1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。1.

A．To save time for laws to take effect.

B．To weaken the government’s check.

C．To give himself more power.

D．To change the country’s political system.

2.

A．A category.

B．A measurement.

C．An activity.

D．An airport.

3.

A．The major industrial growth.

B．The number of people at the airport.

C．The side effect of an emergency.

D．The unhealthy level of pollution.

2 . We all wish we had our very own libraries at home. They’re a great way to keep what you love reading best organized in one place. Technology has taken over our lives and everything seems to be accessible _______. The sad part about online books is that the realness of holding one in your hands is lost. It may be _______ to those who often travel, but there’s nothing like printed books in libraries that you can leaf through, as opposed to clicking through.

Unlike the Internet, printed books are much more _______ than any other sources. Rarely will you find a list of references mentioned at the end of the article section on the web. Printed books are _______ carefully before they’re published so that the facts mentioned in non-fiction books are all true and necessary. Reference pages at the end of these books are also mentioned in some works that require such a section.

Unlike electronic devices that can have problems such as the loss of _______ it stores, printed books have a way of lasting for years to come if _______ with care. They can be collected as valuable books that you’d like to have in their _______ form, as well as be passed on to others who’d like to read them as well. It’s great when you have something like a book to hold on to (留存) and read, while an online book _______ that close and constant companionship.

_______, you can’t expect kids to hold up an iPad under the sheets late at night. Reading ________ books ensures that kids have access to reading without being spoiled into buying a(n) ________ product that can distract (分心) them from actual reading. Kids love picture books and the images that come with them, which is great for present authors who still ________books that are intended for kids.

Libraries are a great place that dates back to a time when ________ was non-existent and was an unbelievable idea to men back in that period. Today the ________ of libraries still exists, with many people going to them for the love of books. It is important for children to start off by reading the real thing before ________ what other media can offer. Anyway, never forget what first got you started.

1.

A．finally

B．digitally

C．carefully

D．equally

2.

A．harmful

B．unnecessary

C．impossible

D．convenient

3.

A．reliable

B．expensive

C．natural

D．important

4.

A．printed

B．checked

C．kept

D．decorated

5.

A．data

B．story

C．picture

D．cover

6.

A．spread

B．published

C．read

D．stored

7.

A．colorful

B．physical

C．unreal

D．imaginary

8.

A．applies

B．reminds

C．lacks

D．ensures

9.

A．Above all

B．In addition

C．In a word

D．On the contrary

10.

A．helpful

B．recommended

C．attractive

D．printed

11.

A．electronic

B．expensive

C．harmful

D．valuable

12.

A．sell

B．read

C．design

D．recall

13.

A．knowledge

B．technology

C．information

D．printing

14.

A．function

B．appearance

C．location

D．building

15.

A．getting rid of

B．turning down

C．accounting for

D．getting involved in

3 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A .address     B. launched     C. charge        D. highlights       E. mentioned     F. blocking          G. involving   H. potential     I. previously     J. fortunately     K. authorities

A fire that broke out in an apartment building in Nanjing on February 23 left 15 people dead and another 44 injured. Local     1     said the fire started on the ground floor of the building where several electric bikes were parked.

In China, it is forbidden (禁止) to park or     2     electric bikes in public areas of high-rise buildings. However, violations (违规行为) are common. The management of such electric vehicles has remained a challenge.

The recent tragedy (悲剧) further     3     the safety risks posed by electric bikes in densely populated communities. Data showed that, by the end of 2022, there were 350million electric bikes in China. This means, on average, one out of every four Chinese people has an electric bike. Meanwhile, the number of fire accidents     4     electric bikes has also increased. In 2023, there were 21,000 cases in total, a year-on-year (同比) increase of 17.4%. Some 80% of those fires occurred during charging, with over half taking place at night. About 90% of the deadly fires began in lobbies (大厅), corridors and stairwells (楼梯井).

“For many communities, builders didn’t take into consideration the infrastructure (基础施) for parking and charging electric bikes. Therefore, they often lack a corresponding (相应的) safety plan,” said Yang Zhimin, a Shenzhen official.

The latest incident in Nanjing isn’t the first electric bike fire that has happened in the community involved. Residents     5     a similar one in 2019. That fire, luckily, did not result in any injuries. In 2022, it was reported that over 180 electric bikes were parked overnight in one building. Many residents have     6     voiced concerns over the safety risks posed by these electric bikes.

