1 . “Have a dream. Don’t be afraid to want something.” That’s the advice from Florence Bergeron, associate director of knowledge mobilization (动员) for the Students Commission of Canada. The group organized the country’s annual “Take Our Kids to Work Day” initiative on November 1.
Across Canada, ninth-grade students had the chance to visit the workplace of a parent, relative or friend. Bergeron said over 450,000 people participated this year.
The initiative began in 1994. “The principle was to bring their own children into the workplace so they could see what their parents were doing and prepare for taking on that same role,” Bergeron explained. The purpose of the day has changed over the years, as many kids now follow careers different from their parents’.
According to Dorota Peacock, who is the district coordinator for career education in the Surrey School District in British Columbia, the event is beneficial in various ways. “It’s valuable for exposing students to what people do in the adult workforce that they normally wouldn’t see,” Peacock said. “They get to ask questions and decide what’s interesting.”
Peacock added that students also learned what they were loath to do, which was just as valuable. That was the case for three ninth graders from Ecole Salish Secondary School in Surrey. Mia Kim, Rithi Murugaselvam, and Eljie Salimbagat said that they enjoyed visiting their parents’ workplaces, but realized that they, themselves, would likely follow different paths. Rithi,14, who visited a day care center where her mother worked, said that “much patience is required for working with kids.”
All three students agreed that learning to socialize is essential, no matter what career path you follow. “I learned that for a lot of jobs, you needed to learn how to communicate with others to be successful,” said Mia, 13.
Peacock hoped that the event inspired Canada’s ninth graders to have a deeper appreciation for their parents. “They are smart, productive people, and not just people who come home and help with homework and make meals,” Peacock said. “They’re an actual person in the world doing really cool things.”
1. What was the purpose of the initiative?| A．To expose children to the busy life. | B．To prepare students for their career options. |
| C．To improve parent-child relationships. | D．To educate children on possible changes. |
| A．Unwilling. | B．Nervous. | C．Ready. | D．Eager. |
| A．The ability to adapt. | B．The adventurous spirit. |
| C．The sense of success. | D．The communication skill. |
| A．Family count above all else. | B．Parents’ work is much more meaningful. |
| C．Children should admire their parents. | D．Children lack appreciation for housework. |
2 . Social media can lead to mental exhaustion (疲惫). And when mentally exhausted, you are more likely to be influenced by a high number of likes on posts—even to the point of clicking on ads for products you don't need or want.
As a professor of advertising, I have studied social media behaviors for years. In late 2022, my colleague Eric Haley and I conducted three online studies on Americans aged 18—65 to test how people under various mental loads respond to ads differently.
The control group in each study were given no introductory task—we just had them look at an ad. A second group had to memorize a nine-digit number and then look at the ad. The third group looked through the Internet for 30 seconds and then looked at the ad. Participants randomly saw an ad with a few hundred likes or tens of thousands of likes. After viewing the ad, each participant rated how willing they would be to buy the product, and how much mental effort it took to think about the information.
The group that used the Internet first were the most likely to want to buy the featured product when there were lots of likes or comments, and they also reported using the most mental effort to assess the ad. Researchers refer to this mentally exhausted state as “cognitive (认知的) overload”. Using social media puts them in this state because they are constantly evaluating different types of texts, photos and video posts from so many different people. In the span of several seconds, they can see a text from their husband or wife, a photo from a co-worker, a video from a celebrity and an emoji from their brother. All of this evaluating leaves them feeling frazzled.
Imagine asking your roommate if they want to go get pizza. Under normal conditions, the roommate might consider several factors such as cost, hunger, timing or their schedule. Now imagine asking your roommate the same question while they are on the phone with a sick relative. They no longer have the mental energy to logically consider whether pizza for dinner is a good idea.
By understanding how social media influences them, consumers can be more thoughtful in regulating their use—and hopefully not buy yet another water bottle they don’t need.
