1 . The backpack you take can make or break your trip when you go traveling. Here are the four best travel backpacks on the market.

Amazon Basics 70L

It’s much cheaper than many travel bags on the market and does not sacrifice any of the practical uses or space that comes with more expensive bags. The bag may not be as luxury as some of the more high-end bags, but its simple style lets you focus on the main thing you need to focus on when traveling: the moment.

Eurohike Nepal 65L

The Eurohike Backpack is a great choice because of how adaptable it is. Besides having a great amount of storage, it comes with an internal security pocket. It weighs just 1.38kg as opposed to other backpacks, which can weigh up to nearly 2kg. If you’re going to go hiking when you travel, then it is perfect.

Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L

First, its brand is one of the most trusted in the industry, so quality is guaranteed. Second, the backpack’s adjustable back allows you to change how the bag fits according to your needs. Available in both blue and green, this is a great choice if you want a bag that you can depend on.

Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L

Osprey is one of the best brands for backpacks. Its frame (框架) suspension, which can be adjusted to different needs, allows you to travel more comfortably. Whether you’re visiting Switzerland in a thick, wool coat or the south of France in shorts and a T-shirt, the bag will match your look. This bag does say it is marketed for men, but, of course, it can be unisex.

1. What is the selling point of the Amazon Basics?

A．Its luxury style.	B．Its fashionable design.
C．Its huge space for use.	D．Its good value for money.

2. What do Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L and Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L have in common?

A．They are rich in color.	B．They have the same capacity.
C．They can be adjusted as needed.	D．They are targeted for male customers.

3. Which will you choose if anti-theft function is a concern?

A．Amazon Basics 70L.	B．Eurohike Nepal 65L.
C．Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L.	D．Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L.

2 . Artificial intelligence has become a part of our lives, transforming the way we live, work, and interact. We are currently witnessing the dawn of a new era, the Age of AI, where the potential for innovation and development seems limitless. In this age, AI has the power to build a digital world characterized by exchange, mutual learning, and inclusiveness.

One of the key features of the Age of AI is the seamless (无缝的) exchange of information and ideas. AI systems are capable of processing vast amounts of data, analyzing patterns, and generating valuable insights. This ability to exchange information rapidly and effortlessly has the potential to revolutionize various industries, such as healthcare, finance, and education.

In the field of healthcare, AI-powered systems can help doctors and researchers share, exchange and analyze data at record speeds. AI can identify data patterns in minutes or even seconds that would take a doctor or researcher weeks or even months.

Similarly, in the financial sector, AI algorithms (算法) can analyze market data, identify trends, and make informed investment decisions. The exchange of financial insights and strategies facilitated by AI can empower individuals and businesses to make smarter financial choices and create a more inclusive economy.

Professors and teachers across the world are now coming to grasp the AI, revolution and what it means for them and their students. How many students will save time and energy by having AI write their essays and assignments rather than writing them themselves? Will we see AI tools being used in the same way as the quotation system we currently use for essay writing?

Like any new technology, there is a certain amount of fear and a lot of questions to be answered on the use, exchange, advantages and disadvantages of AI. But one thing seems clear: By offering access to information and services, AI can help create a more equitable (公平合理的) and a more inclusive society.

1. Which is correct about AI according to the passage?

A．AI can assist doctors in operations.

B．AI can create a more inclusive economy.

C．AI will take the place of quotation system.

D．AI will help build a just and diverse world.

2. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Enable.

B．Ensure.

C．Assign.

D．Arrange.

3. What is mainly discussed in Paragraph 6?

A．Questions related to AI.

B．Access to information and services.

C．The inclusiveness of AI.

D．Ways to get information and services.

4. Which can best describe the structure of the passage?

A．

B．

C．

D．

3 . On one side of the room sits the cutest life-size stuffed animal (填充玩具) you’ve ever seen. On the other side rests a real dog — the same size, shape and even the same name as the stuffed version. You get to sit next to both of these furry friends and pet their fur. Guess which one will make your brain light up?

