参考答案 | 2024年11月高考专刊（专项训练+模拟试卷）

《高考专刊》2024年10月刊参考答案及听力录音文本

《高考专刊》2024年11月刊参考答案及听力录音文本

P2 听力

专项练习（一）

Listening comprehension

Section A

1-5 BABAA 6-10 DADCB

Section B

11-13 DBB 14-16 CBB  17-20 ACCC

录音文本

Listening Comprehension

Section A

Directions: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard. 

1.M: I wonder if Sue will be here by five.

W: Her husband said she left home at half past four. She should be here at ten after five, a quarter past five at the latest.

Q: When was Sue supposed to arrive?

2.W: Tim, I heard you are going to France. How long will you be staying there?

M: A whole year. My aunt lives there. I’m going to do a one-month course at a language school and spend the rest of the time traveling.

Q: What will the man mostly do during his stay in France?

3.M: You wanted to see me, Mrs. Applegate?

W: Uh, yes. I’ll get right to the point, Mr. Bradley. This company has been having seriousfinancial problems lately, and unfortunately, we have to lay off some people.

Q: What does the woman imply?

4.W: How about a movie tonight? That new comedy is opening in town.

M: Sounds great, but I’ve got to put finishing touches on my psychology research paper.

Q: What will the man do tonight?

5.M: Good! You’re here. I was worried you wouldn’t make it to work on time. I guess you found a taxi in the end.

W: No. Somebody stopped on the side of the road and helped me change my tire. I drove here myself.

Q: What happened to the woman?

6.W: Jack, Sophia is unlucky. The most terrible things keep happening to her.

M: Yes, if you can trust what she says. You know she is never lazy in making up stories.

Q: What does the man mean?

7.M: Could I borrow one thousand dollars to tide me over until payday next Thursday?

W: What a coincidence! I just cashed the check.

Q: What does the woman imply?

8.W: He actually said that his company would charge me for his mistake!

M: I can’t believe that! He was the one who dropped the package when he delivered it! You should complain about them online.

Q: What can we know from the conversation?

9.M: The plot of that movie is hard to follow.

W: It makes more sense the second time.

Q: What can be inferred from the conversation?

10.W: Professor, have you graded my term paper yet?

M: To tell you the truth, I’ve been tied up in committee meetings.

Q: What does the man mean?

Section B

Directions: In Section B, you will hear two short passages and one longer conversation, and you will be asked several questions on each of the passages and the conversation. The passages and the conversation will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.

Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.

More and more people are taking up extreme sports, like snowboarding, skateboarding, mountain biking and many more. Why are these sports becoming so popular? One thing that extreme sports do better than perhaps anything else is to help you stop being afraid. It may sound strange to say that their main function is to cause fear. But after a time, your fear response to other things in life will be dramatically reduced. After all, if you can jump out of a plane or off a bridge, then you can face anything else easily. When doing extreme sports, you have to become more focused. You’ll be pushed to your limits, and if you aren’t focused, you’ll make dangerous mistakes. Learning to be this focused when enjoying extreme sports will help you to be focused at work, keeping you more productive and ultimately more successful. It’s great to stay fit and healthy, but standard exercise routines and sports only work the same muscles repeatedly. With extreme sports, you’ll be working entirely different muscles. And that means you get an all over workout. Extreme sports also burn a lot more calories than other sports. Skateboarding, for example, can burn as many as 500 calories per hour. Basketball burns around 300 in the same time. When you find that you can overcome the physical or mental challenges involved in extreme sports, you’ll feel superhuman and your self-confidence will beat an all-time high.

(Now listen again please.)

Questions:

11.Why can extreme sports help stop fear?

12.What might the speaker agree with according to the passage?

13.How do extreme sports benefit our physical fitness?

Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.

Have you ever heard the term e-waste? What is it? E-waste can be discarded cell phones, laptops or really any other type of tech device that gets thrown away. And according to recent data reports, the amount of electronic waste is reaching staggering heights, so much so that the capacity for recycling simply isn’t enough. There’s growing concern over the potential environmental issues that might be caused if we don’t find a sufficient way to combat these growing piles of e-waste.

An alarming new U.N. report says that since 2010, the amount of global e-waste has grown five times faster than it can be collected and recycled. According to the study, a record 62 million metric tons of e-waste was produced in 2022. That’s an increase of 82% from 2010. And the world is on track to generate 82 million tons of e-waste in 2030. What’s more, e-waste recycling only produces 1% of the rare earth elements needed to meet the current demand, which leaves the world highly dependent on just a few countries where rare earths are mined.

