1 . In the late afternoon, Brandon finished his farm work and went home. As they often did, his two sons, Louie, 6, and Everett, 3,
As they headed for the house, the two boys ran ahead of him, who stopped to close the gate. Louie
He ran to the well and heard Louie
Brandon hit the
About 15 minutes later, Christi and Mark, nearby farmer, noticed Everett stood
With the neighbors’ help, Brandon and Louie were rescued
| A．followed | B．remembered | C．copied | D．left |
| A．pretended | B．danced | C．stopped | D．spoke |
| A．brick | B．board | C．pipe | D．sign |
| A．accurate | B．sensitive | C．unnecessary | D．broken |
| A．heard | B．realized | C．imagined | D．dreamed |
| A．drinking | B．adding | C．beating | D．exploring |
| A．hesitation | B．money | C．time | D．supply |
| A．gave up | B．turned to | C．met with | D．fell down |
| A．speech | B．sight | C．progress | D．speed |
| A．dirty | B．cold | C．deep | D．poisonous |
| A．panic | B．excited | C．embarrassed | D．proud |
| A．live | B．move | C．stay | D．believe |
| A．cleaned | B．fixed | C．found | D．treated |
| A．help | B．power | C．appreciation | D．support |
| A．alone | B．happily | C．free | D．casually |
| A．important | B．terrible | C．apparent | D．common |
| A．warned | B．brought | C．cheated | D．pointed |
| A．neighbor | B．victim | C．policeman | D．farmer |
| A．short | B．colorful | C．thick | D．new |
| A．temporarily | B．gradually | C．successfully | D．similarly |
2 . The rapid increase of the oil price has brought the world to its senses. Scientists are seeking suitable alternative (替换) but so far in vain. They are considering how they can make better use of the two other major fuels, coal and natural gas, but they have found that neither can replace oil in their economics. In recent years, there has been a growing concern for the environment and coal is not a popular fuel with environmentalists. Natural gas, the purest of the three fuels, is also the most limited in supply.
The answer would seem to lie in nuclear power stations. They need very little fuel to produce enormous amounts of power and they do not pollute the atmosphere. Their dangers, however, are so great and the costs of building them are also high. Not only could one accident in a nuclear power station spread as much radioactivity (放射物) as a thousand Hiroshima atom bombs, but the radioactive waste from these stations is extremely dangerous.
Scientists have recently turned their attention to natural sources of energy: the sun, the sea, the wind and hot spring, of which the sun seems the most promising source for the future. Houses have already been built which are heated entirely by solar energy. However, solar energy can only be collected during daylight hours, and in countries where the weather is unreliable, an alternative heating system has to be included.
However, many scientists are optimistic that new ways of generating large amounts of energy will be successfully developed, but at the same time they fear the consequences. If the world population goes on increasing at its present rate, we may, in fifty years’ time, be burning up so much energy that we would damage the earth’s atmosphere. By raising the temperature of the atmosphere,we could melt the Arctic and Antarctic ice-caps and change the pattern of vegetable and animal life throughout the world——a frightening possibility.
1. What does the underlined phrase “in vain” in Paragraph1 mean?| A．without doubt | B．without results | C．in progress | D．under attack |
| A．it is too pure | B．the source of it is limited |
| C．its price is increasing | D．it may cause more pollution |
| A．coal | B．natural gas | C．wind energy | D．solar energy |
| A．it may pollute the atmosphere |
| B．it cannot generate large amounts of power |
| C．it may use up enormous amounts of fuel |
| D．it may cause great danger to us if not properly handled |
3 . The case for and against social media
Is social media harmful to teenagers?
An argument for social media claims it can strengthen social bonds by facilitating relationships with people in different geographical areas. For example, social media has helped old school friends to get back in touch after many years without contact.
Ideally, we should have enough self-control to be able to limit our use of social media, enjoying the benefits it can bring.
| A．The disadvantages of social media. |
| B．In my opinion, the disadvantages of social media outweigh the benefits. |
| C．It is all too easy to become absorbed in this online life rather than communicate in real life. |
| D．People secure jobs now through social media or research information for their studies. |
| E．This is the question we are going to examine. |
| F．We will look at the arguments for and against using social media before answering the question. |
| G．We aim to control our use of social media. |
4 . In the rich countries of the West, the electric vehicle revolution is well underway. Climate-conscious consumers drive Teslas or Polestars for reasons of morality and fashion. Poorer countries are also experiencing a wave of electrified trend. In Bangladesh, electric three-wheeler taxis, known as tuk-tuks, are rapidly replacing gas-powered ones on the streets. Such electric vehicles are climate friendly, cost effective, and help reduce air pollution.
