1 . Mr. Riccardi was working for an Italian university at the time, 10 years ago, and had to go to the city of Potenza in the south of the country for a conference. He wanted to book an environmentally-friendly hotel, but it was not so easy to find one online and book.

So it gave him the idea for a business — a website called Ecobnb, where people can search for sustainable accommodation. When someone finds a place that they would like to book, Ecobn b does not take the payment. Rather it contacts the property, which then emails the person directly. Ecobnb makes its money by charging the accommodation providers a monthly subscription to list on its website.

Today Ecobnb, based in Trento, in northern Italy, lists more than 3,000 properties worldwide, from an organic farmhouse in Tuscany, to an eco-mountain cottage in Costa Rica. 2.8 million travellers now use Ecobnb per year, up from 780,000 in 2018. Mr. Riccardi says the number is still rising. Some accommodation providers offer discounts for guests arriving by bicycle, or those not using a car during the trip.

“Holidaymakers are rethinking their relationship with planet Earth,” Mr. Riccardi says. “Thereis a new awareness, especially in young people, about our responsibility for our future and for the planet.” Statistics appear to back this up. A study has found that 69% of travellers are now actively seeking sustainable travel options.

Although Ecobnb is focused on sustainability, how sustainable is it when many people might be flying to arrive at the accommodations it lists? “The impact of the travel of the flights is very big,” agrees Mr. Riccardi. “We are pushing the staycation (就近旅游) model a lot, inviting people to discover their own countries and to avoid the flights when it’s possible.”

“More people are interested in green lifestyles every day,” he says. “And now they are looking for the same green choices also during their holidays. These little choices can come together, and we can change things and make something different. We can be the change we want to see in the world.”

1. What inspired Mr. Riccardi to start the website Ecobnb?

A．His pursuit for a better future.	B．His motivation to find a green hotel.
C．His teaching experience in an university.	D．His desire to invest in sustainable tourism.

2. What can we infer about Ecobnb from the third paragraph?

A．It enjoys great popularity.	B．It owns 3,000 properties in Italy.
C．It offers discounts to all visitors.	D．It charges payment from customers.

3. Why is Ecobnb pushing the stay cation model?

A．To promote sustainable travel.	B．To attract more young travelers.
C．To reduce the accommodation list.	D．To make flights available for others.

4. How does Mr. Riccardi feel about the future of green travel?

A．Discouraged.

B．Tolerant.

C．Uncertain.

D．Optimistic.

2 . Throughout history, remarkable leaders have started to appear, leaving an indelible mark on their civilizations and shaping the course of human history. Here are some historical leaders whose impact reverberated far beyond their lifetimes, leaving a lasting legacy that transformed the civilizations they led.

Julius Caesar

As a brilliant military strategist and charming statesman, Caesar played a vital role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. His military conquests, including the famous crossing of the Rubicon, expanded the Roman territories and altered the political landscape, Caesar's vision for a centralized and stable Rome laid the groundwork for the imperial era, shaping the development of Western civilization.

Queen Elizabeth l

Queen Elizabeth I became the English throne in the 16th century and entered a period of cultural flourishing known as the Elizabethan Era. Under her rule, England saw remarkable achievements in literature, exploration and the arts, with master minds like William Shakespeare contributing to the cultural renaissance. Elizabeth's reign not only strengthened England's status as a global power but also left an enduring legacy of artistic and intellectual brilliance.

Nelson Mandela

South Africa in the 20th century bore witness to the transformative leadership of Nelson Mandela, A symbol of resistance against apartheid(种族隔离), Mandela spent 27 years in prison before emerging as a unifying figure in seeking for racial equality. Elected as South Africa's first Black president in 1994. Mandela made efforts to unify a divided nation. promoting forgiveness and inclusivity.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang

In ancient China, the remarkable leadership of Emperor Qin Shi Huang laid the groundwork for a unified and centralised state. As the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang standardised writing systems, currencies and measurements, fostering unity across diverse regions. Perhaps most famously, he initiated the construction of the Great Wall of China as a defence against invasions.