Following the tragedy, Nanjing authorities announced a thorough (面) review of safety risks. This covers high-rise buildings, commercial spaces (商业区) and other densely populated areas. They aim to     7     high-risk activities, especially those related to electric bikes. Among them are     8     fire evacuation routes, charging electric bikes indoors, and using unsafe wiring (线路系统) for charging.

Other cities across China have also taken action to remove     9     fire hazards. Shanghai has     10     citywide safety inspections of electric bikes in residential areas. On February 25, Huainan in Anhui province issued a notice stressing stricter electric bike management.

“We will work to ensure that all electric bikes in China are parked outdoors,” said the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM, 应急管理部) on February 26.

4 . “Sushi tastes amazing. A great steak is just amazing.” Those are not the words you expect to hear from a leader of the vegetarian movement. But that’s how Graham Hill, founder of the sustainability website Tree Hugger, feels about the fleshier components of his diet. He is a self-described “weekday vegetarian,” a compromise that came about after years of trying—and failing—to adhere to (坚持) a strictly vegetarian diet.

For the past year, Hill has preached (宣传，鼓吹) the cause of partial vegetarianism to help fight global warming. According to the U. N., the livestock industry produces 18%of the world’s greenhouse gases. Part-time vegetarians choose what to eat and when. The popular Meatless Monday movement, which began in 2003, has been backed by many celebrities, including Paul McCartney, who has taken the lead in his own Meat Free Monday campaign. Last year the Belgian city of Ghent picked Thursday as its Veggie day, calling for meat-free options to be served that day in schools and public institutions.

The drive to avoid eating meat on certain days is not new. Catholics have long been urged to restrain themselves on Fridays. But environmentalists have only recently caught on. “The surge is due to a sense of a plateau (达到平衡) . You’ve already reached out to the base of strict vegetarians, and it’s hard to get beyond those numbers,” says Peter Singer, a Princeton philosophy professor. “People should go further, but it’s progressed in the right direction.”

Although the American Dietetic (ADA) Association doesn’t track the number of part-times, the group says roughly 2.5% of Americans are strictly vegetarian, a diet that poses no health risks as long as practitioners get enough protein from beans and other nonmeat sources. “A partial-vegetarian plan is a little more user-friendly,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a flexitarian (弹性素食者(偶尔吃荤)) and ADA spokesperson.

The goal for many activists is simply to get more people to eat less meat. “Absolute purists should be living in a cave,” says Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “Anybody who witnesses the suffering of animals and has a glimmer of hope of reducing that suffering can’t take the position that it’s all or nothing. We have to be realistic. Screw the principle.”

1. The first quote of the passage intends to show that ________.

A．sushi and steak are both of Hill’s favorite food	B．the vegetarian movements are popular
C．Hill isn’t a qualified leader of the vegetarian movement	D．it’s difficult to be a strict vegetarian

2. What is said about Graham Hill?

A．He doesn’t eat meat on weekends.	B．He doesn’t want to be a strict vegetarian.
C．He is an environmentalist.	D．He failed to lose weight.

3. What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?

A．Part-time vegetarians account for nearly 2.5% of Americans.

B．A diet with all vegetables may have no bad effect on health.

C．Partial vegetarian is better than strict vegetarian in terms of nutrition.

D．Many celebrities are part-time vegetarians.

4. According to the Ingrid Newkirk, ________.

A．people should adhere to a strictly vegetarian diet.

B．everybody should act to fight global warming

C．partial vegetarian plan works more sensibly

D．people shouldn’t stop eating meat for it’s bad for health

5 . For the past three decades, companies and consumers have benefited from cross—border connections that have helped to maintain a steady supply of electronics, clothes, toys and other goods so abundant that it has managed to keep prices low across the board.

However, as the pandemic and the Russia — Ukraine conflict continue to weigh on trade and business ties, that period of plenty appears to be undergoing a partial reversal. Companies are rethinking where to source their products and are stockpiling inventory (库存), even at the potential cost of lowering their efficiency and increasing their operation expense. If the situation lasts for very long, _________could have important implications for inflation (通货膨胀) and the world economy.

American economists are debating whether recent supply chain troubles and geopolitical conflicts will result in a shake-up of global production, in which factories that had previously been sent offshore or areas with fewer tax regulations, move back to the United States or into other more stable countries. If this happens, a decades-long decline in the prices of many goods could come to an end. We may even witness a slide backwards, meaning a potential boost in prices and overall inflation as a result.