While some countries have implemented environmental regulations to tackle the problem, some are working on a more grassroots level. Places like the Fixing Factory in London are teaching consumers to make more sustainable choices. We buy these things, and the first time they fail, we don’t get them fixed. And we’re trying to change that mindset. So when it fails, just think that’s just a part of its life cycle. It’s not the end of it. How can we get that going? How can you get it going a few more years?

(Now listen again please.)

Questions:

14.What can be learned about from the recent data reports?

15,What can be concluded according to the new U.N. report?

16.What can be done by ordinary people in London to deal with e-waste according to the Fixing Factory?

Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.

M: Hi, um..., I really hope you can help me.

W: That’s why I’m here. What can I do for you?

M: I’m supposed to do a literature review for my psychology course, but I’m having a hard time finding relevant literature.

W: You said this is for your psychology course, right? So your focus is on...

M: Dream Interpretation.

W: Well, you have a focus, so that’s already a good start. Have you checked to see if your professor put any material for you to look at on reserve?

M: Aha, that’s one thing I did know to do. I just copied an article, but I still need three more on my topic from three different journals.

W: Let’s get you going on looking for those then. We have printed versions of twenty year or so psychology journals in the Reference Section. And, actually, most of our materials are available electronically now. You can access psychology databases or electronic journals and articles through the library’s computers with your library card.

M: Too bad I can’t do this from home.

W: But you can. All of the library’s databases and electronic sources can be accessed through any computer connected to the university network.

M: Really? Cool, that’s great! But it still sounds like it’s going to take a while though, you know, going through all of that information.

W: Well, when you go into the databases and electronic sources, you have the option to display the abstracts on the computer screen, skimming those to decide whether or not you want to read the whole article.

M: Right! They’ll definitely make the project more doable. Thanks, I feel a lot better about this assignment now.

(Now listen again please.)

Questions:

17.What might the woman be?

18.What specific requirement does the man have for his literature review?

19.How can the man access library databases from home?

20.What does the woman suggest the man do to be more time-efficient?

听力练习（二）

Listening Comprehension

Section A

1-5 BADCD 6-10 CCDBD

Section B

11-13 ADB 14-16 DBA   17-20 BDDA

录音文本

Listening Comprehension

Section A

Directions: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard. 

1. M: I think I’ve got everything packed for the hiking trip. Just need to double-check the weather before we head out.

W: Good idea! The last thing we want is to be caught in a rainstorm without raincoats.

Q: What does the woman imply they should do before the trip?

2. W: Did you finish your assignment on renewable energy sources?

M: Almost. I just need to wrap up the part on solar energy. It’s a huge topic to cover!

Q: What can we know about the man’s assignment?

3. W: I thought you were going to bring a presentation to the meeting today.

M: I had planned to, but our system crashed last night, and I lost all my work.

Q: Why didn’t the man bring his presentation to the meeting?

4. M: That movie last night really gave me the creeps. I couldn’t sleep after that!

W: Yeah, I told you it was a horror movie!

Q: What does the man likely feel about the movie?

5. M: I can’t believe how quickly the neighborhood has changed. A new café and grocery store just opened last week.

W: Yes, and I heard they’re planning to add a park next year. It’s becoming a lively area!

Q: What can be inferred about the neighborhood?

6. W: The new restaurant on Main Street is finally open! Want to check it out this weekend?

M: I would, but I’ve got a ton of studying to do for the exam next week.

Q: Why can’t the man go to the restaurant?

7. W: Did you hear that the science fair got rescheduled to next month?

M: Yes, I was looking forward to it next week, though.

Q: How does the man feel about the rescheduling of the science fair?

8. M: I’m planning to volunteer at the animal shelter this weekend. Want to join me?

W: I’d love to, but I’m already signed up for a beach cleanup on Saturday. Maybe next time!

Q: What is the woman planning to do this weekend?

9. W: That was a fantastic presentation! You must have spent hours preparing it.

M: Thanks! I started working on it weeks ago, actually.

Q: What can we know about the man’s presentation?

10. W: I thought you’d already booked your flight for the vacation.

M: I was about to, but I saw that prices usually drop mid-week, so I decided to wait.

Q: What is the man’s reason for not booking his flight?

Section B

Directions: In Section B, you will hear two short passages and one longer conversation, and you will be asked several questions on each of the passages and the conversation. The passages and the conversation will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.

Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.

Halloween is a time for spooky decorations, scary movies and pumpkin foods. At least that’s how the holiday is celebrated in the United States every year. China doesn’t celebrate Halloween, but we do celebrate some spooky holidays of our own. We celebrate days of the dead and ghosts throughout the year.

The Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as the Zhongyuan Festival, is held on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar. For the entire Ghost Month, it is believed that ghosts, spirits and our ancestor will come to visit the living. During this month, families will prepare food offerings for hungry ghosts that may not have been granted safe passage into the afterlife.

The Qingming Festival

The Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that is celebrated on the 4th or 5th of April. During this festival, people clean the tombs of their loved ones that have passed away. Therefore, it is also called Tomb-Sweeping Day. But this is not a sad day; with all of the cleaning up and decorating of the tombs, worshiping of the dead and the setting out and presentation of food, it is more like a family outing.

The Double Ninth Festival

This is another traditional Chinese holiday for worshiping the dead. It is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is also referred to as the Chongyang Festival. During the festival, people climb mountains and eat special Chongyang cakes to celebrate the start of fall. They also drink chrysanthemum wine. It is good for one’s health during this time of the year, in which the weather is changing. In addition, the festival is now a day to honor one’s elders.

(Now listen again, please.)

Questions:

11. Which of the following is not mentioned as a celebration of the Qingming Festival?

12. During the Double Ninth Festival, why do Chinese people drink a special kind of wine?

13. What is the author’s main goal in writing this passage?

Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.

If you have ever been to a pond, you’ve likely seen a group of ducklings swimming in a line behind their parent. Well, it turns out there’s an answer for why this cute spring scene occurs.

Earlier research studied how much energy ducklings burn while swimming. A recent study showed that young ducklings were able to save energy when swimming behind their moms. But how exactly they were able to save energy wasn’t known at the time. Now researchers are trying to figure it out. They have found out that a duckling in just the right spot behind its mother had an easier swim.

When it swims on its own, a duckling kicks up waves in its wake. This uses up some energy that could have been used to move it forward in the water. This is called wave drag, which slows the duckling down. But when ducklings make clever use of wave drag, they feel a push instead of a drag.

The length of the wave should match the size of the baby duck. That wavelength is decided by the speed at which the mother duck swims. Yuan believes that the mother duck is a smart animal and can control her speed to produce the perfect wavelength for her babies to surf with.

Like good brothers and sisters, the ducklings share with one another. Each duckling in the line passes along waves to those behind. But in order to get the free ride, the young ducks need to keep up with their mom. If they fall out of position, swimming gets harder.

(Now listen again, please.)

Questions:

14. According to the recent study, why do ducklings swim in a line behind their mother?

15. What is wave drag in the context of ducklings swimming?

16. What does this passage mainly talk about?

Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.

W: Hey, Simon, did you hear about the new proposal to ban smartphones for teenagers at school?

M: Yeah, I did, Emma. It’s causing quite a debate! I can see both sides, honestly. I mean, smartphones can be super distracting.

W: True. I’ve seen classmates completely glued to their screens, even during class. They miss so much of what’s going on, and it makes it harder to focus. I get why schools might want to cut back.

M: Exactly. Plus, it could help students focus more on learning and interacting face-to-face. Sometimes I feel like everyone’s just in their own bubble, you know?

W: Totally. But there’s another side to it too. Smartphones can be useful for learning, like looking up information or using educational apps. And, of course, they’re good for staying in touch with family in case of emergencies.

M: That’s true. But maybe schools could find a middle ground, like only allowing phone use during lunch or after classes. That way, they’re available if needed, but they’re not taking away from learning time.

W: I like that idea. A complete ban seems too extreme. Plus, I think it’s important for teenagers to learn how to manage their screen time responsibly rather than having it taken away completely.

M: Right. They’ll need those skills later, too. If it’s all about banning, they might just rebel or try sneaking phones in anyway.

W: Exactly. Maybe schools could even teach digital responsibility. That way, students would understand why it’s important to limit phone use.

M: I think that’s a smart approach. Phones aren’t going anywhere, so teaching how to use them wisely seems like a better plan.

W: Agreed. Hopefully, they find a solution that’s fair and actually helps us focus without feeling too restricted.

(Now listen again, please.)

