1 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Which is a superfood according to the man?

A．Yogurt.

B．Noodles.

C．Rice.

2. Why are superfoods healthy?

A．Because they cure some terrible diseases.

B．Because they fight against some cancers.

C．Because they reduce the risks of some diseases.

3. Which food will the woman be adding to their family diet?

A．Fish.

B．Tomatoes.

C．Brown rice.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What will Todd Messegee be responsible for?

A．Writing a play.

B．Directing a play.

C．Starring in a play.

2. What will participants mainly do by the fourth day?

A．Practice the play.

B．Attend a lecture on acting.

C．Perform on stage formally.

3. What is the speaker doing?

A．Advertising an acting program.

B．Drawing up a plan for a program.

C．Announcing arrangements for a play.

3 . The glass armonica (玻璃琴), also known as a glass harmonica or simply armonica, is a musical instrument that produces sound by rubbing glass with wet fingers. It was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761.

The instrument consists of a series of glass bowls of varying sizes, fixed straight on a spindle (轴). The glass bowls are arranged in order of size, with the largest bowl on one end and the smallest on the other.

Franklin came up with the idea after attending a concert in Cambridge. The performer was rubbing wine glasses to produce musical notes. Franklin thought that was not efficient. He decided to invent a set of musical instruments made of glass.

So, he hired a London glassmaker to construct 36 bowls to specific thicknesses and sizes. He fixed the bowls horizontally on a spindle with the largest bowl on one end and the smallest on the other. In this way the musician can play the glass bowls like a keyboard.

The glass armonica became prevalent during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Mozart and Beethoven both composed chamber pieces for it.

But by the 1820s, it was nearly a forgotten instrument in fears that it had the power to drive the listener mad. Some armonica players became ill and had to stop playing the instrument. They complained of muscle spasms (痉挛), nervousness, cramps, and dizziness. A few listeners were also affected. The instrument was actually banned in a few towns. “The armonica too inspires the nerves, drives the player into a troublesome depression and later into a dark and sad mood that is a method for slow self-destroying.”

However, no explanation or proof was ever really given to any of these claims. Franklin himself ignored all of the argument and continued to play the instrument until the end of his life.

1. How are the glass bowls arranged to form this instrument?

A．By their thickness.

B．By their shapes.

C．By their weight.

D．By their sizes.

2. What inspired Franklin’s invention of the instrument?

A．A failed performance.	B．An unsuccessful concert.
C．An unusual performer.	D．A couple glasses of wine.

3. What does the underlined word “prevalent” mean in paragraph 5?

A．Fearful.

B．Popular.

C．Strange.

D．Tiresome.

4. What is paragraph 6 mainly about?

A．Bad remarks about the instrument.	B．Terrible sounds made by the instrument.
C．Bans on this instrument everywhere.	D．This instrument’s great appeal to people.

4 . Imagine getting ready for bed, brushing your teeth, setting your alarm and then putting a device on your head that allows you to control your dreams. It might sound like something unfeasible, but it’s the real-life promise of a new futuristic-looking headband called Halo, at present in development by US tech company Prophetic.

Expected to be released in 2025, Halo aims to allow you to have more lucid dreams (清醒梦). In some cases, you might also exercise a degree of control over what happens in these dreams, perhaps in ways that benefit your waking life, such as solving work problems, practicing guitar and more.

Earlier research has shown lucid dreams could be used for real-life benefits. For example, one study carried out by researchers at the University of Bern, Switzerland showed that participants who practised casting coins into a cup in their lucid dreams showed superior performance the next day.

The team behind Halo are using technologies like EEG (脑电图) to collect vast amounts of brain data from volunteers experiencing lucid dreams. The idea is to build a detailed map of what’s happening in the brain during different types of lucid dreams. This information will be key for the second main area of investigation, which involves using TUS (delivered via the headband) to control brain activity. TUS, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, can change brain function by using high-frequency sound.

