1 . The disposable culture

The disposable (一次性的) culture started small. In1892 William Painter, founder of the Baltimore Bottle Seal Company, patented the bottle cap. The bottles were returned and refilled, but the bottle caps were ________. They only worked once. Painter’s chief salesman at the time was called Mr Gillette, who went on to apply the same principle to his own invention, the disposable version-cameras, contact lenses, barbecues- but the ________ has been taken a step further. For ________ reasons, most of the electrical equipment that we buy for the home is effectively disposable. This is because it is usually cheaper to ________ them than to mend them. This applies not just to radios and toasters, but also to fridges, televisions and dishwashers. We now live in a disposable culture.

Most people feel ________ this new trend. We know we should be reducing the amount of waste we produce and recycling as much as possible although despite all our efforts, landfill continues to increase. It’s hard to slip a CD player into the bottom of the rubbish these days without feeling ________ especially if you suspect that all it needs is a simple repair. But who ________ that sort of thing these days? And how much would they charge you?

With persistence, one may still ________ someone out there willing to make the necessary repairs to your broken bread-making machine, but even they will feel obliged to inform you that, given the likely price of the ________, you’ d probably be better off throwing away the old one and buying the latest model. To ________ that something should be mended even though that will cost more than a brand-new replacement is weird, to say the least.

This dilemma (困境) occasionally ________ the possibility of fixing the damaged goods yourself. If something is next to ________ anyway, why not take it apart and see if you can figure out what’s wrong? I have had particular luck with cheap, plastic, battery-operated children’s toys, where bad manufacture is usually the cause of the ________ and some strong glue or tape is usually all it needs to put it right. Small children tend to be impressed by this sort of thing, which is probably the only reason I bother. I wouldn’t suggest you attempt to repair your own microwave, although I managed it once. It was one of the most ________ experiences of my life a difficult success to mention in casual conversation, perhaps, but I’m still trying.

While some repairs are certainly beyond the ability of the ordinary consumer, many are unbelievably simple. Finding willing ________ may be almost impossible, but tracking down spare parts has never been easier now that you can look on the Internet. There are also hundreds of sites offering step-by-step instructions for making repairs.

1.

A．turned out

B．thrown away

C．held out

D．kept away

2.

A．invention

B．concept

C．version

D．equipment

3.

A．historic

B．political

C．cultural

D．economic

4.

A．replace

B．produce

C．maintain

D．launch

5.

A．motivated by

B．accustomed to

C．uncomfortable about

D．independent of

6.

A．wise

B．relieved

C．bored

D．guilty

7.

A．removes

B．discovers

C．fixes

D．adjusts

8.

A．tell

B．miss

C．find

D．affect

9.

A．service

B．machine

C．information

D．part

10.

A．doubt

B．insist

C．know

D．recall

11.

A．takes up

B．puts up

C．makes up

D．opens up

12.

A．worthless

B．familiar

C．priceless

D．unavailable

13.

A．fault

B．stage

C．mistake

D．ease

14.

A．popular

B．disappointing

C．accidental

D．satisfying

15.

A．managers

B．salesmen

C．repairmen

D．deliverers

2 . 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.

3 . 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

4 . 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.

7 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. numerous            B. regulations        C. compared   D. elaborate     E. advantage       F. adopted G. previously       H. additionally             I. estimated             J. ranging     K. innovation

Live Shows are back, and so are street stalls

With the revival of live music gigs in China this year, stalls outside of concert venues have become increasingly popular again across the country.

Vendors offer goods     1     from essentials like water and raincoats to fan merchandise such as bracelets (手镯) and tattoo stickers. They aim to attract the large groups of fans going to the concerts.

The China Association of Performing Arts (CAPA, 中国演出行业协会) reported that in the first half of 2023, the country hosted over 190,000 performances. The number increased by 400.86%     2     with the previous year. These performances have attracted over 60 million music enthusiasts. Another report     3     that China’s performance market would reach 90.3 billion yuan by the end of this year.

“Where there are business opportunities, there is potential for stalls,” said Hu Xiaowu, an expert on urban science. “As more concerts are organized in different cities, many young people have found the chance to sell goods related to the events.“

Zeng Dexiong, a professor of social sciences, believed more people would take     4     of this new wave. This, he said, would probably bring about fierce competition, which in turn would lead to more creativity and     5    .

Sun Ximin,25, set up a stall as a side hustle when a large venue near her home in Guangzhou hosted its first concert in April. There weren’t many stalls back then, and she sold simple hair accessories (配饰).When more vendors gathered outside, Sun had to offer more     6     services, like braiding (编发), to stand out. To attract more customers, she styled her own hair in complex braids.    7    , she offered free Polaroid photos.

For Li Zhenzhen, a 23-year-old citizen of Xi’an in Shaanxi province, success lies in seeking the best location. She found it was more beneficial to locate her stall near a subway station rather than the concert venue’s entrance. She explained that concertgoers are likely to buy the goods on impulse (一时冲动) as they get out of the station. However, as they walk past     8     stalls on the way to the entrance, their desire to purchase wanes.

The rapid development of the street stall economy offers young people flexible opportunities to earn money, Hu noted.

