1 . For 85 years, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked an original group of 724 men and more than 1,300 of their male and female descendants (后代) over three generations, asking thousands of questions and taking hundreds of measurements to find out what really keeps people healthy and happy.
Through all the years of studying these lives, one crucial factor stands out for the consistency and power of its bond to physical health, mental health and longevity: good relationships.
In 2008, researchers telephoned the wives and husbands of Harvard Study couples in their 80s every night for eight nights. Researchers spoke to each partner separately and asked them a series of questions about their days.
On days when these men and women spent more time in the company of others, they were happier. Like most older people, those in the Harvard Study experienced day-to-day rises and falls in their levels of physical pain and health difficulties. But researchers found that the people who were in more satisfying relationships were cushioned (缓冲) somewhat from these ups and downs of mood—their happiness did not decline as much on the days when they had more pain. Simply put, their happy marriages seemed to have a protective effect.
Elizabeth Gillespie, a therapist of couples, stated that although most of us found that our experience of relationships might be hard, and at times, impossible, it is essential to our well-being.
Today we live in much more complicated environments, so meeting our social needs presents different challenges. We might be sitting on a gold mine of vitality that we are not paying attention to, because it is hidden by the shiny appeal of smartphones or pushed to the side by work demands.
1. What’s the purpose of the Harvard Study of Adult Development?| A．To study their lives over three generations. |
| B．To reveal the secret to health and well-being. |
| C．To track the descendants of an original group. |
| D．To study the relationship between health and happiness. |
| A．By working with other researchers. |
| B．By tracking specific groups of people. |
| C．By helping participants with social difficulties. |
| D．By comparing the results from different people. |
| A．To provide evidence for the bond of health and longevity. |
| B．To introduce the concept of physical pain and health difficulties. |
| C．To show the negative impact of unhappy marriages on older people’s mood. |
| D．To support the positive impact of satisfying relationships on people’s lives. |
| A．Having good social connections. |
| B．Declining pains and difficulties. |
| C．Overcoming ups and downs of mood. |
| D．Experiencing rises and falls of physical health. |
Travel six hours northwest of Sydney, and you’ve reached the astronomy capital of Australia. Warrumbungle National Park is a nature and star-lover’s dream. This land is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s first Dark Sky Park, which means you’ll be treated to nights of no light pollution and out of this world stargazing. Besides, the Warrumbungles has several adventurous hikes. The Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk is considered one of the best in Australia!
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National ParkKu-Ring-Gai Chase is the second oldest national park in Australia. We love this park for its proximity (邻近) to Sydney (a quick 45-minute drive from the city), significant Aboriginal (澳大利亚土著的) sites and breathtaking scenic views. There are many walks you can do here. You can also go kayaking (皮划艇), stopping at some of the secluded beaches that line the park.
Bouddi National ParkLocated on the Central Coast, Bouddi National Park is one for beautiful landscapes and beaches. Just 90 minutes from Sydney, Bouddi is a hidden treasure. The beautiful water makes this park an ideal destination during summer, but it also provides a fantastic point for whale watching over the winter. You can experience Bouddi National Park on a day trip. Pack your picnic goods and head on the 8.5 km (one-way) Bouddi Coastal Walk — it’ll give you a perfect taste of the best of what the park has to offer!
Dorrigo National ParkAs a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dorrigo National Park is one to explore! Located just shy of four hours from Byron Bay, the park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests and has been made over millions of years. You’d be right then to expect some of the most stunning waterfalls here. For one of the best experiences, head to the Skywalk lookout. This elevated walkway will take you right into the heart of the rainforest, providing soaring views 21 meters over the rainforest all the way to the coast.
