1 . The Dark Side of Digital Age: Cyberbullying

What is cyberbully? Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices. It can include sharing personal and private information about someone else.     1    . Some cyberbullying even crosses the line into unlawful or criminal (犯罪) behavion.

    2    . Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices are also common grounds for cyberbullying. Instant messaging, online chatting, forums, and online gaming are common for cyberbullying. Additionally, Email exchanges also contribute to the widespread of this digital harassment (骚扰).

With the popularity of social media, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers. What you post online stays public and can be seen by anyone. This forms an online reputation (名声) that can be checked by schools, employers, and others researching you.     3    .

Cyberbullying can be a big problem because it doesn’t stop easily and stays online forever. Detecting cyberbullying is also a big problem as it often happens out of sight from teachers and parents, making it harder to identify.     4    . Also, what’s shared online tends to stay public unless taken down, which could harm their future opportunities like getting into college or finding a job.

Every state has rules for schools to handle bullying. Nowadays, with cyberbullying on the rise, many states have updated these rules to include cyberbullying.     5    . Some states also address bullying that impacts students’ academic success. Please check each state’s laws and policies, especially those regarding cyberbullying.

A．Schools require support from families and society.

B．It requires joint efforts to create a safer online environment.

C．Schools must follow these rules or their own policies to deal with bullying.

D．Children find it hard to escape cyberbullying due to never-ending internet access.

E．It also includes sharing negative, harmful, false or mean comments on others.

F．Additionally, cyberbullying can damage reputations of all involved, not just the bullied person.

G．Cyberbullying often happens on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

4 . Professor Dallas Smythe first described commercial media as a system for delivering audiences to advertisers. This perception of the viewing public as a “market” for products as well as an audience for advertising reflects the economic preference of the current media system in America. The unplanned side effects of advertising, however, concern many critics (评论家).

Dinar Godrej holds the view that advertising creates an attack on our senses, that advertising can act as a “compulsive liar”, and that the disorder advertising creates attacks us with images and ideas that result in a cultural change that creates desires for goods that only the wealthy can actually get. This author takes the point of view that there is really nothing positive that advertising contributes to a society, and that just about everything about advertising is negative.

John Calfee addresses many of these issues but also focuses on how the information in ads benefits consumers. He takes the position that advertising functions in the public’s interest, and that even the argument about ads can be beneficial because they can result in competitive pricing for consumers. He also states that individuals can learn about important issues (such as health) through ads.

There are also more neutral (中立的) views, such as those held by people who see it as an economic engine to deliver “free” programs to people, or the idea that advertising is an art form in itself. Whatever the perspective, one thing is true: Advertising can have both obvious and potential (潜在的) impact. It can be defended on solid ground and criticized on solid ground.

1. Why does Dinar Godrej think advertising can be a “compulsive liar”?

A．It creates disorder in our body.	B．It is full of images and ideas.
C．It changes our feelings for goods.	D．It creates goods for the wealthy.

2. What are the benefits of advertising according to John Calfee?

A．It helps control prices.	B．It decreases public’s interest.
C．It avoids arguments.	D．It is good for people’s health.

3. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Few people hold neutral views on advertising.

B．We can not see all the impact of advertising.

C．Advertising encourages us to learn about art.

D．Advertising is seldom criticized by people.

4. What is the author’s attitude toward advertising?

A．Positive.

B．Objective.

C．Doubtful.

D．Subjective.

5 . An increase in a country’s working-age population is a blessing. Lots of workers support relatively few children and retired people. So long as the labor market can absorb an increasing number of job-seekers, output per head will rise. That can boost savings and investment, leading to higher economic growth, more productivity gains and developmental speed-up. Yet for countries that fail to seize this opportunity, the results can be tough.

Consider Thailand. It is rapidly aging. In 2021, the share of Thais aged 65 or over hit 14%, a figure that is often used to define an aged society Soon Thailand will, like Japan, South Korea and most Western countries, see a decreasing supply of workers and flagging productivity and growth without extraordinary measures. Yet unlike Japan and the rest. Thailand is not a developed country. It has got old before it has got rich.

This is a big barrier to Thailand’s future development. To protect its aging citizens, many of whom are poor, Thailand’s government will have to spend more on health care and pensions (养老金). This will make it harder to invest in productivity-boosting skills and infrastructure (基础设施). And where Thailand goes, many developing countries will follow.

One conclusion is that countries with a working-age burst need seeking more economic growth out of it. India may never have a better chance than the present. It is widely accepted that privatization and looser foreign-investment rules could raise its growth rate.

Another conclusion is that developing countries need to start planning for old age earlier. They should reform their pension systems, including by raising retirement ages. They should encourage financial markets, providing options for long-term saving and health insurance. And they should try harder to increase female participation in the labor force. Getting more women into jobs would help deal with the fact that women live longer than men, but tend to have less savings and pensions, leaving them in difficult situations in old age.

1. What does “opportunity” in the first paragraph refer to?

A．Providing more jobs for working-age laborers.