1. What was Julius Caesar's major influence?

A．The vision for a military Rome.

B．The impact on Western civilization.

C．The foundation of Roman Republic.

D．The expansion of the Roman landscape.

2. What did Nelson Mandela fight for?

A．Personal right.	B．Economic boom.
C．National power.	D．Racial equality.

3. Who unified the weights and measures?

A．Qin Shi Huang.	B．Queen Elizabeth I.
C．Nelson Mandela.	D．Julius Caesar.

3 . A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has demonstrated that communication among memory-coding neurons (神经元) — nerve cells in the brain responsible for maintaining working memory — is disrupted with ageing and that this can begin in middle age.

Findings from the study provide new insights into the ageing process of the human mind. and pave the way for therapies (治疗方法) to maintain the mental well-being of an ageing individual.

Scientists have long studied the impact of ageing on the brain’s executive functions, such as poorer self-control and working memory. While it is well established that memory can worsen as people age, it has not been clear what changes occur at the individual brain neuron level to cause this—until now.

In lab experiments, the NTU scientists investigated how neurons in mice of three different age groups — young, middle age and old age — responded to tasks that required memory.

The researchers showed that compared to young mice, middle — aged and old mice required more training sessions to learn new tasks, indicating some decline in memory and learning abilities from middle age. But beyond that, they also found changes in the nerve cells of older mice.

Using advanced optical techniques that allow researchers to observe multiple individual neurons and control their activity, the NTU team discovered that neurons in one part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, showed strong memory coding ability in young mice. However this ability to hold memory diminishes in middle — aged and old mice due to weakening connections among the neurons, which causes the mice to take longer to recall and perform tasks.

Dr Jun Nishiyama, Assistant Professor in the Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders programme at Duke-NUS Medical School said. “This research emphasises the importance of early, strategic interventions (干预) to cope with cognitive decline, providing a vital framework for future ageing research and brain health maintenance.”

1. What is unknown to scientists now?

A．When memory begins to decrease.

B．How aging influences mental health

C．What causes memory loss as people age.

D．Whether memory may decrease with age.

2. Which can best replace the underlined word “diminishes” in paragraph 6?

A．stands out	B．goes down
C．comes true	D．dies out

3. According to the research, what is key to fighting against cognitive decline?

A．Strategic diet habit,

B．Healthy living condition.

C．Early scientific prevention.

D．Strengthening ageing research.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Experiments conducted to test cognitive decline.

B．Neurons that are responsible for the aging process.

C．The importance of assessing the degree of memory loss.

D．The way aging weakens brain cells’ ability to maintain memory.

4 . People may form inaccurate impressions about us from our social media posts, finds new Cornell University research that is the first to examine perceptions (认知) of our personalities based on online posts.

An analysis of online status updates found great difference between how viewers saw the authors across a range of personality traits, and the authors’ self-perceptions.

Viewers rated the Internet users on average as having lower self-esteem and being more self-revealing, for example, than the users rated themselves, Status updates containing photos, videos or links in addition to text facilitated more accurate assessments than those with just text the researchers found.

Overall, they said, the study sheds light on the dynamic process by which a cyber audience tries to make sense of who we are from isolated fragments (碎片) of shared information, jointly constructing our digital identity.

“The impression people form about us on social media based on what we post can differ from the way we view ourselves.” said Qi Wang, professor of psychology and director of the Culture &. Cognition Lab. “A mismatch between who we are and how people perceive us could influence our ability to feel connected online and the benefits of engaging in social media interaction.”

The Cornell researchers believe their study is the first to investigate audience perceptions of social media users through their posts, On platforms, users often share fragmentary personal narratives while interacting with “friends” they may know only a little or sometimes not at all.

