1 . AI Can Bring Great Benefits to Human Beings

The explosion of progress in AI in recent months has surprised even the scientists and engineers who specialize in applying AI to real-life tasks. Several big companies started amazing new programs in a short time, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing and Google’s Bard. “A few years ago I never would have imagined we would advance this far this soon,” says Zhe Jiang, a University of Florida researcher who studies applications of AI. Here are some examples of AI applications.

In April, a study published in Nature showed that an AI program was as good as or better than human experts at spotting heart problems in patient ultrasound (超声波) images. That is to say, AI is able to match or go beyond human doctors at catching cancers and other disorders by scanning images and tissue samples.

Some drug companies are already relying heavily on AI to help find promising new drugs. For example, PsychoGenics, a company specializing in drugs for mental disorders, is improving on the inefficient, inexact and costly process of testing new mental drugs on mice, which typically takes five years. By using AI instead of lab staff to observe the effects of new drugs on mice, the company can test more drugs with greater accuracy at a tenth the cost and two years faster.

With 56 million Americans over 65, the high cost and short supply of eldercare workers, eldercare robots have already stepped in. Without using the recent Al advances, robots already watch over seniors with electronic eyes, fetch small items, answer questions. Some of them can already start conversations with seniors, help them recall what happened, and then report the results to family members. Soon, the power of such devices to interact with people will improve greatly. “Caregiving and companion robots equipped with the latest AI can provide ‘empathy’,” says Forrester’s Curran. “They can tell the difference between a senior who is searching through a drawer, and one who is struggling to open a drawer,” he explains.

1. What made scientists surprised according to paragraph 1?

A．AI is applied to real-life tasks.	B．AI has been developing so swiftly.
C．AI can solve some real-life problems.	D．AI has helped launch some famous programs.

2. What can we learn about AI from the study in paragraph 2?

A．AI can settle disorders by scanning images.

B．AI will replace human doctors sooner or later.

C．AI is better than human beings in some aspects.

D．AI can solve problems in patient ultrasound images.

3. Why does the author take PsychoGenics as an example?

A．To explain the difficulty in finding new drugs.

B．To show the significance of finding new drugs.

C．To draw a comparison between AI and lab staff.

D．To convey the importance of AI to drug companies.

4. What does the author most possibly talk about next?

A．Some negative effects caused by AI.	B．Different opinions about AI application.
C．Other aspects of AI application in real-life.	D．Some examples of AI helping spot cancer.

2 . Here are some ways to introduce classical music to your children.

●When you read a story to your children, pick out a classical music piece that matches the emotion of the book.     1     After getting used to reading in time with the music, tell your children you have a special surprise for them. Read them the story in the new way, and they will surely be delighted!

●If your kids are always moving around, try introducing classical music to them by dancing. Instruct your children to listen to the music and dance however the music makes them feel. Parents dance with them!     2    

●Before your kids begin playtime, make a list of classical music pieces with the name of the person who wrote it.     3     Tell them something about the person they picked to listen to. Before long, your children will have a basic knowledge of the person who wrote the piece.

●    4     Make sure your children listen to the music and create their picture to however the music makes them feel. Once everyone is finished, listen to the music again and explain your creations.

●You can pick out three pieces of music to play during the week.     5     At the end of the week have a listening game to see who can remember the name of the piece when you play it. Games are always a fun way to introduce learning concepts.

A．Have your children pick one.

B．Practice reading the story out loud with the music.

C．Mix up the music and see how your children react.

D．Classical music can be fun, and not boring to listen to.

E．Tell your children the name of the piece every time you play it.

F．Make sure you tell your children what the piece is and who wrote it.

G．While you and your children paint, play different classical music pieces.

3 . The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 was awarded to three American scientists Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov “for the discovery and development of quantum (量子) dots”. They are so tiny that their size determines their properties. These smallest components of nano (纳米) technology now spread their light from televisions and LED lamps, and can also guide surgeons when they remove cancer tissue, among many other things.

Everyone who studies chemistry learns that an element’s properties are governed by how many electrons (电子) it has. However, when matter contracts to nano-dimensions quantum phenomena arise; these are governed by the size of the matter. The Nobel winners in Chemistry 2023 have succeeded in producing particles so small that their properties are determined by quantum phenomena. The particles, which are generally known as quantum dots by scientists, are now of great importance in nanotechnology.

