1 . In the rich countries of the West, the electric vehicle revolution is well occurring. Climate-conscious consumers drive Teslas or Polestars for reasons of morality (道德) 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 shows a poisonous secret: each tuk-tuk runs on five massive lead-acid batteries (铅酸电池), containing almost 300 pounds of lead (铅) in total. Every year and a half or so, when those batteries need to be replaced and recycled, about 60 pounds of lead leaks into the environment. Battery recycling, often at small-scale unregulated factories, is a highly profitable (高利润的) 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 unexpected 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 cause one of the biggest environmental problems in the world yet receives little attention.
The World Bank estimates that lead kills 5.5 million people per year, making 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 heavy, as is its contribution to global inequality — our research on the cognitive (认知的) 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 can be resolved through financial investment (财政投入). Better monitoring, research, and rules can help protect children all over the world from the unpleasant 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 listing some numbers. | B．By analyzing hidden causes. |
| C．By making an interesting comparison. | D．By explaining its working principle. |
| A．Lead enters poor countries in one way. |
| B．Lead leaking has been avoided in all the countries. |
| C．Lead will definitely not harm anymore. |
| D．Lead poisoning may make poor societies poorer. |
| A．Fixing these used batteries. | B．Reducing the cost of recycling lead. |
| C．Ignoring the illegal use of lead. | D．Putting certain effort and money. |
| A．The Impacts of Lead Poisoning on Man. |
| B．The Global Lead Poisoning Problem. |
| C．The Ways to Solve Lead Problem. |
| D．The Benefits of Using Electric Vehicles. |
2 . “Pop” stands for popular, and a pop singer has to work very hard to stay popular. He must either give the public what they want, or he must find a new way of singing that will attract their attention. Even when he has succeeded, and his records are sold everywhere, he cannot relax. Then he must work harder than ever to remain popular, because there are always younger singers trying to become famous and to steal some of the popularity.
The life of a successful pop singer isn’t easy at all. He can only relax when he is alone, because everything he does is watched and reported in the special newspaper written for the fans. The fans are the most important people in the world for the singer. They buy his records, they go to his concerts, and they make him rich and famous. But they can be very annoying, too. Sometimes their enthusiasm (热情) is so hysterical (歇斯底里的) that they do anything to get a souvenir (纪念品). They steal handkerchief, they tear off buttons, and they even cut off pieces of unfortunate singer’s hair. Many singers have been forced to hide, and some who have not been so lucky as to escape have been stripped (剥) practically naked by their fans. A pop singer has to spend a lot of money on clothes because he must always look smart, or at any rate, different. He must have a luxurious (豪华的) car. And most importantly, he must always keep smiling for the benefit of his public.
1. Pop singer works very hard ___________.| A．to get attention |
| B．to stay popular |
| C．to get more money |
| D．to sell more records |
| A．lovely | B．friendly | C．boring | D．angry |
| A．smart and the same |
| B．smart and different |
| C．healthy and young |
| D．rich and strong |
| A．The Way to Become a Pop Singer |
| B．The Fans of the Pop Singer |
| C．The Pop Singers |
| D．The Success of Pop Singers |
3 . ChatGPT has quickly become popular around the world because of its advanced conversational abilities. It can answer questions, do translations, give the main idea of articles and even write codes (代码) for a computer program. It is as good as a human inside a computer.
ChatGPT is making life very convenient. A time might come when people hand it some articles and it makes a well-made report. That could, however, mean job losses. After all, if a computer program can write codes, then it would make a programmer lose his job.
That may be a worry, but it is still too early to worry about that. ChatGPT has more advanced learning features, but it still follows the same technological way. Its biggest advantage lies in the ability to turn words into a language from an ocean of data, but it's still not that creative. AI can quickly draw a picture, but that picture will be based on pictures that it has seen. It can also write books about the future, but the books will be based on articles about the future that it has read.
In comparison, a human brain imagines the future and then tries hard to realize it. AI can imagine a future with faster spaceships, but it can't imagine a world of space as humans can.
So there is no need to worry too much. By being creative there will be plenty of chances for humans to win over AI.
1. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 1 refer to?| A．The world. | B．ChatGPT. | C．A computer. | D．A program. |
| A．By telling stories. | B．By giving examples. |
| C．By listing numbers. | D．By making comparisons. |
| A．It has its own creativity. |
| B．It has conversational abilities. |
| C．It has more advanced learning features. |
| D．It has the ability to turn words into a language. |
| A．Sports. | B．Science. | C．Education. | D．Business. |
4 . Gather together a couple of good friends and take a leisurely stroll through the streets — this is what many youngsters in China enjoy doing when they visit a new city.
To them, Citywalk means “roaming around the city” on foot. Participants can follow a distinctive urban route, soaking up the atmosphere, exploring old buildings, browsing boutique shops, sipping a cup of coffee, or indulging in authentic local snacks.
Citywalk can be a special guided trip for a small group of people, or simply a leisurely stroll for one or two to explore new areas, sticking to the key point: avoiding famous scenic spots and big crowds to gain a more inclusive experience of the places you visit. Besides interacting with a city, Citywalk provides young people with a new social scene, where they who share the same interests and ideas can easily make friends.
