1 . As technological creation continues to change the workplace, we are seeing more industries trust their operations to new gadgets (小器具), software and programs that can transform the workplace. One such technology that has the potential, to some degree, to change workplaces in the coming years is RPA ( Robotic Process Automation). With more industries starting to welcome RPA software, RPA robots would be able to solve repetitive tasks like some of the paper work normally dealt with by administrative staff, thus lowering costs and increasing productivity.
There is a common concern that companies employing technology like RPA are only interested in increasing their profit through cost reduction without considering other important factors, and that this kind of trend would finally leave most of the workforce jobless. However, while it is true . that the unskilled tasks of administrative and paper work are likely to be taken over by automation, the demands on the average office worker will tend to include more creative work, duties on management and communication with clients and suppliers.
With this shift in focus, the worker of the future will be expected to have transferable (可转移的) problem-solving and critical thinking skills that will make them competent of dealing with any difficult situation and work independently to find solutions.
At present, the ability to adapt and be flexible would also be important since the world we live in is likely to change a lot, with much uncertainty ahead. Having such flexibility, together with the desire to keep learning and the initiative (主动性) to step forward, the successful worker of the future is one who will be able to use their skills to find out opportunities, make improvements and take on new challenges wherever they’ll be working.
1. What is the advantage of RPA?| A．It can inspire workers to change their attitudes. |
| B．It can help work more effectively at fewer costs. |
| C．It can totally change the traditional workplace. |
| D．It can take the place of all the staff in the office. |
| A．Unskilled workers are hard to survive. | B．Demands of workers will be very high. |
| C．Technology will lead to unemployment. | D．Companies will only care about profits. |
| A．Capable. | B．Frightened. | C．Aware. | D．Mindful. |
| A．People face many unknown issues. |
| B．People live in a changeable world. |
| C．People lack various skills to solve problems. |
| D．People have few chances to improve themselves. |
Nowadays, many kids enjoy eating junk food, even though it is not good for their health. Many people have started
Eating too much junk food can lead to several health problems. This includes obesity and other diseases
We all know that eating unhealthy food does harm
3 . Do you have an uncle believing vaccines cause autism (自闭症) but refusing to do further research? What about a friend avoiding information about factory animal farming so he can eat cheap meat guilt-free?
Each is an example of willful ignorance—the intentional act of avoiding information that reveals the negative consequences of one's actions. To find out why people engage in it, a team of researchers performed an analysis on the evidence of willful ignorance, comparing the results of 22 studies with over 6,000 participants.
Participants were randomly assigned the role of decision-makers or recipients (接受者). The decision-makers were given a choice: They could take a $ 5 or $ 6 payout. If they took $ 5, the recipient would also receive $ 5. If they took $ 6, the recipient would receive $ 1. Most decision-makers acted altruistically. They made a slight sacrifice to give the recipient more money. On average, only about a quarter of decision-makers acted selfishly.
In another study, the decision-makers could still choose between the $5 or $6 payouts, but they were not told what the recipient would receive. There was a 50-50 chance the recipient would receive $ 5 or $1. Importantly, the decision-makers could ask the researchers what payout the recipient would receive, and they could do so at no cost to themselves. 44% of decision-makers chose to remain willfully ignorant and took the selfish option.
The researchers assumed two potential motivations for willful ignorance. First, they thought willful ignorance may offer an excuse for not acting generously. If a person doesn't know the consequences of his actions, then he still can consider himself a morally honest individual even if he decides to act selfishly. Willful ignorance serves to protect his self-image.
The second potential motivation is “cognitive inattentiveness.” That is, people dislike thinking more than they have to. It may result from laziness, not paying attention, or not wanting to take the time to learn more. Whatever the case, they favor the quick-and-easy decision.
The researchers conclude “taken together, the evidence suggests ignorance is indeed in part ‘willful’ and driven by excuse-seeking and self-image maintenance motives.” Thanks to them, we are all a little less ignorant about ignorance.
