1. Who helped the woman arrange her accommodation?
| A．Her father. | B．The man’s relatives. | C．The man’s friends. |
| A．Athens. | B．Istanbul. | C．New York. |
| A．It’s more modern. | B．It’s more relaxed. | C．It’s more beautiful. |
| A．It is a little noisy. | B．It is very European. | C．It has many museums. |
1. What did the speakers do last week?
| A．They sent the Smiths to hospital. |
| B．They visited the Smiths’ daughter. |
| C．They expressed thanks to the Smiths. |
| A．At the hospital. | B．At school. | C．At home. |
1. What did the speaker study in college?
| A．Economics. | B．Fashion. | C．Sculpture. |
| A．A stone statue. | B．A silver statue. | C．A gold statue. |
| A．For about 10 minutes. | B．For about 30 minutes. | C．For about 60 minutes. |
| A．Doing special body make-up. |
| B．Connecting with the audience. |
| C．Having good physical strength. |
1. What is Zuriel Oduwole?
| A．An educator. | B．A filmmaker. | C．A doctor. |
| A．Her efforts to get rid of her inner fear. |
| B．Her support for African girls’ education. |
| C．Her capability of succeeding at a young age. |
| A．Patience. | B．Honesty. | C．Courage. |
5 . Dublin is one of Europe’s smaller capital cities, but it has an outsized number of places to see. Here’s a decent sampling of the great attractions that await when you come to Dublin to play.
National Gallery of Ireland
Ireland is a country known for its literary contributions, but don’t overlook its contributions to the artistic world. It houses a number of works by Rembrandt, Goya and Monet. The collection’s 15,000 Irish and European works date from the 13th to mid-20th centuries and include paintings, prints and national portraits (肖像). Particularly prized is the Yeats Collection, consisting of works and other materials related to Irish painter Jack B. Yeats, brother of poet and playwright W. B. Yeats.
Ha’penny Bridge
This modest cast-iron bridge over the River Liffey has become the symbol of Dublin, with its wonderful design and old-fashioned lampposts. Before it became a tourist attraction,
Ha’Penny Bridge was a welcome addition for local people. Before its construction, most of them had to ferry (摆渡) across the river. When it was built in 1816, Ha’penny Bridge was the first iron bridge across the Liffey.
Dublin Castle
You’re in Europe. It’s hard to resist a good castle. And you have one right in the heart of Dublin. And like all good castles, it has a storied history—from its start in the 1200s on the site of a Viking settlement to 1922, when it was handed over to the new Irish government after independence from the United Kingdom. A fire in 1684 damaged a good bit of the castle, and in reconstruction, parts of it took on the look of a Georgian palace, making for an interesting mix of styles today.
St. Stephen’s Green
As a treasured part of the city for centuries, the park, which is in the heart of Dublin, has important sculptures of major figures in Irish history and well-maintained Victorian grounds in the center. A variety of trees line the perimeter (周边) to help block city noise, and it’s a haven for birds as well as people.
1. What can visitors see in National Gallery of Ireland?| A．W. B. Yeats’ collection of poems. |
| B．Works about painter Jack B. Yeats. |
| C．Over 15,000 European literary works. |
| D．Irish paintings dating from the 11th century. |
| A．Attracting foreign visitors. | B．Offering shelter to ferrymen. |
| C．Replacing a cast-iron bridge. | D．Helping people cross a river. |
| A．They feature a variety of rare birds. |
| B．They are not well-maintained at present. |
| C．They are located in the center of Dublin. |
| D．They take on the look of a Georgian palace. |
6 . A planet that suffers 475 C beneath a thick acid atmosphere may be the last place you'd expect alien (外星的) life in our solar system. But one NASA scientist claims that extraterrestrials (天外来客) are most likely hiding on Venus amid conditions that are unbearable for humans. The new theory was put forward by the research scientist Dr Michelle Thaller. She says that possible signs of life have already been seen within the carbon-dioxide filled atmosphere, adding that she was absolutely certain that life exists somewhere.
