1 . Tom is an expert from a robotics company who can communicate smoothly with people through computers, phones, and other means. However, when facing the crowd on site, he will feel uneasy. His boss arranged for Tom to showcase to the audience the innovative work their company is doing. In response to the boss’ trust in him, Tom bravely began preparing for this matter.

One day, while watching TV, he happened to see a program where the ventriloquist (腹语术者) Arthur interacted with the audience through a dummy (假人) to convey information. This gave him inspiration. The next day, he discussed his idea with his colleagues in the company and everyone supported his plan. On the day of the exhibition, they arrived at the scene early and prepared everything, although Tom was still a bit nervous.

The much-anticipated presentation started. The presenter began with a light-hearted joke and then proceeded to share some interesting facts about Reality Robotics Company before revealing the innovative work the company was undertaking. Throughout the presentation, there were no pauses or instances of Tom’s dreaded phrase: “but what I really meant to say was.” The audience was impressed by the innovative product the presenter described and hoped for a demonstration to see how effective the new invention was. As the presentation drew to a close, the presenter said calmly and confidently, “And now I would like to share this stage with the man who invented me.”

Tom walked onto the stage, looking exactly like the presenter. The “identical twins” took the audience by surprise. Tom then spoke slowly, “What you have just witnessed is a demonstration of the latest invention from the company — a presentation robot.” Suddenly it all clicked and the audience erupted in cheers. Tom then explained how the company created such a robot and programmed it to speak. “As you could see and hear, it had the confidence I could never exhibit in such a presentation. We can model it into an exact copy of you.” The audience got excited at the prospect. The boss smiled approvingly. Maybe Tom deserved a promotion, he thought.

1. What’s Tom’s problem?

A．He tended to get nervous easily.

B．He failed to win his boss’ recognition.

C．Ho was not confident to speak in front of the public.

D．He can’t communicate with people in his daily life.

2. What do we know about the presenter?

A．He was quite serious.

B．He didn’t live up to Tom’s expectations.

C．He was inspired by the dummy that Arthur worked with.

D．Though confident, he was a bit nervous giving the presentation.

3. What does Tom’s company do?

A．It creates innovative robots.	B．It helps present new ideas.
C．It advertises new products.	D．It produces ventriloquist’s dummies.

4. What mainly contributes to the presentation’s success?

A．Luck and humor.	B．Teamwork and creativity.
C．Caution and responsibility.	D．Courage and friendliness.

2 . Alan Jamieson remembers seeing it for the first time: a small, black fiber floating in liquid. It resembled a hair, but when Jamieson examined it under a microscope, he realized that the fiber was clearly synthetic (人工合成) — a piece of plastic. And worryingly, his student Lauren Brooks had pulled it from the gut of a small amphipod (片脚类动物) living in one of the deepest parts of the ocean.

For the past decade, Jamieson, a marine biologist at Newcastle University, has been sending vehicles to the bottom of marine trenches (海沟), which can be as deep as the Himalayas are tall. These landers have collected amphipods — scavenger relatives of crabs and shrimp that thrive in the depths. Jamieson originally wanted to know how these animals differ from one distant trench to another. But a few years ago, he decided to analyze their body for toxic, human-made pollutants, which have been banned for decades but which persist in nature for much longer.

“It’s not a good result,” Jamieson said. “I don’t like doing this type of work.” When he submitted his findings to a scientific journal, the researchers who reviewed the paper reasonably asked how he could tell that the fibers were actually plastic. To satisfy the critics, his team chemically analyzed a subset of the fibers and found that all of it was synthetic.

Food is scarce in the deep, so amphipods eat pretty much anything, which makes them particularly vulnerable to plastics. And since they sit at the bottom of the ocean food webs, their appetite can upset entire ecosystems, “They’re like bags of peanuts,” Jamieson says, “Everything else eats amphipods — shrimp, fish — and they’ll end up consuming plastics, too. And when the fish die, they get consumed by amphipods, and it goes round and round in circles.”

“So what can we do? The International Union for the Conservation of Nature recommends we protect 30 percent of every marine habitat to address human impacts, but that will only help if we’re also sustainably managing the remaining 70 percent, reducing carbon emissions, and limiting the pollution being dumped in the ocean in the first place.”

1. Which conclusion can NOT be drawn about the fiber?

A．It has been proved to be generated by human.	B．It won’t appear again through human’s efforts.
C．It was found in the body of a small amphipod.	D．It indicates plastic pollution in the deep ocean.

2. What docs Jamieson’s research focus on?

A．The food of amphipods.

B．The habitat of amphipods.

C．The difference between amphipods in different trenches.

D．The existence of human-made pollutants in amphipods.