“Quantum dots have many fascinating and unusual properties. Importantly, they have different colours depending on their size,” says Johan Åqvist, Chai r of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.

Physicists had long known that in theory size-dependent quantum effects could arise in nanoparticles, but at that time it was almost impossible to sculpture in nanodimensions. Therefore, few people believed that this knowledge would be put to practical use.

However, in the early 1980s, Alexei Ekimov succeeded in creating size-dependent quantum effects in coloured glass. The colour came from nanoparticles of copper chloride (氯化铜) and Ekimov demonstrated that the particle size affected the colour of the glass via quantum effects. A few years later, Louis Brus was the first scientist in the world to prove size-dependent quantum effects in particles floating freely in a liquid. In 1993, Moungi Bawendi revolutionised the chemical production of quantum dots, resulting in almost perfect particles. This high quality was necessary for them to be used in applications.

Quantum dots are thus bringing the greatest benefit to humankind. Researchers believe that in the future they could contribute to flexible electronics, tiny sensors, thinner solar cells and quantum communication — so we have just started exploring the potential of these tiny particles.

1. Why was the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 awarded to 3 American scientists?

A．They discovered quantum size.	B．They discovered nanotechnology.
C．They discovered quantum effects.	D．They discovered and improved quantum dots.

2. What does the underlined word “particles” in paragraph 2 probably refer to?

A．Quantum dots.

B．Spots.

C．Atoms.

D．Grains.

3. Who discovered nearly faultless quantum dots?

A．Moungi Bawendi.

B．Louis Brus.

C．Alexei Ekimov.

D．Johan Åqvist.

4. What can we infer from the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023?

A．Innovation is the most important thing.

B．Practice is the only criterion for testing truth.

C．The development of science and technology is endless.

D．Technology from quantum dots is constantly improving.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the woman?

A．A mother.

B．A friend.

C．A teacher.

2. Where did the man live two months ago?

A．With a family.

B．In his own house.

C．In a student house.

3. What is the man's problem in studying?

A．The course is too difficult.

B．The computer room is busy.

C．The student house is too noisy.

4. What can we know about the woman from the conversation?

A．Helpful.

B．Curious.

C．Talkative.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man’s opinion on the neighborhood here?

A．The people here are kind.

B．The apartments are expensive.

C．The environment has changed too much.

2. Where does the woman work?

A．On 43rd Street.

B．On 33rd Street.

C．On 23rd Street.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How does the woman know what to buy?

A．From a website.

B．From the man’s friend.

C．From the bride’s friend.

2. Who bought the glass bowls?

A．Shannon and Dave.

B．Dan and Wendy.

C．Erica and John.

3. How much will the speakers spend for the bride?

A．$100.

B．$150.

C．$200.

7 . Out in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 60 miles off the northwest coast of Africa, lie the Canary Islands. In the 1950s, the boom in package tourism showed promise as a new cash crop. But while the Canary Islands had the sunshine, warm climate and ease of access from Europe needed for this new industry, they were missing a vital element picture postcard sandy beaches.

So the developers on Tenerife in the Canary Islands constructed a breakwater (防波堤) over half a mile long. And then, from the Western Sahara on Africa’s northwest coast, they shipped in 270, 000 tons of sand. By 1973, the project was complete. As anticipated, tourists arrived. Along the engineered beach, rows and rows of tourists relax on beach chairs under umbrellas or walk across soft sand to cool down in the water.

Unanticipated was what their presence gave to one of the world’s most endangered fish species, angel sharks — visibility. The gentle wind creates tiny waves on the water’s surface, a magical cover for what lies beneath — an angel shark nursery. Female angel sharks regularly migrate to these ideally sheltered waters to give birth to pups (幼崽), who remain in the shallows for about a year. Feeding on small fishes, they grow to around the same length as a newborn human baby.

Surveys have shown that other beaches in the Canary Islands are also potential nursery sites. Interestingly, most of them have been remade to make them more attractive to people. Playa Chica has another long sweep of imported sand. It’s an attraction for divers as well as angel sharks, so the number of sightings of mature angel sharks of this shoreline is one of highest in the islands.