“It’s seemingly true that the sound stimulation could contribute to the high-frequency brain activity that’s associated with lucidity,” says Professor Mark Blagrove, a sleep scientist based at Swansea University. “Sound stimulation has been used to cause low-frequency slow waves in slow wave sleep, so the method suggested is believable.”

However, TUS is a relatively new approach to brain stimulation and it’s not entirely clear what the long-term results of stimulating your brain with high-frequency sounds might be. Moreover, some sleep scientists believe dreams have basic functions, including processing emotional experiences. By using a device to change the nature of your dreams, maybe you risk interrupting the usual purpose of your dreams.

1. What does the underlined word “unfeasible” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Impossible.

B．Significant.

C．Logical.

D．Meaningless.

2. Why is the study by the University of Bern mentioned?

A．To suggest a way to dream a dream.	B．To provide a theory for developing Halo.
C．To prove the benefits of lucid dreams.	D．To indicate the meaning of being awake.

3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．The way in which EEG works.	B．The reason for designing Halo.
C．The changes brought by Halo.	D．The methods used by the team.

4. What can we know from the last paragraph?

A．Hal o has got widespread recognition.	B．There may be some side effects about Halo.
C．Dreaming doesn’t have any functions.	D．Lucid dreams cause emotional experiences.

5 . Jokes and humor are often thought of as unimportant. If the lawyer defending you in court couldn’t stop joking, you’d be understandably alarmed.

However, regarding humour as insignificant is a mistake. Humour, jokes and laughter, have a vital role to play in human behaviour and interaction. They are a powerful part of social bonding and are genuinely beneficial for health via their stress-relieving properties.

Why do we respond, in such powerful and rewarding ways, to things that objectively make little sense? A substantial amount of data has been generated regarding how humour works in the brain and on the various types of recognisable jokes that trigger it.

Verbal puns, the most familiar type of joke, involve words that convey two meanings at once. For example, “Why did the golfer wear two pairs of trousers? In case he got a hole in one.” Here “hole in one” has two possible interpretations. Their simplicity and familiarity mean most people recognise the humour in puns. So, the brain’s humour processes are still engaged.

But where does humour arise from in the brain? Considerable research points towards a specific system in the brain for recognizing humour. This system seemingly detects and resolves incongruity (不和谐). Our brains know how things, like language and behaviors, should work. But, in the real world, many things don’t match our expectations. It seems our brains have evolved a system to recognise when this happens.

If normality is subverted, it means we don’t know what’s going to happen, which creates cognitive (认知) tension. However, the system that recognises incongruity seemingly also resolves it, by providing an explanation, or at least a confirmation that the incongruity has no negative consequences. This removes the uncertainty, relieving the tension. So, we experience a rewarding feeling. If the incongruity is not resolved, however, humour is absent. If the answer to “Why did the golfer wear two pairs of trousers?” is “in case the metal owl that lives in his gold bag attacks him”, that’s not funny. There’s unresolved incongruity.

Humour is essentially our brain going, “This isn’t how things usually work... but I’m okay with it!”

1. What does the author say about humor in the first two paragraphs?

A．Its positive role is often underrated.	B．It mainly serves to entertain and amuse.
C．Its harmful effects shouldn’t be ignored.	D．It is essential for professional communication.

2. Why does the author mention the “hole in one” example in paragraph 4?

A．To prove a theory.	B．To draw a conclusion.
C．To illustrate a concept.	D．To make a comparison.

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

A．Detected.

B．Overturned.

C．Established.

D．Repeated.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．How Jokes Affect Brain Structures	B．Using Humor to Boost Brain Power
C．Jokes and the Brain’s Reward System	D．Unlocking Brain Secrets Behind Humor

6 . My family went to London for visiting specialists. The day before we _______ the ship, Father said goodbye gently to his five-year-old “friend”, an Australian cattle dog, Spider, who was loved by us all. Father’s friend Sandy kept him _______ while we were overseas.