3. What’s the scientific journal’s initial attitude towards Jamieson’s findings?

A．Negative.

B．Doubtful.

C．Supportive.

D．Disapproving.

4. By saying “their appetite can upset entire ecosystems”, the author means ________.

A．amphipods have occupied a lot of ocean space because of their appetite

B．amphipods’ habitat should be protected so as to address human impacts

C．amphipods can produce chain effects since they are food resources of others

D．amphipods consuming too much marine resources affect the balance of nature

3 . Uplifting words

When you see your friends or loved ones feeling down or being met with some setbacks at school or work, you might want to offer them a pep talk. A pep talk is usually a brief, intense and emotional talk designed to influence or encourage an audience.     1     Just saying what you think the other person wants to hear might not be enough. It requires an understanding of what your audience needs — whether it is simply cheering them up or motivating them to change.

The column offers the following steps towards an effective pep talk.

● Step one is to listen.

Don’t jump right in and insist: “you will be fine.” Show your friend that you understand how they feel and empathize.    2    

● Express care and support.

Show your friend that you believe in them.    3     Talk about their strengths based on your knowledge about them. Saying things like: “You are a very resilient person.” “You are outgoing and friendly.” “You bounce back well.” Avoid general sentences like “You can overcome your fears.” or “Time heals.”

● Talk about hope.

You can’t guarantee success.    4     But you can remind the person that he or she has been through a tough time before and gotten through it.

● Be there.

Make sure they know that you will be there for them, follow up with them after the pep talk.

●     5    

Don’t argue if the person disagrees with what you are saying or tells you: “You don’t understand; this time is different.” Tell them: “I’m Sorry, you are having such a hard time.” Then back off.

A．Know when to stop.

B．Be sincere and specific.

C．Carefully choose your words.

D．But giving a good pep talk isn’t easy.

E．Some problems might be out of anyone’s control.

F．Tell them they have what it takes to get through this hard time.

G．Repeat the person’s concerns so he or she feels that they have been heard.

4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Math powers a wide range of modern technology, from phones and cameras to aircraft and artificial intelligence. It     1     (become) a propeller (推进器) that puts companies on a path toward success.

In a 2023 interview, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei explained     2     math theories have made some technological advancements possible. Ren mentioned Pyotr Ufimtsev,    3     physicist and mathematician from the Soviet Union. Ufimtsev published an     4     (innovation) paper in the 1960s that dealt with the reflection of electromagnetic waves (电磁波). This paper inspired engineers at Lockheed Martin, a US aerospace firm,    5     (develop) the concept of stealth aircraft (隐形飞机). “Physics, civil engineering and mechanics are associated with math,    6     can provide solutions in many areas.”

To develop more math talents, Huawei established two research institutes, one in Russia and the other in France. These institutes focus on mathematics,    7     (employ) over 700 mathematicians.

Like Huawei, many Chinese companies are     8     (heavy) investing in mathematics and research and development (R&D) to lessen their     9     (dependent) on Western technology and strengthen their global market position. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China plans to increase its R&D budget     10     more than 7 percent annually throughout its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period.

5 . Tickets have gone on sale today for the UK's first festival exploring the impact of forests, bringing together writers, artists, poets, scientists and philosophers for a three-day event in some of England's finest woodlands.

Running from 6-8 July 2024, the festival, called Timber, will be held at Feanedock, a woodland site in the National Forest. The 200-square-mile National Forest, stretching across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire, was the first forest to be created in England for over 1,000 years. It was planted over the course of the 1990s to regenerate a landscape that had been left scarred (伤痕) and abandoned by the closure of the Midlands coalfields.

The festival will feature talks and discussions about the relationship between humans and nature. There will also be a music programme, ranging from campfire performances to three live music stages and DJ sets: the full line-up will be announced early next year.

Timber follows a string of new festivals focused around the debate of specific subjects. In 2023, the first Bluedot festival was held at Jodrell Bank observatory, combining music with a celebration of science, art and technology. Others include Camp Wildfire, a two-day festival of bushcraft and outdoor adventure activities, and Brainchild festival, which celebrates DIY culture and the creative work of young people.

1. What was the condition of the National Forest before the 1990s?

A．A wildfire destroyed parts of the forest.

B．It was a popular location for hosting festivals.

C．The forest suffered from the impact of the coal industry.

D．Extensive tree planting projects were undertaken in the forest.

2. What do we know about Timber Festival?

A．It is a four-day festival.

B．Tickets are not on sale yet.

C．Live music performances are available.

D．The full schedule of activities has been released.

3. If one is to seek adventure, which festival would be the best choice?

A．Timber festival.