The period of global integration before the pandemic made many of the things Americans buy cheaper. Computers and other forms of technology made factories more efficient, and they rolled out sneakers, kitchen tables, and electronics at a pace unmatched in history. Companies slashed their production costs by moving factories offshore, where wages were lower. The adoption of steel shipping containers and ever larger cargo ships allowed products to be transported from Bangladesh and China to Seattle and Tupelo and everywhere in between at astonishingly low prices.

Those changes, however, had consequences for American factory workers, who saw many jobs disappear. Katherine Tai, the U. S. trade representative, said that, while American consumers have enjoyed the “luxury” of low prices for imported goods for a long time now, the system upon which it was built has always been a very “fragile” one. Americans are not just consumers, but also workers who have to compete in a global marketplace for talent where globalization “has damaged opportunities and wages for average American workers”.

“Some returning is occurring — let’s make no mistake about that.” Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala., the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, said in an interview. But the data shows that most businesses are reducing their risk by building up their inventories and finding additional suppliers in low-cost countries, such as Vietnam and Mexico. This process could end up helping more deeply integtate poorer countries in Africa and other parts of the world into the global value chains, said Dr. Okonjo-Iweala.

The intertwined trajectory (轨迹) of globalization, low prices, and inflation on the whole will be closely watched by economists over the years to come. “It would certainly be a different world.” Jerome H. Powel, the chair of the Federal Reserve, said when asked about a possible move away from globalization. “It’s not obvious how dramatically conditions will change,” he said. “But it’s clear that it’s slowed down.”

1. Which of the following best fits the blank in Paragraph 2?

A．the trend of global integration

B．a shift away from fine-tuned globalization

C．the benefit of cheap and plenty goods

D．an upcoming economic crash

2. Which of the following statement is true about the shake-up of global production?

A．A potential decline in prices of goods can be expected.

B．American companies may locate their offshore factories in Africa.

C．Efficient transportation makes bulk buying convenient for Americans.

D．Inflation has a role to play in the shake-up of globalization.

3. What can be inferred from Paragraph 5?

A．Katherine Tai takes a neutral position concerning globalization.

B．American factory workers face heightened competition from domestic rivals.

C．American consumers generally benefited from global integration.

D．Exported goods lead to the lower wages of average Americans.

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

A．The Era of Cheap and Plenty May be Ending

B．Globalization: Crisis or Opportunities?

C．New Winners in the Post-globalization Era

D．The Future of Global Economy

6 . In recent days, a netizen left a comment on the official website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, urging the relevant authorities to issue a statement to encourage residents to not be influenced by superstition and continue with their marriage plans as usual during the Year of the Dragon.

The Social Affairs Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs promptly responded, stating that they would pay attention to this issue. The department explained that there is a year in the lunar calendar that does not have the beginning of spring solar term (节气), which occurs approximately once every two to three years.

The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated on the first day of the first lunar month each year. However, its date on the Gregorian calendar (公历) varies from year to year. Start of Spring, which is the first of the 24 solar terms, is considered the official beginning of spring.

Why did the ancients think that “no spring year” was not suitable for marriage? As the weather warms up and spring arrives, the earth awakes from its winter hibernation. The rain falls, the thunder surges, and everything in the world comes alive once again. At such a good time, they usually associated the beginning of spring with fertility. If spring does not come, reproduction will not be prosperous. “No spring” means “no child”, and getting married is the most taboo. Superstitions about this time of year often focus on avoiding marriage or other important events because it is believed to be unlucky.

The Social Affairs Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs emphasized that these superstitions, which mean false beliefs without scientific evidence, should not have the final say about people's decisions about their marriages or other important life events. They encouraged residents to continue with their plans as usual during this period and not be influenced by superstition.

The department also reminded the public that marriage is a personal decision that should be based on love, mutual respect, and consideration for each other’s future. They emphasized that the government will continue to provide support and assistance to ensure that all citizens can enjoy a stable and happy life.

1. What was the reason behind the netizen’s comment on the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ website?

A．To request detailed information about the spring solar term this Year of the Dragon.

B．To express dissatisfaction with the government policies to issue a ban on marriage this year.

C．To motivate inhabitants to resist the impact of unscientific beliefs in the Year of the Dragon.

D．To criticize the Ministry of Civil Affairs for their delayed response.

2. Why did the ancients consider a “no spring year” unsuitable for marriage, according to the passage?

A．Due to unfavorable weather conditions in the “no spring” solar term.

B．Because it was believed to bring bad luck and misfortune.

C．As a result of scientific evidence proving it was unlucky.

D．To avoid conflicts with traditional customs and the wedding ceremonies.

3. What is the main message conveyed by the Social Affairs Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs?

A．Encouraging residents to follow traditional superstitions by getting married as planned.