1. Why did the author conduct three online studies on Americans aged 18-65?| A．To investigate their online habits. |
| B．To test their reactions to advertisements. |
| C．To research what kind of advertising is effective. |
| D．To discover why people suffer great mental stress. |
| A．Its purpose. | B．Its process. | C．Its finding. | D．Its significance. |
| A．Interested. | B．Depressed. | C．Annoyed. | D．Tired. |
| A．To further explain cognitive overload. |
| B．To stress the importance of. relationships. |
| C．To strongly call on people to eat healthily. |
| D．To remind people not to rely on mobile phones. |
3 . Over the past few decades, technology has profoundly transformed the way we live and work. The digital revolution has brought about
In the realm of employment, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping job markets. Routine tasks that were once carried out by humans are now
The education sector has not been immune to technological advancements either. Online learning platforms and digital resources have
Communication has been revolutionized by technology as well. Social media platforms enable instantaneous global
Healthcare has witnessed the integration of technology through telemedicine and remote monitoring. While these innovations improve access to medical services, they also raise questions about the
In the realm of creativity, technology has opened new avenues for artistic expression. Digital art, virtual reality experiences, and interactive storytelling have
The environment benefits from technology through innovations in renewable energy and resource management. Yet, the
In conclusion, technology’s far-reaching influence touches every aspect of our lives. Its
| A．incremental | B．revolutionary | C．gradual | D．minimal |
| A．profound | B．superficial | C．theoretical | D．casual |
| A．substituted | B．enhanced | C．abandoned | D．detected |
| A．suppressed | B．triggered | C．alleviated | D．sparked |
| A．surpassed | B．preserved | C．substituted | D．revived |
| A．digital | B．analytical | C．cognitive | D．interpersonal |
| A．correspondence | B．connectivity | C．isolation | D．suspension |
| A．solved | B．raised | C．suppressed | D．established |
| A．protection | B．vulnerability | C．anticipation | D．interpretation |
| A．extended | B．imposed | C．enforced | D．dissolved |
| A．preservation | B．authenticity | C．distortion | D．manipulation |
| A．insignificant | B．extensive | C．marginal | D．deliberate |
| A．beneficial | B．detrimental | C．ambiguous | D．prevalent |
| A．implications | B．consequences | C．limitations | D．requirements |
| A．promising | B．potential | C．evident | D．underlying |
4 . Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have revolutionized the way we think about money and transactions. These digital assets are based on blockchain technology, a decentralized and transparent system that enables secure peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks.
The potential applications of cryptocurrencies extend beyond simple transactions. Smart contracts, for instance, are self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code. They automatically execute and enforce the terms of an agreement when specific conditions are met. This technology has implications across various industries, from supply chain management to real estate.
However, the rise of cryptocurrencies has also given rise to challenges. One major concern is their volatility. The value of cryptocurrencies can fluctuate dramatically within short periods, making them risky investment options. Additionally, the pseudonymous nature of transactions has led to debates about the potential for illicit activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion.
Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are grappling with how to classify, regulate, and tax cryptocurrencies. The decentralized nature of these digital assets challenges traditional regulatory frameworks. Some countries have embraced cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, while others have implemented strict regulations or outright bans.
The future of cryptocurrencies is still uncertain. Proponents believe they could reshape the financial system, enabling greater financial inclusion and efficiency. Critics worry about their potential negative impacts and the need for more comprehensive regulations to protect consumers and prevent misuse.
1. How do cryptocurrencies enable secure transactions without intermediaries?| A．They rely on banks to facilitate transactions. |
| B．They are based on blockchain technology. |
| C．They require government oversight for security. |
| D．They use smart contracts for validation. |
| A．A contract executed by banks for digital transactions. |
| B．A contract written in human-readable language. |
| C．A contract enforced by intermediaries. |
| D．A self-executing contract with terms in code |
| A．Their stable and predictable value. |
| B．Their potential to replace traditional currency. |
| C．Their susceptibility to fluctuations. |
| D．Their resistance to technological advancements. |
| A．Most countries have embraced cryptocurrencies without regulations. |
| B．Governments have adopted uniform regulations for cryptocurrencies. |
| C．Governments have struggled to regulate and classify cryptocurrencies. |
| D．All countries have implemented strict bans on cryptocurrencies. |
5 . The concept of universal basic income (UBI) has gained significant attention in recent years as societies grapple with the potential impacts of automation and technological advancements on the job market. UBI is a proposed economic policy in which all citizens or residents of a country receive a regular, unconditional cash payment from the government.