Venus is often described as Earth's twin due to its similar size and structure. But their conditions couldn't be further apart, as astronomers believe it would be impossible for humans to exist on Venus. Positioned 67 million miles from the Sun, Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system, suffering temperatures that can even melt lead. Its atmosphere also adds to the uninhabitable situation.
Despite this, scientists have long debated whether Venus' clouds may host microbial (微生物的) life forms that can survive. Many scientists think that photosynthesis (光合作用) is possible on the planet's surface as Venus receives enough solar energy to pass through its thick clouds.
However, Professor Dominic Papineau, a biologist at the University College of London, believes Dr Thaller's views are “difficult to realistically assume”. He explained, “For life-related chemical reactions to take place, liquid water is necessary. Hence, to find extraterrestrial life, we need to find liquid water, and to find extraterrestrial fossils requires looking for special rocks that were associated with liquid water in the past.”
This makes life on Venus today difficult to realistically assume, because its surface is too hot, although Venus might have had liquid water in its past. Even still, both Professor Papineau and Dr Thaller agree that the icy moons of our solar system could also be sites of potential microbial life. NASA suggests there are 290 “traditional moons” in our solar system-excluding 462 smaller minor planets.
1. What can we know about Venus?| A．Its atmosphere is thin acidic. |
| B．It is much bigger than Earth. |
| C．It is 77 million miles from the Sun. |
| D．Venus and Earth are considered as twins. |
| A．Photosynthesis can happen on Venus's surface. |
| B．Thick clouds make photosynthesis in Venus hard. |
| C．Liquid water is important for the extraterrestrials. |
| D．Some rocks can prove life exists on Venus. |
| A．The surface temperature of Venus is high. |
| B．It's very easy to confirm life on Venus. |
| C．Venus might have liquid water now. |
| D．Many icy moons go around Venus. |
| A．Education. | B．Science. | C．Culture. | D．Sports. |
7 . Recent years have seen a small increase in unemployment rates due to slowing of the economy. The fact that many college graduates are finding it difficult to land a job has sparked online discussions on the cost of education and the returns on it, with many agreeing with the notion that “education is useless”.
Stories like a person with a doctorate’s degree from Zhejiang University is delivering food, and overseas-returned graduates are selling hot-pot ingredients have caused many to question the value of education. Moreover, the fact that about 36,000 fewer candidates have applied to take the postgraduate exam in 2024, the first decline in numbers in years, has also fueled the “education is useless theory.
Is education truly worthless? This question has resurfaced due to several factors.
The wide spread of higher education has significantly increased the number of college graduates, reducing the value of college degrees. As the job market becomes over-crowded with graduates, the scarcity of high-level talents has become apparent, particularly in fields such as the humanities. For example, more than 900 institutions in China offer English major, making it the most common degree program, yet there’s a shortage of top talents who are proficient in English and have a good knowledge about the differences in Chinese and foreign approach to fields such as international relations and journalism.
The declining returns on the investment in education have given rise to the “education is useless” theory. Given the challenging job market, many believe college education does not guarantee any sort of employment, let alone a suitable job. And with various economic opportunities available, the notion that one can become financially successful even without formal education is becoming increasingly acceptable.
In light of these developments, combined efforts need to be made to change the situation. For instance, universities must take measures to integrate education, research and industry, while enhancing cooperation with enterprises through tailored talent training programs. Additionally, the authorities need to pay greater attention to vocational education, an important part of China’s educational system. Students, parents and society, on their part, should abandon their bias against vocational training, because it integrates education with career prospects throughout the learning process, offering targeted, technical and practical training which allows students to master their skills which can get them well-paying jobs in the future.
