1 . The most advanced Apple Watch models will be back on sale this week after a federal appeals court (联邦上诉法院) temporary blocked a sweeping import ban on the devices amid a dispute (抗辩) with the administration.

Why did Apple Watch get banned?

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 were banned after California health tech companies, Masimo and Cercacor Laboratories, accused Apple of infringing on (侵犯) its patent for a blood-oxygen tracking technology. Masimo’s 2021 complaint led to the Oct. 26 International Trade Commission order.

Apple filed two lawsuits against Masimo last year accusing the company of infringing patents with its own smartwatch.

Why did the administration sustain the ban?

Ambassador Katherine Tai declined to turn around the ITC decision on Tuesday after finding that Apple infringed Masimo’s and Cercacor’s patents “after careful consultations”, according to a release by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

When will the Apple Watch models be back on sale?

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 were made available at U. S. stores on Wednesday and can be purchased online starting at 3 pm on Thursday, according to the tech company.

The return follows the administration announcement on Tuesday that it would sustain the U. S. International Trade Commission order banning the sale of the two smart watches.

“Apple’s teams have worked tirelessly over many years to develop technology that empowers users with industry-leading health, wellness and safety features and we are pleased the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has stayed the exclusion order (禁止令) while it considers our request to stay the order suspending our full appeal,” Apple’s statement added.

“We are thrilled to return the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year,” Apple said in a statement on Wednesday.

1. Which department declared the ban?

A．The administration.

B．The U. S. International Trade Commission.

C．The United States Trade Representative.

D．The U. S. Court of Appeals.

2. Why can the two Apple products return to the market?

A．Because Apple proved its innocence.

B．Because the two companies reached an agreement.

C．Because federal court paused the ban for later dispute.

D．Because the administration decided to lift the ban.

3. Which can we infer from the passage?

A．It remains to be seen whether Apple can permanently sell the two products.

B．Masimo is the main competitor of Apple in blood-oxygen tracking technology.

C．Ambassador Katherine Tai suggested his support for Apple in the official release.

D．Apple’s team were very delighted about the decision of the U. S. Court of Appeals.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The dispute between Apple and ITC.

B．The debate on Apple’s accusation.

C．The lawsuit between Apple and Masimo.

D．The return of Apple Watch models.

2 . Ding Lanying, an embroiderer (刺绣工) from Chuxiong Yi Autonomous. District in Yunnan Province, could not hold back her excitement when a show featuring Yi embroidery and culture was held at the Milan Fashion Week on Saturday.

A collection of 40 fashionable designs was modeled on the catwalk, where the color black and the Yi ethnic group’s favorite patterns of clouds, seeds and silver decorations were brilliantly featured.

Ding, who has been doing embroidery for more than 30 years since she was 8, said she was fortunate to attend the show, and there are so many women like her back in her hometown who have contributed to the show’s success. “The show in Milan will make the village’s female embroiderers so proud of the Yi embroidery and encourage them to continue the cultural heritage for generations,” said Ding. Ding’s South China Colorful Yi Embroidery Company now hires 2,028 embroiderers, including 109 who have physical disabilities.

Li Wenjuan, head officer of the Chuxiong Publicity Department, said the thriving local embroidery industry has enabled women to work at home and helped improve their livelihoods. “We live in the deep mountains, but we always have the fashion genes,” she said of the 1,700-year-old Yi embroidery, an intangible cultural heritage.

Zhu Weiming, managing director of Shangtex Fashion Company which organized the show, attributed the success to the joint efforts of Shanghai designer Ji Cheng and the embroidery artists from Chuxiong. “The 2024 spring/summer fashion inspired by Yi embroidery has blended the Yi ethnic group’s totems (图腾), such as tiger, seeds and flowers, very well with luxurious Italian fabrics,” he said. “It is a celebration of Yi culture.”

Apart from the Milan Fashion Week and the New York Fashion Week, the Yi embroidery had already wowed attendees at the Shanghai Fashion Week and the Beijing Fashion Week in China.

1. Which can be safely concluded from the report?

A．Yi embroidery was the spotlight of the Milan Fashion Week.

B．Fashions all over the world have mixed together in the new era.

C．The success on Milan fashion show greatly boost Yi embroiderers’ cultural confidence.

D．Yi embroidery has changed a lot to fit in with the western fashion.

2. What do we know about Ding Lanying from the passage?

A．She was an officer of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous District.

B．She was the leading entrepreneur of Yi embroidery in Yunnan.