Six weeks later, a _______ arrived from Sandy, giving my father the news that Spider had _______ just two weeks after we had sailed. I will always remember my father’s face _______ and his eyes filled with sadness as he read the letter. Sandy has _______ constantly on ABC radio and other local newspapers. _______ , the dog was never found later. Spider seemed to decide to _______ us elsewhere.

Finally, we made a _______. We sailed back and did everything that we could do ________ waiting. Several months passed but there was still no news concerning. My father took the ________ and kept looking for him.

One cold morning eight months after, my father had a call from an old lady who said she was putting food out “for a very old dog”. My father’s eyes were lighted up with ________. That was enough for my father to ________ immediately. When we arrived at the old lady’s house, she showed us the dog. It was Spider! My father did his special whistle (口哨) for Spider. “Woof!” he barked. Spider was capturing (捕捉) the ________ feeling that occurred when he first locked eyes with my father. To Spider, our ________ and love are the inspiration.

1.

A．sailed

B．parked

C．boarded

D．camped

2.

A．alive

B．away

C．accompanied

D．apart

3.

A．letter

B．story

C．service

D．test

4.

A．fallen ill

B．got stuck

C．lost life

D．run away

5.

A．confusing

B．shocking

C．moving

D．touching

6.

A．announced

B．advertised

C．posted

D．blogged

7.

A．Unfortunately

B．Luckily

C．Hopefully

D．Eventually

8.

A．attend to

B．take over

C．look around

D．search for

9.

A．decision

B．discussion

C．advice

D．plan

10.

A．as to

B．except for

C．instead of

D．due to

11.

A．lead

B．place

C．risk

D．pace

12.

A．silence

B．dissatisfaction

C．excitement

D．praise

13.

A．pulled up

B．drove off

C．stepped in

D．calmed down

14.

A．special

B．familiar

C．painful

D．empty

15.

A．expectation

B．creativity

C．generosity

D．determination

7 . Bird flu: What threat to humans?

There are lots of different types of bird flu and most are harmless to people. Some can potentially spread from birds to people if there is prolonged and close contact.

How do people get it?

The biggest risk comes from prolonged and close contact with infected birds.     1    . Bird flu cannot usually be passed from human to human. Scientists are concerned that the virus may one day mutate (变异) and acquire the ability to spread in people.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms in humans are similar to those of other types of flu: a temperature, cough, headache, chills, aching muscles and a runny or blocked nose and sneezing.     2    , and usually about three to five days after coming into contact with the virus.

What’s the treatment?

If it’s thought that you might have symptoms of bird flu, you’ll be advised to stay at home, or you’ll be cared for in hospital in isolation from other patients. Doctors can prescribe antiviral medicines to help prevent complications.     3    .

    4    ?

You can reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands regularly (particularly after going to the toilet and before handling food) and using a tissue when you need to cough or sneeze (and turning away from others if they are coughing/sneezing).

You can feed wild ducks and birds, but make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Do not go near sick or dead birds.

Can I still eat chicken?

    5    . Poultry and eggs can be safely eaten as long as they are handled hygienically and cooked thoroughly.

A．How can we avoid it

B．How can we prevent the spread of it

C．These symptoms can come on suddenly

D．You are advised to consult doctors when not feeling yourself

E．Painkillers such as paracetamol can also help with the symptoms

F．The virus is easily destroyed by cooking so there is no reason to worry

G．This means farmers who need to handle poultry are more likely to catch it

8 . “On the very first day of 2024, I saw the snow of Kilimanjaro, not from the novel written by Ernest Hemingway, but from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro!” Xu Zhuoyuan, a 17-year-old mountaineer who’d stood on top of Mount Qomolangma last May, climbed onto the tallest peak in Africa, making herself the youngest Chinese girl that conquered it.

Xu’s passion for mountaineering was motivated by her father, who himself reached many peaks, including Mount Qomolangma. And her mountaineering journey began on a family trip to Xizang and Sichuan four years ago. For many years, Xu devoted herself to rigorous training. She went to the mountains in Yunnan and Sichuan every month, climbing peaks over 5,000 meters and doing daily physical exercises like running, swimming and rope skipping. All that hard work got her ready for the challenges she would face on Kilimanjaro.