Developing a correct view of employment and career choice is key to abandoning the notion of “education being useless”. People, especially students, must understand the current employment landscape, their positioning, and strengths and weaknesses. While realizing that a college degree is no longer a ticket to employment, college students should leverage education resources to enrich their professional knowledge and competitiveness. And youths should approach vocational education with an open mind in order to make the most of what the job market has to offer.
Education is not synonymous with earning money, nor does a college degree guarantee financial success. The value of education is knowledge, which we need to make informed decisions not only in our professional life but also in our social and other fields of life.
1. What are the main reasons for the recent rise in the belief that ”education is useless”?| A．Economic slowdown and job scarcity. |
| B．Sad stories about educated individuals. |
| C．Decline in postgraduate exam applicants. |
| D．Emphasis on practical skills over qualifications. |
| A．By focusing solely on academic research. |
| B．By integrating education, research, and industry. |
| C．By ignoring cooperation with enterprises. |
| D．By eliminating vocational education courses. |
| A．limit | B．abandon | C．balance | D．maximize |
| A．Negative and pessimistic | B．Positive and supportive |
| C．Balanced and objective | D．Unclear and ambiguous |
8 . When I was a little boy growing up, my Mom, Dad, brothers and I lived in my Nana’s old house. It was surrounded by four huge vegetable gardens. And around the house so many flowers were planted. It was so beautiful there in the spring and summer. That wasn’t all, though. On the back porch Nana had dozens of potted plants hanging on hooks. She watered them, talked to them and nurtured them. And in the winter she would carry them all inside and set them on shelves near the windows of our enclosed front porch. There with a little water and a lot of love she kept them alive, green, and growing even during the coldest, darkest months.
As a boy I was puzzled by all the effort she put into them. I understood the vegetable gardens. They helped to feed the family all winter long. I even understood the flowers around the house. They were pretty and smelled so sweet in the summer months. The reason she put so much effort into caring for those potted plants, however, eluded me. They didn’t give us any food and they rarely had any flowers on them. They remained a mystery to my child’s mind.
Now as I’ve grown older I am beginning to understand why my Nana had those potted plants. It is the same reason I have so many pictures of sunrises and forests hanging in my home. They remind me during the dark, cold, winter months full of bare trees and yellow grass that light, love, and growth still exist. They remind me that Spring will come again. They remind me that God loves us and is still with us even when the earth doesn’t show it.
Today I see Nana’s potted plants in a new light. They are worth every bit of the love and care she put into them. But what tells me most about light and love is Nana herself. She is light to my soul even in my darkest times. And her love lives on in my heart even if she is in Heaven. May we all learn to love as she loved, shine as she shined, and live as she lived.
1. Which of the following is close in meaning to the underlined word “eluded” in paragraph 2?| A．Upset. | B．Misguided. | C．Confused. | D．Distracted. |
| A．They were a sign of hope. | B．They resembled sunrise and forests. |
| C．They constantly kept Nana company. | D．They were portable and easy to nurture. |
| A．To advocate growing potted plants. | B．To sing the praise of Nana’s spirit and love. |
| C．To stress the benefits of a positive lifestyle. | D．To recall beautiful memories spent with Nana. |
| A．A non-fiction. | B．A book review. |
| C．An agricultural leaflet. | D．A celebrity biography. |
9 . A brown and dry lawn is not something many gardeners would boast about. But that is exactly the kind of yard competition organizers in Sweden were looking for when they launched the prize for the “World’s Ugliest Lawn”. People from around the world were invited to post pictures of their dehydrated(脱水的)grass to social media in a bid to win the uncertain honor.
The intention, according to those behind the project, was to raise awareness of “saving water on a global scale by changing the norm for green lawns”. Lawns, which can require large amounts of water to maintain, are coming under increasing examination as climate change makes periods of drought more frequent and intense.
The global initiative was launched on the official website for Gotland in Sweden. “Huge amounts of water are used to water lawns for aesthetics(美学). As the world gets warmer, lack of water in urban areas is projected to affect up to 2.4 billion people by 2050. By not watering lawns for aesthetic reasons, we can protect the availability of groundwater,” the competition organizers said.