Interestingly, the study found that online status updates generated perceptions of users that were consistent with cultural standards in offline contexts concerning gender and ethnicity—even though viewers were blind to their identities.

Wang said the findings could help developers design interfaces that allow people to express themselves most authentically.

“If people’s view of us is very different from who we actually are, or how we would like to be perceived.” Wang said, “it could harm our social life and well-being.”

1. What may your online posts lead to?

A．Authentic digital identity.	B．Viewer’s misjudgment of you.
C．Less social media interaction.	D．Making more online friends.

2. Which of the following will least reveal your personality?

A．A link with text

B．A pure video post.

C．A plain text post.

D．A text post with photos.

3. Who will be most interested in these findings?

A．Online web viewers.	B．Internet bloggers.
C．Computer repairmen.	D．Social media developers.

4. What does Wang think of the result of the research?

A．Profitable.

B．Meaningless.

C．Useful.

D．Unpractical.

5 . So, if you are one of those who felt something was missing, we recommend rethinking your philosophy to work and career. It may be time to reframe what being happy with your career requires. The good news is that there is a better path out there waiting for you.     1    . Here are some prompts to help you break free from the old vicious cycle (恶性循环) and struggle inside for a new virtuous one:

Purpose inspired work

Is there a clear and appealing purpose to your work?     2    ? Look for an opportunity to work for a company with an inspiring purpose, or think about starting one of your own.

Help further a cause

We under-estimate our ability to do something in addition. We can always find time for something we truly love.     3    . Non-Governmental Organizations always need volunteers new entrepreneurs always need advice, and there are many causes struggling to be heard.     4    

As time goes by. we lose some of our youthful vigour (活力). Spend some time reminding yourself of what mattered most to you in your teens and early twenties. Sometimes we put these things to one side while we start our careers believing we will return to them and then forget. Make 2024 the year that you fulfill any hidden promises to your youth.

Reacquaint (重新熟悉) yourself with joy

    5    .Climb Kilimanjaro, learn a new language or how to write JavaScript. Whatever it is, commit yourself to something that inspires you to make 2024 mean something greater than the old familiar routines.

A．Reconnect with your youthful idealism

B．Set aside some time to evaluate your past work

C．Is it a job that you would like to pull yourself out

D．However, to find it, you will need to think differently

E．Can you link your daily efforts to making a difference to something important

F．If you don't love your work, try to find something you can love alongside your job

G．Give yourself permission to find one pleasure, goal, or ambition you will conquer

6 . Imagine a world where nothing ends up in landfill. Instead, everything can be reused and recycled, creating products that never reach their “end of life”. According to a recent report by the Circle Economy Foundation, only 7.2% of all used materials are being cycled back to be reused and recycled without creating waste.

An Italian company aims to change this by creating furniture products made from a plastic-like biomaterial, which is fully organic and biodegradable (可生物降解的), and can be used over and over again. Using fruit peel, orange seeds and coffee grounds collected from businesses in Italy, the company can redistribute products to the same businesses for use in their offices, instead of furniture made from common plastic. If, by mistake, any of the material ends up in the ocean, it doesn’t produce any microplastics.

Each product is made through a four-step process. First, the food waste is dried and crushed into a very fine powder. Then, the powder is mixed with a biodegradable plastic alternative known as polyhydroxybutyrat (PHB), with the fruit waste making the PHB more study (坚固的). The material is then turned into a filament (细丝) and, using a spool, put into a 3D printer.

Because a lot of food waste would be buried and incinerated in the landfill, which would produce lots of carbon dioxide, Reusing fruit peel and coffee grounds decrease carbon dioxide from the production of plastic, according to the director of operations in the company. He adds that the biomaterial is as sturdy as wood, and won’t begin to break down unless it’s touched by water, bacteria or acidity.

Despite its eco-friendly benefits, the biomaterial is expensive. It costs probably six times more than common plastic, and it is a very difficult and expensive process, so this is why many companies aren’t doing it.