1. If you were a fan of stargazing and hiking, which park would interest you most?| A．Bouddi National Park. | B．Dorrigo National Park. |
| C．Warrumbungle National Park. | D．Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. |
| A．Going kayaking. | B．Watching whales. |
| C．Visiting Aboriginal sites. | D．Seeing breathtaking waterfalls. |
| A．It is the oldest national park in Australia. | B．It offers a perfect view of the Gondwana Rainforests. |
| C．It’s about four hours drive from Sydney. | D．It’s known for adventurous hikes along the coast. |
3 . I had always hoped to travel to Hawaii but couldn’t afford it. By chance, a friend
A month into my sit. I had explored the
I changed my way of living and even my
This journey has led me to some amazing
| A．offered | B．mentioned | C．doubted | D．designed |
| A．coming across | B．giving up | C．turning down | D．searching for |
| A．application | B．apology | C．order | D．invitation |
| A．obviously | B．generally | C．luckily | D．casually |
| A．website | B．destination | C．custom | D．market |
| A．Therefore | B．However | C．Otherwise | D．Instead |
| A．saw | B．possible | C．easy | D．normal |
| A．dangerous | B．type | C．process | D．issue |
| A．proposal | B．threw | C．produced | D．buried |
| A．pay for | B．take off | C．pick up | D．cut down |
| A．questions | B．standards | C．money | D．awareness |
| A．necessities | B．diets | C．impression | D．workout |
| A．forget | B．compete | C．agree | D．continue |
| A．and | B．or | C．nor | D．but |
| A．goal | B．advice | C．limit | D．answer |
4 . When someone asks me what my goals are for the coming year, I don’t usually know how to reply. Of course I, as most people do, want to see an improvement in my grades. This year, however, I’m hoping for something different.
Through the course of my school life, I’ve gradually developed a new understanding of the word “prioritization (优先次序)”. The first thing I wish to get in Senior One is the ability to manage my time better. I’ll surely become busier with the coming semester, and proper organization is important. From school clubs to academic competitions, everything should be set up in a way that doesn’t influence my health, which leads me to my second goal.
My mother has always told me put my health first, so in the future, I hope to be both physically and mentally healthy. A person can’t study without the energy to do so. In order to stay energetic, they must put their health first, no matter how busy they are, or how much work they have to complete.
And finally, I hope that I won’t be discouraged by my failure and never give up on my dreams. I hope that I’ll have the courage to try new activities and clubs. I believe my final goal can apply to every student around the world. We should all respect one another’s likes and dislikes, and focus on each other’s strengths, not our weaknesses. Everyone should try to make use of all of life’s opportunities.
Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” In my case, it’s the other way around. In order to keep moving, I must keep my balance—the balance between studies and activities, efficiency and procrastination (拖延症), academics and health, passions and dislikes. The new journey is going to be a hard one, but if I set these goals, I believe I will make it through to the end.
1. During Senior One, what does the writer want to do first?| A．Focus on improving her overall grades. |
| B．Join as many school clubs as possible. |
| C．Learn how to manage her time well. |
| D．Spend more time on outdoor activities. |
| A．Discouraged. | B．Brave. | C．Worried. | D．Careful. |
| A．It is the opposite. | B．It is difficult. |
| C．It is necessary. | D．It is helpful. |
| A．To share her goals for the coming school year. |
| B．To stress the importance of health to students. |
| C．To show what she likes about high school life. |
| D．To explain how to balance studies and activities. |
5 . Last year, my Singapore-based sister insisted my mother and I join her for the Christmas. My mum, a fearless woman, would get strangely nervous on flights. Perhaps the only thing that convinced her to overcome her fears was the chance to piece together our declining bond.
Growing up, moments with Mum were painfully short-lived because I spent most time at the boarding school, reuniting only during the holidays. Every year, she would eagerly await my return, which would always lead to constant loving scenes. Those cherished moments were gradually vanishing as I moved away for university. Soon, our relationship became tense. She seemed unable to comprehend me and her stubborn and old-fashioned advice forced me to shut myself. But the more I pulled away, the more I felt a longing for the bond that had grown so dim. Perhaps Singapore would give us a chance to breathe it back to life.
I assumed the immersive exhibits at Art Science Museum would refresh my mother, who was an art student. However, I was surprised when she just turned her nose up at the Bruges Whale, a sculpture using plastic waste to raise awareness about ocean pollution. “It’s art, Mum! Be more appreciative.” I defended.
Disheartened by the distance between us, I led her to the kid’s zone. We signed up for a joint sketching activity, hoping that would help us connect. As our creative juices flowed, our faded relationship began to take on the hues and shades of something sincere and beautiful.
“Look!” she excitedly pointed towards a digital screen that displayed our creations. “That one’s ours.” Mum went up and reached out, touching the fish as it moved its tail back and forth in the virtual tank.
Looking around, I saw children sharing moments with their parents, and my own childhood flashed back. That rare instance where she let slip an inner innocence and delight at a new experience revealed the little girl in her, who was like me, had lost a vital connection to responsibilities of motherhood.
“Our time together was like that of friends. You were my mother, and I’m a child following you around.” My mum said to me with a smile.
