1 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The New Zealand economy is struggling with many challenges, primarily high inflation (通货膨胀) and rising interest rates, according to a report by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.

These challenges add     1    continued labor shortages, under the still    2    (evidence) influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the service industry. These factors are strongly influencing the economy in New Zealand, with signs of slowing activity across many    3     (industry), the institute’s principal economist Christina Leung said. “Cost pressures remain serious for families and businesses,    4    it is driving pessimism (悲观).” Leung said. She added that central banks around the world have responded to high inflation by increasing interest rates     5    (rapid). Up to now, the increase in interest rates     6    (have) the most immediate effect on the housing market, with the number of house sales     7    (fall) and a decline in house prices. The latest retail sales data show a slowing in retail spending and this phenomenon is thought     8     (continue), Leung said.

Despite these challenges, there remain factors supporting the     9     (recover) ahead. These include continued growth in incomes and new signs    10    indicate cost pressures start to ease, particularly with the recent decline in fuel prices, according to the report.

2 . Some 20 percent of adults are procrastinators (拖延症患者). Everyone might put off a task or two, but long-term procrastinators do it at home, at school, at work and in their relationships.

For years, researchers have focused on the personalities of people who procrastinate. The results suggest procrastinators may be impulsive (冲动), worriers and have trouble regulating their emotions. But procrastinators are not lazy. They’re actually very busy doing other things than what they’re supposed to be doing. Though procrastinators may think they perform better under pressure, studies have reported the opposite. And when deadlines are uncertain, procrastinators tend to delay their work.

When people put off a tough task, they feel good-in the moment. Procrastinating is a way to avoid the negative emotions linked to the task. But the relief it provides is only temporary, and many seek out ways to stop procrastinating.

In fact, most research today suggests procrastination is a behavioral pattern, which means it’s something you can change, regardless of whether you’re impulsive. What works best is still under research. Some scientists have reported success with time management. But the evidence for that is all over the map. That’s because poor time management is a symptom not a cause of procrastination.

For some procrastinators, seemingly obvious tips can work. Researchers advise students to simply put down their smartphones. Silencing notifications or studying in the library rather than at home can regulate distractions and keep people on task. But that won’t be enough for many people. Stubborn procrastinators may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (认知行为疗法). This type of therapy, which involves managing thoughts and emotions and trying to change behavior, seemed to be the most helpful. Still, not many studies have examined treatments, and there’s room for improvement.

1. What does procrastination mean to longtime procrastinators?

A．A personal advantage.	B．A habitual behavior.
C．A working motivation.	D．An excuse for laziness.

2. What do experts think of procrastinators?

A．They are inactive.	B．They are efficient.
C．They are anxious.	D．They are careful.

3. What causes people to procrastinate?

A．Their temporary relief from the stress.

B．Their imperfection in personalities.

C．Their poor time management at work.

D．Their high ability to deal with hard work.

4. What may be the best procrastination treatment according to the text?

A．Avoiding smartphones.	B．Proper studying places.
C．Good time management.	D．Cognitive behavioral therapy.

3 . “If you buy things you do not need, soon you will have to sell things you need.” This is a piece of wise advice from Warren Buffet, arguably one of the greatest financial minds of the 21th century.     1     This is true especially in the present economic climate.

While the idea of being frugal(节俭的) has long been a part of Eastern culture, the relatively recent growth of wealth in China as well as the ease of purchasing has led to increased consumerism for many across the country. Yet this increased consumption of goods has been pushing up the prices of certain bare essentials such as housing, transportation and food, which is forcing people to reevaluate their priorities while spending money.     2    

The internet is flooded with advice on where one can save money as well as good opinions about how they should spend their money. For example, clothes can be bought second-hand, but you should never skip a visit to the dentist.     3     In the meanwhile, you should limit those that are fancy but not entirely necessary. Of course, it is still fine to occasionally spend money on a nice vacation, but buying thirty pairs of shoes you will only wear a few times is neither responsible nor sustainable.

Hopefully, we all fully understand at this point that the resources on the earth are indeed limited.     4     As a result, the choice (forced or not) to be frugal is not only good for one’s wallet, but also beneficial to the planet in the long run. Have you ever chosen to starve yourself to get a pair of limited-edition sneakers?     5    

A．A continuous growth model on this planet is by no means sustainable.

B．These words have always not been taken seriously by young people.

C．They are meant to encourage people to buy more stuff than they need.

D．It makes sense to prioritize goods and services that directly affect your health.

E．It is no wonder then that being frugal is once again becoming a dominant trend.

F．Many young people today appear to be taking these words very much to heart.

G．If so, it is high time you started making changes for yourself and for all humanity.