Proponents of UBI argue that it could address issues such as poverty, income inequality, and job displacement caused by automation. By providing a basic income floor, individuals would have financial stability to cover their essential needs, even if traditional employment opportunities diminish. This, in turn, could foster entrepreneurship, creativity, and pursuit of education.
Critics, however, raise several concerns about the feasibility and consequences of UBI. One major concern is the potential cost of implementing such a program. Providing a universal basic income to an entire population would require significant financial resources, which could strain government budgets and lead to increased taxation. Additionally, some worry that UBI might discourage people from actively seeking employment or pursuing career advancement, as they may opt for a guaranteed income without the need for work.
Furthermore, UBI may not fully address the complexities of poverty and inequality. It could overlook the structural factors that contribute to these issues, such as lack of access to quality education and healthcare. Critics argue that a more effective approach would involve targeted social programs that address the root causes of poverty and offer assistance where it is most needed.
As the debate around UBI continues, policymakers and economists grapple with questions about its implementation, impact on work incentives, and potential to reshape social and economic dynamics.
1. What is universal basic income (UBI)?| A．A cash payment for citizens during technological advancements. |
| B．An unconditional cash payment for government employees. |
| C．A policy where all citizens receive regular cash from the government. |
| D．Financial resources for entrepreneurs and creative individuals. |
| A．It could discourage education due to guaranteed income. |
| B．It could increase access to quality education. |
| C．It could lead to more job opportunities |
| D．It could support traditional employment opportunities. |
| A．Lack of access to quality education and healthcare. |
| B．The potential cost and funding of the program. |
| C．UBI’s impact on social and economic dynamics. |
| D．UBI’s focus on entrepreneurship over traditional jobs. |
| A．Providing unconditional cash payments to all citizens. |
| B．Focusing solely on technological advancements. |
| C．Implementing targeted social programs addressing root causes. |
| D．Relying on traditional employment opportunities. |
6 . Coming of age is that time in each of our lives when we begin to see the possibilities. The world opens up in ways that mature our vision and give us a sense of responsibility and gratefulness. Connor had just started college and loved being at that stage in his life where he could eat all the pizza he wanted, yet engage in adult conversations with his parents about the responsibility to make life better for others. Connor’s optimism was infectious. There was so much he could do, and so much he could become.
But it all ended one night when Connor was distracted while driving on a Colorado highway. A young man, who gave off so much light, suddenly went dark.
Connor’s father, David, took it particularly hard.A father sees more than his own traits(性格) in his son; he sees greater possibilities than he achieved. Taking that hope away left David feeling at a loss. But Connor ‘s optimism was one of those traits passed on to him by his father. So, David got to work.
First, he established the Honor Connor Scholarship Fund to reward students who served in the community, Next, he went to work creating a research-based curriculum that educates University of Colorado Boulder students and their families about the dangers of texting while driving. It includes a very simple three part promise: Do not text or use social media while driving, speak out if riding with a driver who is distracted and encourage friends and family to drive phone-free.
David now works with lecturers at various colleges’ and high schools, ensuring young minds understand how statistically at risk they are when they text while driving. He’s become a passionate advocate for preparing young people to drive safely and not reach for their phones while they’re at the wheel. “I just don’t want other parents to go through what I did when I lost Connor,” says David. “It’s just so preventable.”
1. What’s the purpose of paragraph 1?| A．To give the background of a funny story. |
| B．To explain why David chose to volunteer. |
| C．To set off David’s great pain of losing his son. |
| D．To sing high praise for Connor’s healthy growth. |
| A．The headlight of his car went wrong. |
| B．He drove carelessly and died in an accident. |
| C．He suffered an accident for his father’s fault. |
| D．He died from another driver’s careless driving. |
| A．His coach. | B．His grandfather. | C．His teacher. | D．His father. |
| A．He wanted to take a job in a college. |
| B．He took the classes that Connor hadn’t finished. |
| C．He wanted to prevent similar sad stories repeating. |
| D．He honored Connor for what he had done in the community. |
7 . For the past three weeks, students across India’s capital have been attending a new course: happiness. The Delhi government introduced “happiness classes”.