1. What made Mum accept the visit to Singapore?| A．The resolve to overcome the nervousness on flight. |
| B．The desire to restore relationship with her children. |
| C．The sincere invitation of my Singapore-based sister. |
| D．The expectation for Art Science Museum as an artist. |
| A．She felt it a huge waste to make it from plastic. |
| B．She showed a great interest in this work of art. |
| C．She didn’t think it good enough to be exhibited. |
| D．She considered it beneficial to ocean protection. |
| A．It revealed Mum’s inner ignorance like a girl. |
| B．It explored causes for faded bond between families. |
| C．It let Mum totally lose responsibilities of motherhood. |
| D．It provided an opportunity to share moments with families. |
| A．A good medicine tastes bitter. | B．Life has indeed come full circle. |
| C．Actions speak louder than words. | D．Nothing is impossible to a willing mind. |
6 . Every 40 days a language dies. This “catastrophic” loss is being intensified by the climate crisis, according to linguists. If nothing is done, conservative estimates suggest that half of all the 7,000 languages currently spoken will be extinct by the end of the century.
Speakers of minority languages have experienced a long history of persecution (迫害), with the result that by the 1920s half of all indigenous (土著的) languages in Australia, the US, South Africa and Argentina were extinct. The climate crisis is now considered the “final nail in the coffin” for many indigenous languages and the knowledge they represent.
“Languages are already endangered,” says Anastasia Rachel, director of the Strathy language unit at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Huge factors are globalization and migration, as communities move to regions where their language is not spoken or valued, according to Rachel. “It seems particularly cruel,” she says, “that most of the world’s languages are in parts of the world that are growing unpleasant to people.” Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation measuring 12, 189 km2, has 110 languages, the highest density of languages on the planet. It is also one of the countries most at risk of sea level rise. “Marty small language communities are on islands and coastlines easily subject to hurricanes and sea level rise,” she says. Others live on lands where rising temperature threatens traditional farming and fishing practices, leading to migration.
In response to the crisis, the UN launched the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) in 2022. Promoting and conserving languages of indigenous communities is “not only important for them, but for all humanity”, said Csaba Korosi, the UN general assembly president, urging countries to allow access to education in indigenous languages.
1. Which statement best describes the facts of languages?| A．Climate change is the only challenge for minority languages. |
| B．Half of all the languages spoken will be extinct in the future. |
| C．Climate crisis is a huge threat to many indigenous languages. |
| D．Poor education is the direct cause of disappearing languages. |
| A．To explain the main reason for language density. |
| B．To show the common features of endangered languages. |
| C．To stress the impact of geographical position on migration. |
| D．To illustrate the situation of minority language communities. |
| A．Support migrants to access local education. |
| B．Discourage people from massive migration. |
| C．Protect the environment to reduce the temperature. |
| D．Preserve the languages of indigenous communities. |
| A．Faced with Disasters: Communities Have to Leave |
| B．Upset at Extinction: UN Urges International Cooperation |
| C．Lost for Words: Climate Crisis Brings Threat of Catastrophe |
| D．Involved in Action: Experts Seek Solutions to Climate Crisis |
7 . Jack threw the papers on my desk. “Next time you want to change anything, ask me first,” he said loudly. I had changed a long sentence and corrected its grammar—something I thought I was paid to do.
Several days later, he made me angry again. I went to his office, prepared to lose my job if need be, but not before I let the man know how I felt. “What?” he said nervously.
Suddenly I knew what I had to do. “Jack, the way you’ve been treating me is wrong. And it’s wrong for me to allow it to continue,” I said. “I want to make you a promise. I will be a friend.” The next day I brought some cakes to Jack’s office. Every time I saw Jack in the hall, I smiled at him. After all, that’s what friends do.
One year after our talk, I was told that I had breast cancer. When I was in hospital, my friends tried to find the right words to say, but no one could. The last day of my hospital stay, the door opened and Jack walked over to my bed. “Tulips (郁金香),” he placed some bulbs (球茎) beside me and said, “If you plant them when you get home, you’ll be there to see them when they come up.” Tears filled my eyes.
In a moment when I prayed for just the right words, a man with few words said the right thing. After all, that’s what friends do. Now, I have seen those tulips push through the soil every spring for over ten years.