However, the director is hopeful that in a few years, as-more consumers and businesses are forced to face the damage that unsustainable plastic is doing to the planet, the biomaterial will be much more widely used. “We really believe this is the material of the future,” says the director. “Little by little, a step at a time.”

1. What is a problem faced by the current world according to paragraph 1?

A．Pollution is becoming milder.

B．The rate of recycling is too low.

C．Plastic poses a threat to the ocean.

D．New material needs to be improved.

2. What do we know about the biomaterial?

A．It is of benefit to the environment.

B．It is cheaper than common plastic.

C．It is given a welcome by businesses.

D．It has gradually replaced common plastic.

3. What does the underlined word “incinerated” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Damaged.

B．Burned.

C．Selected.

D．Recovered.

4. Which can be the best title for the text?

A．New Material: One Way To Regain Fruit Peel

B．From Landfill To Furniture: The Journey Of Furniture

C．Sustainable Material: The Future Of Eco-Friendly Furniture

D．Italian Businesses Using New Strategies To Manage Industrial Waste

7 . From a fish and chip stall, Jenny has come to be the toast of London’s foodie scene. She has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming a famous chef, a distinction that has been a dream coming true for her. “It’s still sinking in,” she said, expressing her surprise at the overwhelming social media response to her accomplishment.

Her restaurant is a unique space where modern West African cuisine takes center stage, highlighting the rich culinary (烹饪的) traditions of Nigeria’s Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo ethnic groups. “In my restaurant, I bring together these three culinary traditions, providing an exciting journey for diners,” Jenny described. Each dish tells a story, from a black sauce for fish, a postpartum (产后的) meal for new mothers, to a fermented tomato sauce.

Jenny’s love for food began at a young age, but she was initially guided towards a more traditional career path. She studied biological sciences in university, where she also ran a fish and chip cart. Her move to the UK in 1999 marked the beginning of her journey towards culinary success.

As for her, her restaurant is not only a restaurant but also Jenny’s way of honoring her heritage and the food her grandmother used to prepare. “The memory of my grandmother’s cooking inspires me every day,” she shared. Jenny’s cooking shows heartfelt respect for her roots, and her mission is to showcase the flavors of her culture.

Jenny longs to be a role model for chefs from diverse backgrounds. She recognizes the value of representation and hopes her success can inspire other chefs in the UK. She notes that while the industry is slowly becoming more inclusive, it’s crucial for employers, landlords, critics, and investors to expand their perspectives to support a variety of cuisines.

Her fame is a testament (证明) to her talent and dedication, but it’s the personal connection to her dishes and the memories of home-cooked meals that truly fuel her passion. Jenny’s story is a shining example of how one can achieve their dreams while staying true to their cultural identity.

1. What is the character of Jenny’s restaurant?

A．It serves traditional British cuisine.

B．It is famous for postpartum meals only.

C．It is managed by a social media influencer.

D．It features West African culinary traditions.

2. What was Jenny’s initial step to her career path?

A．Being a biological sciences student.

B．Being a social media influencer.

C．Being a corporate executive.

D．Being a professional chef.

3. What can we infer about Jenny?

A．She prioritizes commercial success over culture.

B．She aims to westernize traditional Nigerian cuisine.

C．She uses her restaurant as a medium for scientific research.

D．She integrates her personal history with her professional knowledge.

4. What does Jenny desire to contribute to the culinary world?

A．Celebrity status.	B．Culinary revolution.
C．Diversity in cooking.	D．Profits of her restaurant.

8 . Welcome to the California Science Center

Here is a guide to the California Science Center.

Accessibility Services & Facilities

We are committed to breaking down any barrier to access. If you have questions about accessibility, please call us at (213) 744-2019 or contact us online or stop by our Information Desk just inside the main entrance.