C．Her company has attended the four fashion weeks mentioned.

D．Her company contributed greatly to removing poverty and aiding the disabled.

3. What do Ding, Li and Zhu’s words commonly emphasize?

A．Prosperity.

B．Pride.

C．Culture.

D．Fashion.

4. Which is the best title for the passage?

A．Yi Embroidery, An Old Fashion Sparks New Life

B．Yi Embroidery Shines at Italy’s Milan Fashion Week

C．Yi Embroidery Greatly Helps the Minority Group Prosper

D．Yi Embroidery Has Already Succeeded in Several Fashion Weeks

3 . As Pakistan and China are marking 2023 as a Year of Tourism, Pakistan’s breathtaking natural beauty, diverse cultural heritage and historical landmarks are all set to catch the attention of tourists.

Balochistan: Nature’s Bounty Unveiled

Stretching across vast expanses, Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province, boasting not only abundant mineral resources but unique natural beauty. Its mountain ranges, mines and extensive coastal belt, which is home to the prosperous Gwadar Port, attract adventurers.

Punjab: A Tapestry of History and Heritage

In the heart of Pakistan lies Punjab province, a land of green agricultural fields, intricate (交错的) river networks, ancient forts and charming Mughal-era gardens. Over two millennia (千年) ago, the Gandhara Buddhist civilization thrived in northern Pakistan, with Taxil a serving as its primary center of learning.

Sindh: A Tapestry of History and Culture

Sindh, in Pakistan’s southern region, weaves together a tale of history and natural beauty. It is home to the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro, a relic of the Indus Valley Civilization, along with the modern city of Karachi and its picturesque coastline.

Northern Pakistan: Nature’s Masterpiece

Spread over 72,496 square kilometers, Pakistan’s northern regions are a masterpiece of nature. Among towering peaks, including numerous summits over 8,000 meters, peaceful valleys like Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu offer a brief escape.

As Pakistan invites the world to explore its diverse and fascinating landscapes, it also extends a warm invitation to discovery the history, spirituality and natural wonders that define this remarkable nation.

1. As a Buddhist, your favorite destination in Pakistan might be __________.

A．Balochistan

B．Punjab

C．Sindh

D．Gilgit

2. What do the four parts have in common?

A．Natural beauty.	B．Historical origin.
C．Cultural relics.	D．Diverse resources.

3. The passage serves as a(n) __________.

A．guidance

B．introduction

C．commercial

D．notice

4 . I was on holiday in the Dominican Republic ________ the hotel offered me a trial scuba dive (水肺潜水). It was something I’d always ________, so I gave it a go.

The first session was extremely short but, ________, it was enough time to familiarize the equipment. After ________ it, I was alarmed at suddenly being in ________ of what we can’t ________ without — air. But actually, it’s no different from driving a car. You have an air gauge (气压表) for your tank, which you watch ________ it were the fuel supply.

That session was ________ by a dive in the sea. I was taken ten meters down and, despite being followed by a guide, I had the greatest feeling of ________ in this completely silent world.

I knew then that I wanted to take up this new hobby seriously. So after flying back to England, I started a Diving Skills ________. A ________ came four months later when I did an open water dive at a place called Grangewaters. When I went in, it was full of black mud, so I couldn’t see anything. By then I had done all the theory, I ________ and found my way out finally.

Now, I ________ scuba diving at a top dive center. It’s so ________, especially when you meet someone who has done their first dive — they have discovered an exciting new world without ________, a world I love so much.

1.

A．until

B．unless

C．before

D．when

2.

A．ignore

B．desire

C．analyze

D．tolerate

3.

A．intentionally

B．unfortunately

C．surprisingly

D．desperately

4.

A．putting on

B．taking off

C．picking up

D．taking apart

5.

A．charge

B．favor

C．memory

D．search

6.

A．react

B．survive

C．faint

D．escape

7.

A．as if

B．even though

C．now that

D．given that

8.

A．disturbed

B．instructed

C．followed

D．defined

9.

A．grief

B．freedom

C．panic

D．joy

10.

A．experiment

B．course

C．presentation

D．game

11.

A．signal

B．failure

C．passion

D．shock

12.

A．calmed down

B．looked up

C．ran off

D．rolled over

13.

A．skip

B．restrict

C．await

D．teach

14.

A．skilful

B．specific

C．satisfying

D．awkward

15.