Recognizing this, local governments are now easing     9     to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit. Cities like Beijing and Shenzhen have already     10     policies to support stall operations, setting aside specific areas for vendors.

8 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

The term “killjoy parents” has been trending on Chinese social media platforms as many young people complain that their parents would rather criticize than     1     (praise) them for their accomplishments. One poster, for example, remarked that his parents said his high score in math wasn’t good enough because several other students had scored higher. Another complained that, after getting accepted into a “second-tier (二流的)” university, the response he got from his father was “Congratulations. You got admitted to a garbage university.”

It’s a terrible feeling to have someone “burst your bubble” when you think they should be sharing your Joy. And your parents, after all, are probably the people     2     you most want to share the best moments in your life. But why do some parents seem to be so hard to please?

I think a lot of it has to do with Chinese society. Parents know that life can be full of hardship and difficulties, and they want their children to be hardened“ to these realities. Another reason     3     probably be found deep in Chinese culture.

When I asked a Chinese friend     4     Chinese parents don’t praise their children, he said it’s because they don’t want to bring their children bad luck. He told me the story of two women sitting in a park and watching their children play. One of the mothers said to the other, “Your boy is so handsome and healthy.” That other mother replied, “No, he’s very ugly and he’s a very sickly child.” The mother, my friend explained, didn’t want her son praised     5     the “gods” heard and punished him. It’s an old superstition (迷信), but it does have some basis in fact.

American parents, at the other extreme,     6     (teach) to never criticize their children because it may hurt their feelings their self-esteem (自尊). Instead, they are told to always praise their children, even for failure. Psychologists (心理学家) now believe this is a bad idea. According to one study, too much praise can result in negative effects.     7     kids with low self-esteem felt even worse about themselves, kids with high self-esteem became narcissistic (自恋的) or self-centered. Moreover, children who got too much praise were     8     (likely) to take risks, were unable to deal with failure, and tended to give up when     9     (face) with challenges.

Having “killjoy parents “ may not be enjoyable,     10     it’ s important to recognize that their seemingly critical nature doesn’t negate (否定) the love they have for you. In their hearts, they genuinely (真诚地) share in your joy.

10 . Neighbors used to wave to Timothy Masters whenever he stood outside his barn (谷仓). Across his soybean fields in this small town about ten miles north of Niagara Falls, they trade hellos every morning. That ended about a year ago, when a field of solar panels was set up on 18 acres of Masters’ land.

Masters is among a growing number of landowners trying to cash in on New York State’s push toward renewable energy. The solar company now using his land, he said, pays him 20 times more than the soybean farmer who had previously rented it. However, by replacing soybean plants with rows of silicon and metal solar panels, Masters has found himself the target of a growing backlash against the spread of solar farms in rural areas.

The tension over solar plants often resembles not-in-my-backyard, or NIMBY, disputes. “You’ll have people that get up and say, ‘I am green,’ ‘I’m for the environment,’ and ‘I’m pro this whole-green agenda.’ But then, all of a sudden, whenever one comes in, it changes.” Masters said. “What I notice is that people have ideals and values that they will put forth—until it comes around their own house.”

Opponents in New York cite a wide range of reasons. There are practical ones, like the danger of glare (刺眼的光) for drivers passing by. Some are about aesthetics (美学), such as the impact of solar panels on the rural landscape. There is even concern for endangered short-eared owls that may struggle to find field mice to eat amongst the panels. Small farmers who rent land from bigger farmers or landowners, meanwhile, have resisted for economic reasons. They fear they will be squeezed out by energy companies willing to pay more to use farmland for their solar panels.

Across western New York, anti-solar sentiment has surfaced on lawn signs and in Change. org petitions (请愿书). The movement has had some effect. At least a dozen towns in New York State have suspended new solar projects. Several others are weighing temporary bans. Local officials have said they need time to study the potential impact of solar farms.

The pushback is not unique to New York. In Virginia, anti-solar campaigners successfully blocked the plan of an 80-megawatt solar farm last year. This has inspired the launch of a nonprofit with a mission to help communities across the country to stop solar farms. The grass-roots backlash against solar farms has become so widespread that the U. S. Solar Energy Industries Association last year developed a manual that included coping with community sensitivities, in a move to fight increasing negativity.

1. According to the article, what has Timothy Masters noticed?

A．Few people genuinely support the development of green energy technologies.

B．Many people believe solar farms should be set up in cities rather than in rural areas.

C．People support green energy only when the equipment is located away from their houses.

D．The past few years saw a drop in the number of people supporting green energy.

2. Small farmers are opposed to solar farms because ________.

A．they think the farms have ruined the rural landscape

B．they consider it dangerous to drive by these farms at night

C．the farms may endanger many rare species, such as short-eared owls

D．they can’t rent farmland as they can’t pay as much as energy companies

3. The underlined word “suspended” in Paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to ________.

A．launched	B．stopped
C．promoted	D．permitted

4. Which of the following is the probably the best title for this passage?

A．Solar Farms Face Resistance	B．Solar Energy Industries Encounter Backlash
C．Farmers Dispute Renewable Energy	D．Solar Energy Industries Fight Pushback