1. Why did Jack throw some papers on the author’s desk?| A．Because he thought her report was very bad. |
| B．Because he received the wrong papers from her. |
| C．Because he wanted her to check the papers again. |
| D．Because he disliked her correction without permission. |
| A．She would treat him like a friend. | B．She would bring him some cakes. |
| C．She would treat him the same way. | D．She would work harder from then on. |
| A．Love. | B．Hope. | C．Honor. | D．Thanks. |
| A．Friends should do anything for each other. |
| B．Friends must help each other to correct mistakes. |
| C．Friends should treat each other with respect and kindness. |
| D．Friends should give advice to each other at the right time. |
8 . Best Gifts for Every Type of Mom
Mother’s Day is drawing near. Do you want to reward Mom with special gifts? We have done the work for you by selecting best gift ideas for every type of mom. Just click “Add to cart (购物车)” to shower Mom with love.
Dainty Earrings — Best for the Jewelry Lover
Made from silver, the earrings are lightweight and perfect for everyday wear. They’re also ideal for anyone with sensitive ears. Among the 8,000 plus five-star viewers, April Farmer wrote, “Just about every material irritates (刺激) my ears, but I have had these in for three months now, and no irritation. Besides, I can’t even tell they are in!”
KS Lunch Bag — Best for the Working Mom
This bag will put a smile on mom’s face during lunch hour. With about 5000 five-star reviews, the fashionable and functional KS bag will keep food and soups fresh. Plus, the soft and lightweight design makes it easy to bring anywhere.
Breville Express — Best for the Coffee Lover
If Mom is a true coffee lover, she’s dreamed of owning a high-end coffee machine. Now you can make that dream a reality. The Breville Express, which has more than 14,000 five-star reviews, comes in either black or stainless steel surfaces and offers the same dose-controlled grinding (研磨) that’s normally reserved for fancy coffee shops.
Beckham Pillows — Best for the One Who Needs a Good Night’s Sleep
She deserves a peaceful night’s rest after all the hard work she does every day, and she’ll get just that with these Beckham pillows. It’s a best seller with more than 126,000 five-star reviews, so it’s pretty much a hit.
1. Why are Dainty Earrings worth buying in April Farmer’s view?| A．They are light and skin-friendly. |
| B．They are simple but unique. |
| C．They are stylish and valuable. |
| D．They are strong and fancy. |
| A．Dainty Earrings. | B．Breville Express. |
| C．KS Lunch Bag. | D．Beckham Pillows. |
| A．Agencies selling products to moms. |
| B．People seeking gifts for their moms. |
| C．Moms planning to reward themselves. |
| D．Salesmen studying moms’ preferences. |
9 . This week, Google researchers published a paper describing results from an AI tool built to create music. The tool, called MusicLM, is not the first AI music tool to be launched. But the examples Google provided demonstrate musical creative ability based on a limited set of descriptive words.
Several different music examples produced by MusicLM were published online. Some of the generated music came from just one- or two-word descriptions, such as “jazz”, “rock” or “techno (高科技舞曲)”. The tool also created other examples from more detailed descriptions containing whole sentences.
In one example, Google researchers included these instructions to MusicLM, “It is a soundtrack of a game. It is fast-paced and upbeat, with a catchy electric guitar riff (反复乐节). The music is repetitive and easy to remember, but with unexpected sounds ...” In the resulting recording, the music seemed to keep very close to the description. The team said the more detailed the description was, the better the system could attempt to produce it.
The MusicLM model operates similarly to the machine-learning systems used by ChatGPT. ChatGPT and MusicLM both require powerful computers to operate complex machine-learning models. The San Francisco-based company OpenAI launched ChatGPT late last year. ChatGPT has recently received a lot of attention because of its ability to generate complex writings and other content from just a simple description in natural languages. Such tools can produce human-like results because they are trained on huge amounts of data. Many different materials are fed into the systems to permit them to learn complex skills to create realistic works.
However, the MusicLM researchers said there were some risks linked to the new tool. One of the biggest issues the researchers identified was biases (偏好) present in the training data. A bias might be including too much of one side and not enough of the other. The researchers said this raised a question about appropriateness for music generation for cultures underrepresented in the training data.
1. What can we learn about MusicLM?| A．It is the first AI music tool to be launched. |
| B．It requires detailed descriptions of full sentences. |
| C．It creates music based on simple descriptive words. |
| D．It generates complex writings from a simple description. |
| A．They can take the place of musicians. | B．They have gained commercial success. |
| C．They don't have any practical use in life. | D．They are based on huge amounts of data. |
| A．Creating music with strong biases. | B．Requiring too much training data. |
| C．Being difficult for some people to use. | D．Producing music works with no creativity. |
| A．The future of humans with AI | B．A new AI tool to make music |
| C．Music created by some AI tools | D．AI and its function in culture development |
Jingxi Taiping Drum is a traditional form of dancing. With its display of profound cultural elements, it
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