The unlikely title has been awarded to Kathleen Murray who lives in Sandford in Tasmania, Australia. According to the organizers, Murray’s lawn “boasts deep and dry divots created by three wild bandicoots(袋狸)and not one dust-covered decimeter is wasted on watering”. Murray said in the press release about her triumph, “I am terribly proud! I knew I would have my 5 minutes of fame, even if it was for having the ugliest lawn on the planet! I am now free of ever taking care of my lawn again.”
A press release by the Gotland, office added, “For the planet and its declining stockpiles of life-giving liquid, thank you, Kathleen, as well as those naughty bandicoots damaging your lawn for the greater good.” Organizers added, “Gotland aims to show to Sweden and the world that sustainable behavior doesn’t have to be dull.”
1. What can we say about the yard competition organized in Sweden?| A．People had even doubted its authenticity. |
| B．People worldwide were unwilling to join. |
| C．Its participants must be professional gardeners. |
| D．Its entries must agree with the existing aesthetics. |
| A．To call on people to protect lawns. | B．To encourage people to be creative. |
| C．To challenge the norm of aesthetics. | D．To remind people of water shortage. |
| A．Ambition. | B．Success. | C．Sorrow. | D．Barrier. |
| A．People’s Whelming Reaction To A Yard Contest In Sweden |
| B．Lawns And Rare Bandicoots Calling For Urgent Protection |
| C．A Lawn Named The Ugliest Globally All For A Good Cause |
| D．The World’s Ugliest Lawn Unaccepted By The Whole World |
10 . Lexi is just a little girl from Canada who found herself in a heart-stopping situation. It started off as a normal car trip. Angela Shymanski, Lexi’s mom, was at the wheel, navigating the tricky roads of the Rockies with her daughter Lexi and her baby Peter in the car. An unexpected animal ran into the road. Angela swerved (突然转向) to avoid the animal. Unfortunately, their car was off the road, falling down a steep embankment (路堤).
The crash was nothing short of terrifying. Angela ended up with a broken back. She was unconscious, and unable to help her babies. Meanwhile, baby Peter’s cries echoed in the chaos. But Lexi, only five years old, didn’t freeze. Instead, she showed courage that would leave many grown-ups in awe.
She quickly jumped into action. The little girl, without even shoes on her feet, wrestled free from her seatbelt and climbed the 40-foot embankment. Once she reached the top, Lexi did everything she could to flag down a passing car in order to get help for her mom and brother.
Lexi’s insistence finally paid off. A car stopped, and the people inside didn’t hesitate to help her call for emergency services. When the paramedics (护理人员) arrived, they found Angela in a severe state, and her heart had stopped. Thankfully, they managed to bring her back.
Lexi’s dad, reflecting on the incident, couldn’t help but be amazed by his daughter’s bravery. He stressed how important it is for kids to be prepared for emergencies, shocked at how Lexi remembered and acted on what she had been taught. It’s a powerful reminder of what kids can do when push comes to shove.
And Lexi’s heroism didn’t go unnoticed. She was awarded a Bronze Medal for Bravery by the police. But for the Shymanskis, the real prize was being back in each other’s arms, safe and sound.
1. What caused the accident?| A．The tough road. | B．The children’s noise. |
| C．A car that suddenly swerved. | D．An animal appearing suddenly. |
| A．Putting on her shoes. | B．Managing to get out of the car. |
| C．Flagging down a passing car. | D．Scaling the 40-foot embankment. |
| A．Her heroic action deserved recognition. | B．Her dad knew her daughter well enough. |
| C．She had learned how to deal with emergencies. | D．It was important for her to face some emergencies. |
| A．Brave and honest. | B．Calm and courageous. |
| C．Thoughtful but stubborn. | D．Caring but naughty. |