If you guessed the real dog, you’re right. Stuffed animals, as cute and lovely as they may be, just don’t effectively activate our frontal cortex (额叶皮层), the part of the brain overseeing how we think and feel, according to a new study published in the journal PLOSONE. The study found an even stronger rise in brain activity when the person petted the fur of a real dog versus a stuffed animal.

“We chose to research the frontal cortex because this brain area is involved in several executive (执行) functions, such as attention, working memory, and problem-solving. But it is also involved in social and emotional processes,” said study lead author Rahel Marti, a doctoral student in the division of clinical psychology at the University of Basel in Switzerland.

Why is this finding important? It provides additional evidence that live human-animal interaction therapy (疗法) may promote cognitive and emotional activity in the brain. Marti said, “If patients with deficits in motivation, attention, and socioemotional functioning show higher emotional involvement in activities connected to a real dog, then such activities could increase the chance of learning and of achieving treatment aims.”

“This is an interesting, seriously conducted study that provides new insight into associations between human-animal interaction and regional prefrontal brain activity in healthy adults. We found that brain activity increased when the contact with a real dog or a stuffed animal became closer. This confirms previous studies relating closer contact with animals to increased brain activity,” Marti said.

1. How does the author introduce the subject of the text?

A．By listing some figures.	B．By giving an example.
C．By setting a situation.	D．By analyzing a phenomenon.

2. Why did the researchers choose to study frontal cortex?

A．It is involved in several body parts.

B．It is the most important part of the brain.

C．It plays a key part in performing functions.

D．It provides evidence for live human-animal therapy.

3. What does the underlined word “deficits” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Styles.

B．Faults.

C．Adventures.

D．Sources.

4. What may be a suitable title for the text?

A．What Petting A Dog Can Do For Your Brain?

B．Why A Pet Dog Is Important To A Person?

C．Which Part Of The Brain Is Involved In Emotion?

D．How Can A Patient Benefit From Petting A Dog?

4 . Short-form videos, also known as Shorts, have gained great popularity, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.     1     However, there’s a growing concern that watching too many Shorts can affect children’s brains.

The phenomenon known as “TikTok Brain” arises from the app’s short and addictive videos. Similar to candy, these videos generate rapid dopamine (多巴胺) releases, stimulating the brain’s pleasure center. A study was conducted to investigate the impact of Shorts on the teenage brains.     2     They stimulated the brain’s reward centers more intensely than random videos.

Our brains process visual information faster than text, which explains why videos tend to outperform text-based content online. Due to their underdeveloped reading skills, children are more easily to become addicted to visual stimuli. Remarkably, social media platforms can do a lot harm to the development of reading habits among younger users.     3    

According to Jessica Griffin, a professor of child psychology, Shorts affect the developing brains of children and teenagers. The prefrontal cortex (前额叶皮质) is responsible for attention, self-control, memory, and learning flexibility.     4     This delayed development makes young individuals more easily influenced by Shorts.

In conclusion, the constant exposure to fast-paced and stimulating content in Shorts can impact children’s attention. To address this issue, parents can have open conversations with their children about the potential risks.     5     Furthermore, encouraging physical activities and outdoor experiences is also crucial to develop a balance d lifestyle.

A．Some even do not include text at all.

B．TikTok’s feed is created addictive by design.

C．But it does not fully mature until around the age of 25.

D．It is helpful to use screen time management tools for Shorts.

E．Short-term memory and the ability to concentrate are affected.

F．It revealed that these videos are personalized, selected and fed to users.

G．They’re brief attention-grabbing videos that can be entertaining and addictive.

5 . “Red tide” is a natural phenomenon that frequently occurs in many places around the world. The phenomenon is the result of extreme growth of tiny algae (海藻) called K. Brevis, which has a red color, giving the water surface a very noticeable red color. K. Brevis will give off chemicals that can attack the nervous systems of animals, which often leads to deadly results.

