1 . We’ve all been there: you say the wrong thing and you want the ground to swallow you up!     1    

I called someone the wrong name.

What may be worse than not remembering someone’s name is calling the person by the wrong name. For instance, you’re speaking to a friend's new husband, and you call him by the ex-husband’s name. Or you refer to your new boss by the ousted boss’s name. Try to acknowledge your mistake with a little humour. Perhaps say, “Oh, I really know you’re Mike and not Tom.”     2     If your mistake obviously insulted a person of authority, such as your boss, again apologize for the lapse.

    3    

You just mocked an acquaintance who, you discover too late, is standing nearby. Since the floor isn’t going to open up and swallow you whole, you’re going to have to deal with this. You must offer an apology, and it must be a good one. Don’t say, “I didn’t really mean it.” You probably did mean it and denying it will just worsen the error.     4     Instead, apologize for the effects of what you said.

My friend has bad breath.

How do you tell your friends they have breath that would kill the devil? Here’s an easy, roundabout way: pop a piece of gum into your own mouth and then offer one to your friend.     5     And if they accept your offer, everyone wins. If not? Well, it depends on how strong your friendship is. You either risk offending your friend with the truth or ignore the problem and excuse yourself to get a breath of fresh air.

A．I really put my foot in my mouth.

B．Apologize for your slipup and let it drop.

C．Whatever the reason, don’t make a big deal of it.

D．This way, you won’t be saying anything outright.

E．You'd think these matters would be your business alone.

F．Here are some tips on how to deal with awkward situations.

G．In other words, don’t apologize for what you think, feel, or said about the person.

2 . A humanoid robot can predict whether someone will smile a second before they do, and match the smile on its own face. The creators hope the technology could make interactions with robots more lifelike.

Although artificial intelligence can now mimic human language to an impressive degree, interactions with physical robots often fall into the “uncanny valley”, in part because robots can’t copy the complex non-verbal cues and mannerisms that are vital for communication.

Now, Hod Lipson at Columbia University in New York and his colleagues have created a robot called Emo that uses AI models and high-resolution cameras to predict people’s facial expressions and try to copy them. It can anticipate whether someone will smile about 0.9 seconds before they do, and smile itself in sync. “I’m fed up with robots because I deal with them every day, but I smile back at this robot,” says Lipson.

Emo consists of a face with cameras in its eyeballs and flexible plastic skin that has 23separate motors attached to it by magnets. The robot uses two neural networks: one to look at human faces and predict their expressions and the other to work out how to produce expressions on its own face.

The first network was trained on YouTube videos of people making faces, while the second network was trained by having the robot watch itself make faces on a live camera feed. “It learns what its face is going to look like when it’s going to pull all these muscles,” says Lipson. “It’s sort of like a person in front of a mirror, when even if you close your eyes and smile, you know what your face is going to look like.”

Lipson and his team hope that Emo’s technology will improve human-robot interactions, but   they first need to broaden the range of expressions the robot can make. They also hope to train it to make expressions in response to what people are saying, rather than simply mimicking another person, says Lipson.

1. What’s special about Emo?

A．It applies A1 models.

B．It can imitate human language.

C．It can do barrier-free communication with people.

D．It can predict when people will smile and smile back.

2. What is mainly presented in paragraph 4?

A．Emo’s mechanism.	B．Emo’s function.
C．Emo’s mental networks.	D．Emo’s facial expressions.

3. How did Emo learn to make facial expressions?

A．By working muscles.	B．By watching and mimicking.
C．By recording a video.	D．By looking into the mirror.

4. What can we know about Emo from the last paragraph?

A．It can be upgraded automatically.	B．It has developed into a mature stage.
C．It needs to be improved and enhanced.	D．It is able to respond to whatever people say.

3 . When we are desperately searching for glasses, wallet or keys, we might wish to have a photographic memory, but the truth is that we are designed to forget.

