1 . In recent years, much of my life as a consumer has shifted to what I like to call background spending as I`ve subscribed to more apps and streaming platforms.

While this explosion of subscriptions was sold to me on the idea that it would make my life more convenient, there was a certain sticker shock I felt upon discovering how much I was spending without realizing each month—after I’d already spent it, of course. You see, the thing about background spending is that it tends to happen, well, in the background without your full attention. And there lies the point.

“Hand over your credit card details and let us take care of the rest,” these companies promise us. But by agreeing to this trade, we’ve become passive consumers who are allowing the balance of capital to tilt(倾斜)away from us. It’s understandable why this model of subscription service is so inviting for businesses. Subscriptions offer the promise of “selling once and earning forever.” And while subscription services have been around for decades, more customers have been willing to sign up thanks to the popularization of smartphones. But while these subscriptions promise ease and happiness, not all of us are satisfied.

Last year, C+R Research asked 1,000 people to estimate how much they pay for their subscriptions before having them figure out this spending. They found the average monthly spend was more than 2.5 times of that people guessed.

If we’re going to rebalance the wheels of capital just a little, we could support a recently proposed rule from the Federal Trade Commission(FTC). In March, the agency suggested a “click to cancel” item that would require companies to make it just as easy to end a subscription as to sign up for one. Additionally, businesses would need to remind subscribers annually about their membership before these are automatically renewed.

If all that doesn’t work, I have another idea: an app designed to keep track of your various subscriptions and background spending. Oh wait, those already exist— for a reoccurring fee, of course.

1. What does subscribing to more apps bring about to the author?

A．Data leak.	B．Overloaded phones.
C．Cost increase.	D．Unwilling purchases.

2. What can we learn about the subscription service from paragraph 3?

A．It is business friendly.	B．It guarantees customer satisfaction.
C．It is specially customized.	D．It encourages reasonable consumption.

3. What does FTC advise businesses to do?

A．Text sign-up reminders.	B．Lower subscription spending.
C．Set automatic renewal mode.	D．Simplify canceling procedures.

4. How does the author feel about background spending?

A．Powerless.

B．Dismissive.

C．Appreciative.

D．Tolerant.

4 . 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 term “Erbin”, a, nickname of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, known for its ice and snow festival,     1     (gain) popularity across China recently. Many tourism officials are using techniques to promote cultural tourism,     2       (leave) netizens screaming in amusement. Shifting from online hype (炒作) to offline engagement, tourism authorities in other provinces also compete     3     tourists.

The essence of this “fancy rat-race” lies in     4     fact that various regional cultural tourism initiatives     5     (target) at the Spring Festival tourist boom, using hype to attract tourists and boost the local economies. But to attract more tourists,     6     seems unwise is to rely merely on publicity and luxury strategies. Cities and tourist spots should focus on three factors to attract more tourists.

First, they need to build better roads to scenic spots and tourist service platforms,     7     set proper traffic signs. Second, they should provide related supporting services to enhance     8     (tourist) experience. For that, the tourist spots and cities need to     9     (far) develop tourist attractions and supporting facilities. It is also important     10     (tell) convincing local cultural stories.

Tourism authorities should, therefore, focus on promoting local cuisine, natural resources and personalities.

5 . It’s no secret that reading good news feels a lot better than reading bad news. Like, would you rather bite into a lemon, or sip on a fresh glass of lemonade?

    1    The world is full of problems and conflicts and we need to stay informed and alert (警觉的) to what’s going on around us. While reading traditional, more negative news is important, consuming good news is also part of staying informed.     2    And it also brings meaningful benefits, like reduced stress and anxiety, higher rates of engagement, community building skills, and inspiration for creating a better world. Plus, knowing what to look for in the good news landscape is a key part of improving our media literacy skills and being thoughtful news consumers.

In fact, good news, known as solutions journalism, is becoming more popular, as publishers and news stations discover the benefits of sharing positive stories. Good Good Good is one of them.     3     A team of reporters and editors there work daily to deliver stories that make readers feel hopeful and equipped to do more good with possible solutions.