1. Which of the following is most probably considered as willful ignorance?| A．Refusing to purchase a fur coat out of ethical concerns. |
| B．Stopping smoking in the knowledge of its harm to health. |
| C．Cheating in the exam for a good grade regardless of its negativity. |
| D．Engaging in environmental protection activities in the face of global warming. |
| A．Indifferently. | B．Selflessly. | C．Tolerantly. | D．Proudly. |
| A．Serious. | B．Ironic. | C．Humorous. | D．Critical. |
| A．What are altruistic behaviors like? | B．How do we avoid willful ignorance? |
| C．What are effects of willful ignorance? | D．Why do people choose to be ignorant? |
4 . Be honest: how often does your social media scrolling lead to shopping? And how many of those things that TikTok made you buy did you actually need? Enter de-influencing, the TikTok trend flipping (颠覆) influencing on its head — and aiming to save our bank balances in the process.
De-influencing is the TikTok trend with hundreds of millions of views that’s challenging the hype (炒作) around so-called popular products by telling you what you shouldn’t buy, instead of what you should. It’s a response to a few different things, including a general feeling of overconsumption (you don’t need more stuff just because TikTok says you do) and the cost of living crisis.
It sounds progressive, but once you scratch the surface, there isn’t a huge difference between influencing and de-influencing. “De-influencing is a bit of a false product,” says Kendall. “It’s still influence but it’s telling people what not to buy.”While TikTokers may be warning consumers away from expensive or well-known products, some continue to influence by telling consumers what they should buy instead. For example, buying a heated roller set on Amazon over the Dyson Airwrap — this is still suggesting products with sweeping promises.
Ironically speaking, de-influencing is a good strategy for influencers and brands. Rising living costs mean consumers are less likely to spend a huge amount of money on big-ticket items, which means the influencers promoting them are less likely to generate income. Turning to promoting cheaper products plays into the so-called “Lipstick Effect,” where people treat themselves to little luxuries, instead of addictions, during times of economic uncertainty.
What is different about de-influencing is encouraging consumers to take a moment to think about whether they need a product and whether it’s right for them versus whether they’re simply being influenced because it’s new, popular, or exciting. This is part of a bigger movement in beauty. “There is also the reduction of regimens, the ingredient diet, the skin minimalism, and the stripping back of excess linked to sustainability and over-consumption,” says Kendall. “This is a positive approach to marketing.”
1. Why does the author use the questions at the beginning of Paragraph 1?| A．To introduce the topic. | B．To highlight an opinion. |
| C．To illustrate an argument. | D．To predict the ending. |
| A．It’s telling people what to buy to challenge the hype. |
| B．It is a bit of a true product influencing people. |
| C．It responds to a general feeling of overconsumption. |
| D．It’s an unwise strategy for influencers and brands. |
| A．Get what is popular. | B．Purchase a novel product. |
| C．Increase consumption in beauty. | D．Buy only what is needed. |
| A．De-influencing: The Trend Killing Influencer Marketing |
| B．Brands are all Scared of the De-influencing Trend |
| C．De-influencing Pushes the Shift to Overconsumption |
| D．De-influencing: The Trend Putting Truthfulness First |
5 . In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the environment and human health. Though chemical farming is used by over 90 per cent of the world’s farmers, the wide range of damage it has caused to the environment and human health makes it a bad choice. Organic farming, on the other hand, aims to improve food quality, reduce farming’s environmental impact and promote consumers’ health. It is therefore the option that farmers may choose.
Organic food is very popular. It is also expensive. Some organic food costs twice as much as non-organic food, but new parents and pet owners are willing to pay up to 200% more for organic food. However, there are people who think it is a waste of money.
There is one main difference between organic and non-organic food. Organic farms do not use agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides. In many countries organic foods have special labels. These guarantee that the products are natural.
Some people think organic means locally grown. Originally this was true. Over time organic farming became more difficult. The demand for organic food grew larger than the supply. Small companies had to sell out to large companies. There weren’t enough organic ingredients, such as grain and cattle. This made it difficult for many organic companies to stay in business. Today, many large-companies have an organic line of products.