B．Camp Wildfire.

C．Bluedot festival.

D．Brainchild festival.

6 . Aptitude Tests Recommendations

Aptitude tests are helpful to job seekers of all ages. While career quizzes explore your values and work style, aptitude tests provide a more objective evaluation of your skills, helping you select a career you’re most likely to succeed in. Below are some of the best aptitude tests out there.

Clifton Strengths

The Clifton Strengths program was created based on research around leadership. The research in question pointed to common strengths among successful leaders, like strategic thinking, adaptability and communication. To complete the test, you must answer around 150 questions, each within 20 seconds. Allen Cheung, a tech blogger, notes that CliftonStrengths is more valuable than your average career test because it includes “tricky questions which aren’t as easily gamed”.

Red Bull Wingfinder

Developed and tested out by psychology experts, the Red Bull Wingfinder assesses your thinking under pressure. Questions include image sorting, logic puzzles and leadership-related questions. Once you complete the test, you’ll receive a nine-page report and career coaching tailored to your results.

SEI Development Report

The SEI Development Report is an extensive EQ aptitude test that has timed right-and-wrong answers that assess eight fundamentals, including emotional literacy, emotional management and empathy. At the end, you’ll receive a 20-page report with recommended courses on workplace EQ development.

CareerOneStop

While it only takes a few minutes to complete, the CareerOneStop Skills Assessment will help you rank both your technical and soft skills. The career suggestions at the end can be sorted by relevance, annual wages, and job outlook, coupled with with professional coaching or consultation improve your skills.

1. What do aptitude tests mainly assess for job seekers?

A．Their work ethics.	B．Their career interest.
C．Their preferred work style.	D．Their professional competence.

2. What is a unique feature of Clifton Strengths?

A．It evaluates leadership skills.	B．It is developed by experts.
C．It includes challenging questions.	D．It offers a comprehensive report.

3. Which test suits a job seeker who prefers categorized suggestions and career coaching?

A．Clift on Strengths	B．Red Bull Wingfinder
C．SEI Development Report	D．CareerOneStop

7 . If you use the internet, you’ve probably heard of a filter bubble (过滤气泡). Internet sites and social media platforms use algorithms (算法) that show you content based on your previous interactions, likes, and shares. Over time, this creates a filter bubble where you only see content that agrees with your interests and beliefs, which serves to convince you that your beliefs are true. But what you might not know is that in similar fashion, your brain has several mechanisms to filter information, creating personal filter bubbles that deeply shape how you live your life.

Self-created filter bubbles happen through various cognitive processes, and they have multiple consequences. They shape your experience of what’s happening by forming a lens (镜片) through which you see and interpret the world. On the internet, because things are being presented based on past user history, no two people get the same results when they search for something on Google or open their news feed. In real life, no two people are experiencing an event or seeing a situation in the exact same way, because we all bring our own past experiences and biases (偏见) to situations, causing us to process them differently.

Filter bubbles can cause you to stay stuck in self-created and often self-limiting patterns of thought and behavior. If you’ve ever wondered why change is so hard, it’s because your mental filter bubbles make it difficult to see different possibilities. If you hold the belief that you’re not someone who can have a high-paying job, you won’t look for one and you’ll only seek out and see jobs that match up with what you think you’re worth.

Filter bubbles can also prevent critical thinking and can lead to a limited and biased view of the world, where people don’t consider alternative viewpoints and don’t engage with others outside of their own circles. When we only consume information that confirms our preexisting beliefs and values, we don’t question the truth of that information or properly evaluate the evidence.

While you can’t prevent your brain from creating selective filter bubbles, you can become more aware so that you don’t have to be limited or trapped by them.

1. What can we learn about filter bubbles?

A．They have little effect on us.

B．They shape our interpretations of the world.

C．They are frequent occurrences and have little effect on us.

D．They assist us in making friends with like-minded individuals.

2. How do filter bubbles impact individuals’ ability to embrace change?

A．They facilitate open-mindedness and flexibility.

B．They help individuals adapt quickly to new situations.

C．They prevent individuals from successfully securing a job.

D．They make individuals resistant to seeking out new opportunities.

3. What might the author continue talking about?

A．Barriers to overcoming filter bubbles.

B．Benefits of recognizing filter bubbles.

C．Ways to avoid getting trapped in the filter bubbles.

D．Examples of your brain creating mental filter bubbles.

4. Which word can describe the influence of filter bubbles on people?

A．Negative.

B．Indirect.

C．Positive.

D．Unclear.

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

Benched?

Anxious, Devin sat in the back seat of the car. “I have so much energy!” he said. “Do I really have to sit and watch?”