“If it bleeds, it leads.” has long been a saying used in the media to describe how news stories about violence, death and destruction draw readers’ attention.       4     The thing is, however, there’s also good stuff out there—the delightful and kind parts of humanity. “Beautiful stories are happening worldwide.    5    When you do find them, the world can suddenly feel like a very different place. Good news is a vital part of how we learn about the world and solving the world’s problems.” Hervey, one of Good Good Good’s editors said.

A．Share good news with people around you.

B．It’s just that we don’t hear as much about them.

C．But the “bad news” has its place in the world.

D．It provides a more balanced view of the world.

E．And so, negative news stories are everywhere on news media.

F．Heartwarming stories make you cry and feel good.

G．The news media company is devoted to providing good news intentionally.

6 . Traditionally, people have been forced to reduce complex choices to a small handful of options that don’t do justice to their true desires. For example, in a restaurant, the limitations of the kitchen, the way supplies have to be ordered and the realities of restaurant cooking make you get a menu of a few dozen standardized options, with the possibility of some modifications (修改) around the edges. We are so used to these bottlenecks that we don’t even notice them. And when we do, we tend to assume they are the unavoidable cost of scale (规模) and efficiency. And they are. Or, at least, they were.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to overcome this limitation. By storing rich representations of people’s preferences and histories on the demand side, along with equally rich representations of capabilities, costs and creative possibilities on the supply side, AI systems enable complex customization at large scale and low cost. Imagine walking into a restaurant and knowing that the kitchen has already started working on a meal optimized (优化) for your tastes, or being presented with a personalized list of choices.

There have been some early attempts at this. People have used ChatGPT to design meals based on dietary restrictions and what they have in the fridge. It’s still early days for these technologies, but once they get working, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Recommendation systems for digital media have reduced their reliance on traditional intermediaries. Radio stations are like menu items: Regardless of how nuanced (微妙) your taste in music is, you have to pick from a handful of options. Early digital platforms were only a little better: “This person likes jazz, so we’ll suggest more Jazz.” Today’s streaming platforms use listener histories and a broad set of characters describing each track to provide each user with personalized music recommendations.

A world without artificial bottlenecks comes with risks — loss of jobs in the bottlenecks, for example — but italso has the potential to free people from the straightjackets that have long limited large-scale human decision-’making. In some cases — restaurants, for example — the effect on most people might be minor. But in others, likepolitics and hiring, the effects could be great.

1. What does the underlined word “bottlenecks” in paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Facing too many choices.	B．Choosing from limited options.
C．Avoiding the cost of choosing.	D．Having too many desires to satisfy.

2. How can AI meet everyone’s needs?

A．By meeting both ends of supply and demand.

B．By decreasing representations on the supply side.

C．By disconnecting the sides of supply and demand.

D．By reducing people’s preferences on the demand side.

3. What’s the similarity between radio stations and menu items?

A．They are a necessary part in people’s life.	B．They offer limited choices.
C．They depend on digital platforms.	D．They provide reasonable suggestions.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．The variety of human’s choices.	B．Standardized optrarts in daily life.
C．AI settlements to the option bottlenecks.	D．Recommendation systems for digital media.

7 . Social media provides materialists with ideal opportunities to compare themselves with others, which makes them subject to passive and addictive user behavior. This stresses them out and, ultimately, leads to low life satisfaction, according to a new study.

The researchers headed by Dr. Phillip Ozimek from Germany employed 1, 230 people for their online survey. In order to participate, respondents had to visit at least one social media channel at least once a week. On average, the participants stated they spent just over two hours a day on social media.

The team used six different questionnaires to determine the extent to which the participants had a materialistic attitude and tended to compare themselves with others, whether they used social media more actively or passively, whether they were addicted to social media, how stressed and how satisfied they were with their lives.

“The data showed a stronger materialistic approach goes hand in hand with a tendency to compare oneself with others,” points out Ozimek. This comparison is easy to make on social media, primarily through passive use—by looking at the content posted by other users. Materialism and passive use were also linked to addictive use of social media.

“Users are constantly thinking about the respective channels and fear they’re missing out on something if they aren’t online,” explains Ozimek. “This in turn leads to poorer mental health like stress. The final link in the chain is reduced life satisfaction.”