4 . A diverse workforce consists of people from all walks of life. These are employees who will view the world differently, and who will apply their personal experience to contribute unique viewpoints which can benefit your company.     1     There are still more real and immediate benefits of diversity in the workplace.

When employees with different viewpoints come together, everyone shares a slightly different approach to the job and the problem at hand. And that’s a benefit, as far as your success is concerned.     2     They’re diverse too, after all.

Meanwhile, workplace diversity boosts creativity. Think about it this way: sameness causes sameness. If you only hire employees coming from similar cultures and socioeconomic circumstances, you’re limiting the creativity and innovation of your company.     3    

In general, people like to fit in, so they are careful not to stick their necks out. When in a strong, homogenous (同种类的) culture, they prevent the natural cognitive (认知的) diversity in groups through the pressure to follow the majority.     4     No matter who they are or where they come from, this inclusiveness helps them break down barriers and reduce the fear of being rejected.

    5     A diverse workforce gives you a diverse and global perspective — a point of view rich in incredible slight differences in human experience and culture — and that means you will have a greater chance of expanding into more diverse markets, both at home and abroad.

A．And this just doesn’t end there.

B．Similarly, different voices will contribute to diversity.

C．Actually, diversity should be a major goal for every company.

D．A diverse workforce also gives you better insights into your customers.

E．But a workplace culture of diversity helps your employees feel included.

F．Beyond that, diversity can help you successfully develop your business globally.

G．On the contrary, employees from diverse backgrounds will bring diverse solutions.

5 . The topic “slash youth”,   referring to those refusing to be defined or bound by just one personal identity and choosing to undertake multiple careers, has fueled heated debate on social media. On Douban, a Chinese social networking platform, the topic has attracted about 11,000posts and has been viewed over 400 million times. China’s young people are keen to share their slash youth stories online, presenting themselves as multiple and sometimes distinct identities, such as a nurse and model, a teacher and stand-up comedian, and an engineer and musician.

Xing Eryang, a 31-year-old female resident in Beijing, founded the Douban topic in 2021.While staying diligent about her daytime work, she is developing her hobbies, including stand-up comedy and vlogging, into secondary careers during her spare time. And she is amazed to find her “slash life” philosophy followed by so many of her peers.

Weiheng, a 26-year-old woman in Guangzhou, and Tang Yuhan, a 27-year-old man in Xuancheng city, Anhui province, are both participants in the topic, with their stories earning thousands of likes so far. The two are both musicians in their spare time, even though they are thousands of miles apart and have different jobs in media and finance. Their passion for music has grown since college and they didn’t abandon their enthusiasm, even after entering the workplace.

Their reaction showed the gap between the young and former generations. “My parents used to say,   ‘music cannot earn you money’,   so the band thing was regarded as a waste of time. However,   we want to pursue whatever we love and are willing to pay for it.” says Weiheng.

“The ‘slash life’ mania(狂热)shows that, along with China’s economic development, our society is becoming more and more diversified and inclusive, and it welcomes everyone’s self-fulfillment,” says Shi Yanrong, an   associate researcher from Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences. “Young people no longer have to rely on work and money for their sense of self-worth. They tend to practice a carpe diem(活在当下)philosophy and create their own identities.”

1. What are “slash youth” more likely to do?

A．Create a topic on Douban.

B．Take diverse occupations.

C．Become a stand-up comedian.

D．Share their own stories online.

2. Which of the following amazes Xing Eryang?

A．Other young people’s positive response.

B．Hobbies developed while working.

C．The growing social networking platform.

D．Thousands of likes earned on Douban.

3. What did Weiheng and Tang Yuhan do to pursue their musical career?

A．They sent their stories online to gain more funds.

B．They shared similar interests in both their hobbies and jobs.

C．They never lost passion for music even if they had to quit college.

D．They stuck with their dream despite the older generation’s opinion.

4. According to Shi Yanrong, what is our society’s attitude to the “slash life”?

A．Doubtful.	B．Supportive.
C．Unfavorable.	D．Indifferent.

6 . Every time I take time off with my family, I tend to reflect on how technology has impacted our lives. It’s when we try to _________ the technology that we realize just how much we have _________ it. What happens when we have to _________ our own imagination and mind when there is no technology? If you ever stood in a long line and _________ went for your phone, you know what I am talking about.

When my family and I go on a trip together, it usually takes a few days for my kids to finally _________the fact that they have to let go of their electronic devices. They go through a withdrawal period (戒断期) where Mom is “the worst” for expecting them to go a few days without _________. I need to be _________ here. I am writing about my kids but the _________ is that I _________ withdrawals as well. I find myself having to use all my willpower just to __________looking at emails.

It has become a(n) __________ that vacation time is quality family time and when we are together, there are no __________. When vacation mode sets in, it becomes easier to __________ the technology and enjoy the moment. My children start to share stories and we find ourselves having fun just spending quality time together. __________, it always surprises me how quickly we __________ to our regular routine once the __________ is over. It becomes part of my __________ once I am back at work to have the phone beside me at all times.