“It’s just for one more game.” Devin’s father said as he drove into the parking lot by the outdoor basketball court. “It’s better to stay on the safe side.”

Devin sighed. “It’s been a week since I got injured,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt at all.”

But it did hurt when he was in last week’s game. He twisted to avoid a defender and ended up spraining his ankle. “The doctor said 10 days,” his father reminded him. “No jumping. You can ease back into basketball next week.”

Devin ran his fingers over the logo on his basketball uniform. He was ready for the game, but he knew he’d be spending it on the bench. The summer season was short — just eight games —and he’d already missed one.

“I just want to help my team win,” he said as he got out of the car. “I can’t do that if I’m not on the court.”

Devin loved hearing the thump (沉闷的撞击声), thump, thump of basketballs and the feeling of excitement before every game. Hip-hop music from the loudspeaker made him feel like dancing. The energy in the air would make it even harder for him not to participate.

Before the game, Coach reminded the players to make smart passes and play tough defense. Without Devin’s leadership and skill, his team would need a huge effort.

By halftime, Coach praised the players for their hard work. With Devin unable to play, the team had only one extra player, so no one was getting much rest.

The game was fierce. The score stood at 47 to 49 with three minutes left in the game. Devin sat down and rubbed his hands together. “I’m a loser here on the bench. I can do nothing to help.” he thought.

Coach called a timeout(比赛暂停) and gathered the players to give some advice.

注意：
1. 续写词数为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答.

Suddenly, Coach turned to Devin. “Do you have anything to add?”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The game was over and his team had a two-point victory!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Two giant pandas are scheduled to depart for Madrid Zoo in Spain on Monday.

According to the agreement on international conservation cooperation and research of giant pandas     1     (sign) by China and Spain in 2007, the panda couple, Jin Xi and Zhu Yu, will begin     2     10-year stay in Spain.

Jin Xi, a male, was born on Sept 1,2020, with “Xi”     3     (mean) happiness. Zhu Yu, a female, was born on Oct 25, 2020,     4     was the Double Ninth Festival that year. Her name     5     (reflect) seasonal and natural elements, showing the profound cultural heritage of China.

Preparations are underway by China and Spain     6     an active and orderly manner to ensure the safe and healthy     7     (arrive) of the pandas and their smooth adaptation to the new environment. Among European countries, Spain has achieved the most fruitful results in the international cooperative breeding of giant pandas, and six panda cubs (幼仔)    8     (raise) successfully by China and Spain together over the past 17 years.     9     is called“panda fever”has driven cultural exchanges between the two countries, further solidifying the friendship between their people.

It is believed that with the continuation of the China-Spain giant panda cooperation research project, the two countries will further enhance protection for endangered species,     10     (positive) contributing to biodiversity conservation.

10 . Our old, artificial Christmas tree was in rough shape by the time we retired it. At least a decade had passed since my wife and I bought the tree, a medium-size fake tree with built-in lights, at a Target in Brooklyn and carried it on the subway to our tiny apartment. Over the years, we dragged that tree from apartment, jammed it onto a moving truck to Los Angeles and later packed the weathered box onto another moving truck, this time to Chicago and our current home. By the end, layers of duct tape (强力胶布) held the box together, the wear and tear of a decade of delivering holiday cheer.

Our little tree looked run down, but it was the only tree our family ever knew. It stands proud and glowing in the background of photos of me and my pregnant wife during our last Christmas in Brooklyn without children. Our oldest was born a month later during a January snowstorm. The tree shows up again in the next year’s photos, this time surrounded by holiday gifts for a boy about to turn 1. Then it appears in photos of our son and his 1-month-old brother, this time with California palm trees just outside the door. And in more recent photos, our tree lights up windows overlooking shining Chicago snow. This year, after much debate, we decided to retire our dear old tree, with its bent branches and the lights that had burned out years ago. Rather than feel depressed, we used the moment to launch a new family tradition: our first real Christmas tree.

So here’s a toast to all your family’s traditions—the old and the new. I hope you enjoy this issue, which we have filled with stories of seasonal joy and holiday cheer. Happy holidays!

1. Where is the author’s present home?

A．In Chicago.

B．In Brooklyn.

C．In California.

D．In Los Angeles.

2. Why did the author keep the old tree for so long?

A．His budget was tight.	B．He was attached to it.
C．It was in good condition.	D．It was environmentally-friendly.

3. Who is probably the author?

A．An editor.

B．A salesman.

C．A delivery man.

D．A home designer.

4. What can we learn from the story?

A．The finest diamond must be cut.

B．Out with the old, in with the new.

C．Old friends and old wine are best.

D．All things in their being are good for something.