A．diving

B．cars

C．mud

D．boundaries

5 . Grammy Awards don’t only go to the people who produce and perform songs. For just over a decade, they’ve also been given out to those who teach others how to make music. The Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, recognizes those who have made a “significant contribution and demonstrate devotion to music education”.

This year it went to Annie Ray, the performing arts department chair and orchestra director at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. She was honored for her efforts to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities. Ray got to attend the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, take selfies with pop stars and bring home both a $10,000 prize and matching grant for her school’s music program.

Ray created the Crescendo Orchestra (管弦乐队) for students with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as a parent orchestra that teaches nearly 200 caregivers a year to play the same instrument as their child.

She was inspired in large part by the diversity of the Annandale community, which she says represents over 60 countries, including many immigrants. “There’s a. lot of cultures that might typically clash, and they come together in this very beautiful harmony,” Ray explained. “And that’s really uniquely expressed in the orchestra classroom, where we’re just all music-ing together.”

Ray says the Crescendo Orchestra, which was born out of the pandemic, doesn’t necessarily share the social goals of a program like the Special Olympics. The focus is on teaching students how to play an instrument, through one-on-one instruction tailored to their needs. That involves tools like music scarves, egg shakers, rhythm sticks and cardboard instruments. Ray also works with a local charity to give damaged instruments a second life in her classroom.

The orchestra is about much more than just making music, however. Ray says the program gives students a chance to develop their collaboration skills, make mistakes and learn the art of refining something.

1. Which of the following is the reason for Annie Ray’s winning a Grammy?

A．Her determined effort to make music.	B．Her contribution to the high school.
C．Her commitment to music education.	D．Her excellence in performing songs.

2. What mainly provided inspiration for Ray?

A．Her enthusiasm for instructing music.	B．The diverse cultures of the community.
C．Her burning desire to win a Grammy.	D．The severe disabilities of her students.

3. According to Ray, what is the purpose of the Crescendo Orchestra?

A．To fix damaged instruments for a local charity.

B．To help students to face the pandemic bravely.

C．To make students familiar with music devices.

D．To give students need-centred music teaching.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．A music teacher won a Grammy	B．A music teacher changed lives
C．A Grammy winner took selfies	D．A Grammy ceremony was held

6 . Summer sea ice in the Arctic could melt almost completely by the 2030s — roughly a decade earlier than projected — even if humans cut back drastically on greenhouse gas emissions, new research suggests.

An ice-free summer, also called a “blue ocean event”, will happen when the sea ice drops below one million square kilometers, writes Jonathan Bamber, a professor of physical geography at the University of Bristol, in the Conversation.

Previous assessments using models have estimated an ice-free summer under high and intermediate emissions scenarios by 2050. But researchers noticed differences between what climate models predicted about what would happen to sea ice and what they’ve actually seen through observations. “The models, on average, underestimate sea ice decline compared with observations,” says Nathan Gillett, an Environment and Climate Change Canada scientist.

Now, in a new study published in Nature Communications, Gillett and his teammates changed these models to more closely fit satellite data collected over the past 40 years. Using these adapted models, the researchers projected ice changes under different possible levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Their paper suggests that regardless of the emissions scenario, “we may experience an unprecedented ice-free Arctic climate in the next decade or two.”

While sea ice naturally decreases in the summer and refreezes during the winter, summer ice coverage has steadily been declining over the past few decades because of climate change. And Arctic ice melting happens faster itself — as ice disappears, it exposes more of the dark blue ocean, which absorbs more heat and leads to more melting. This process has led to the region warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the globe since 1979.

Sea ice decline could have disastrous consequences that extend to the rest of the planet, including sea level rise and disturbance to weather patterns and ecosystems. Animals like polar bears and seals that rely on Arctic ice to survive could be placed at risk.

1. According to the new research, what will happen concerning summer sea ice in the Arctic?

A．Its complete melting may occur earlier than expected.

B．Its vanishing once and for all will be in less than 10 years.

C．Its dropping will give rise to so-called “blue ocean event”.

D．Its melting can be prevented in greenhouse gas emissions.

2. What effort did the researchers make after figuring out the problem of the previous assessments?

A．They abandoned the attempt to use models.

B．They collected satellite data over the past 40 years.

C．They adapted the models to be consistent with the actual cases.

D．They predicted accurately ice changes in regions of the Arctic.

3. How is the last paragraph but one developed?

A．By listing statistics.	B．By giving definitions.
C．By making a comparison.	D．By analyzing cause and effect.