Questions:

17. What do the two speakers mainly talk about?

18. What does the woman mention as a downside of using smartphones in class?

19. What could be a middle-ground solution for smartphone use at school, according to the man?

20. What would be a helpful addition to schools, according to the two speakers?

P3-5 语法填空

(1)

1. have been taught/are taught

2. yourself

3. rather than

4. Building

5. to overcome

6. No matter what

7. why

8. that

9. will motivate

10. learning

(2)

1. have to

2. that

3. have been taught/are taught

4. to remind

5. nothing

6. making

7. is going to enable/ will enable

8. because/as/since

9. stemming

10. who/that

(3)

1. was elected

2. earliest

3. starring

4. struck

5. being chased

6. if/when/once

7. instead of

8. to make

9. because

10. which

(4)

1. have helped

2. what

3. that/which

4. though/although

5. could

6. with

7. who

8. to patent

9. corresponding

10. was scanned

(5)

1. passed

2. a

3. were bred

4. what

5. where

6. in

7. because/as/since

8. adopting

9. will see

10. to hold

(6)

1. was born

2. Known

3. Due to/Because of/Owing to/Thanks to

4. who

5. had lost

6. representing

7. what

8. something

9. to give

10. when

(7)

1. to focus

2. that/which

3. damaged

4. are spreading

5. to

6. that

7. destroyed

8. forcing

9. than

10. more

(8)

1. so that

2. ranging

3. rather than

4. reported

5. which

6. had to

7. to simplify

8. overwhelmed

9. is flooded

10. that

(9)

1. discovered

2. it

3. reaching

4. if

5. published

6. why

7. that/which

8. beyond

9. has been exploring

10. to speed

P6-8选词填空

(1) 1-5 BIDHJ 6-10 KFEGC

(2) 1-5 CAGBK 6-10 DIEHF

(3) 1-5 GHCKE 6-10 AIBJF

(4) 1-5 FIAJE 6-10 CGKHB

(5) 1-5 DFKGE 6-10 ICJAH

(6) 1-5 JIKEC 6-10 DBGFH

(7) 1-5 HABJD 6-10 CEIGK

(8) 1-5 FDAGH 6-10 KIJBC

(9) 1-5 FCJGD 6-10 IBHEK

P9-12 完形填空

(1) 1-5 ADDBD 6-10 BCADC 11-15 CCDCB

(2) 1-5 DADCB   6-10 ADCDB 11-15 CDABD 

(3) 1-5 CBCDA 6-10 AABBB 11-15 CBCDB

(4) 1-5 CCBBD 6-10 DAADD 11-15 CDCAD

(5) 1-5 DDBDB  6-10 BAAAA    11-15 ACABC

(6) 1-5 DACBD  6-10 CACCD    11-15 BBAAD

(7) 1-5 DBCBB  6-10 BCDCC   11-15 CBABB 

(8)1-5 DCACB   6-10 CBCCB    11-15 CDBDA

P13-18 阅读选择

阅读练习（一）

(A) 1-4CDAB

(B) 5-7CCB

(C) 8-11ACBB

(D) 12-15CDEA

阅读练习（二）

(A) 1-4 BDDB

(B) 5-7 CCD

(C) 8-11 BBCC

(D) 12-15CEDA

阅读练习（三）

(A) 1-4BBAC

(B) 5-7CBC

(C) 8-11DBDB

(D) 12-15BDAE

P19 概要写作

(A)

I.

1. emotional management或how to manage their emotions

2. kids’ emotional management skills

3. secure and trusting

4. losing temper或making an impulsive reaction

5. book or movie characters

6. steady attachment

7. be modelled after / imitate their parents’ behavior

II.

参考答案：

Parents play an important role in helping kids develop emotional management. There are several strategies. First, start early by talking with kids about the feelings of book or film characters. Second, build a secure and trusting relationship with kids, which means establishing a steady attachment. Third, avoid losing your temper when kids are present, as they often imitate their parents. (60words)

采分点评分参考：

(B)

I.

1. Fake news

2. financial disincentives

3. followers

4. social media或the internet

5. novel

6. surprised

7. thoroughly tested

8. curiosity

II.

参考答案：

Online fake news, especially political fake news, spreads farther and faster than the truth. Labeling fake news, creating financial barriers, and using algorithms may help address this problem, but these measures haven’t been fully tested. In fact, with fewer followers, fake news creators are less active, yet they still attract curiosity through novelty and surprise. (55words)

采分点评分参考：

P20 翻译

【读后翻译练习1】

1.Where critical thinking skills are concerned, the winner of the debate is second to none.

2.The paid research opportunity is well worth it for the five key elements of intellectual growth baked in it.

3.Learning history through contemporary novels really challenges students’ ability to put historical events into cultural contexts. 

4.Going to a classical music concert gives us a rare chance to feel the timeless appeal of great musical pieces.

5.Employing an analytical approach to study the rhymes in the poem, the lecturer attempts to immerse young minds in the beauty of language.

6.With exposure to both cultures, the American born Chinese author provides readers with a window into the past and present of Asian and Western civilization.