“Overall, the study provides further evidence that the use of social media is associated with risks, especially for people with a highly materialistic mindset,” says the psychologist. “This is particularly worrying, because social media can stimulate and increase materialistic values through influence r marketing. Meanwhile, the platforms attract materialists anyway, as they’re a perfect way to satisfy materialistic needs.”

“It’s definitely a good idea to be aware of the amount of time you spend on social media and to reduce it,” recommends Ozimek, who advises against giving up social media completely. “If you did, you’re likely to over-correct.” He also suggests recording materialism and social media use in patients undergoing treatment for mental health disorders. “While these factors are often irrelevant, they can be a starting point for additional interventions patients can try out at home.”

1. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．The Virtual World, the Real Danger

B．Showing Superiority Causes Heavy Media Use

C．More Social Media Materialism, Less Happiness

D．Materialistic Values: A Stepping Stone to Discontent

2. To qualify for the survey, a participant must ______

A．be a big spender	B．specialize in data analysis
C．be a regular social media user	D．upload web surfing history

3. What kind of feeling is expressed by Ozimek in paragraph 6?

A．Pessimism.

B．Sympathy.

C．Shock.

D．Concern.

4. What does Ozimek propose concerning using social media?

A．Restricting the duration.	B．Logging onto well-rated websites.
C．Abandoning it for good.	D．Prohibiting patients from using it.

8 . A few years ago, I walked into Panera and placed my order. As I sat down, I noticed that at the table next to me, there was an older man with a cap eating his soup alone. At the sight of this, a feeling of sadness began to wash over me. Why was he eating alone? Was he lonely? Did he want someone to keep him company?

This wasn’t the first time I’d felt sad when I noticed someone eating alone. I automatically assume they’re lonely and need someone to be there for them. For some reason, eating with other people is the norm. Modern society has evolved to the point where most people eat with others and do almost every activity together. If we need to get lunch before a class, we’d rather ask around to see if someone will come with us. But is it possible we just don’t want to appear lonely?

For me, it’s easy to get pressured to have to be around other people when I see everyone else around me accompanied by a friend almost all the time. So many people are always around someone else, and that may make people think we always need someone with us to feel better about ourselves.

But that’s not true. We can enjoy being alone not everyone needs to be constantly surrounded by friends to be happy. And we shouldn’t be afraid to eat alone if that’s what we want to do. We don’t have to do what everyone else does.

Ultimately, I don’t think I’ll ever not get sad if I see someone eating alone, but I’ll bear in mind that maybe they just want a break from the world, or maybe they prefer it that way. It’s important to realize seeing someone doing something alone doesn’t always mean they’re lonely.

1. Why does the author mention her experience at Panera a few years ago?

A．To introduce the topic of caring for old people.

B．To start the discussion about people eating alone.

C．To describe a memorable encounter.

D．To illustrate the benefits of eating alone outside.

2. What does the author think of the norm of eating with other people?

A．It is a good way to avoid awkwardness.

B．It helps maintain social connections.

C．It is common but deserves questioning.

D．It is unreasonable and unacceptable.

3. How does the author feel when people around her have company but she doesn’t?

A．Uncomfortable.

B．Isolated.

C．Envious.

D．Relaxed.

4. What message does the author want to convey?

A．Social relationships are unnecessary.

B．People need to be alone to recharge.

C．Loneliness is unavoidable in our daily life.

D．Being alone doesn’t equate to loneliness.

9 . About ten years ago, logging into Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram would mostly show posts from friends and family in the order they were posted. Today, these platforms present a mix of content, tailored by algorithms (算法) to match users’ interests, whether it’s plants, sports, cats, or politics.

Kyle Chayka, a writer for The New Yorker, discusses this topic in his book, Filterworld. He explains that algorithms analyze user data to predict and influence what they will likely engage with. This means that instead of a simple, chronological feed, users encounter a dynamic stream, constantly adapting to their preferences. Chayka examines how these algorithmic recommendations control what we consume, from music and movies to food and travel destinations. He argues that this machine-driven selection process has turned us into passive consumers, making our preferences and tastes more similar.