Do you use technology as a tool to improve productivity or communicate and connect? Or, has technology become a(n) __________ that contributes to devaluing ( 贬值) “real life”__________with the people right in front of you?

So, spend __________ time with your loved ones and become engaged in the moment.

1.

A．dream of

B．show off

C．shut off

D．major in

2.

A．referred to

B．commented on

C．learned from

D．depended on

3.

A．share

B．simplify

C．face

D．develop

4.

A．properly

B．secretly

C．informally

D．instantly

5.

A．present

B．accept

C．check

D．discover

6.

A．games

B．homework

C．difficulties

D．help

7.

A．flexible

B．honest

C．confident

D．brave

8.

A．rule

B．plan

C．truth

D．reward

9.

A．experience

B．predict

C．replace

D．permit

10.

A．risk

B．avoid

C．imagine

D．consider

11.

A．tradition

B．instruction

C．contribution

D．motivation

12.

A．disagreements

B．emergencies

C．electronics

D．competitions

13.

A．test

B．recognize

C．improve

D．forget

14.

A．Otherwise

B．Therefore

C．However

D．Besides

15.

A．return

B．adapt

C．react

D．complain

16.

A．work

B．meeting

C．holiday

D．relationship

17.

A．fun

B．solution

C．reason

D．routine

18.

A．condition

B．addiction

C．standard

D．honor

19.

A．connections

B．lessons

C．chances

D．suggestions

20.

A．local

B．limited

C．long

D．quality

7 . ChatGPT, a new chatbot model developed by US-based AI research laboratory OpenAI, has quickly become a hit globally due to its advanced conversational capabilities,

It can write emails, computer codes, even academic papers and poems, and has passed a number of tests within seconds. Academicians worldwide are discussing whether AI should be used in education. Some universities have banned it. The New York City’s Department of Education, for example, banned the chatbot from its public school devices and networks, with some people warning that it could encourage more students to cheat, especially in exams.

Many more welcome this app, claiming that, like most technological advances and groundbreaking innovations in history, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for the development of higher education.

Embracing AI as early as possible is advisable. Higher education institutions should make preparations for including AI in their syllabus (教学大纲). They can start by offering related courses, because by understanding how it works, they can make better use of it. Besides, students with good knowledge of AI are more competitive when it comes to getting a good job, as an increasing number of jobs are being done by computer programmes-some in cooperation with humans, AI-powered education technologies can be adopted to make the learning experience more suitable for each student based on his or her strengths and weaknesses. As for professors, AI can free them from doing some dull tasks so they can concentrate on teaching and interacting with students.

Since we cannot avoid ChatGPT and other AI-powered applications from entering the field of higher education, we should make collective efforts to ensure they have a positive impact on society and the future of education Despite AI helping make learning much more interesting and enjoyable, humans need to work very hard to win the race with technology.

1. Why do some higher education institutions forbid ChatGPT?

A．ChatGPT can write emails and computer codes quickly.

B．Some professors might not perform their duties properly.

C．Students would have conversations with each other via it.

D．Students might seek help from it in completing the exams.

2. What is the author’s attitude towards AI applications in education?

A．Fearful.

B．Disapproving.

C．Supportive.

D．Uncertain.

3. How can AI benefit students of higher education?

A．It offers students an increasing number of jobs.

B．It personalizes students’ learning experience.

C．It equips students with competitive skills to cooperate with humans.

D．It handles uninteresting tasks so students can better focus on learning.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．We should guard against AI apps.

B．AI will be more widely used in education.

C．The future of education relies on AI apps.

D．Humans will be left behind by technology.

8 . 阅读下面材料,在空白处填人1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Every year, universities    1     ( rank ) by different organizains.On Sept. 2, Times Higher education brought out the World University Rankings 2022 , in    2     Chinese mainland universities wrote a newpage in the rankings history.This year,a record 10 Chinese mainland universities ranked in the world’s top 200 universities.Tsinghua University and Peking University tied for 16th place,     3     ( mark) the first time that two Chinese mainland universities have made    4     into the top 20.

The Chinese mainland has the    5     (four) highest number of universities in the ramkings , behind the United States with 183 , Japan with 118 and the UK with 101.

The COVID-19 pandemic(大流行)has had an infuence    6    the rankings. Universities that did research on understanding and managing the pandemic saw    7     clear rise on the rankings table. 11 Chinese mainland universities , including Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan and Capital Medical University in Beijing, all move up at least two ranking    8     ( band).