Sensory & Mobility Considerations

Light, noise and crowds vary widely throughout the building. Please feel free to bring your own noise-canceling headphones or other calming items. All spaces in the center are wheelchair accessible. All floors are accessible by elevator or stairs.

● Parking & Restrooms

Accessible parking spaces are available on the three floors of the Science Center parking lot. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is $15 per vehicle.

All the restrooms here are wheelchair accessible. Private family style restrooms are available upon request, please see any Guest Services Host.

● Wheelchairs & Service Animals

Standard manual wheelchairs are available for free at the Information Desk, used inside the California Science Center.

Service dogs trained to do work or perform specific tasks for a guest with a disability are welcome in all of the Science Center spaces. Emotional animals and pets are not permitted.

Language & Communication Considerations
● Language Assistance

Our Bilingual (双语的) Guest Services and Education staff members wear buttons indicating languages in which they are fluent. In addition, the Information Desk offers maps in six different languages.

● Audio Guides

Audio guides in both English and Spanish are often available for special exhibits. For special exhibits with audio guides, transcripts are available at the entrance to the exhibit upon request.

Click here for more information about the center. We want every guest to participate equally in the excitement of experiencing science!

1. How many ways to inquire about accessibility in the California Science Center are mentioned?

A．3.

B．4.

C．5.

D．6.

2. What do we know about the California Science Center?

A．It is unfriendly to the disabled.	B．Its parking spaces vary in price.
C．It offers multi-language service	D．It allows emotional pets to enter.

3. From which is the text probably taken?

A．A web page.	B．A news report.
C．A science textbook.	D．An academic paper.

9 . Years ago, I bought a blouse. That same day, I considered putting it on, but for no particular reason decided not to. That weekend, I again considered wearing the blouse, but the occasion didn’t seem special enough, so again, I passed. Fast forward to today. I have never worn that blouse.

What happened here? Why do people own so many unused possessions, treating them as though they are too special to use? To find out, I ran an experiment in which participants imagined buying a bottle of wine. We had half of the participants imagine considering opening it one night, but deciding not to. Then when we measured how special the wine seemed, and participants intentions to open it later we found that those who had imagined holding off on opening it were in fact less likely to intend to open it later. When asked the reason, most assumed they were waiting for a future occasion to open it a more special occasion.

Why do people fall into this mental trap? Prior research points to a recipe for what psychologists term “specialness spirals”. When you give up using something, if you believe that you are waiting to use it, the possession will start to feel more special. And as you search for the right occasion day after day it becomes more tempting (吸引人的) to hold out for a future occasion. The less you use it, though, the more special it feels, and the cycle continues. Ultimately, the likelihood (可能性) of using the possession becomes rarer and rarer. The more this happens, the more stuff you have lying around.

How can you fight specialness spirals? Try committing in advance to using an item on a specific occasion. When buying a dress, tell yourself you’ll wear it this weekend. Or when purchasing a candle, plan to light it that day. This strategy encourages you to actually enjoy your possessions.

1. Why has the author’s blouse sat unworn for many years?

A．She forgot where it was put.	B．She soon grew to dislike it.
C．She had no other clothes to match it.	D．She failed to find a right occasion to wear it.

2. What were the participants asked to do in the experiment?

A．Discuss how to deal with the wine.	B．List reasons for drinking the wine.
C．Decide whether to drink the wine.	D．Evaluate the quality of the wine.

3. What can we learn about specialness spirals?

A．They result from an optimistic attitude to the future.

B．They help explain the psychology of delayed rewards.

C．They can attract people into shopping traps.

D．They can lead to a collection of unused stuff.

4. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To describe a purchase experience.	B．To explain a psychological phenomenon.
C．To criticize a wrong consumption concept.	D．To encourage people to prepare for a rainy day.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Which race did the woman take part in?

A．The three-kilometer one.

B．The five-kilometer one.

C．The ten-kilometer one.

2. Who was the new race this year aimed at?

A．Primary school students.

B．High school students.

C．College students.