Chayka points out that algorithms make us passive by always showing us content that we’re unlikely to click away from but won’t find too unexpected or challenging. This constant stream of recommendations reduces our exposure to diverse or challenging content, subtly shaping our preferences and behaviors.

Moreover, Chayka points out that algorithms also pressure content creators, like musicians and artists, to tailor their work to fit these digital platforms. For instance, musicians on Spotify or TikTok might focus on creating catchy hooks at the beginning of their songs to grab the listener’s attention.

Despite the strong presence of these algorithms, Chayka believes that regulation could reduce their influence. He suggests that if Meta, the parent company of Facebook, were required to separate its various services, like Instagram or WhatsApp, and make them compete with each other, it could give users more control and choice over their digital consumption.

In summary, the change from simple, time-ordered social. media posts to algorithm-driven content has a big impact on both the viewers and the creators, influencing what we see, hear, and even think. Chayka’s insights highlight the need for greater awareness and potentially more regulation in our increasingly digital world.

1. According to the text, how have social media platforms changed in the past ten years?

A．They show posts in a time-based order.

B．They prioritize posts from friends and family.

C．They make adjustments to satisfy users’ needs.

D．They provide more content to meet different needs.

2. What does Kyle Chayka think of algorithmic recommendations?

A．They make users more active consumers.

B．They shape users’ preferences and behaviors.

C．They reduce the influence of content creators.

D．They expose users to diverse and challenging content.

3. How do algorithms influence musicians’ work on digital platforms?

A．By encouraging musicians to create longer songs.

B．By discouraging musicians from using catchy hooks.

C．By giving musicians more control and choice over their music.

D．By requiring musicians to create their work to fit the platforms.

4. What can be concluded from the text?

A．Tech companies should have more departments.

B．Social media algorithms give content creators less opportunities.

C．Social media algorithms flatten our culture by making decisions for us.

D．Network platforms have increased the common recommendations for 10 years.

10 . The apparent complexities of the TikTok algorithm(算法)may actually be as simple as a bag of chips. In a video with more than 700,000 views, creator Celeste Aria laid out her “Dorito theory”, which she uses to explain the addictive nature of endlessly-scrolling social media feeds.

Everyone has a topic they just can’t stop thinking about, and Aria’s Roman Empire is Doritos. In her popular video, she expresses that TikTok scrolling is so addictive because it is never fully satisfying. Like a Dorito, a scrolling session on the For You Page is most stimulating during the first few bites. The end of the chip or video brings a desire to start consuming another one, thus returning to that first-bite feeling.

Essentially, the Dorito theory suggests that activities like eating Doritos, which provide a quick burst of pleasure but lack lasting satisfaction, can be highly addictive. Aria compared it to consuming foods that offer deeper satisfaction, like a hearty steak, where the feeling of fullness and contentment lasts longer.

The theory can apply to a lot of different experiences, but it’s particularly well-suite d as a metaphor for the dopamine(多巴胺)boosts that occur while scrolling through social media feeds. Dr. Jamie Sorenson, a board-certified psychiatrist, said that the Dorito theory is consistent with existing ideas regarding addiction. “The more immediate the reward is, the more likely we are to repeat that behavior, whether it’s eating Doritos or scrolling on social media.”

Aria may not be a licensed medical professional, but she treats junk food the way any nutritionist would. “I’d recommend just trying to remove anything that you think falls into the Dorito category,” she says in her video.

The Dorito theory trend has led to reflections on the nature of addiction and the pursuit of instant satisfaction in today’s society, resonating(共鸣)with many TikTok users who recognize similar patterns in their own lives. So, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Doritos responds to Aria’s theory.

1. What do the underlined words “Roman Empire” in paragraph 2 probably refer to?

A．A video.

B．A subject.

C．A country.

D．A snack.

2. What makes Aria addicted to chips according to the text?

A．Social media.

B．Different flavors.

C．Lasting satisfaction.

D．First-bite feeling.

3. How does Aria explain the Dorito theory?

A．By introducing a concept.	B．By conducting an experiment.
C．By making a comparison.	D．By quoting an expert’s words.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．TikTok: an appealing platform

B．Celeste Aria: an insightful discoverer

C．Chips or steaks: a challenging choice

D．The Dorito theory: an ongoing hit online