B．Reducing support for children and the elderly.

C．Encouraging investment for economic growth.

D．Increasing economic output and labor productivity.

2. Why is aging considered a barrier to Thailand’s future development?

A．It causes a shortage of young workers.

B．It forces the country to invest in infrastructure.

C．It leads to less investment in economic development.

D．It increases the burden on the working-age population.

3. Why is it important for developing countries to involve more women in labor force?

A．To extend women’s retirement ages.

B．To encourage women to be included in health insurance.

C．To equalize the number of men and women in the workplace.

D．To settle the conflict between women’s long lifespan and small pension.

4. What is the best title of the passage?

A．Aging Problems in Developing Countries.

B．Planning Ahead for Aging Societies.

C．Challenges and Opportunities of Aging Societies.

D．The Role of Female Labors in Addressing the Aging Issue.

6 . Many economists predict 2024 will be the time shoppers tighten their belts. That doesn’t mean people will stop spending, say retail (零售) analysts. But it will change what they choose to buy. With a slowing job market, global consumers are likely to move away from more high-priced purchases and focus instead on smaller, less expensive treats.     

The economic uncertainty means that consumers are becoming more discriminating about their purchases, says Ethan Chermofsky, senior vice president of marketing at intelligence platform Placer. ai. “There are the things we decide are necessary, and then there’s another category of things that aren’t necessary but that we consider affordable luxuries, he says. This desire for these “affordable luxuries” is common in difficult economic times. Some economists refer to the phenomenon as the “lipstick index”: a small economic increase led by budget-minded consumers seeking out relatively affordable splurges (挥霍), like small cosmetics (化妆品).

Analysts at Deloitte say consumers will spend on little luxuries like specialty coffees and snacks as well. Additionally, stressed-out shoppers are prioritizing small splurge purchases for wellness and personal care.

As retailers see shoppers turning to little luxuries, they’re offering more and more of them. Target, for example, has staked a flag in what they refer to as “affordable joy”, which includes a selection of self-care and cosmetic products, along with wellness-centric beauty products. Beyond diversifying their offerings, stores are also bringing in luxury-feeling products at lower price points to appeal to more consumers.

Ethan says not every shopper will shift their spending to little luxuries-but even those who are still longing for the “must-haves” of social media will also look to get a deal. They want the feeling of purchasing lower-priced affordable treats. To get these goods, shoppers are likely to tap into the re-sale market for designer items at a more reasonable price. They want things that make them feel good about themselves-they just want to do it without breaking the bank.

1. What can affordable luxuries be?

A．Inexpensive daily necessities.	B．High-end products.
C．Reasonably-priced designer items.	D．High-priced purchases.

2. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The strategies retailers use.	B．The joy businesses offer.
C．The competition stores face.	D．The products consumers buy.

3. What do most shoppers seek according to Ethan?

A．Social-media deals.	B．World-famous brands.
C．Second-hand bargains.	D．Budget-friendly pleasures.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Lipstick Index: Where Does It Lead Us?	B．Must-have Treats: A Future Spending Trend
C．Affordable Joy: Will We Fall Into The Trap?	D．Little Luxuries: A Driving Force Behind Consumption

8 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Jay, 24, got home from work shortly after midnight. Then, suddenly, a horror-filled scream ripped through the still night. He rushed outside and saw flames lighting the sky half a mile away. Hurriedly, he called the fire department and rushed out to check the situation.

Seconds later, Jay was fishtailing his car on the main road. The fire raged at a small hillside complex of mobile homes. Jay slid the car to a stop and sprinted up a steep lane toward the reddening glow. Reaching the hilltop, he saw that a 70-foot-long trailer (房车) was on fire. A young woman in torn nightclothes was running wildly back and forth, jumping to smash at the 6-foot-high windows with her hands. “Dear God!” she screamed. “My family is dying!”

Jay felt a moment of panic. He seemed to be the only person there to help. Never had he seen such a fire! Flames were leaping out of broken windows at the far end of the trailer and winding along the roof; the roaring, crackling noises grew louder by the second. He grabbed the woman by the shoulders. “What happened?” he shouted.

Barely coherent, Cindy told him she had escaped through one of the master bedroom windows. Her husband, Leonard, had gone for their two children: 22-month-old Ryan and 6-week-old Angela. He was supposed to hand them out to her from the bedroom. But, seconds later, flames had burst from the kitchen and living room windows. Cindy began crying miserably. “Where are they?” Jay yelled. Cindy pointed to the end section of the trailer, where thick, black smoke poured from the windows.

From the time he was old enough to play sports, Jay had learned to battle the odds. As a Little Leaguer, he led his underdog team to the state championship. And in tiny St. Maries, his courage had earned him townspeople’s respect. Always, Jay recalled the words of his father: “The word can’t never did anything for anybody. You can do it! Never stop trying, son!”

注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右；2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Para. 1 Jay’s father’s words echoed in his mind.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Para. 2 As her husband was placed in the ambulance to be driven to the hospital, Cindy walked over to Jay.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . Google recently announced that it has begun using carbon-free electricity from a geothermal (地热能) project to power data centers in the state of Nevada.