Normally, massive, environmentally disruptive projects are bad for wildlife. But what’s clear is that after the breakwater was built and the sand arrived, people followed, and in the calm, shallow waters they began to see baby angel sharks. And unlike how many an association between humans and wildlife ends-in conflict and dead animals, this time it led to conservation.

1. Why did the developers on Tenerife carry out the project?

A．To build a base for shipping.	B．To boost the local tourism industry.
C．To fight against the rising sea.	D．To protect the island’s eco-system.

2. What was an unexpected result of the project?

A．It caused the disappearance of some fishes.

B．It made a magical tourist attraction.

C．It gave angel sharks a home.

D．It created conflicts between sharks and tourists.

3. What is the author’s attitude toward the engineered beach?

A．Favorable.

B．Doubtful.

C．Unclear.

D．Intolerant.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To highlight the financial benefits of tourism.

B．To introduce potential human-wildlife coexistence.

C．To explain the situation of endangered species.

D．To emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation.

8 . If invited to visit a foreign friend, I would bring some appropriate gifts with me, such as s____________ (纪念品) from my own country. (根据中英文提示单词拼写)

9 . 校园冲突时有发生。为了引导同学们有效地应对冲突，共建和谐校园，你校将举办一场关于“How to deal with conflicts on campus”的演讲比赛。请你根据以下要点写一篇发言稿。
1. 常见的校园冲突及原因；
2. 如何化解校园冲突；
3. 你的呼吁。
注意：字数100词左右
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . Globally, about 192.1 million animals are used annually for experimental purposes. Iran has conducted animal-based research dating back to the time of Ibn Sina. Although, like many countries, Iran regulates the use and treatment of laboratory animals, it lacks sufficient enforcement. To ensure ethical treatment of research animals, Iran needs better data about their use, and institutions and individuals need to take responsibility for their care.

Iran’s Ministry of Health, which oversees animal testing, requires all animals are treated according to international ethical standards. However, some institutions that produce or use animals provide substandard treatment, disregarding the ministry’s guidelines. To facilitate better enforcement of established regulations, Iran needs clear, accurate and reliable information about the quantity of animals used in research. All Iranian research institutions that use animals should be required to collect and report annual data on the number of animals they use, the conditions in which the animals are kept, and the animals’ research purpose. Such data would allow Iran to track each institution’s adherence (遵守) to the “3Rs”of animal research: Replacing animal-based experiments with alternative strategies, reducing the number of animals used, and refining techniques to minimize the pain and discomfort research animals experience.

In addition to government enforcement, individual institutions should prioritize the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use. Iran’s medical schools and research institutions should establish an accessible database with comprehensive experimental details to prevent excessive animal studies. Ethics committees shouldn’t approve experiments that use more animals than necessary or methods that require animals when alternative methods are available. In some cases, technical sampling (using a small sample size) can replace experimental sampling (using a relatively large sample size).

Individuals should also take an active role. All researchers must be trained to adhere to ethical principles and understand unnecessary pain or discomfort in animals could affect the interpretation of data.

Maintaining international ethical standards for animal treatment is vital for Iran to establish its global standing in the field of medical sciences. Iran’s government, institutions, individual scientists, and public can work together to ensure ethical animal research.

1. What is the main idea of paragraph 1?

A．The origin of Iran’s animal-based research.

B．The regulations of Iran’s research into animals.

C．The development of Iran’s animal-based research.

D．Moral concerns for Iran’s research animals’ welfare.

2. Why does Iran need better data about the use of research animals?

A．To follow the ministry’s guidelines.

B．To be in control of animal-based research.

C．To ensure the adherence to the “3Rs” in animal-based research.

D．To replace animal-based experiments with alternative strategies.

3. Why should a database with overall experimental details be established?

A．To follow government regulations.

B．To reduce unnecessary animal-based studies.

C．To make research more visible to the public.

D．To ensure the accuracy of experimental results.

4. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To encourage cooperation for ethical animal-based research in Iran.

B．To promote the use of an accessible experimental database in Iran.

C．To highlight ethics committees’ role in animal-based research in Iran.

D．To stress international ethical standards in animal-based research in Iran.