In China, the Citywalk trend is spreading from first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai to second and third-tier cities, encouraging more participants and event organizers to get involved. Some organizers invite folk culture researchers and enthusiasts to act as tour guides. Xiao Yiyi, a young entrepreneur in Changsha, recently launched six Citywalk routes in different cities on her social media account, with the aim of providing experiences for visitors to “walk in open-air museums”. Her Changsha route features more offbeat sights like historical architecture from the 19th century, artsy old alleys, and even a stop-off to sample the local spicy crayfish specialty.
Even though Citywalk is a relatively new phenomenon, it is offering a positive change to urban travelers as they can better choose the experiences based on their interests and needs. At the same time, Citywalk represents an opportunity for tour guides and travel service providers to offer a more tailored, professional service to meet with ever-changing market demands.
1. Why do young people choose Citywalk?| A．To enjoy a guided tour. |
| B．To cut down expenses. |
| C．To dig deeper into a city. |
| D．To make new friends. |
| A．Doing sightseeing on foot. | B．Avoiding hot scenic spots. |
| C．Taking a local tour guide. | D．Keeping a fixed urban route. |
| A．A tour guide | B．A culture researcher. |
| C．A Citywalk enthusiast. | D．An event organizer. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Dismissive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Unclear. |
5 . Many Chinese students may want to study abroad after high school.But at the same time,more and more foreign students are coming to China.
According to a report from www.the Students.com.397,63 International students came to China in 2015.China is now the third most popular country for international students,behind the United States and the United Kingdom.
In the summer of 2016, 55 students and teachers from Germany came to China and joined a joined a summer camp,they were interested in traditional Chinese culture.
They visited several schools in Beijing.They learned to make dumplings, play Chinese kung fu and do paper cutting. If they like Chinese handwriting,they can learn calligraphy. By communicating with Chinese people,they could have a close relationship with their new friends,they could know more about China.
In 2018, especially young people in Germany,have become more interested in learning Chinese.There are more cultural exchanges between Germany and China.German students have had chances to learn more about Chinese culture, history and its life today.Almost 400 German school have Chinese classes.Over 8,000 German students study in China.
1. According to a report, ________is the third most popular country for international students in 2015.| A．Germany | B．the United Kingdom | C．China | D．the United States |
| A．playing ping-pong | B．making dumplings |
| C．paying Chinese kung fu | D．doing paper cutting |
| A．40. | B．55. | C．Almost 400. | D．Over 8000. |
| A．55 students and teachers from Germany came to China and joined a summer camp in 2015. |
| B．German students have become interested in learning modern Chinese culture. |
| C．There are fewer cultural exchanges between China and Germany. |
| D．More and more foreign students come to study in China now. |
6 . A new study indicates that living in a city makes it harder for people to concentrate on some tasks. The research found that people living in rural areas can focus better than those in urban areas. The study is from Goldsmiths College, which is part of the University of London. Head researcher Dr Karina and her team made great contributions. They studied how two groups of people did the same “thinking tasks”. The team went to a remote (偏远的) part of Namibia, southwest Africa, to study the Himba tribe. Himba people live a very basic life in the desert. They are still doing traditional farming. The team also studied members of the same tribe who had moved to the nearest town. The Dr. said the tribe who lived in the desert did much better on the tests than those in the town. It’s really interesting and shocking.
Dr Karina said their research may lead to changes in the way companies operate. In the future, workers may move from cities to live and work in the countryside. She said there are too many things around us in the city that stop us from thinking about one thing for a long time. This means we do not work at our best. She asked, “What if, for example, companies realized certain tasks would be better carried out by employees based outside of the urban environment? There their concentration ability is better.” The past century has seen billions of people move from the countryside to big cities. In the future, the trend may not continue. If Dr.’s research is true, this century might see many of those people return to the great outdoors. Let’s wait to see what will happen.
1. What conclusion did Dr Karina and her team get from the study on the Himba tribe?| A．Himba people focus better in the desert. |
| B．Himba people aren’t used to the life in city. |
| C．Himba people are smarter than others. |
| D．Himba people give up traditional farming. |
| A．towns | B．cities | C．villages | D．countries |
| A．Big cities attracted many people to live and work. |
| B．Many people came back to the countryside. |
| C．Companies realized certain tasks would be better carried out outdoors. |
| D．People in rural and urban areas can’t concentrate on one task. |
| A．To remind people to focus better. |
| B．To advise people to live in countryside. |
| C．To show the bright future to readers. |
| D．To share a recent study with readers. |
7 . The Mandela Effect refers to the situation in which many people thought that an event occurred when it did not. We all have experienced the Mandela Effect one way or another.