【读后翻译练习2】

1. How can you tackle life’s challenges with confidence, calm, and ease without going through difficulties?

2.If you cannot internalize what you hear and read, your understanding of knowledge stops at mere words.

3.Whether it is a disappointing loss or a hard-won victory, reflection after a game is one of the paths toward success that players must take. 

4.Why are you losing your temper instead of cheering your teammates on in the critical moment?

5.Moral and legal education should neither be constant lecturing nor mere memorization but be combined with real cases in life.

6.I have no opinion toward how to divide tasks, but I am expecting consistent rules throughout and equal opportunities for everyone. 

7.Team sports, such as volleyball and doubles tennis, require players to count on each other and build trust and sportsmanship through training.

8.Forest school encourages young ones to work toward a common goal, such as setting up a tent in the wild, and to help each other out in the face of obstacles/ support each other through challenges.

9.The core value of military training is to let us have perseverance and team spirit through repeated practice in sunshine and heat.

模拟练习

1.Don’t pressure the kindergarten kids into studying; focus more on their well-rounded development.

2.While practice makes perfect, knowing the smart way is key to achieving more with less effort. 

3.In today’s world, work education is not limited to physical labor; it should also include career education and community volunteer services.

4.The scientific question that has troubled generations of researchers mentally taxed the young scholar, who persisted in pursuing the truth.

P21-22 写作指导

【Task 1】

1) Yes, the author went to Valve Corporation, and her friends went to NASA, Microsoft, or interesting startups.

2) No company wants a high school intern. You have to compete against university students. You can only do coffee and copies.

3) Her national award.

4) A CS (computer science) / programming course.

【Task 2】

Though being a tech intern sounds decent, it’s also quite demanding. Without prior training in coding, I might only do coffee and copies while other interns in CS major are learning in-demand tech skills from the mentors. However, if I can land a job as a nursery worker, I will have the opportunity to observe classes and assist experienced teachers with caregiving. I will become more patient with little human beings and be a better big sister myself in life when I am expected to take care of my baby sister. Also, I’d like to accumulate teaching experience for my future career as I plan to major in early education in college.

Though being a tech intern sounds decent, it’s also quite demanding. Without prior training in coding, I might only do coffee and copies while other interns in CS major are learning in-demand tech skills from the mentors. However, if I choose to be a delivery worker, I might have the opportunity to get my hands dirty, literally, and get both my body and mind active. You know, petty tasks such as reading labels, sorting parcels, navigating routes, planning delivery time are not as easy as expected. When you really buckle down to a job, you get important lessons and hands-on experience anyways.

【Task 3】

【Task 4】

【Task 5】

Plus, if you’ve stepped into the next-generationhuman-less delivery warehouse, you would be amazed. The job of the delivery staff is to scan labels with smart devices, check the inventory system on computers, and operate humanoid-type robots to move, grasp, and handle items. You know what? Since delivery behemoth are investing aggressively in automation to revamp the traditional way of delivery, they are reducing the headcount of manual workers and hiring college-level technicians who know how to work collaboratively with delivery robots. What I will get from such a career day might be new insights into how robotics and artificial intelligence-technologies are changing jobs and society and some new ideas about my future career instead of sweat and toil.

【Task 6】

For my career day in the childcare center, I’d like to get up as early as possible toenjoy the peace and quiet / the calm before the storm prior to the official start of the day to get fully prepared. I will greet the students with a big smile and sing good morning songs / simple nursery rhymes together to help us get into the right mood. If weather permits, I will take the children outside for circle time on the playground to expose them to more sunshine. The following lunch and nap time might be a challenge. But I will learn to be patient and use stories to encourage them. After a full day, I must set aside additional time to fill out each student’s “Communication Booklet”. Though paperwork is not my thing, such notes help me keep organized. From such a career day, I will not only learn to be responsible and organized but also patient and caring.

写作拓展练习参考范文

To whom it may concern,

I’m Li Hua, a senior three student at Ming Qi High School and an amateur software developer. Fascinated by Lego robots when I was in kindergarten, I’ve been exploring the world of robotics and programming ever since in my spare time. I’m more than thrilled to know about the research opportunity, and I’m writing this email for the opportunity to work in your lab.

Currently, I’m working on a robotics pet that aims to accompany the old. I used my Lego Technic pieces to assemble the RoboDog and a motor to allow it to move. However, this prototype is far from satisfying for me because my goal is to equip it with sensors to know its way and programmed software to make it possible for it to interact with its host.