4. What message may the text be trying to convey to readers?

A．Pride comes before a fall.	B．Man proposes, god disposes.
C．A good beginning is half done.	D．If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

7 . Torrie, 16, and her friend Azarria were driving back home when another car hit them. When Torrie opened her eyes, she _________ their car had been pushed into a tree. There came _________ from the gathering crowd as the car was smoking. Torrie’s door wouldn’t open, but her window became an escape _________.

“Everyone ran away, fearing the car was going to _________. But turning around, I didn’t see Azarria. I ran back and saw she was _________ in the back seat. I decided to help her out of the _________.”

“I didn’t know how I made it. I just became stronger at that moment,” she says. She _________ a bystander to call 911 and started CPR.

After 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths, Azarria began to show _________ of life. Just then, the paramedics _________ to rush Azarria to the nearest hospital.

__________ for both girls, their Lakewood High School offers a First-Aid Skills class taught by Erika Miller. Torrie had earned her __________ in the class just the day before this accident.

“I was absolutely astonished,” Erika says. “In my years of teaching, I never __________ a student would finish the course and in 24 hours have to __________ CPR on her friend.”

“I was grateful to Torrie, but I wasn’t surprised.” Azarria says. “She would have done that for anyone. That’s just __________ of her.

“First-aid training should be a(n) __________ in schools,” Torrie says. “It can make a difference between life and death.”

1.

A．examined

B．recognized

C．determined

D．panicked

2.

A．antiques

B．breakthroughs

C．refreshments

D．screams

3.

A．route

B．frame

C．release

D．motion

4.

A．proceed

B．explode

C．slip

D．crash

5.

A．noble

B．humble

C．swollen

D．unconscious

6.

A．highlight

B．duration

C．chaos

D．insight

7.

A．instructed

B．stimulated

C．alarmed

D．disturbed

8.

A．symbols

B．routines

C．luxury

D．signs

9.

A．blew up

B．relied on

C．rolled up

D．carried on

10.

A．Fortunately

B．Literally

C．Particularly

D．Urgently

11.

A．barrier

B．certificate

C．deadline

D．living

12.

A．defended

B．grasped

C．anticipated

D．dominated

13.

A．perform

B．cast

C．cite

D．expose

14.

A．awesome

B．elegant

C．fond

D．typical

15.

A．intervention

B．requirement

C．exception

D．perspective

8 . Ways to Develop Patience

Patience is essential to daily life and might be key to a happy one. Having patience means being able to wait calmly in the face of any difficulty or failure. This is all good news for the naturally patient or for those who have the time and opportunity to take a strict training in patience. But what about the rest of us?     1    

Rebuild the situation. Feeling impatient is not just an automatic emotional response; it involves conscious thoughts and beliefs, too. If a colleague is late for a meeting, you can be angry about his lack of respect, or see those extra 15 minutes as an opportunity to get some reading done.     2     And consciously trying to regulate our emotions can help us train our self-control muscles.

Practice mindfulness. In one study, kids who did a six-month mindfulness program in school became less impulsive (冲动的) and more willing to wait for a reward.     3     Taking a deep breath and noticing your feelings of anger or overload can help you respond with more patience to your children.

    4     In another study, adults who were feeling grateful were also better at patiently delaying satisfaction. When given the choice between getting an immediate cash reward or waiting a year for more, less grateful people gave in once the immediate payment offer climbed to $18. Grateful people, however, could hold out until the amount reached $30. If we’re thankful for what we have today, we’re not desperate for more stuff or better circumstances immediately.

We can try to shelter ourselves from difficulty or failure.     5     Practicing patience in everyday situations will not only make life more pleasant at present, but might also help pave the way for a more satisfying and successful future.

A．Practice appreciation.

B．Practice in everyday situations.

C．Patience is related to daily life.

D．Patience is linked to self-control.

E．Mindfulness practice is recommended for parents.

F．But they come along with the life of being human.

G．It seems that there are everyday ways to build patience as well.

9 . On a chilly autumn morning in the Italian countryside near Larderello, Tuscany, the misty landscape reminded me why the area is nicknamed the Devil’s Valley. The land here is a web of natural cracks in the rock that let a mix of steam and gases reach the surface.

Unlike the rolling hills and cypress-lined roads of other parts of Tuscany, the landscape here is covered with dozens of grey cooling towers puffing white vapors. The deafening roar of a turbine (涡轮机) at the Valle Secolo geothermal (地热的) plant breaks the quietness, but its violent spinning transforms steam rising from underground into energy for 150,000 families in the region. About 30% of Tuscany’s electricity comes from this energy source. After producing electricity, the leftover steam heats water for nearby districts.

