or direct them to members of staff. You will be acting as the face of the Museum so we’d like you to welcome visitors and be aware of their needs.

Visitor Engagement Volunteers play a valuable role in maintaining museum security during opening hours by supervising visitors in the galleries, and supporting the front of house staff.

Shift times

Tuesdays to Saturdays—10 a. m. to 1:15 p. m. or 1:15 p. m. to 4:30 p. m.

Sundays—12 p. m. to 2 p. m. or 2 p. m. to 4:30 p. m.

How to Get Involved?

Step 1: Log in or create a Volunteer Makers account and accept the challenge.

Step 2: Await a response from the team who will be in touch with further information.

1. What qualities should a volunteer have?

A．Willingness to serve.	B．Enthusiasm to learn.
C．Knowledge of the Museum.	D．Knowledge of the collections.

2. Which of the following is volunteers’ work?

A．Meeting all the requests which are made by visitors.

B．Helping visitors take full advantage of the museum.

C．Replacing all of the staff to serve the visitors better.

D．Working all through a month to serve all the visitors.

3. When might the museum be closed?

A．On Mondays.

B．On Thursdays.

C．On Saturdays.

D．On Sundays.

9 . Getting third-party computer producers to add an AI button to laptops is the latest move by Microsoft to take most advantage of its close partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and make itself a gateway for applications of generative AI technology.

Although most people now connect to the Internet — and many AI applications — by phone rather than computer, it’s a symbolic kickoff to what’s expected to be a competitive year as tech companies race to outdo each other in AI applications even as they haven’t yet settled all the moral and legal consequences. The New York Times last month charged both OpenAI and Microsoft that tools like ChatGPT and Copilot — formerly known as Bing Chat — are infringing (侵犯) on copyrighted news articles.

The keyboard redesign will be Microsoft’s biggest change to PC keyboards since it introduced a special Windows key in the 1990s. Microsoft’s four-squared logo design on it has evolved, but the key has been a fixture on Windows-oriented keyboards for about three decades.

The newest AI button is marked by the ribbon-like Copilot logo and is located near the space bar. On some computers it will replace the fight “CTRL” key, while on others it will replace a menu key.

Microsoft is not the only company with customized (订制的) keys. Apple pioneered the concept in the 1980s with its “Command” key marked by a looped square design(it also sported an Apple logo for a time). Google has a search button on its Chromebooks and was first to experiment with an AI-specific key to launch its voice assistant on its now-discontinued Pixelbook.

But Microsoft has a much stronger hold on the broader PC market through its licensing agreements with third-party producers like Lenovo, Dell and HP. About 82% of all desktop computers, laptops and workstations run Windows, compared to 9%for Apple’s in-house operating system and just over 6% for Google’s.

Microsoft hasn’t yet said which computer-makers are installing the Copilot button beyond Microsoft’s own in-house line of high-end Surface equipment. It said some of the companies are expected to unveil (公布) their new models at next week’s CES gadget show in Las Vegas.

1. Why does Microsoft add an AI button to laptops?

A．To improve the partnership with OpenAI.

B．To help third-party computer producers.

C．To establish its favorable position in AI applications.

D．To change people’s habit to connect to the Internet.

2. What can we infer about AI from Paragraph 2?

A．People will connect to AI applications by PC.

B．The appearance of AI button leads to competition.

C．Competition in AI areas is fierce and unregulated.

D．The New York Times violated copyrighted news articles.

3. What kept changing in Microsoft keyboards over the past 30 years?

A．The space bar.	B．The Windows key.
C．The “Command” key.	D．The “CTRL” key.

4. What is Microsoft’s advantage in changing keyboard keys?

A．It can influence many more computer producers.

B．It is further ahead in AI application technology.

C．It has the patent for customized keyboard keys.

D．It controls the IT world with the CES gadget show.

10 . I sat at the corner of the living room, staring at the Christmas tree. It was the best tree we had had. My husband ________ it immediately we found it among the rows of pre-cut trees. We ________ that it was a real beauty. We thought it was the ________ tree even though it was not. Like most Christmas trees, it has a good ________, which was facing out toward the living room. Seen from every angle, the tree is the most ________ one. But if you stood where I was ________, you would see that this tree has its ________. One side wasn’t shaped quite as ________ as the other. So we put this side around to the corner because none wanted to see that ________ side.

Upon hearing about the tree, my eight-year-old daughter, Kaylyn, ________, “Christmas is ruined!” Christmas wasn’t mined, Kaylyn. Like most things, Christmas is all about what you ________. And many of us are wishing that Christmas should be perfection which we can only achieve in our ________, like everything is right in the world.

So there’s ________ for us that perfection could be found in the least perfect world. ________, you don’t have to face the world with your “good side” and push your “bad side” of you into the corner, in hopes that no one will ________ it.

1.

A．offered

B．selected

C．cut

D．ignored

2.

A．joked

B．pretended

C．proved

D．imagined

3.

A．perfect

B．necessary

C．right

D．free

4.

A．function

B．meaning

C．value

D．side

5.

A．worthwhile

B．available

C．beautiful

D．special

6.

A．standing

B．lying

C．sitting

D．talking

7.

A．similarity

B．secret

C．difference

D．character

8.

A．skillfully

B．formally

C．normally

D．cleanly

9.

A．ugly

B．pretty

C．excellent

D．strange

10.

A．cried

B．cheered

C．applauded

D．apologized

11.

A．decide

B．expect

C．promise

D．choose

12.

A．reality

B．world

C．minds

D．homes

13.

A．fact

B．wonder

C．doubt

D．hope

14.

A．In another word

B．In addition

C．By all means

D．In that case

15.

A．admit

B．recognize

C．notice

D．appreciate