Florida citizens are no stranger to “red tide”, which occurs along the state’s Gulf Coast annually. However, the most recent outbreak of red tide has so far lasted much longer and spread across nearly 145 miles of the coastline in southwestern Florida.

The long season has caused the death of tons of fish and other animals which were washed up on the beaches all the way from Tampa to Naples. The smell of the dead animals has kept away thousands of locals and tourists that frequent the area’s long beaches. In view of that, in August, Florida declared a state of emergency for the seven places where K. Brevis has been growing quickly, providing $ 3 million to help with research, cleanup, and wildlife rescue.

Recently, the situation of red tide in Florida may be exacerbated due to an outbreak of algae Trichodesmium in the waters offshore of Manatee County. Trichodesmium floats on the water’s surface sucking nitrogen (氮) from the air while K. Brevis lives below the surface obtaining nitrogen from the water. If these two masses of algae mix, the dying Trichodesmium may end up providing nitrogen for K. Brevis, lengthening its stay in the area.

Researchers recently are exploring the idea of introducing other algal species to Florida. Among the possibilities is the Diatom. It’s a kind of algae that can grow quickly in the water. Its growth will consume a large amount of nitrogen from the water. So it competes with K. Brevis for nitrogen. Another possibility is algae known to give off chemicals that stop the growth of red tide.

The 10-month-long red tide outbreak in Florida may be the result of a combination of heavy rainfall, warmer ocean temperatures, and pollution. Now it’s time for us to do something.

1. What can we learn about K. Brevis?

A．It’s caused by red tide.	B．It can harm ocean life.
C．It’s facing dying out.	D．It exists mainly on land.

2. What’s Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The researchers’ study of algae.	B．The tourism potential in Florida.
C．The possible ways to deal with red tide.	D．The consequences of red tide in Florida.

3. What does the underlined part mean?

A．Worsened.

B．Studied.

C．Handled.

D．Ignored.

4. What’s the possible function of the algae Diatom?

A．To change the color of K. Brevis.

B．To help reduce K. Brevis’ food supply.

C．To damage K. Brevis using some chemicals.

D．To increase fishes’ resistance to K. Brevis’ attack.

6 . 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。

Zong Qinghou,     1     founder of China’s drinks giant Hangzhou Wahaha Group, has died after medical treatment proved ineffective, according     2     a company statement. He was 79.

As the chairman of one of China’s     3    (large) drinks makers, Zong was ranked the nation’s wealthiest businessman in 2010 and 2012 by the Hurun Research Institute’s China Rich List.     4    (bear) to a poor family in Hangzhou in October 1945, Zong became one of the “sent-down youth” in the 1960s, which saw him spend 15 years     5    (stay) in the countryside. The group was established in 1987 with over 30,000 staff members currently, more than 180 subsidiary     6    (company) and over 80 production bases, as well as 35 years of cumulative sales of 860.1 billion yuan ($119.54 billion).

Zong returned to the provincial capital in 1978     7    (work) as a salesman. Together with two retired teachers, Zong took over a grocer in 1987 at a local school     8     started as a drinks and ice cream distributor—his first step in creating a leading beverage firm. He founded and headed Hangzhou Wahaha Nutritional Foods Factory in 1989, which     9    (become) Hangzhou Wahaha Group two years later when it acquired an insolvent local canned food factory. On Dec 9, 2021, Wahaha announced on its official website     10     Zong Fuli, daughter of Zong Qinghou, was appointed as vice-chairman and general manager of Wahaha, responsible for daily work.

7 . “Oh no, Haley. Why are you crying?” A question we often hear when we’re chopping onions.     1    

Well, it all starts underground. Life for an onion is pretty sweet when they’re down there in the dirt. Except when bugs (虫子) come by wanting a bite. Onions don’t like that at all.     2     When the bugs bite the onion, it releases a chemical which stings really bad. This gas acts as a natural insecticide, keeping bugs away from the onion.