The term “Mandela Effect” was coined in 2009. It all started when Fiona Broome went to a conference and began talking to other conference-goers about the tragedy of previous South African president Nelson Mandela and his death in the South African prison in the 1980s. However, with further research, you know that he passed away in his own home in 2013. Broome talked to other people about her faulty memories, but she also learned that she was not alone. The people she spoke to also remembered seeing news coverage of Mandela’s death, as well as a speech made by his widow. There was quite a shock to Broome when she realized that a large group of people could remember an identical event in such detail, but it never really happened. Fiona then began her website to discuss what she called the “Mandela Effect” and other incidents similar to this occurrence.
The popular belief to explain the effect is that the timeline has been changed as we shift between these different realities. The idea itself remains unproven and highly controversial, however, the excitement of a bit of mystery in everyday life probably comes into play for many people.
Psychologically, the concept of false memories provides a potential explanation for the Mandela Effect. False memories are defined as untrue or odd recollections of an event.
Studies have revealed a variety of factors that cause false remembering. The phenomenon of suggestibility(暗示感受性) can affect a person’s memory. Emotional and personal prejudice can also both influence memories. Telling stories by word-of-mouth is often misleading. The role of the internet in impacting the memories of the masses should not be ignored, either. It is probably no coincidence that consideration of the Mandela Effect has grown in this digital age.
1. According to the text, the term “Mandela Effect” was created________.| A．in the 1980s | B．during a conference |
| C．after Nelson Mandela passed away | D．when Fiona Broome began her website |
| A．The changed timeline. | B．Different realities. |
| C．False memories. | D．The excitement of everyday life. |
| A．The misunderstandings of memory. |
| B．The factors that cause false memories. |
| C．Different opinions about “Mandela Effect”. |
| D．The effect of the internet on people’s memory. |
| A．Future development. | B．Possible causes. |
| C．Definition. | D．Origin. |
8 . THE WEEK, full of the world’s best news and facts, offering science, animals, puzzles, people, apps, photos, books, sports and eating insects, helps young people make sense of the world.
Iran Protests Continue To Escalate
People in Iran held more large protests against the government on October 30 after being warned not to by authorities. Students who took down partition walls meant to separate men and women in cafeterias were arrested. Protests began in September after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for showing her hair in public.
Lalitpur, Nepal Hindu Tihar Festival
People in Nepal marked the second day of the Tihar festival, which is dedicated to worshipping dogs and highlighting their loyalty to humans. The five-day festival is associated with the Hindu God Yama and each day is dedicated to a different animal. At the Sneha Care shelter, which is home to about 170 dogs, people spent the day giving dogs treats and placing orange garlands (花环) around their necks.
Singapore Green Tower Opens
A new 919-foot-tall skyscraper containing 80, 000 plants has opened in Singapore. The office building is also a “green oasis” for people to visit and explore. On the top floor there is a 4, 500-square foot roof top farm, which produces herbs, flowers, fruit, and vegetables for three restaurants in the building. It is estimated that the farm, which visitors can also walk through, grows between 154 and 220 pounds of produce each month.
1. Why did students pull down partition walls?| A．To warn the authorities. |
| B．To mourn the death of Mahsa Amini. |
| C．To fight against inequality of genders. |
| D．To separate men and women in cafeterias. |
| A．It is celebrated all around the world. |
| B．People have five days off to do the celebration. |
| C．Different animals are treated at the Sneha Care shelter. |
| D．Dogs are entertained for their loyalty on its second day. |
| A．A vertical farm. | B．A shopping center. |
| C．An office building. | D．An indoor recreation center. |
9 . Taking online classes from far away
Faiqa, a 15-year-old freshman at a public high school, logs in to her all-remote classes each night from Pakistan in a time zone nine hours ahead. Max, who also attends school in the same state, has joined his Advanced Placement history class for about two months from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
It is unclear how widespread the practice is. But out-of-country logins have become increasingly common since late fall according to educators in the country.
Max says he is grateful that he is still able to log in to classes during the special period of time. “
| A．Missing school for a long time is really bad |
| B．Some families paid a visit to other countries |
| C．I’m desperate to get back to the online world |
| D．students take virtual classes from outside the state |
| E．over two-thirds of young students find it easier to learn lessons online |
| F．Max’s schoolmate, Naobe, participates in classes from northern Honduras |
| G．The officials say it is possible for students to log in from anywhere in the world |
10 . Teenagers are especially likely to suffer loneliness. Here are some suggestions for speeding a recovery from loneliness.
Reach out to others, but start small. A smile and a friendly greeting for the student behind you in line at the cafeteria won’t make you best friends.
Find a safe place to make connections. If going to the school dance makes you feel like you just don’t belong, try joining a specialinterest group. Maybe it’s the drama club or the marching band.
Find other ways of making connections. Lonely people hunger for acceptance and friendship. Sometimes feeling accepted and liked comes more easily when you do something for others.
You get what you expect, so expect the best. If you expect others to be friendly, you will behave in similar ways.
| A．But it will make you both feel pretty good. |
| B．So consider becoming a volunteer. |
| C．Some teens aren’t so adaptable, however. |
| D．Encourage people to be friendlier to you. |
| E．Choose the right people. |
| F．For most young people, loneliness is only temporary. |
| G．Look for a group that allows you to join in gradually and cheerfully. |