If I can get the precious opportunity, I’d like to learn from the postgraduate students and know how to code for my product. I expect that I can turn the prototype into a commercially viable RoboDog that can wiggle its tail and nod its head. Right now, I feel a bit stuck and lost, and I hope this five-day experience will kick-start my journey of engineering research.

My dream might be distant if I work alone, but I’m sure it will become true with your help. Let’s work together on the future of AI and robotics that will make society better!

Yours sincerely,

Lihua

P23-24 Select reads

HateDeadlines? Here’s Why We Need Them.

I.

1-3BCB

II.

1-4DDCD

III.

1. If a student fails tosubmit their work on time, their grade is reduced.

2.No matter how many times they ask me for an extension, I always refuse.

3. Most studentspromise to complete their group assignments by the deadlines, but few actually keep their promise.

4. I have always been strict about deadlines because I know that missing them can lead to seriousconsequences in students’ future lives.

Discovery in Tiny Worm Leads to Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine forTwo Scientists

I.

1-3BAC

II.

1-4DBBD

III.

1.She has an instinct to hold her feelings close to her chest.

2. DNA molecules play acrucial role in storing genetic information.

3.The moment he knew he was awarded Nobel Prize in Literature, he jumped like a child.

4. Scientists often don’tset out to make ground-breaking findings, but their curiosity and persistence can sometimes lead to unexpected discoveries.

模拟试卷（一）

I. Listening Comprehension

Section A

1-5 CDABA 6-10 DBDCA  

Section B

11-13 DBA 14-16 ACB    17-20 ACDC 

II. Grammar and Vocabulary 

Section A

21. have highlighted

22. what

23. hanging

24. are given

25. which

26. so that

27. can

28. since/as/because

29. to blame

30. themselves

Section B

31-35 GHKID 36-40 BEFJA

III. Reading Comprehension 

Section A

41-45BDACA  46-50 BACAD  51-55 CBBDC

Section B

56-59 BDBC 60-62 DBD   63-66 DCCA

Section C

67-70 EFCA

IV. Summary Writing

71. （参考答案）

The mindless behavior shown by stars in the media has created a dangerous belief that being stupid is acceptable and appealing, especially among young women. Consequently, girls tend to imitate mindless acts to capture others’ attention, like irrational dieting. This trend of stupidity should be stopped as the silly girls will negatively influence future generations when they become mothers. (59 words)

V. Translation

72. Any company thatdeceives consumers into purchasing fake products will be severely punished.  

73. To reduce risks as much as possible, one should wash hands with soap immediately after beingexposed to delivered items. 

74. Whenever you make a mistake, there is no need toargue; all you have to do is admit it and correct it immediately.

75. As violent incidents of the same nature repeatedly occurred in the country, the Presidentissued a statement expressing anger and sorrow and ordered a thorough investigation. 

VI. Guided Writing

76.

参考范文一

Dear Headmaster,

Recently, a picture taken by a teacher has sparked a lot of discussion among students. As vividly depicted, several students are sitting together and having a group discussion. No matter who is speaking, others are listening attentively.

This photo surprises me and reminds me of our usual learning style, where we often focus too much on taking notes and don’t engage in group discussions. Therefore, to promote this interactive learning approach, I sincerely recommend using the photo as a front-page illustration for the school newspaper for the following reasons.

Firstly, since the school newspaper serves as an effective platform for communication, this picture highlights a valuable learning method, encouraging other students to do the same. Secondly, displaying the photo on the front page makes it accessible to students, teachers, and parents. This can encourage parents to support group discussions and draw teachers’ attention to involving students in similar activities in class, thereby promoting this learning method. In comparison, photos posted in the hallways might easily go unnoticed by students, and the library, which is designed for quiet reading, may not be suitable for promoting group discussions.

In short, the school newspaper is the most suitable place for the photo. I believe this will encourage more group discussions among students throughout our school. I hope you can consider my suggestion!

Yours sincerely,

Li Ming

参考范文二

Dear Headmaster,

I’m thrilled to hear that the school is considering displaying the photo taken by a teacher and is seeking advice on where it should be shown. I’m writing to share my opinion.

In the photo, students are freely sharing ideas and studying diligently. Seeing this image of students learning on campus, I feel it captures their enthusiasm and drive to find a solution to a challenging problem. The scene of students exchanging ideas is very inspiring and sets a great example for others to follow. Unfortunately, this kind of dedication to learning is becoming less common in today’s society.

I suggest displaying the photo on the corridor wall. The essence of this picture is students engaging in a lively discussion, which could inspire others. By hanging it along the corridor, it will likely reach the most students, encouraging them to work hard and stay motivated. Additionally, this image reminds us that studying is like sailing upstream; if we do not move forward, we fall back. It shows that although there may be challenges, we can reach our goals through continuous effort.

