1 . On Monday, a lawsuit (诉讼) in the US got huge headlines around the world. It deals with a truly 21st century issue—whether human genes (基因) may be patented.

Myriad Genetics, a biotechnology company, discovered two genes — BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 — that are highly related to breast cancer. Myriad patented its discoveries and a group of researchers challenged that the patent was illegal.

The US patent law protects the temporary economic rewards inventors get from their inventions. But it also says a product of nature or a law of nature can’t be patented. For example, Einstein couldn’t patent on his discovery of E=mc².

And until relatively recently, many of the medical researchers voluntarily gave up patents on their inventions. When Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine (小儿麻痹症疫苗), was asked in 1955 whether he had a patent on the vaccine, he replied, “Could you patent the sun?”

Myriad Genetics, however, says that the genes it identified are not like the sun. It notes that there are 20,000 genes in the human body and that it has sorted through all those genes and found the two that are closely related to breast cancer.

Not so, say those challenging the patent. Human genes are products of nature. They are just a part of the human body. “All Myriad does is take the part out of the body,” says the challengers’ lawyer, Christopher Hansen. “Can the person who first takes the heart out of the body patent on hearts?”

Rochelle Dreyfuss, a patent expert who is not associated with this case, is a little more down to earth. “At some level it is about money,” he says, “because medicine doesn’t happen for free. The patent system is very important to encourage companies to spend more money on scientific research and development.”

Then how do other countries handle this tricky situation? Most countries approve patents on genes, but they also allow other scientists to use the genes freely to do research and develop new medicines and testing methods.

1. Which of the following can be patented according to the US patent law?

A．The law of gravity force.	B．A unique orbit found in space.
C．A new medicine based on BRCA 1.	D．The basic working principle of planes.

2. What is Christopher Hansen’s argument against the patent?

A．A product of nature can’t be patented.

B．Public interests should be put before profits.

C．It is unacceptable to the other countries in the world.

D．The connection between genes and cancers is not obvious.

3. What does the underlined phrase “down to earth” in paragraph 7 mean?

A．Angry.

B．Rude.

C．Smart

D．Practical.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The consequences of the lawsuit.	B．Other countries’ solution to the case.
C．The public reactions to the news.	D．Some scientists’ support for the patent.

2 . We’ve had weather forecasts for decades. Forecasting our near-term health is far tougher. Yet knowing early that we may be coming down with the flu could be very helpful. The good news is that wearable technology, such as smartwatches, is beginning to provide such information. The smartwatch-like systems contain sensors that collect data.

Jessilyn Dunn is a biomedical engineer at Duke University in Durham. Her team asked 49 volunteers to wear wristbands before and after they received a cold or flu virus. At least once per second, these wristbands recorded heart rates, body movements skin temperatures and more. After analyzing the data, Dunn’s team found that in nine out of very ten volunteers, there were signs of developing illness at least a day before symptoms (症状) appeared.

The early warning, says Dunn, can head off severe symptoms that otherwise would send some people into hospitals. And knowing you’re sick before you have symptoms can warn you to lie low so you can reduce the chance of spreading your disease.

However, these systems aren’t yet ready for the real world, notes virologist Stacey Schultz-Cherry. “This is exciting but also very preliminary (初步的),” says Schultz-Cherry. “Much more work is needed before this approach can be rolled out on a larger scale.” One challenge is that many infections (感染) have analogous symptoms. Actually, besides viruses, many other things also lead to signs of a cold or the flu. Examples, Schultz-Cherry notes, include food poisoning and seasonal allergies (过敏反应). Likewise, heart rates also respond to things that have nothing to do with infections. Examples include exercise and scary movies.

Researchers expect continued improvement in prediction accuracy (准确性). Future models will show signs of developing illness. And researchers will adjust those models by analyzing how well they predict effects on thousands of people.

1. What did the research find out about wearable technology?

A．It tended to give wrong information.

B．It helped give early warnings of disease.

C．It kept track of people’s use of smartwatches.

D．It was likely to make people lead a stressful life.

2. What’s the advantage of smartwatch-like systems according to Dunn?

A．They can reduce the harm caused by illness.

B．They will remind people to keep away from sick people.

C．They can give people the confidence to fight against illness.