B．Discouraging people from getting married during the Year of the Dragon.

C．Emphasizing that unscientific beliefs should not have an impact on marriage decisions.

D．Urging the public to protest against the complicated traditional Spring Festival celebrations.

7 . Children who spent more than two hours per day in front of a television or computer screen were more likely to report behavioral and social problems than kids who watched less, according to a University of Bristol study that will be published in Pediatrics.

Researchers recorded the playing, screen viewing and activity habits of 1,000 children aged 10 to 11. They also had the kids fill out questionnaires designed to estimate the kids’ emotional well-being and behavior.

The questionnaires contained 20 questions covering five sections—emotional difficulties, conduct problems, hyperactivity (活动过度), inattention, friendship and peer groups and problems relating to friends and peer groups.

The study found that those children who spent more than two hours per day watching TV or using a computer were at an increased risk of psychological difficulties. This risk increased if they also failed to meet the guidelines on physical activity.

While the risks for kids who spent a lot of time in front of a screen appeared to be increased by lack of physical activity, the opposite was not true: Increase in physical activity did not seem to decrease kids’ high scores in psychological difficulties if they spent a lot of time sedentary (久坐 的) in front of a screen. By contrast, sedentary time spent reading a book or working on a project corresponded to the highest scores of psychological well-being.

“While low levels of screen viewing may not be problematic, we cannot rely on physical activity to compensate for long hours of screen viewing,” lead author Dr. Angie Page said in a statement. “Watching TV or playing computer games for more than two hours a day is related to greater psychological difficulties regardless of how active children are.”

Although Page’s study doesn’t clarify the links between inactivity, screen time and psychological well-being, it’s true that kids in the United States are getting less exercise and more screen time than they should. In 2009, Page’s team found a connection between a child’s physical activity and independent mobility, the amount of space in which a child can play without the supervision of an adult. They concluded that, as play spaces have decreased in recent decades, childhood inactivity-and perhaps screen time—has increased.

1. What information can we get about the University of Bristol study?

A．It was done by an elementary school.

B．The results of it have been published.

C．All the kids studied had to fill out questionnaires.

D．The questionnaires of it contained five questions.

2. The researchers’ purpose of letting the kids fill out questionnaires was to________.

A．make a judgment about the kids’ behavior and how healthy they were emotionally

B．estimate the average time kids spent in front of a screen

C．infer whether the kids have psychological problems or not

D．get information about the psychological activity kids like

3. Why do more kids lack physical activities according to Page’s team?

A．More electronic products have poured into their world.

B．They have too much homework to do.

C．They have fewer spaces to play in.

D．They lack the supervision of their parents.

4. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A．A study shows more screen time and inactivity increase kids’ risks of psychological difficulties.

B．A study clarifies the links between inactivity, screen time and psychological well-being.

C．A study illustrates why childhood inactivity and screen time have increased.

D．A study demonstrates how to limit children’s TV and screen time at home.

8 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. addressed        B. boast        C. approach        D. sense        E. wealthy F. glimpse        G. revealed        H. pushy        I. statistics        J. peers        K. motivation

College Rankings Are Something, but Not Everything

I am always confused when reading statements like “Princeton University is the number one college in the United States.” Are those who attend Princeton inherently brighter than their     1    ? Is Princeton able to produce more geniuses upon graduation?

High-ranking colleges in global education leagues attract greater talent in staff and students, and     2     better facilities, therefore generating more profits. In the United States, however, this virtuous cycle can turn vicious when financially-challenged parents end up spending their life savings on their children’s education, while     3     individuals can simply buy their way in. Besides, these rankings face criticism for potentially influencing colleges to make minor adjustments in     4     to improve their position on the table.

I didn’t care about college rankings for years until I recently saw something different. This past October, Shanghai Ranking Consultancy     5     the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023, which assesses universities worldwide across 55 subjects in five disciplines. It is said to employ a more in-depth     6     to evaluate the performance of universities. And this makes it easier for prospective students to choose the best college for their specific subject. But how much weight should you give to these rankings?

In my opinion, college rankings can serve as a reference, offering a     7     into the reputation and strengths of institutions. However, they should not be the only determining factor for you. There are many aspects to a university education that can only be     8     when you are clear about your goals.

I once taught a three-month program to prepare university students for overseas exchange programs in England. But some of them displayed low     9    . It wasn’t merely due to a language barrier. These individuals seemed to lack communication skills, critical thinking and, more importantly, a     10     of purpose, which might help determine their future academic quality. After all, what lies in the heart of education is “U” .