Is organic food more nutritious? This is part of the debate. Many farmers and consumers believe it is. They think agricultural chemicals cause health problems, such as cancer. Many health professionals disagree. Few studies prove that organic foods prevent health problems. Health specialists worry more about bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella. These can get into contact with organic and non-organic food. Doctors recommend washing produce very carefully. Handling meat carefully is important too.
Most people agree that naturally grown food tastes better. Is tastier food worth the extra money? This is a matter of opinion. Whether it is healthier or not may require more research. However, organic consumers argue it is better to be safe than sorry.
1. What phenomenon does the author describe at the beginning of the passage?| A．Chemical farming is a wise choice now. |
| B．The environment and human health draw no attention. |
| C．Organic farming has taken the place of Chemical farming. |
| D．The positive effects of organic farming contribute to farmers’ favor. |
| A．Some organic food costs much more than non-organic food. |
| B．Organic farms consume quantities of agricultural chemicals. |
| C．It’s never hard for all organic companies to stay in business. |
| D．Health specialists pay no attention to E. coli and salmonella. |
| A．By following time order. | B．By providing some examples. |
| C．By showing cause and effect. | D．By comparing opinions. |
| A．Price. | B．Safety. | C．Freshness. | D．Nutrition. |
The National Healthcare Security Administration said on Monday that the coverage of China’s basic medical insurance is stabilized at over 95percent. It also said that the quality
Data from the administration show that from 2003 to 2023, the government’s
Throughout the years, a total of 744
1. 分析图表数据；
2. 简述变化的原因；
3. 预测未来趋势。
Report on travel mode preferences
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8 . A recent survey of British parents found that in all, 7% of respondents give their baby a made-up name and 65% are at least willing to consider such a move in new age.
A few examples of these new age baby names include Jaspin, Elisobelle, Wrenlow, and Maevery. Don’t see any names you like? How about Evabeth? Even if they themselves aren’t willing to choose such a name, a surprising 94% of respondents admit that made-up baby names are very much “in” these days.
Apparently, these parents believe they are helping their kids by selecting a rarer name. The survey noted that 72% of all respondents believe a unique name will help their child stand out from the crowd. Another 2% choose a made-up name for their baby with social media in mind, thinking a more unique name means their child’s social media account will be much easier for potential followers to find. But 16% also believe that a strange name may reflect poorly on the parents.
A popular strategy for parents to decide on a name is taking two names that both parents like, and combining them into one name（10%）. Another 9% combine the names of older relatives as a way to honor family. Similarly, many parents（30%） are drawing inspiration from popular movies and books.
However, the majority of surveyed parents（92%） at least admitted that giving their child an odd name is bound to result in a few drawbacks. For example, two-thirds worry that an odd name will be hard to spell and pronounce, and a third worry that their child’s teachers will judge them based on their unusual name. Of course, for those parents who are confident they’ve picked a winning made-up name, 13% actually worry about other parents stealing their child’s name.
1. How does the author illustrate the new trend?| A．By making comparisons. | B．By asking questions. |
| C．By listing statistics. | D．By stating opinions. |
| A．To make their children feel less special. | B．To reflect their higher social status. |
| C．To draw others’ attention more easily. | D．To attract more followers online. |
| A．It will be advised by teachers. | B．It can actually be double-edged. |
| C．It should be protected carefully. | D．It surely makes parents confident. |
| A．Ordinary Names Are Parents’ New Pursuit | B．An Odd Name Can Influence One’s Life |
| C．Trendy Names Appear on Social Media | D．Newborns’ Unique Names Are Coming |
9 . While Instagram’s impact on teenage girls’ body image made the news recently, few have thought about its effect on teenage boys and young men. The masculine (男子汉的) body ideal has become increasingly large and more muscular in recent years. Given these pressures, a third of teenage boys report trying to bulk up (增肌).
Social media use is linked to muscle and height dissatisfaction in young men. Boys using social media are more likely to think about using harmful muscle-enhancing products. The pressure to become muscular can lead to muscle dysmorphia (健身成瘾症), which is when individuals become absorbed in the idea that their bodies are too small and not muscular enough. Like common eating disorders among teenagers, muscle dysmorphia can significantly worsen a teen’s physical and mental health.