D．They will encourage people to develop good living habits.

3. What does the underlined word “analogous” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Clear.

B．Similar.

C．Mental.

D．Serious.

4. What can we infer about the systems from Schultz-Cherry’s words?

A．They can predict disease with high accuracy.

B．They can be used for checking various infections.

C．They may influence the normal heart rate of people.

D．They have a long way to go before being widely applied.

3 . Is there any such thing as a salt tooth? We are familiar with a sweet tooth, along with the negative effects of sugar. We are broadly aware of the disadvantages of too much salt, including high blood pressure, which puts pressure on the blood vessels (血管), the heart and the kidneys. It can also lead to water retention (水肿). But we don’t tend to police how much salt we eat — at least, not as rigorously as with sugar — or question whether we are just paying attention to our bodies, which require some salt for muscles to work properly, or we are being controlled by a strong urge.

A salt tooth is quite unlike a sweet tooth. It doesn’t create an appetite for itself at the hormone level. But salt does make our taste buds (味蕾) get used to it, so that the more you eat, the more you need to get the same salty hit. This is why chefs can get heavy-handed with it.

As Sam Bloom, a nutritional therapist, explains, “What is generally more concerning is the fat that is used together with salt, like salty crisps, fries and fast food. Ready meals are often the worst for hidden salts. Anything that adds flavor that isn’t a spice or herb will probably have salt added to it and can make you want to eat more because it tastes good. The salt and fat combination in these foods is what causes problems with cholesterol (胆固醇). The salt that people add to a meal is much less concerning.”

Nutritionists’ suggestion is convincing: When the desire for salt hits, avoid going straight for salty snack foods such as crisps and instead ensure you are well hydrated. Seek out whole foods, such as olives and leafy greens. These foods will help you alleviate the desire for salt, which may often be due to a desire for nutrient-rich food.

1. What does the underlined word “rigorously” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Generally.

B．Strictly.

C．Largely.

D．Pleasantly.

2. Why is salt different from sugar according to paragraph 2?

A．Salt attracts chefs.

B．Salt gets people adapted.

C．Salt can change hormone level.

D．Salt generates a special appetite.

3. What is Sam Bloom’s attitude towards ready meals?

A．Objective.

B．Approving.

C．Negative.

D．Ambiguous.

4. What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A．Ways of seeking out whole food.

B．Reasons for getting the desire for salt.

C．Attitudes towards seeking for nutrient food.

D．Approaches to relieving the eagerness for salt.

4 . For night owls like Chen Danhong, 28, who works for a technology company in Beijing, the day really just begins after about 8 pm, a psychological hint that she can relax. “When I get home, I’m feeling worn out and tired, but that suddenly turns to excitement and I go on the Internet, read novels or watch movies. I’ll be playing video games and continually saying to myself, ‘OK, this is the last one’ before I eventually realize that it’s 2 o’clock,” says Chen.

Common symptoms (症状) include falling asleep later than 2 am, with the average time taken to fall asleep being more than one hour. Young people in cities are most vulnerable to such symptoms, according to the 2020 Chinese National Healthy Sleep White Paper. Common causes are loneliness, overtime sequelae (后遗症), excessive stress and emotional disorders. On March 21, World Sleep Day, a newspaper, Nanguo Morning News, conducted a survey that attracted 2,000 interviewees.

According to the survey, the reasons for going to bed late vary widely, with overtime work or taking care of a baby accounting for just five percent of the interviewees’ answers on this question. Sixty-four percent said they sleep late because they watch dramas, various shows, read books or play with their mobile phones. Fourteen percent said they do not want to go to bed too early even if they have nothing to do.

Many interviewees said they have had experience of the dangers of going to be late. Twenty-three percent said they have no serious physiological problems, but they can feel weak, are easily fatigued and have a poor complexion. Twenty-one percent said they are forgetful and find it hard to concentrate on work. More worrying is that an unwillingness to sleep can lead to a vicious circle (恶性循环), and15 percent of the respondents said they cannot fall asleep even if they want to.

1. Why does the author mention Chen Danhong’s situation in the first paragraph?

A．To lead in the topic.	B．To present an argument.
C．To shock the reader.	D．To raise a question.