In fact, the majority of what we experience in a given day is likely to be forgotten in less than 24 hours. And that is a good thing. Think of all the passing encounters with people you will never see again, the times you spend waiting in a queue at the supermarket, and those awkward times while stuck in a crowded elevator. If our brains stored away every moment of every experience, we would never be able to find the information we need amid an ever-increasing pile of junk.

I have studied how we are able to recall past events, an ability known as “episodic memory”. Endel Tulving, a pioneering cognitive psychologist who coined the term, described episodic memory as the unique human capability for “mental time travel”, wondering at will over what has happened as readily as over what might happen.

Recalling a rich episodic memory, you’ll have a feeling of being transported back to a point in your past, a specific time and place. For instance, the smell of freshly baked pastries might remind you of having breakfast with your grandmother, or a song by the Stone Roses might evoke your first kiss. This is why, if you have misplaced your keys, getting in touch with the sights, sounds and thoughts from an earlier time period can be an effective way of accessing those memories, enabling you to relive these past experiences.

On average, episodic memory gets worse as we get older, and that is due, at least in part, to the strange developmental path of the prefrontal cortex—an area of the brain that helps support episodic memory. In humans, the prefrontal cortex continues to develop throughout childhood and adolescence, only reaching maturity in young adults. Then it begins to decline in function, starting as early as your 30s. Consequently, ageing is a bit like having a dysfunctional time machine that frequently sends us to the wrong place.

1. Why is it a good thing to be forgetful?

A．It is beneficial to health.

B．It frees people from worries.

C．It makes room for significant things.

D．It can signal some potential diseases.

2. Why does the author mention “baked pastries” and the “song”?

A．To illustrate his idea.	B．To clarify a concept.
C．To present his viewpoint.	D．To explain a phenomenon.

3. How can you refresh your memory?

A．By making use of your five senses.

B．By contacting your family members.

C．By putting yourself into the relevant context.

D．By building mental relations with the present.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Old people are likely to get lost.

B．Memory decline is irresistible at 30.

C．Age plays a vital role in memory declining.

D．The prefrontal cortex determines our memory.

4 . Early in my career, I was easily overwhelmed. My responsibilities, commitments and ambitions piled up into this mass that I felt immeasurably large—until, one day, when I worked in federal contracting, my manager gave me something that is still on the bulletin board over my desk 26 years later, even as I’ve now transformed my career: It’s a postcard picture of Earth.

He wanted me to look at Earth and think about the significance of what I was trying to accomplish, and the stress I was feeling, and to do so in the context of what others around the world faced. I started to do this during late nights in my office, when I hadn’t seen my family in days, as I lived on caffeine and cheese nabs. I imagined the good happening to people around the globe. I also imagined the bad—people starving, enduring war, or losing their homes—and then weighed my situation. I would say a prayer for them, and I would remember that my time on Earth was limited.

With this perspective and my manager’s encouragement, I went back to school, then took a job with a Fortune 500 firm as a contracts manager and rose to become a director and VP. I have recently started my own consulting business to mentor small companies entering federal contracting. I’ve found that many folks feel they must make a good impression or prove themselves, and that to do so, they cannot admit when they need help. But I can see it in their eyes or hear it in their voices. I tell them what my manager told me: Step away for a few minutes, prioritize your actions, and focus on what your best can be in that moment.

That is how I hope to make a difference in their lives. And who knows, maybe beyond what I see, my presence ripples (传开) out to their circles of influence, which reaches others’— creating waves again to those that make up all that blue in my picture of Earth.

1. What’s the function of paragraph 1?

A．To arouse readers’ interest.

B．To show the author’s strong emotion.

C．To introduce the author’s current status of work.

D．To illuminate the author’s ups and downs in his career.

2. Why does the author still keep the postcard picture of Earth?

A．Because he needs its navigation when at a loss.

B．Because he has gained a favored job with its help.

C．Because he was required by his manager to value it.

D．Because he views it as a reminder of thinking overall.

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

A．Instruct.

B．Absorb.

C．Invest.

D．Encourage.

4. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A．The Influence of My Manager.

B．The Ripples of the Big Earth Picture.

C．The Stress Coming from Responsibilities.

D．The Good and the Bad Happenings in My Career.

5 . 4 brilliant hybrid bikes for urban or off-road use

From commuting to riding for leisure or exercise, cycling is popular as a pastime in our towns and cities. There are various types of bikes that you can use to get around, depending on your interests and lifestyle.

Schwinn Scree Gravel hybrid bike

This Schwinn bike is multi-use, with gravel tyres that are great for country roads and paths as well as more traditional roads. The bike has a relatively low sports-like frame with inward-facing handlebars, as well as a height-adjustable seat for comfort.

Specifications:
Wheel size — 28 inches
Frame material — aluminium
Professional Metropolitan hybrid bike

With a sturdy but lightweight alloy steel frame, this bike is a solid choice for commuting in urban environments. It has six gear speeds that can be switched between and a spring saddle for comfortable riding.

Note: The bike is 90 percent built, please check the assembly guide.

Specifications:
Wheel size — 29 inches
Frame material — alloy steel
Schwinn Wayfarer 500 bike

This hybrid bike has an 18-inch high-tensile steel frame, coming with a cushioned seat and seven different speeds. It has a classic design as well as an adjustable seat post.

Note: The bike comes 80 percent assembled, please check the assembly guide.

Specifications:
Wheel size — 28 inches
Frame material — alloy steel
Ammaco Pathway hybrid bike

This model has rigid suspension and comfortable handlebar grips, affording you a good experience whether you use it for exercise or leisure in the countryside. Another feature is the bike's reflective tyres, for added safety with early morning or night riding.

Note: Assembly will be required.
Specifications:
Wheel size — 29 inches
Frame material — aluminium
1. Which is most suitable if you want a city bike to ride to work?

A．Schwinn Scree Gravel hybrid bike.	B．Professional Metropolitan hybrid bike.
C．Schwinn Wayfarer 500 bike.	D．Ammaco Pathway hybrid bike.

2. What is an advantage of Ammaco Pathway hybrid bike?

A．Light Frame.	B．Variable speeds.
C．Reliable stopping power.	D．Extra security.

3. What do Schwinn Scree Gravel hybrid bike and Schwinn Wayfarer 500 bike have in common?

A．They are multifunctional.	B．They are mountain bikes.
C．They have adjustable seats.	D．They have high-rise handlebars.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why did Maria go to Palm Street?

A．To meet Jason.

B．To buy a ticket.

C．To do some shopping.

2. What is Rachel Black?

A．A comedian.

B．A street artist.

C．A salesperson.

3. Why is Jason lucky?

A．He can act in a comedy.

B．He is invited to a show.

C．He found his lost ring.

7 . Already a volunteer? Log in.

The Huntington, a collections-based research and educational institution, is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment for volunteers.

Benefits

Our program offers a wide range of activities for participants as young as 14, from gardening to assisting guests with wayfinding, to engaging with visitors about the collections in Huntington. We offer training, enrichment, and community-building opportunities to our volunteers throughout the year, in addition to discounts, service awards, and an annual recognition event.

*Join a devoted community—ages 14 to 80+

*Discounts, early entrance, and invitations to special events

Requirements

You don’t need an art degree, green thumb, or a background in history. Adult volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 8 hours of volunteer service per month. Some assignments allow for flexible self-scheduling, while others, like gardening, ask for a weekly 3-hour shift.

Teen volunteers are asked to commit to a weekly 2-hour assignment for a 4-month term with the potential to participate in additional terms.

Applications

Application opens for two months every August, December and April. Adults can apply after April 1,2024. Our teen program runs year-round with terms beginning in February, June, and September.

After submitting your application, you will be contacted by email within 4-6 weeks and directed to sign up to attend an information session or interview depending on your areas of expressed interest.

Volunteers are accepted based on their potential for personal growth, positive impact, and availability.