“We have given best-of-the-best talents to the world,” Sisodai said, according to The Washington Post. “
The Washington Post says children came out of their first happiness class with some excitement. “We should work happily,” 11-year-old Aayush Jha, a seventh grader at a public school in Delhi, told the paper. “When you work sadly, your work will not be good.”
Sisodai hopes to deliver these tools to help students live more happily inside and outside of the classroom, whether or not they’re achieving their academic standards. “I don’t know if happiness can be learned, but yes, it can be practised,” he says. “
One in four Indian children aged 13 to 15 struggles with low spirits, the World Health Organization reported last year. As journalist Susan Brink reported, “The government has made changes after noticing that some young people under great stress to do well in school tended to commit suicide (自杀) if they felt they did poorly.” “In South India, they observed higher suicide rates after exam periods among schoolchildren who failed,” Alexandra Fleischmannn, a project coordinator for the WHO’s Preventing Suicide report, told Brink. “
| A．Many Indian students are facing a very tough life |
| B．We have given best-of-the-best professionals to industry |
| C．Then they introduced the possibility of taking the exams again |
| D．It is used to decide whether an Indian student is excellent or not |
| E．Delhi’s Education Minister Manish Sisodai is in charge of making the changes |
| F．Once you start practising living with happiness, then it can become part of your life |
| G．It tried to change the country’s academic focus from student achievement to emotional well-being |
8 . Humanitarian(人道主义的)groups and lawmakers have criticized Italian authorities for preventing migrants who were not considered to be“vulnerable(脆弱的)”from disembarking(登陆)from rescue ships in Sicily on Sunday.
Charities and politicians blamed the selection process as illegal and regarded the actions of the Italian government as inhumane, reported the Associated Press news service, or AP. Italy’s new government is reportedly targeting foreign-flagged rescue ships in a new procedure that is part of a regulation brought about by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
Italy allowed a rescue ship carrying 179 refugees and migrants to enter a port in Sicily on Sunday and then later begin disembarking children and sick or“vulnerable”people, but 35 men on board were blocked from getting off the ship, reported the Reuters news agency. Later, agencies reported that 144 people had been allowed to disembark the Humanity 1 rescue ship,which sailed under a German flag. In the afternoon,357 people were allowed off the Geo Barents ship operated by Doctors Without Borders, which sails under a Norwegian flag, but 215 people remained blocked on board.
Authorities continued to refuse safe harbor for hundreds of migrants onboard two other ships in nearby waters, said the AP. Humanity 1’s captain refused to leave the port of Catania “until all survivors rescued from great suffering at sea have been disembarked”, said SOS Humanity, the German-run charity that operates the ship. The charity strongly criticized Piantedosi’s decision to only allow vulnerable people to disembark and on Monday said it would launch legal action against the Italian government,claiming Italy’s actions violate European law and the Geneva Refugee Convention.
The BBC noted that Italy is one of the main entry points into Europe, and, according to the United Nations, 85,000 migrants have arrived there on small,overcrowded boats since the start of the year. Italy’s new prime minister,Giorgia Meloni,has promised to take action to stop those making the hazardous journeys across the Mediterranean.
Nongovernmental organizations say coastal nations are responsible by the law of the sea to rescue people who are suffering and that they are responsible to provide a safe port as soon as possible.
Till Rummenhohl，head of operations at SOS Humanity，said people were being “held hostage (人质)”onboard the Humanity 1 vessel.”“We had health authorities onboard who decided who’s weak enough, who is basically in urgent medical case and who’s not,”Rummenhohl told DW News.“The people are not really sure what’s happening to them. They have an uncertain future. They are afraid of being pushed back from Italy, into international waters or even to Libya. That’s their greatest fear,” he said.