2. What makes young people tend to go to bed late?

A．Unwillingness to sleep.	B．The various entertainments.
C．Caring for their family.	D．The frequent overtime.

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

A．Concerned.

B．Exhausted.

C．Focused.

D．Sleepy.

4. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Young people are more strong enough to sleep late.

B．Young people can fall asleep anytime they want to.

C．Going to bed late affects many people’s health or work.

D．Sleeping late occasionally isn’t harmful to our health.

5 . Ms. McIntyre, 38, worked as a publisher. She suffered brain cancer and her health got worse despite some medical treatment. But she realized that in a way, she was luckier than some other people. She had insurance to help pay for her medical care. But Ms. McIntyre and her husband, Mr. Gregory, knew that many people with cancer face tough decisions because of the costs of medical care and wind up owing far more than they can pay.

Though her health was failing, Ms. McIntyre decided to help pay off the medical debts of as many people as she possibly could. The couple began donating money to a group called RIP Medical Debt, which is committed to working to pay off the unpaid medical debts of others. The group can pay off medical bills for about 100 times less money than they cost. In other words, for every 100 donated, the group can pay off 10,000 in unpaid medical bills.

Unfortunately, Ms. McIntyre passed away before long. Mr. Gregory posted a message for Ms. McIntyre on her social media accounts. “If you’re reading this, I have passed away,” the post began. Then the post explained, “To celebrate my life, I’ve arranged to buy up others’ medical debts and then destroy the debts.”

The couple had set up a page on a website to raise money for this purpose. They had hoped to raise about $20,000. Nevertheless, Ms. McIntyre’s last post attracted a lot of attention. The donations on her web page quickly passed the total goal. In less than a week, the site had raised 10 times more than expected and the donations are still coming in. By November 22, 2023, Ms. McIntyre’s web page had raised over $627,000, or enough money to pay off about $60 million in medical debts.

Mr. Gregory planned a special event in December to celebrate Ms. McIntyre’s life and to announce how many millions of dollars of medical debts her efforts had paid for.

1. Why did Ms. McIntyre feel luckier than some other people?

A．The doctors eventually cured her.	B．Her disease didn’t become worse.
C．She had a decent job before being ill.	D．She had security about medical care.

2. How did Ms. McIntyre and her husband help others?

A．By paying for their daily debts.	B．By giving away money to them.
C．By ridding them of debts from treatments.	D．By purchasing medical insurance for them.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The public involvement.	B．The couple’s commitment.
C．The operation of a website.	D．The increase of medical debts.

4. Which of the following words can best describe Ms. McIntyre?

A．Humorous and elegant.	B．Influential and understanding.
C．Cautious and promising.	D．Enthusiastic and adaptable.

6 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. What was wrong with Tom?

A．He was hit by a taxi.

B．He hurt his head.

C．He fell ill with heart trouble.

2. What did the woman do?

A．She called the doctor.

B．She checked Tom carefully.

C．She took Tom to the hospital.

7 . As is known to all, sports are necessary, but many people are worried about getting hurt in sports. The equipment（装备）you wear while taking part in sports and other activities is key to avoiding injuries（受伤）.

Start with helmets（头盔）. They’re important for sports and activities such as football, baseball, softball, biking, horseback riding, skateboarding, inline skating, skiing, and snow boarding—to name just a few.    1    Every helmet should be replaced after any accident, as there can be more problems you can’t see.

    2    Sports participation（参与）is the leading cause of eye injuries in teens, but proper fitting protective eyewear can reduce the risk of serious eye injury by 90%. Don’t just wear your regular glasses when you’re on the court or field.    3    

Wear a mouthguard if you play a contact sport where head injury is a risk, such as football, basketball, volleyball and boxing.    4    They can be fitted for your mouth by a dentist（牙医）or bought at sports stores.

And last but not least, the right footwear can keep you from tripping and falling. You know that sports like football, baseball, softball, and soccer require cleats（防滑鞋）.    5    Ask your coach or doctor what shoes are best for your sport.

A．They don’t provide protection.

B．Need to find the right helmet size for you?

C．Eye protection is also a must for many sports.

D．Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries by 75% - 85%.

E．Mouthguards can protect your mouth, teeth, and tongue.

F．The right kind of equipment is important, so is the right size.