Because of social media, boys’ bodies are on display now more than ever, especially through influencers’ accounts. Compared to female selfies (自拍照) which are more likely to feature faces, male selfies are more likely to be full-body photos: An analysis of 1,000 male full-body Instagram posts showed that a majority portrayed muscularity, and that images featuring this body type received significantly more likes and comments. Boys who view or post content related to fitness or muscularity on social media are subsequently flooded with other images of bulking teens, leading to an unhealthy cycle of constantly comparing their body with others and possible social media addiction.
While lawmakers debate potential government regulation of social media, concerned parents can start having conversations with their teens and discourage content that makes teens feel worse about themselves. They can also help relieve social media addiction by encouraging their kids to turn off updates, by having social media-free time (such as during family meals) and by having teens keep phones away from their beds while sleeping. Boys suffering from body image anxiety often experience delays in diagnosis and treatment. Parents need to be aware that the negative impact of social media isn’t only impacting their daughters but their sons as well.
1. What is the influence of social media on teenage boys?| A．Their dissatisfaction with their look. |
| B．Their wish to be covered by the media. |
| C．Their falling victim to eating disorders. |
| D．Their addiction to using harmful products. |
| A．To showcase the popularity of Instagram. |
| B．To compare the gender differences on selfies. |
| C．To illustrate features of some desirable body types. |
| D．To explain boys’ motivation for posting full-body photos. |
| A．Parenting matters more than law-making. |
| B．Boys’ body shame requires parents’ attention. |
| C．The use of social media does no good to boys. |
| D．The appearance anxiety is not easy to be cured. |
| A．Ideal Body Shape Is Not Built In One Day |
| B．Selfies Out Of Sight, Anxiety Out Of Mind |
| C．To Be Muscular Or Not. That Is The Question |
| D．Muscular Body Figure, Poisonous Social Media |
10 . It keeps what’s inside a mystery until you open it. There are usually toys in mystery boxes; but now, food has been added to the list.
Recently, the trend of “leftover mystery boxes” has become popular in many Chinese cities such as Beijing, Nanjing and Chengdu. Stores pack boxes full of unsold food or food nearing its expiration date at low prices.
“We make the leftover mystery boxes available to buy at the end of the day,” Wu Tian, a staff member at a convenience chain store in Beijing, told China Daily. The food, such as milk, bread and sandwiches, is sold at about half the original price and is usually sold out quickly. Many bakeries have also joined the “mystery box club”.
Due to their low price, leftover mystery boxes “are very promising as a new business mode” and can attract more consumers, Hong Yong, an expert at the Ministry of Commerce, told China Daily. “In addition, they follow the concept of zero-waste and environmental protection.”
In 2021, the total amount of food waste in China reached 160 million tons, with an average of 93 grams per meal per person, China Food Newspaper reported. Since the passage of China’s Anti-Food Waste Law in April 2021, people’s awareness of food waste reduction has increased. Leftover mystery boxes can be an effective way for people to deal with food waste.
However, some people have raised food security concerns. If consumers buy a food mystery box for their breakfast the next morning, even if the food looks fine at the moment, it may have gone bad overnight. Moreover, food made in the store, such as bread, isn’t labeled with the production date in many cases, according to China Consumer News. If a consumer unpacks a mystery box and discovers that the food tastes bad or has already passed the last date, then it will be difficult for them to protect their rights, such as getting money back.
Only by considering both food safety and consumer rights can mystery blind boxes achieve a win-win situation for both buyers and sellers, commented China Youth Daily.
1. What leads to the rise of the trend of “leftover mystery boxes”?| A．It offers customers lower prices for those unsold food. |
| B．Stores make the leftover mystery boxes available at night. |
| C．People feel like such food as milk and bread more attractive. |
| D．It goes against the concept of zero-waste and environmental protection. |
| A．purchasing | B．producing | C．ending | D．selling |
| A．Worldwide starvation. | B．Environmental harm. | C．Energy shortage. | D．Moral decline. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Disapproving. | C．Doubtful. | D．Objective. |