This underground energy has recently proved a vital resource. Italy greatly depended on Russian fossil fuels and in 2023 Italians bore the world’s highest household electricity bills. Factories cut down production and households had to turn down their heaters. But residents of the Larderello area spent the winter in warm homes, thanks to the local geothermal plants working 24/7.

Bruno Della Vedova, president of the Italian Geothermal Union, hopes that in the future other Italian regions could benefit from such a resource, which is extremely important when the whole world looks to transition to renewable energy.

While countries like Iceland and Kenya are taking advantage of their geothermal resources, the industry’s growth has made slow progress in Italy. High set-up costs and difficulties in extraction present significant barriers. And new plants often run into opposition from nearby communities over health concerns.

Italy sits on a geothermal sweet spot. Especially below Larderello, as Della Vedova says. A vast reservoir (储备) of steam and water is trapped between Earth’s inner heat and a layer of clay-heavy rocks. High temperatures lead to the formation of steam directly inside the reservoir, providing a significant source of energy.

But while heat from Earth’s core is practically endless, the water it heats within the planet are not. So Della Vedova says restoring underground water supplies and using them sustainably is critical for the future. “We can’t take advantage of a geothermal resource at will,” he says.

1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．The landscape in the countryside.

B．The introduction to a geothermal plant.

C．The application of geothermal energy in Tuscany.

D．The process of turning underground steam into heat.

2. Why has geothermal industry developed slowly in Italy?

A．People near new plants object to it.

B．Geothermal plants cut down their production.

C．There is very little underground water and steam.

D．People use less electricity by turning down heaters.

3. What is Della Vedova’s attitude to the prospect of geothermal energy?

A．Unfavorable.

B．Unclear.

C．Optimistic.

D．Cautious.

4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．Where does geothermal energy lead Italy?

B．Is the heat from Earth’s core really limitless?

C．Can energy from underground help power Italy?

D．How can geothermal energy be used scientifically?

10 . Coffee may be unfriendly to a financial planner, according to researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) “Caffeine (咖啡因), as a powerful stimulant, leads to a higher energetic state, which in turn decreases self-control,” said lead author and USF professor Dipayan Biswas. The findings were published on Thursday in the Journal of Marketing.

According to the study, researchers ran three experiments involving coffee machines at the entrances of a supermarket and home goods store in France and a department store in Spain. Upon entering those places, over 300 shoppers received a cup with nothing in it yet. About half of those shoppers ordered a coffee containing roughly 100 mg of caffeine, while the other half went in with either decaffeinated coffee or water. Importantly, the shoppers also shared their shopping receipts (收据) with researchers as they exited.

Sure enough, people who drank caffeinated coffee bought a significantly higher number of items and spent more money. Interestingly, drinking caffeine also appeared to influence the types of items people bought. Shoppers who drank caffeine bought more unnecessary items, such as decorative candles and fragrances (香水), than the others. However, there were few differences among caffeinated and decaffeinated shoppers when it came to making more practical decisions, including kitchen tools and storage baskets.

The study authors also conducted the fourth experiment in a lab testing the impact of caffeine on online shopping. They separated a group of 200 business school students depending on whether they just drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Then, each person had to pick which items they would buy from a list of 66 options. Again, people drinking caffeine chose more unnecessary items from the list while the others tended to choose more practical goods.

“While moderate (适度的) amounts of caffeine intake can have positive health benefits, there can be unintended results of being caffeinated while shopping,” Prof Biswas concludes.

1. What can we know about the study?

A．Caffeine may improve people’s health	B．Caffeine may help people relieve pressure.
C．Caffeine may cause people to be unfriendly.	D．Caffeine may leave people less self-controlled.

2. What is the purpose of collecting the shoppers’ receipts?

A．To pay for their items	B．To record what they drank.
C．To figure out what they pretend	D．To find out what they bought.

3. What did the fourth experiment show about drinking caffeine?

A．It made students buy more useful goods.	B．It affected students’ shopping choices.
C．It was beneficial to the students’ health.	D．It made the students energetic in learning.

4. What might Biswas suggest people with limited money do?

A．Stop shopping for caffeinated food.	B．Give up taking in caffeine in daily lift.
C．Avoid caffeinated coffee before shopping	D．Drink less decaffeinated coffee in life.