In summary, the corridor is the best place to display this photo for maximum impact. I would be honored if my suggestion is taken into account and look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Li Ming

参考范文三

Dear Headmaster,

Yesterday, our teacher took a photo of some students having a lively discussion about a test problem, and now there are various ideas about where it should be displayed. I’m writing to share my opinion.

In the picture, several students are gathered around a table with their pencil cases and test papers spread out. Although it’s lunchtime, when they could be resting or playing outside, they are engaged in a serious and thought-provoking discussion. This image, along with their enthusiasm for study, impressed me at first glance.

From my perspective, instead of placing the photo in the school corridor or using it as a front-page illustration in our school newspaper, displaying it in the library reading room would be the best choice. When we feel tired from homework and studying, a look at this picture could give us the motivation to keep going. The theme of this photo fits the reading room perfectly, reminding us of the satisfaction that comes from solving a challenging problem. Compared to a newspaper, the library provides a setting where its influence can be longer-lasting.

I would greatly appreciate your consideration of my suggestion, and I look forward to seeing this picture displayed in our school.

Yours sincerely,

Li Ming

录音文本

Listening comprehension

Section A

Directions: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.

1. W: Take a seat inside and see how you feel. So will you take the Porsche then, sir?

M: Let me check first. The engine, wheel and the rear mirror. Yes, and I want to buy the insurance, too.

Q: What is the man probably doing?

2. M: Good morning, madam. Can I help you?

W: I am due to check out today, but I’d like to extend my stay another two days.

Q: Where does the conversation probably happen?

3. W: I really like the red tennis racket and the price is also attractive. I am wondering whether you can ship it overseas to Shanghai?

M: Sorry. We don’t provide this service.

Q: What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?

4. W: This is my first time to come to China. Could you please introduce the features of the foods here?

M: Generally speaking, Cantonese food is a bit light; Shanghai food is rather oily and Hunan dishes are very spicy, having a strong and hot taste.

Q: Which food might contain much oil?

5. M: How long is this cell phone guaranteed?

W: You can return it for a refund in 7 days and exchange it in one year if necessary. If you have some problems, please call us anytime.

Q: What is the time limit for getting a refund of the cell phone?

6. M: What are you going to do with your old house, sell it or rent it?

W: I’m thinking of turning it into a bookstore, but it seems people are not buying books anymore.

Q: What will the woman do with the house?

7. W: You look professional in the suit. But it’s 42 degrees centigrade today.

M: Company policy is not negotiable. The company regulates that men should wear a suit and tie in a business meeting. But the air-conditioner helps a lot.

Q: Why does the man wear a suit and tie on such a hot day?

8. M: I’ve been waiting all week for this concert. It is supposed to be excellent and with our student discount, the ticket will be really cheap.

W: Eh, I am afraid that I left my student ID in another purse.

Q: What does the woman imply?

9. W: I’d love to join you in the West Lake trip, but my daughter will come back home from the university. What a pity!

M: It’s not a big deal. The more, the merrier.

Q: What does the man mean?

10. M: Taylor is said to have changed her way of treating others.

W: She is who she is. A leopard can’t change his spots.

Q: What does the woman mean?

Section B

Directions: In Section B, you will hear two short passages and a longer conversation, and you wile asked some questions on the passages and the conversation. The passages and the conversation will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read four possible answers on your paper and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.

Question 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.

If you’ve been paying attention, you know that crows are quite intelligent birds. Now these feathered geniuses have been given a job: six crows have been trained to pick up rubbish in a historical theme park in western France. Whenever they put a cigarette end or other small piece of trash in a special box, they will be given a treat.

The idea came from one of the park’s keepers, Christophe Gaborit. As part of the crow show, crows had already been trained to pick up roses and bring them to a princess. Caborit raised and trained two crows to do the same with rubbish. The training system is similar to the experiment for testing crow intelligence, in which a box issues a food reward when a crow correctly performs a task.

The aim of the crow garbage collectors isn’t only to collect garbage — it’s also to get park-goers to think before they litter.

“The purpose of the crows ... is to educate the people to open their minds, to think. ‘OK, the birds are able to do something that we are much more capable of doing than they are, so we should do this ourselves,” said park president Nicolas de Villiers.

(Now listen again, please.)

Questions:

11. Why are crows so special in a theme park in western France?

12. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

13. What can be used to best describe the crows in the passage?

Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.

For many years, studies have shown that birth order affects personality, but new research confirms that whether you’re an older, middle or younger child in the family bears an impact on career paths too.

