1 . It is difficult to project what profit we will get in the future, which after all, is uncertain.

A．It is not easy for us to predict future earnings	B．It is hard for us to make a living in the future
C．It is hard for us to speak for ourselves in the future	D．It is not easy for us to plan a program for the future

2 . As a visitor from the cold zone, I find it unbearable to accept the hot weather.

A．I find the hot weather is unnoticed	B．I find the hot weather is acceptable
C．I find the hot weather is unpleasant	D．I find the hot weather is changeable

3 . I firmly believe my view is based on facts that can be proved.

A．my view is objective	B．my view is just personal
C．my view depends on evaluations	D．my view depends on assumptions

4 . For individuals with hearing loss, listening to conversations in noisy environments can be particularly challenging. Unfortunately, traditional hearing aids adopt a “one-size-fits-all” approach to processing sounds, regardless of the listening needs of individual users.     1     Users may also experience a lack of sound clarity (清楚) and do not want to engage in conversations with others.

Good news is that a hearing aid company named Oticon is taking an important step to solve this No. 1 challenge for people with hearing loss—hearing speech in noise. With new 4D Sensor technology, Oticon Intent, a new device, is capable of understanding the users’ listening intentions.     2     In this way, it is able to deliver truly personalised support. But the true hero in sound processing is the brain, as it is constantly working to make sense of sound. Oticon’s new technology provides the brain with access to the full sound environment.

    3     In conversation, users tend to keep their heads still to engage with a single person. Or they move their heads in a group conversation to engage with different people. When struggling to hear what someone is saying, users are likely to lean (倾斜) in to listen. The technology in Oticon Intent understands and adapts to the user through sensors that monitor head and body movements. It helps users move beyond just hearing and listening.     4    .

Thomas Behrens, Vice President of the company, said, “This small device has up to 20 hours of battery life.     5     When the device requires a recharge, users can simply place it into the charger for just 30 minutes to obtain up to 8 hours of battery life.”

A．Thus, it is able to prevent memory loss.

B．It can recognise what people want and need to listen to.

C．Moreover, it helps them communicate and fully engage in life.

D．This may make listening and engaging with others more difficult.

E．That means users will never have to worry about running out of battery.

F．Take a step towards better hearing by contacting your nearest hearing care professional.

G．People's communication behaviour reflects their listening intentions via head and body movements.

5 . 将下列几个部分(A、B、C、D和E)按题号排序，构成一个符合逻辑的完整语篇。
A. Actually, blue light is a type of high-energy visible light. Too much exposure to blue light, especially from artificial sources like screens, can damage your retina (视网膜) and affect your sleep patterns.
B. These regular breaks will allow your eyes to relax and refocus, reducing the risk of developing long-term vision problems. It’s also important to monitor the total amount of time you spend on devices every day.
C. In today's digital age, we’re spending increasingly more time looking at screens. Statistics found that people around the world use gadgets (小型电器) for about seven hours a day — more than the amount of time recommended by health experts.
D. So it is necessary to reduce the time spent on digital devices to minimize exposure to blue light. You can follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
E. This new habit can significantly affect your eye health and overall wellness. That’s due to one simple fact: screens are a major source of blue light. If you’ve heard a lot about blue light in relation to screen time, you may be wondering what exactly it is.
________ → ________ → ________ → ________ → ________

6 . Recent studies propose that cold water therapy, which involves practices such as cold baths and cold showers, could potentially be an effective method for managing type 2 diabetes (2型糖尿病). In the UK alone, diabetes affects approximately 3.8 million individuals, with90% of these cases being type 2 diabetes. Managing type 2 diabetes can be challenging; however, cold water therapy presents a novel approach to this issue.

Cold water therapy involves the use of cold water, around 15°C, as a potential treatment for various health, conditions. This can range from taking cold swims in natural bodies of water to more accessible methods like taking cold showers or immersing oneself in a bathtub filled with cool water. The underlying idea is to expose the body regularly to cold temperatures in a controlled manner.

The mechanism behind the effectiveness of cold water therapy lies in its ability to stimulate the transformation of stem cells into brown fat. Unlike the more common white fat, brown fat is active and burns calories to generate heat, helping to maintain body warmth. More importantly, for individuals with type 2 diabetes, brown fat can reduce insulin (胰岛素)resistance, which is a key factor in the management of diabetes.