This chemical is called syn-propanethial-S-oxide, which is what causes the tears when we cut into them. When we slice into onions to cook them,     3     When it reaches your eyes, it makes them sting. The gas can react with the moisture in our eyes and forms a mild acid. This acid irritates (刺激) our eyes, making them water in an attempt to wash away the irritant. This is why we end up crying when we cut onions.

So, how can we avoid crying while cutting onions? Well, here are a few tips.

    4     When the cold temperature slows down the reaction, less gas is released, which may reduce the amount of syn-propanethial-S-oxide that is released into the air. Alternatively, put a silver spoon in your mouth. When the chemical gets to the spoon, it binds with a metal before it reaches your eyes, or wear some very cool glasses like me. These glasses have side shields that block the gas from reaching your eyes.

In conclusion, onions make us cry because of the gas they release when we cut into them. Although it may be an annoyance,     5     So don’t let that stop you from enjoying their delicious flavor in your favorite dishes.

A．If you are asked such a question, you’re not alone.

B．Have you ever wondered why onions make us cry?

C．Luckily, they’ve got a secret plan to keep bugs away.

D．our eyes then produce tears to flush out the irritant.

E．this gas also has a silver lining to help drive bugs away.

F．we break open the cells and release this gas into the air.

G．One trick is to put the onion in the fridge before you want to cut it.

8 . South Korea’s birth rate, already the world’s lowest, has dropped yet again in the latest setback to the country’s efforts to boost its declining population.

The national statistics body reported Wednesday that the birth rate fell to 0.72 in 2023—down from 0.78 the previous year. Countries need a birth rate of 2.1 to maintain a stable (稳定的) population, in the absence of immigration. South Korea’s birth rate has been falling since 2015 and the country recorded more deaths than births for the first time in 2020, a trend that has continued since. In 2022, the country recorded about 249, 000 births and 372,800 deaths. Meanwhile, Korean women are also having children later in life. The average age of childbirth in South Korea was 33.5 last year.

Similar population declines are being seen in several other Asian countries including Japan and China, raising concern that there will be too few people of working age to support the ballooning elderly population.

Experts say the reasons for these population shifts across the region include demanding work cultures, stagnating wages, rising costs of living, changing attitudes toward marriage and gender equality, and rising disappointment among younger generations.

But despite the economic factors at play, throwing money at the problem has proved ineffective. Last September, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol admitted that more than $200 billion has been spent trying to boost the population over the past 16 years. The South Korean government has introduced various initiatives such as extending paid paternity leave, offering monetary “baby vouchers” to new parents, and social campaigns encouraging men to contribute to childcare and housework. But experts and residents say more support is needed throughout a child’s life, as well as change on several deep-rooted social issues.

1. What do the data imply in Paragraph 2?

A．South Korea has a stable population.

B．The birth rate differs among countries.

C．The ideal birth rate is possible to reach.

D．South Korea’s birth rate declines seriously.

2. What does the word “ballooning” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Increasing rapidly.	B．Staying unstable.
C．Decreasing slowly.	D．Remaining the same.

3. What measures may be taken by South Korea government in the future?

A．Solve various social issues.

B．Extend paid paternity leave.

C．Focus on a child’s life continuously.

D．Encourage men to take care of children.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Population crisis is worth public attention.

B．South Korea’s birth rate has become an emergency.

C．Efforts to increase population has paid off in South Korea.

D．Social problems result in population crisis in South Korea.

9 . All the external parts of your life are like a dream. Let go of the shell you’re in while you’re alive so you can get out of the cage that holds you.

Not long before I made the decision to leave the rock band, I invited a friend of mine over for Friday night dinner. Though I waited all long, he didn’t turn up. However, what happened instead changed my life. My neighbor Alex, who was near to me, saw me sitting there waiting, and said, “Hey, come on over and join us.”