1. Why were 35 of the 179 refugees not allowed to leave the ship to enter Italy in the beginning?| A．They were not weak people. | B．They had no certifications. |
| C．The ship was in good condition. | D．The ship sailed under a German flag. |
| A．Comfortable. | B．Thrilling. |
| C．Long. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．Italy’s actions agreed with European law and the Geneva Refugee Convention. |
| B．Illegal migrants should be pushed back into international waters. |
| C．Coastal countries should save people who are suffering at sea. |
| D．Illegal migrants were supposed to be held hostage onboard. |
| A．Italy provides safe shelters for refugees |
| B．Italy prevents migrants from leaving ships |
| C．Humanity 1’s captain refuses to leave the port of Catania |
| D．Many migrants arrive in Italy on small, overcrowded boats |
9 . Along Route 1, in Thomas-tomatines a store filled with handicrafts—birdhouses and dollhouses, salad bowls and sailing ships — all made in Maine state prisons. Ted and Barbara Waylayer have been shopping here for decades. “We found the quality to be excellent,” said Ted.
Prisoners have been making things in Maine since the 1800s. Charlie Jones came here when he was 20, sentenced to 75 years in a state where there is no parole(假释). In the workshops, he discovered he had a talent for carving. One of Jones’ earlier projects was a golden eagle, which he learned to carve from a book.
“It’s amazing to see the amount of talent that the residents have here,”said Randall Liberty, commissioner(局长)of Maine’s Department of Corrections.“We have more than 100 residents working here daily. They do about US $1.6 million worth of work. “One of Maine’s programs allows residents to earn a college degree. The money for it was donated by Doris Buffet, who lived in Dockland, Maine. “She gave us an initial US $2 million donation,” said Liberty. “And that’s the best money I’ve ever seen invested in anyone.”
Charlie Jones is one of the graduates. “The college program is incredible,” Jones laughed. “When we used to walk to dinner, we could hear people talking about their former crimes. But now when going to dinner, you’ll hear somebody talking about their philosophy class or their history class.”
Liberty said, “The individuals that graduate have about a 5% recidivism(再犯) rate, as opposed to a 60-65% nationally. That means 95% of the people who go through this program don’t go back.”
When Doris Buffet died in 2020, Charlie Jones made a table, with legs made of books, to honor her. It’s also carved with the names of courses open to prison residents, and the professors who teach them. On the table was a book telling Daris Buffet’s story, and a thank you note.
1. What does paragraph 2 tell us about Charlie Jones?| A．He has a gift for carving. | B．He has earned a master degree. |
| C．He is only expert in carving eagles. | D．He has been in prison for about 20 years. |
| A．To show how the prisoners tried to reform. |
| B．To reveal what led those like Charlie Jones to prison. |
| C．To list some courses included in the college program. |
| D．To highlight the positive effect of the college program. |
| A．Prisoners in Maine create little value. |
| B．Few prisoners in Maine are hardworking. |
| C．The handicrafts made in Maine state prisons are of high quality. |
| D．Prisoners graduating from college have a lower recidivism rate. |
| A．How Doris Buffet died in 2020. |
| B．What the table made by Charlie Jones is like. |
| C．Charlie Jones’ sorrow over the death of Doris Buffet. |
| D．Why there was a book telling Doris Buffet’s story on the table. |
10 . The Nation Foundation
We Are A Global Community Of Changemakers
All students, regardless of their circumstanced, should have access to equal academic opportunities. At The Nation Foundation (TNF), we’re working to make that a reality. We are a grass roots organization working across East Africa to help empower the youth of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Cooperation is our key to making change.
Working Together To Make Change Happen
The world is connected in ways that it has never been before. We use this connection to mobilize(动员) an international community of leaders to help solve East Africa’s most chap-lending educational issued. Together, with our East African leadership scam, we find innovative path ways for sustainable change. Our programs include sustainable development projects, new models for students sponsorship and much more!
Here Is How You Can Help
Making a difference is easier than ever. We aim to democratize(使民主化) charitable giving, international support, and volunteer initiative by providing a platform for changemakers to engage their communities in a variety of ways. Whether it’s fund raising, volunteering, donating, or hosting awareness campaigns, we work with our global community of allies(盟友) to equip them with the tools and skills needed to change the world.
1. What does the organization do for the East African youth?| A．To help them obtain freedom. | B．To involve them in volunteering. |
| C．To teach them how to cooperate. | D．To give them access to education. |
| A．To seek new ideas. | B．To provide a platform. |
| C．To suggest involvement. | D．To raise public awareness. |
| A．In a science fiction. | B．In a charity brochure. |
| C．In an art magazine. | D．In a history book. |