Research has provided some evidence supporting the benefits of cold water therapy. Studies have shown that repeated cold exposure can enhance insulin sensitivity and lower fasting glycemia (空腹血糖) levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. These results suggest that cold water therapy could be an additional tool for controlling type 2 diabetes.

However, it is crucial to recognize that despite the encouraging nature of these findings, more comprehensive research is necessary to thoroughly understand the effectiveness and long-term effects of cold water therapy as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Also, anyone considering including cold water therapy into their treatment plan should first consult with their healthcare provider to ensure it is safe and appropriate for their specific situation.

1. What is a reason why cold water therapy is an effective method for type 2 diabetes?

A．It increases the amount of white fat.	B．It can turn stem cells into brown fat.
C．It helps to decrease body temperature.	D．It makes the body resistant to cold temperatures.

2. What does the last paragraph convey about cold water therapy?

A．It needs further research.	B．It has been widely accepted.
C．It is well established and proven.	D．It has been widely used for Type 2 Diabetes.

3. What would be the best title for this text?

A．Cold Water Therapy: Its Benefits and Risks

B．Cold Water Therapy: Its Increasing Popularity in the UK

C．Cold Water Therapy: A New Exercise Trend for Weight Loss

D．Cold Water Therapy: A Potential Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

7 . Sia Godika was 13 when she noticed the barefoot children of construction workers at a building site near her house in the upscale Koramangala district of Bangalore, India.

“Their feet were bare. Cracked. Hard. Dirty. Bleeding,” reflects Sia, now 17. “They were just walking around that construction site like it was an everyday practice for them.” And it was: In that moment, Sia realized the troubling contrast to her own privilege.

“I went back home, looked at my own feet and thought, Wow, I’m 13 years old. My feet are so tender. ” Then she gave her shoes away to the children. Later that year, with the help of her parents and community volunteers, Sia founded Sole Warriors, a charity dedicated to providing footwear to those in need, epitomized by its motto: “Donate a sole, save a soul.”

The idea, which started as a dinner conversation with her parents, quickly grew. After she spread the word with posters and WhatsApp groups, inquiries from people who wanted to help came flooding in. For months, Sia was juggling schoolwork and her new passion project.

Now in its fifth year, the organization runs distribution drives in which Sole Warriors collects used footwear, refurbishes (整修) it and donates the finished products to people in need. Today Sole Warriors gave out 28,000 pairs of shoes. But the organization’s growth wasn’t without its challenges. When it came to looking for collaborators, such as a company that would do the refurbishments free of charge, Sia faced one obstacle after another before finding a partner in India’s Pressto Cobbler.

In recognition of her impact, in 2021 Sia was given the Diana Award, given to people aged nine to 25 in memory of the late Princess of Wales. Awarded by a U.K. based charity of the same name, it’s one of the most prestigious honours a young person can receive for social action or humanitarian work. But her work isn’t done. “Our goal has always been to touch a million feet,” she says.

1. What inspired Sia to set up Sole Warriors?

A．Sia loved collecting shoes.

B．Children didn’t have beautiful shoes.

C．Children at the construction site had no shoes.

D．Children had to walk around the construction site.

2. What’s people’s attitude to the Sole Warriors once it turned out on the Internet?

A．Uncared.

B．Strange.

C．Concerned.

D．Supportive.

3. What does Sia plan to do in the future?

A．Make more shoes.

B．Donate more shoes.

C．Find more co-operation partners.

D．Set up branches of the organization.

4. Which of the following can best describe Sia?

A．Patient and clever.

B．Kind and knowledgeable.

C．Determined and warm-hearted.

D．Adventurous and hard-working.

8 . Four Travel Destinations for Nature Lovers

Oulanka National Park, Finland

In Lapland, in northern Finland, there are hotel rooms, and other accommodation options that were specially designed for enjoying the spectacular colorful natural light show known as the Aurora (极光) Borealis. Oulanka National Park is just one great spot in this region for viewing the dancing lights during the aurora sighting season, which falls in October and November as well as March and April.