Alex and I sat around the dinner table for about an hour and a half, talking about the band, touring, and all the great things we had accomplished.

“Well, do you have a picture of what you would like your life to look like in ten years?”

I hadn’t thought about it until he asked me, but I closed my eyes and could see a vision of who I wanted to be. It was so clear. I started describing the vision of a young man who was walking his kids to school and helping and assisting others with their spiritual pursuits. When I finished describing the vision I had seen, I looked at Alex, and his eyes were filled with tears.

“Alex, I know I paint a pretty picture, but why on earth are you so emotional about it?”

He looked me in the eyes and said, “I had that kind of clarity once. I chose to listen to others about what I should do and how I should live my life. I didn’t want to go to law school, but I did because of my parents, my scholarship, and a lot of external pressure. It’s been ten years, and I am just figuring that out now. You know, if you are adding a black and white pixel onto the screen of your life. Soon, the vision will be gone, the inspiration will fade, and you will have had your life chosen for you instead of choosing your life for yourself.”

After he said those words, I changed my decision. It was a moment of grace, a moment where I was given another chance and an opportunity to start again and live a life I wanted to live.

1. What does “cage” indicate in paragraph 1?

A．The external pressure you face.	B．The decision you made.
C．The pretty picture you paint.	D．The house you live in.

2. Why did Alex tell the author about his past experience?

A．To give advice on how to live.	B．To ask for help from the author.
C．To explain why he chose law school.	D．To share his great regrets about his life.

3. How did the author feel after the conversation with Alex?

A．Saddened by Alex’s unhappy past experiences.

B．Confused about what his future should look like.

C．Inspired to run after his own dreams and goals in life.

D．Relieved because he made the right decision to leave the band.

4. How does the author develop the passage?

A．By comparing his own life with that of Alex.

B．By describing a specific event and its impact on his life.

C．By listing a series of achievements he had made in the past.

D．By analyzing the causes and effects of following others’ advice.

10 . A swimming pool is a wonderful addition to a home that the whole family is sure to enjoy! The luxury of being able to slip into a nice, cool pool on a hot summer day in the privacy of one’s backyard is well worth the cost! The swimming pool is a lot of fun, but it also presents some hazard! The following is a list of things you can do to make sure your family is protected and your pool is a safe space to enjoy!

Learn To Swim — Being unable to swim makes you an accident waiting to happen, be it at the pool, the beach, or around any body of water! Our advice for guests is to have all visiting children have a basic swimming test at the shallow end to judge their skills — if they don’t pass, then the deep end is strictly off limits to them, even with floatation (漂浮) aids since they can be dangerously unreliable!

Children Supervised — Any children under the age of ten should be actively supervised by a responsible and vigilant adult who knows how to swim! Children should always be kept in sight, and children under the age of five should always be within easy arm’s reach.

Sun Protection — The water is not the only potential hazard in a swimming pool, exposure to harmful UV rays can be compounded as they reflect off the water’s surface, and if no measures are taken can deliver a nasty sunburn that may even require a doctor’s care! Apply waterproof sunscreen to all exposed parts of the body. Don’t use water-resistant products, they don’t resist for very long, and can just make matters worse!

Swimming pools are a lot of fun, but it’s up to you to play it safe!

1. Why are swimming tests recommended for visiting children?

A．To ensure them to swim safe.	B．To help them learn to swim faster.
C．To make sure they enjoy swimming.	D．To keep them away from the deep end.

2. What should you do to protect yourself from UV rays while swimming?

A．To stay indoors during the day.	B．To apply waterproof sunscreen.
C．To use water-resistant gloves.	D．To wear dark-colored swimming suits.

3. Where would you most likely find this article?

A．In a travel brochure.	B．In a school document.
C．In a swimming magazine.	D．In a science research paper.