Yet a glance under the hood (引擎盖) of these vehicles reveals a poisonous secret: each tuk-tuk runs on five massive lead-acid batteries, containing almost 300 pounds of lead in total. Every year and a half or so, when those batteries need to be replaced and recycled, about 60 pounds of lead leak into the environment. Battery recycling, often at small-scale unregulated factories, is a highly profitable but deadly business.
Lead is dangerous, and any exposure to it is harmful to human health. Lead that has entered the environment hurts people on an extraordinary scale. The numerous ways lead enters air, water, soil, and homes across the developing world — and the enormous damage it does to human health, wealth, and welfare — causes one of the biggest environmental crises in the world yet receives little attention.
The World Bank estimates that lead kills 5. 5 million people per year, which would make it a bigger global killer than AIDS, malaria, diabetes, and road traffic deaths combined. On top of the shocking deaths, the social burden of lead poisoning is extraordinary, as is its contribution to global inequality — our research on the cognitive effects of lead poisoning suggests that it may explain about one-fifth of the educational achievement gap between rich and poor countries.
But unlike many challenges faced by developing countries, lead poisoning is a problem that is fixable with some attention and a relatively modest financial investment. Better monitoring, research, and rules can help protect children all over the world from the dreadful effects of lead poisoning and reduce the massive global costs it brings.
1. How does the author describe the lead problem in paragraph 2?| A．By making a comparison. | B．By analyzing hidden causes. |
| C．By listing convincing numbers. | D．By explaining its working principle. |
| A．Lead enters rich countries in various ways. |
| B．Lead poisoning may make poor societies poorer. |
| C．Exposure to lead doesn’t necessarily harm someone. |
| D．Lead leaking has caused great panic in both countries. |
| A．Fixing these used batteries. | B．Putting certain effort and money. |
| C．Prohibiting the illegal use of lead. | D．Reducing the cost of recycling lead. |
| A．The Impacts of Lead Poisoning on Human Health |
| B．The Outcomes of Using Electric Vehicles |
| C．The Ways to Solve Lead Problem |
| D．The Global Lead Poisoning Crisis |
5 . Social media has completely taken over everyday life, affecting how society runs and changing individuals in ways that even they can feel. While social media can act as a platform for people to express themselves, it can also be overwhelming, especially for high school teens.
To teenager Bryson Lan, quitting social media helped eliminate (消除) a significant distraction in his routine and keep up with teachers. “I was scrolling through social networking sites so much,” Lan said. “I was also starting to struggle since I entered my high school year. When school started, I was super overwhelmed (不知所措的), and I was just not ready for it.”
Most teenagers fear that by eliminating these apps, they will miss out on connections with their peers and feel a significant loss to their social life. However, Lan found he didn’t miss anything during his time without social media.
Another problem with social media is the amount of “junk content” posted. People are regularly posting and updating on social media, and much of the content has no meaning to other viewers and is ultimately a time suck.
However, social media isn’t all negative. Social media can be a place to develop passions and boost creativity. For example, Lan found his interest in photography blossom after seeing works from other photographers on social media. “Social media is a good place where you can have a portfolio (作品集) or upload your works,” Lan said. “A lot of people have photography accounts or art accounts. In some ways, I think it actually furthers your hobby.” “Thanks to this revolutionary development of social media, we can enjoy a world where everyone is closer than before,” Lan said. “But we also need to have the skills to make good use of social media, and that depends on each person’s efforts.”
1. What did getting rid of social media bring Lan?| A．More distractions. | B．Confusion about life. |
| C．A smaller social circle. | D．More attention on his studies. |
| A．A waste of time. | B．A timetable. | C．A lack of time. | D．A time switch. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Unclear. | C．Objective. | D．Supportive. |
| A．Most teenagers’ opinions on social media. | B．The effects social media has on teenagers. |
| C．Innovative development of social media. | D．The problems social media brings people. |
6 . Inconvenient Truths
If doctors lie, it is surely inexcusable. One of the basic
Mrs Walton was in her eighties and
Mrs Walton is one of the dementia (痴呆) sufferers, who lose their short-term memory and the memory of
They look at their adult children
Sometimes honesty is
| A．expressions | B．expectations | C．reputations | D．regulations |
| A．objected | B．contributed | C．admitted | D．appealed |
| A．ashamed | B．delighted | C．nervous | D．desperate |
| A．cruelty | B．kindness | C．pain | D．pleasure |
| A．recent | B．popular | C．distant | D．major |
| A．opposition | B．connection | C．attention | D．similarity |
| A．attacked | B．isolated | C．surrounded | D．attracted |
| A．puzzled | B．satisfied | C．amused | D．motivated |
| A．cut off | B．thrown away | C．put down | D．left behind |
| A．knowledge | B．control | C．imagination | D．record |
| A．brief | B．constant | C．permanent | D．secret |
| A．Competing | B．Plotting | C．Matching | D．Mixing |
| A．unnecessarily | B．inaccurately | C．impatiently | D．impolitely |
| A．ahead of time | B．in no time | C．for the last time | D．for the first time |
| A．mostly | B．informally | C．simply | D．finally |
7 . Utah’s governor, Spencer Cox, recently signed two bills into law that strictly limit children’s use of social media platforms. Under the law, which takes effect next year, social media companies have to check the ages of all users in the state, and children under age 18 have to get agreement from their parents to have accounts. Parents will also be able to use their kids’ accounts, apps won’t be allowed to show children ads, and accounts for kids won’t be able to be used between 10:30 pm and 6:30 am without parental agreement.