Above 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro, the climate is similar to a desert, with big temperature differences. The whole climb took 7 days, during which Xu faced unpredictable weather such as rain and strong winds. Staying warm and avoiding heat loss was the main challenge. Xu had to be very sensitive to any temperature changes and adjust her clothing accordingly. This climb was also a learning experience for Xu. She was climbing with Xia Boyu (aged 74), the first Chinese climber to summit Mount Qomolangma with an artificial leg, who’d inspired Xu a lot.

Mountaineering, Xu discovered, is not just about being strong physically; it is also a journey of self-discovery. “In climbing and life, it’s important to know when to let go of things that are weighing us down and how to re start when we feel ready,” she reflected.

1. What inspired Xu Zhuoyuan’s interest in climbing mountains?

A．A novel written by Ernest Hemingway.

B．A former trip to Mount Qomolangma.

C．Her father’s success in mountaineering.

D．Her family trip to Xizang and Sichuan.

2. What does the underlined word “rigorous” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Flexible.

B．Strict.

C．Casual.

D．Dangerous.

3. Which is NOT true about Xu’s Kilimanjaro climbing?

A．She was accompanied by a disabled climber.

B．There was a desert 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro.

C．Weather condition was unstable above Mount Kilimanjaro.

D．Clothes adjustment was needed due to temperature changes.

4. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

A．Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—A Chinese Girl’s Bravery.

B．Conquering New Heights —A Story of Passion.

C．Mountaineering—A Journey of Self-discovery.

D．Mount Kilimanjaro —A Destination of Inspiration.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What impressed the man most in the US?

A．Personal characters.

B．Cultural differences.

C．Living habits.

2. Why did the man ask his American friend a question?

A．To inquire about an accident.

B．To blame him for his carelessness.

C．To express his concern for his friend.

3. What did the man suggest his American friend do?

A．Have a good rest.

B．See a doctor.

C．Take some medicine.

4. How does the woman feel concerning the man’s American friend’s answer at first?

A．Excited.

B．Angry.

C．Puzzled.

10 . Do you know that all sorts of adventures can happen in educational settings after sundown? Here’s a round-up of sites where the fun continues as night falls.

Ripley’s Aquarium

TORONTO, CANADA

Ever wondered how sweet your dreams would be while sleeping in an aquarium’s shark tunnel that holds around 2.9 million litres of water? You can find out during an Overnight Reef Adventure. Green sawfish, sand tiger sharks, Queensland groupers, and green sea turtles will be your companions for the night.

California Academy of Sciences

SAN FRANCISCO, US

This awe-inspiring museum in Golden Gate Park hosts regular Penguins + Pajamas Sleepovers. As the name suggests, pack your pajamas, grab a sleeping bag, and spend a night under the same roof as a colony of African penguins. You can explore a rainforest full of free-flying birds and foreign reptiles (爬行动物) before lights-out. There’s also a planetarium (天文馆) that’s truly out of this world.

Kennedy Space Center

FLORIDA, US

In the Kennedy Space Center, youth groups and visitors making private bookings can have after-hours opportunity to enjoy hands-on challenges, watch a 3D movie in an IMAX theatre, and go on a Q&A session with a former NASA astronaut who’s travelled into space. What’s more, you get to sleep either underneath a 110 m-long Saturn V moon rocket or beside the space shuttle Atlantis.

1. At Ripley’s Aquarium, what will visitors encounter?

A．Foreign reptiles.	B．African penguins.
C．Free-flying birds.	D．Sand tiger sharks.

2. Who will prefer visiting California Academy of Sciences?

A．Travelers seeking sea adventures.	B．Locals eager for outdoor activities.
C．Teenagers attracted by hands-on challenges.	D．Visitors interested in space and animals.

3. What do the three locations have in common?

A．They are all located in the US.	B．They only open after sundown.
C．They all offer overnight experiences.	D．They all feature interactive sections.