G．But you may not realize that sports like biking need special types of shoes, too.

8 . 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。

These days, many Chinese young people have turned to trees to help with their stress. Although it sounds strange, there’s science behind the act of tree-hugging.

A study in 2021     1     (report) that the act of tree-hugging can increase oxytocin (催产素). It’s a hormone responsible for     2     (feel). The     3     (high) the level of oxytocin is, the calmer and happier you may be. Hugging trees for only 21 seconds can lead to     4     increase in oxytocin.

Another hormone     5     (call) cortisol (皮质醇) is a marker of stress. The brain produces more cortisol when the person is anxious, angry, or very sad. Hugging trees helps cut cortisol production,     6     makes us feel better.

Although the activity is     7     (help) to us, it’s important to keep in mind that we shouldn’t hurt nature while doing it. Trees often hold valuable ecosystems. Many small creatures live on the tree and they are too small to be seen. You may want to be gentle when hugging trees—just like how you hug a friend!

There are other ways to turn to nature to help with your stress, such as forest bathing     8     water healer. You can stand or sit     9     a forest and close your eyes to listen to all the sounds around you, or you can sit beside the water to     10     (simple) enjoy the sounds.

9 . It has been shown in about 20 studies that forest bathing can improve mental and physical health. Spending any time in nature is a great way to improve your mental health, and the ideal amount of time is about 120 minutes a week. That may sound like a lot.     1     Just having those micro moments of life in nature, whether it is just 5 or 10 minutes a day, has massive benefits.

    2    . Forest bathing is essentially a slow, mindful walk in nature where you pay really close attention to your surroundings, using all of your senses. The best way to build time outdoors into your routine is to include it into what you already do.

    3    

Walking is great for a forest bathing, even if it’s on your way to work or school. Maybe you leave a little earlier and go more slowly, taking a route with more greenery. Perhaps you pay closer attention to the flowers springing through the cracks in the cement or the trees lining the street.

During a meal

If you consider yourself a home chef and regularly cook dinner for yourself and loved ones, maybe it’s time to grow herbs in your kitchen.     4    . If you can put some focus into the environment and observe the world going on around you, having a meal in your yard or on a patio is a great way to get your minutes in nature.

In your office

Getting your forest bathing in the office can be good for both you and your work. That could mean going on a weekly lunch walk with a work friend, or taking a break to look out the window or even bringing a plant into your office.     5    , you could suggest taking the meeting while walking or sitting outside.

A．On your daily outing

B．Above all, be comfortable

C．If you have meetings in small groups

D．But you don’t have to do it all at once

E．When you have experienced forest bathing

F．In fact, forest bathing doesn’t have to take place in a forest

G．Once dinner is ready, consider moving the meal outside in mild weather

10 . How to Improve Your Mental Health

Your mental health is an important aspect of your overall health. No matter what your situation is, you can take steps to improve your mental health.

Take a self-assessment(评估). Everyone has what is known as “emotional intelligence” or EQ. EQ refers to how well you understand your emotions and actions. Figuring out your EQ is important if you want to improve your mental well-being.     1     A mental health expert can also help you determine your EQ.

Set goals. After you have completed your self-assessment, you can clearly identify the areas you would like to focus on improving. Take time to set some clear and achievable goals. These can be both long term and short term goals. Write down your goals.     2    

Handle your emotions. An important part of improving your mental well-being is learning to admit your emotions.     3     However, it is important to handle your emotions. Handling your emotions is a multi-step process. It includes sensing, naming, attributing, evaluating and acting.

Learn how to identify and deal with your triggers (诱因) . Everyone has different triggers.     4     To deal with your triggers, take some time to figure out what they are and develop plans for how to deal with them.

Gather information. Avoid the bad name that mental health issues are somehow not “real” problems. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Take some time to learn about the importance of your mental health.     5     For example, you might visit a yoga studio to ask them about the mental benefits of practicing yoga.

A．Take some time to look at the big picture.

B．This is when you apply a name to the emotion.

C．Yours might be certain people, situations, or places.

D．Research different ways to improve your mental health.

E．This will help you keep them and make your dream come true.

F．Sometimes it might feel simple r to set aside an uncomfortable emotion.

G．You can find online assessment tools to help you figure out your results.