While some people argue age limitation allows tech companies to collect even more data about users, let’s be real: These companies already have much private information about us. To solve this problem, we need a separate data privacy law. But until that happens, this concern shouldn’t stop us from protecting kids.
One of the key parts of the law is allowing parents to use their kids’ accounts. By doing this, the law begins to help address one of the biggest dangers kids face online: harmful content.
One huge challenge the law helps parents get over is the amount of time kids are spending on social media. A 2022 survey found that, on average, children aged 8 to 12 spend 5 hours and 33 minutes per day on social media while those aged 13 to 18 spend 8 hours and 39 minutes daily. It’s warned that lack of sleep is connected with serious harm to children — everything from injuries to depression (抑郁), fatness and diabetes. So, parents need to have a way to ensure their kids aren’t up on social media platforms all night.
Considering the experiences many kids are having on social media, this law will help Utah’s parents protect their kids. Parents in other states need the same support. Now, it’s time for the government to step up and ensure children throughout the country have the same protection as Utah’s kids.
1. Which is allowed according to the new bill?| A．Ads can be put on to children. |
| B．Children can use social media freely. |
| C．Parents can check their kids’ accounts. |
| D．Related companies protect users’ accounts. |
| A．Because children’s right to surf the Internet is limited. |
| B．Because more personal information may be given away. |
| C．Because it prevents the data privacy law from taking effect. |
| D．Because children may become too dependent on the Internet. |
| A．Higher learning efficiency. |
| B．Better personal eating habits. |
| C．Easier access to healthy media. |
| D．Improved physical and mental health. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Flexible. | D．Negative. |
8 . Santosh Jadhav, a 28-year-old farmer from Maharashtra’s Sangli district, had never dreamed he would be trending on YouTube tending to his land. But as you watch his videos on Indian Farmer—the channel he runs with his friend, Akash Jadhav, 27—you quickly understand why he is attracting millions of views.
Set up in 2018, Indian Farmer was a result of the two friends’ love of farming, technology and filmmaking. Their videos offer tips, advice and information on various aspects of agriculture, including direct-farming techniques, agriculture-related activities, new farming tools, and agricultural apps. In addition to explaining how agricultural markets function, the channel shares success stories from across the country. A section that draws the most attention features workable solutions to everyday problems and do-it-yourself mechanical quick-fixes.
“We were looking to do something together. Agriculture was something we had in common. Plus, we were young and idealistic—we wanted to do something with a social impact,” says Santosh.
The channel has certainly made a mark, as the numbers show. Since 2018, their channel has built a user base of 21.5 million, thanks to the affordable mobile data revolution and the increasing popularity of smartphones in India. While Akash takes charge of the production side of things, Santosh offers his hands-on knowledge obtained from running his family farm. According to them, the Indian Farmer channel adds an average of 60,000 subscribers and earns between 70,000 and 100,000 in revenue every month.
“Knowledge in this sector is often inter-generational: a farmer is limited to what the others nearby know and do. There was very little by way of books or culture channels that addressed the needs, mistakes and scarcities of farmers. Social media has changed things, enabling cross-sharing of knowledge, all for free,” Akash says.