If you have questions about your application, or available assignments, please contact the volunteer office, volunteer@huntington.orgorcall   626-405-3429.

1. What can a volunteer in Huntington do?

A．Build community spirit.	B．Organize recognition events.
C．Introduce the collections.	D．Design service awards.

2. How long does an adult volunteer need to serve for a four-month term?

A．8 hours.	B．12 hours.
C．24 hours.	D．32 hours.

3. Who is more likely to be accepted as a volunteer in Huntington?

A．A kid with wide interests.	B．A teenager with beneficial influence.
C．An adult with rich experience.	D．An elder with early submission.

8 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Finally, the car pulled into my grandparents Gran and Mimi’s driveway, which stretched in a thin line through the maple (枫树) forest. Sky-blue tubes stretched from the trunks of the maples, sending sap (树液) into a huge tank. I liked visiting the farm on spring breaks... before I knew how badly I could mess things up.

During lunch Mimi asked, “Why so depressed, Jude?” They were really acting as if nothing bad happened during my last visit. For a second, my eyes caught Mimi’s. Could I ask her how much money their neighbor lost? Was Mr. Jackson still upset? “I’m fine,” I answered. “Just missing computer camp this week. That’s…something I’m good at.” Mimi nodded. “Ahh, that sounds disappointing.”

After lunch, I was on my own while Gran and Mimi worked in the sugarhouse. No way was I going there. The sugarhouse was next to Mr. Jackson’s rose beds, which was destroyed by the goats I carelessly let loose last year. Suddenly Mimi opened the sugarhouse door. “Jude! Come quick, please. We need you to drop defoamer (消泡剂) into the sap, or it will boil over.”

“They need me?” I guessed I would just go for a minute. When I walked through the doorway, a burst of sweet maple hugged me. Mimi passed me a small plastic bottle. Quickly, I added drops to each pan before any sap boiled over. The sap was coming in good! I had to make sure the sap kept flowing in while I got the fire burning.

Then, out of nowhere, there was Mr. Jackson! Opening the sugarhouse door. “I need help,” he yelled. “Maise is birthing, and the lamb needs a strong pull.” That was when he saw me. “He’s probably been waiting for this moment since last summer.” I got frightened. But instead, Mr. Jackson said, “Great! Jude is here. Both of you come. Jude can stay here and watch the boil.” Before they left, Mimi reminded me, “Jude, you could make it. Just boil the sap to syrup (糖浆) for us to draw it off!”

Could I?

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1: Suddenly, I was alone in the sugarhouse.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: “You are capable!” She nodded cheerfully, “Want to go meet the new baby lamb?”
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . 你校英语俱乐部将组织一次主题为“My Senior High School Life”的沙龙活动，请你写一篇发言稿，内容包括：
1. 总结得失；
2. 展望未来。
注意：
写作词数应为80左右；2.请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。

My Senior High School Life

The past three years have proved to be an incredible episode in my life.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The first poem that I ever fell in love with was Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,”    1     often quoted phrase “nevermore” seems to tell much about Americans as they will “nevermore” willingly read poetry. At the peak of poetry’s     2     (popular) in 2017, only about 28 million Americans reported that they had read a poem within the last year.

As humans, we are     3     (constant) trying to acknowledge the fact that some feelings cannot     4     (convey) clearly, and yet we shy away from an art form that depends on collecting emotion from every day and     5     (translate) it onto paper so that it becomes concrete.

In between lines, poets can transform heavy topics of love and loss     6     easy words that are not only understood but also felt. We need poetry     7     (remind) us of what we can be “if only we’re brave enough,” as Gorman would say.

Yes, poems are confusing at times,    8     it is your understanding that lends itself to meaning. Everything, from capitalization to punctuation (标点) marks, can be picked apart and thrown together; in the end, it is up to you to find     9     you need.

Regardless of     10     (they) shapes, poems are all reflections of the human desire to feel. Nathalie Handal in her piece “Love Letter” put it best, “I’d like to be a poem, to reach your heart and stay.”

So let it stay.