Tim Latimer is chief and co-founder of Fervo Energy based in Houston, Texas. His company is working with Google on its geothermal project. Latimer said that getting electricity on the grid from geothermal resources is an event many new energy companies never reach. He added that he believes geothermal energy will become more well-known than in the past.

The International Energy Agency(IEA) has long suggested geothermal could be an answer to climate change. The IEA said in a 2011 document that geothermal could reach 3.5 percent of global electricity production each year by 2050. The Paris-based international group says geothermal energy could prevent almost 800 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Fervo Energy is using this first test to launch other projects that will provide more electricity to the grid. The company is currently completing some work in southwest Utah for a 400-megawatt project. Google and Fervo Energy started working together in 2021 to develop geothermal power. The plant near Winnemucca, Nevada, is now operating and is sending about 3.5 megawatts to the grid.

Google announced in 2020 that it would use what it calls “carbon-free” energy every hour of every day, wherever it operates, by 2030. Many energy experts believe huge companies like Google can play a part in increasing the use of clean energy.

Terrell noted the company was also an early supporter of wind and solar projects, helping those markets grow to where they are today. “It’s a very similar situation. Now that we’ve set a goal to be 24/7 carbon-free energy, we have found it will take more than just wind, solar and storage,” Terrell said.

The United States leads the world in using heat from the Earth for electricity production. U. S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said earlier this year that advances in new geothermal systems will help introduce this form of energy to areas where it has been thought to be impossible. This makes it possible to find energy in more places.

1. What is Tim Latimer’s attitude to working with Google?

A．Supportive.

B．Disapproving.

C．Concerned.

D．Indifferent.

2. What can we learn from the text?

A．Fervo Energy has launched many geothermal projects before.

B．Geothermal energy will take the place of solar energy.

C．Getting electricity from geothermal resources has been widely used.

D．Geothermal energy has the potential to tackle environmental problems.

3. What will most energy experts agree with?

A．CO2 emission is to blame for climate change.

B．Carbon-free electricity only exists in our dream.

C．Google is setting a good example in environmental protection.

D．Wind and solar projects are more important than geothermal project.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Geothermal: an answer to climate change

B．Google: a company launching a new project

C．IEA: an organization contributing to global warming

D．CO2: the leading factor to global warming

10 . You’ve probably followed a few cute dogs and cats on social media. However, are you aware that Ai-generated pets are also gaining popularity nowadays? They are just as adorable as real dogs and cats but also exhibit human-like characteristics.

Chai Dada, 21, runs an AI-generated dog account called “Shizhuangzhuangya” on Xiaohongshu and has already got more than 10,000 followers. Her AI-generated pet Zhuangzhuang is a fluffy Shiba Inu with a big belly who likes to eat and work out. “Zhuangzhuang is actually a reflection of me,” Chai said. “Its life and mood basically reflect my own.”

To personify the character more, the young content maker places Zhuangzhuang in various daily life scenarios. For instance, responding to the recent increase of “hui nan tian”— the super humid (潮湿的) weather in southern China in spring — Chai posted images of Zhuangzhuangmopping a wet floor, with the caption. “It’s wet everywhere at home”; vividly capturing the mood. In the comments section, many have expressed sympathy (同情), for the poor dog.

“Many scenes may seem ordinary, but when a very lifelike and adorable human-like pet appears in these familiar scenes, it looks interesting,” Chai said. Since Zhuangzhuang closely resembles a human in a dog’s body, many followers have come to believe in its real existence. This has provided Chai with opportunities to monetize by partnering with brands for product advertisements. Aiming to expand her reach, Chai expressed a desire to dive deeper into AI to bring her AI pet to life not just in pictures but also in videos.

She also observed that more and more people like her are becoming AI pet bloggers, which has intensified competition in this industry. To attract more fans, bloggers are constantly learning more AI skills and brainstorming to create more interesting storylines. “I want to develop Zhuangzhuang into an intellectual property and create related cultural and creative products such as dolls and stickers,” said Chai.

1. What do we know about the AI pet Zhuangzhuang?

A．It is a digital recreation of Chai’s childhood pet.

B．It has gained over one million followers online.

C．It is a virtual representation of a real Shiba Inu.

D．It mirrors the life and personality of its creator.

2. Why is the “hui nan tian” example mentioned in the text?

A．To show the fun Zhuangzhuang brings Chai.

B．To illustrate how Chai humanizes Zhuangzhuang.

C．To describe Zhuangzhuang’s daily struggles.

D．To suggest Zhuangzhuang’s growing fan base.

3. What does the underlined word “monetize” mean in paragraph 4?

A．Commercialize.

B．Promote.

C．Maximize.

D．Monitor.

4. What does Chai plan to do?

A．Perfect Zhuangzhuang’s features.	B．Cooperate with other AI pet creators.
C．Create lifelike videos of Zhuangzhuang.	D．Write a book featuring Zhuangzhuang.