1. What’s the channel’s most popular section?| A．Inspiring stories. | B．Advanced tools. |
| C．Practical solutions. | D．Agricultural activities. |
| A．Experienced and sociable. | B．Cooperative and devoted. |
| C．Conservative and diligent. | D．Courageous and humorous. |
| A．To show the economic gains. | B．To imply the cooperation relationship. |
| C．To highlight social media engagement. | D．To indicate the success of the channel. |
| A．Resources were available to address farmers’ needs. |
| B．Farming knowledge relies on books and the Internet. |
| C．Agricultural modernization is dependent on technology. |
| D．Social media facilitates free knowledge exchange in agriculture. |
9 . Under normal situations, falling asleep during a paid tour is a waste of money or an offense to your guide. But that’s not the case with this new experience coming out of Hong Kong. As its name shows, the Sleeping Bus Tour is designed to help passengers catch some sleep, and rides are already selling out.
A 2022 survey by the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Center of Communication and Public Opinion notes almost 70% people experiences some form of sleep disorder. Hong Kongers have much stress from work and need a space for sleeping, but their living spaces are too small. Some may not live alone and have to share apartments with their family, which may not be a good environment for a proper rest.
After noticing passengers falling asleep on their buses, the Hong Kong tour company, Ulu Travel Agency, recently launched such an innovative way for adults to sleep: the Sleeping Bus Tour. The five-hour bus ride takes passengers on an 83-kilometer journey aboard a regular double-decker bus. Not only is the Sleeping Bus Tour the first of its kind, it's also the longest bus route in Hong Kong, ensuring that tired passengers have plenty of time to enjoy some sleep.
When passengers board the bus, they are treated with a goodie bag complete with an eye mask and earplugs to help them sleep and they are allowed to bring their own blankets and slippers. The long ride includes a few stops for scenic spots and bathroom breaks. Passengers can also get off the bus if they’d prefer to continue their sleep at home rather than complete the entire journey. Tickets for the Sleeping Bus Tour are divided in four kinds from the “Zero-decibel (分贝) Sleeping Cabin“ to the ”VIP Cabin.” Prices range from about $17 USD to $115 USD per person. For more information on this unique experience, head to the Ulu travel company website.
1. Why was the Sleeping Bus Tour launched?| A．To help adult passengers rest properly. |
| B．To make more profits. |
| C．To reduce the stress from extra work. |
| D．To improve the sleeping habits. |
| A．Challenging | B．Creative |
| C．Adventurous | D．Enormous |
| A．A ride in a high-tech bus. |
| B．A guided sight-seeing tour. |
| C．A blanket and a pair of slippers. |
| D．A bag with sleep aid products. |
| A．To raise concerns over sleep problems. |
| B．To inform readers of a new survey. |
| C．To advertise a travel company. |
| D．To introduce a bus tour. |
10 . The ban (禁令) on petrol and diesel (柴油) cars due in 2030 may have to be scrapped because of a lack of charging points for electric vehicles, industry experts warn. The Government wants to outlaw the sale of new fuel models in order to go green and cut pollution. But industry figures suggest this may not be possible. Analysis highlights a lack of high-powered electric vehicle (EV) chargers at motorway service stations.
The Government has promised that every motorway service area has at least six rapid chargers by the end of 2023. But only 27 out of 119 motorway services in England meet that target. This will fuel “charge point anxiety”, which experts warn is preventing drivers from buying electric cars in case they cannot power them up while on journeys. Lisa Watson, director of sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “The UK is set to fall significantly short of its charging point targets.”
This could have a far-reaching effect on consumer uptake of alternative fuel vehicles. If more isn’t done to improve charging infrastructure (基础设施), the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles will seem an increasingly tough task. Rapid charge points can add about 100 miles of range to an EV in 35 minutes and are seen as crucial to encouraging more motorists who use their cars for long journeys to make the switch to electric.
There are also concerns over the distribution of public charging points.While Westminster has 2,196, there are just 1,593 across Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders expects plug-in battery electric vehicles to account for 18.4% of car sales this year and 22.6% next year-down from previous forecasts of 19.7% and 23.3%.
A government spokesman said, “The importance of ensuring high-powered charging is readily available up and down our motorway network can’t be highlighted enough. A lack of charging facilities is becoming one of the most widely quoted reasons for drivers not going electric.”
1. What is the probable meaning of the underlined word “scrapped” in paragraph 1?| A．Passed. | B．Canceled. | C．Suggested. | D．Strengthened. |
| A．Charge point anxiety. | B．Bad motorway service. |
| C．The imperfection of law. | D．Too slow charging speed. |
| A．They are hard to popularize. |
| B．They can lead to an increase in drivers. |
| C．They will boost people’s confidence in EVs. |
| D．They enable an EV to run 35 minutes. |
| A．Sufficient high-powered charging must be provided. |
| B．The excuse for drivers not to buy EVs is unacceptable. |
| C．There is too much focus on high-powered charging. |
| D．The lack of charging devices will continue for a long time. |