“There is a clear change happening across higher education around the world, and perhaps most    9     ( rapid) in the Chinese mainland.”said Phil Baty, chief knowledge officer at Times Higher Education.“It is interesting    10     ( see ) whether the Chinese mainland can challenge the US and UK’s long-running advantage in the global top 10,”he added.

9 . We all try to spend our days doing engaging things, but the reality is that there’s a lot of boring work which also must be done. Whether it’s washing the dishes, filing papers, entering data, or any of the countless dull yet critical tasks that keep our homes, organizations, and communities running, we all have less-than-exciting tasks we have to do. Of course it’s not always easy to get ourselves to stick to these tasks, even if we know we should. What does it take to persist (坚持) when work is boring?

Researchers have explored this question from many angles and studies have shown that people may persist longer when they monitor their progress, receive rewards, or when a task is made more fun. These findings have direct effects on how we design products and policies. For instance, companies are increasingly offering incentives to encourage employees to get more exercise, and managers are carrying out various game strategies to make employees’ work more fun.

Recent research by Harvard University, however, suggests that for tasks that don’t require a lot of attention, there may be a better approach. Researchers conducted a series of studies with over 2,000 participants and found that in many cases, people stop working on tasks earlier than expected not because they aren’t motivated enough, but because the tasks do not need enough attention.

Often, strategies designed to increase persistence will involve changing something about the work itself — but you can only make washing the dishes so exciting or mentally stimulating (振奋人心的). Rather than endlessly attempting to make boring tasks less boring, it can sometimes be more effective instead to pair these activities with other tasks that require more attention. This concept is called tangential immersion (切入式专注法).

Basically, the mind seeks to be engaged. We experience boredom when doing tasks that require less attention than we have available, and this leads us to quit those tasks too early. But if there is a second activity in which we can involve ourselves at the same time with the low-attention task, it can occupy that extra attention, reducing boredom and thus increasing persistence.

1. In what circumstance may people continue with a boring task?

A．When they feel motivated.	B．When they want to kill time.
C．When they are full of energy.	D．When they lack attention.

2. What does the underlined word “incentives” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Instructions.

B．Rewards.

C．Programmes.

D．Positions.

3. Why did the participants quit their tasks earlier than expected?

A．The tasks were beyond them.	B．The studies took too much time.
C．The tasks demanded less attention.	D．The participants were not devoted.

4. How can we focus on a boring task according to tangential immersion?

A．By making it more challenging.	B．By checking the progress repeatedly.
C．By refreshing the mind regularly.	D．By pairing it with a demanding one.

10 . Lawns (草坪). They’re part of American life. Over a century, from around the 1870s to the 1970s, Americans slowly fell in love with lawns. Lawns were a sign of taste,calm,power and order,especially after World War II. Over the past 50 years, we’ve slowly fallen out of love with lawns. They began to signal waste,disregard and disagreement.

“Wasn’t there something a bit wasteful about millions of Americans applying millions of pounds of fertilizer and pouring millions of gallons of water on the ground to grow something you couldn’t eat unless you were a Jersey cow?” wrote Ellen Goodman in the Boston Globe way back in 1977.

However,we are still,largely,lawn people. The biggest irrigated (灌溉的) crop, by area, in the United States? Not corn or soybeans or potatoes, but lawns. Unproductive, decorative lawn: around 40 million acres of it, or 2%of the land area of the whole country，according to estimates cited by Garik Gutman,program manager for NASA’s Land-Cover/Land-Use Change Program.

Forty million acres: The entire state of Georgia couldn’t contain America’s total lawn area. And we pour 9 billion gallons of water on landscaping every day,according to the Environmental Protection Organization. Meanwhile,the southwestern United States is suffering a serious drought; the past two decades have been its driest period since the year 800. In a world thirsty for water,lawns actually take up too much water.

Now we have TikTok hashtags (话题标签) such as anti-lawn, which might direct you to a performance of an anti-lawn song by a 27-year-old Nashville musician named Mel Bryant. “At the time,all of my neighbors were crazy about their lawns,”says Bryant，who wrote the song on Earth Day 2020.“Everyone was cutting grass,every day. At any point in time you’d hear lawn grass cutting machines going. And it drove me crazy. I still have this one neighbor who,I promise,on the Fourth of July was cutting grass at 7:30 pm. What are you doing,man? This can wait.”

1. What can best describe Americans’ attitude towards lawns?

A．Cautious.	B．Changeable.
C．Uninterested.	D．Conventional.

2. What is the most irrigated crop in America?

A．Corn.

B．Soybeans.

C．Potatoes.

D．Lawns.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Reasons for poor lawn growth.

B．The consequences of droughts.

C．Measures for drought prevention.

D．Too much water consumption on lawns.

4. What message might Mel Bryant convey in his song?

A．Opposition to lawns.

B．Enthusiasm for gardening.

C．Desire for freedom.

D．Doubts about holiday traditions.