Batibou Beach, Dominica

Known as “The Nature Island of the Caribbean”, Dominica is an obvious choice for those who want to get back to nature. It has an incredibly green landscape that includes volcanic hot springs, natural mud baths, countless rivers and waterfalls, unspoiled rain forest, and refreshing natural swimming holes. On Black Sand Beach, you can even visit a leatherback, hawksbill, and green turtle reserve.

Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

With a long list of outdoor adventures, Gros Morne offers striking natural beauty in western Newfoundland. This national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site stretches across nearly 700 square miles as part of the Long Range Mountains. Encircled by tiny seaside communities, it features thick forests, freshwater fjords (峡湾) , dramatic cliffs (悬崖) . Hiking, camping, and boating are all popular here.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda

Famous for The Baths, a geological wonder on the north shore made up of giant granite boulders (花岗岩巨石) that form sheltered sea pools on the beach's edge, it seems as if it was perfectly made for a relaxing swim in the water. The protected area also includes Devil's Bay, ideal for swimming and diving.

1. When is the best time to visit Oulanka National Park to see dancing lights?

A．From May to July.	B．From March to April.
C．From October to December.	D．From December to February.

2. What is Batibou Beach known for?

A．Its tiny seaside communities.	B．Its colorful natural light show.
C．Its thick forests and freshwater fjords.	D．Its volcanic hot springs and mud baths.

3. Which will you choose if you want to visit Devil's Bay?

A．Oulanka National Park.	B．Batibou Beach.
C．Gros Morne National Park.	D．The Baths.

9 . One of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Charles Duhigg published a new book, in which he concluded common characteristics of “supercommunicators”— people who are consistently able to create authentic connections with others just by listening and talking.     1     Here is a set of skills recommended by Duhigg that can help you.

    2     If you are having a practical conversation, be ready to give good advice. If you are engaging in emotional discussions seeking empathy, you may show your support by being a good listener. If you’re in a social dialogue reflecting how we see others and how other people see us, be mindful of the different perspectives each person brings to the table and seek common ground.

Prove we’re listening. There are plenty of ways to appear like you’re listening, like making eye contact or nodding intently. But proving to someone that you’re listening is the quickest road to making someone feel heard.     3     Next, repeat back in your own words what they just told you. Lastly, ask your conversation partner if you got what they said correct.

Ask the right questions. Ask follow-up questions that signal to the other person that you’re interested in the conversation, like “So did you make it on time?” or “What happened next?” Ask questions like people’s values, beliefs or experiences and spark an opportunity for emotional connection.     4     When in doubt, just ask “why.’ People love to talk about how they see the world.

Aim to understand. The goal of a discussion isn’t to impress someone, convince someone or wait for their turn to speak. It’s to genuinely comprehend someone else’s point of view and share your own views accordingly. If people know you want to understand them, they’re going to want to understand you.     5    

A．Realize what are the real questions.

B．Do you want to be a supercommunicator?

C．These deep questions get people to open up.

D．It is not that easy to be a supercommunicators.

E．Know what kind of conversation you’re having.

F．That is actually the most magical thing that can happen.

G．Ask someone a question first and then listen to their response.

10 . Spreading kindness not only helps others feel better about themselves but also boosts the giver’s health and happiness, according to a study.     1    .

Giving seems to lower our blood pressure.

    2    . One study asked a group of hypertensive (高血压的) people to spend $40 on themselves, while another group of people with high blood pressure were told to spend the money on others. They found that spending money on others had reduced their blood pressure at the end of the six-week study

    3    .

A recent study found that people who said they would donate money to help orphans were less sensitive to an electric shock than those who declined to give. According to the study, regions of the brain that react to painful stimulation appear to be instantly out of operation by the experience of giving.

Being kind seems to boost happiness.

Another study assigned people to three groups: the first group had to do an act of kindness each day; the second group tried a new activity each day; and the third group did nothing. The first two groups saw a significant boost in happiness.     4    , if you’re creative with your acts of kindness, than those who performed the same activity over and over again.

“When doing an act of kindness, you’re making the world a better place,” said the Random Acts of Kindness foundation, which promotes kindness all year.     5    .

A．It’s a win-win for all

B．Giving seems to lessen our pain

C．You’ll experience even greater joy

D．But consider being kind to yourself

E．Being kind seems to contribute to our sense of community

F．Giving donations to others has been shown to have that effect

G．However, any kindness you give to others is also a gift to yourself