The researchers found significant evidence to support the theory that birth order has a marked effect on career paths. They analyzed a random sample of over 500 of the most successful individuals from 11 different career groups.

One of the most clear findings was that middle children are 30 percent more likely to become company CEOs than their sisters and brothers.

The researchers suggested that this could be because middle children often have to compete for attention. This can lead them to develop personality traits such as competitiveness and flexibility, making them well-suited to high-level roles that require strategic thinking and strong management skills. Both Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are middle children.

In encouraging news for middle children across the world, the study also found that they’re 41 percent more likely to be Olympic athletes. Overall, there are far more typical cases than exceptions.

Interestingly, a majority of astronauts are first-born children —Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong are examples. Eldest children are also most likely to become scientists or engineers like Stephen Hawking.

Youngest children like Johann Sebastian Bach and Mozart were found to be 50 percent more likely to have careers in classical music, possibly for their sensitive and idealistic personality.

As for only children, they’re more likely to become artists due to their perfectionist and mature personalities. The average UK family has 2.44 children, but the researchers found that family size does play a part. Scientists were found to come from much larger families than average.

(Now listen again, please.)

Questions:

14. According to the passage, why are middle children more likely to be in a management position?

15. What are the most potential career roles for the only children?

16. What is the passage mainly about?

Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.

W: Dan, long time no see. How are you going these days?

M: I’ve spent the whole summer vacation preparing my essay.

W: What is it about?

M: Jeans. The history of jeans.

W: Sounds quite appealing. In my memory, jeans were only worn by poor people and laborers. They were affordable and highly valued as work wear.

M: Exactly. They were rough clothing worn by working men because of its durability. They wear well and wash easily, which is superior to other materials.

W: What did middle class people wear at that time?

M: In contrast, middle and upper-class people wore suits made of material like linen as a symbol of status.

W: Then, why did jeans become trendy?

M: I think there are three factors contributing to their popularity. Firstly, in 1908, the expiration of a patent “Levi’s” led to the jeans on the market.

W: You mean, the imitation jeans flooded the market.

M: Yes. Secondly, the Romanization of “cowboy lifestyle” made jeans popular.

W: I agree. A large number of western films helped their popularity such asRebel Without a Cause and The Wild One. In the film, heroes wore jeans as a way of rebelling against social expectations. What else?

M: In the 1980s, interest in jeans ran high with the release of a series of violence ads.

W: As you mentioned, jeans were a symbol of rebellion. Were they allowed in schools or other formal occasions?

M: No, but as time went on, they became acceptable. People often wear them when they are not on duty to show their identity and a positive and casual lifestyle.

W: That’s why they became popular after World War II.

M: That’s quite reasonable. I didn’t realize it.

W: To women, jeans have another advantage. They don’t need to be washed often and don’t need to be ironed. Women can save more time on housework.

(Now listen again, please.)

Questions:

17. Why were jeans favored by working people?

18. Why did the man mention Levi’s?

19. What was the second reason for the popularity of jeans?

20. What were the two speakers mainly talking about?

模拟试卷二

I.Listening Comprehension

Section A

1-5 ABACB6-10 CBDDC

Section B

11-13 ABB14-16 AAB 17-20 ABCC

II. Grammar and Vocabulary

Section A

21. started

22. to play

23. had fallen

24. a   

25. Instead of/Rather than    

26. receiving 

27. what

28. felt

29. that

30. something

Section B

31-35 CIFKA 36-40 JDBGE

III. Reading Comprehension

Section A

41-45 BCABB    46-50 ACCBD   51-55 BDCAB

Section B

56-59 BBDA   60-62 CCA 63-66 CBBB

Section C

67-70 EACB

IV. Summary Writing

Monitoring neuron activities of people watching films reveals how brains store memories. Hippocampus neurons encode object identities, and their cells respond to stimuli accordingly. Franziska Gerken’s team studied 29 subjects with implanted electrodes, recording their neuronal activities and analyzing them with AI. Theyidentified specific neurons responding to related movie content. Quiroga considered this valuable for understanding real-life memory functioning. (60 words)

V. Translation

72. In the front, there is a wooden swing and a large yard that stretches into the foot of a mountain. 

或：I saw a wooden swing and a large yard in the front that stretches into the foot of a mountain.

73. As soon as the mayor took office, he gave priority to settling/addressing the difficult issues that the people/the masses were urgently worried about and expecting to be settled/addressed.

或：The mayor gave top priority to the issues that the people were anxious and concerned about as soon as he took office.

或：Upon taking office, the mayor made solving the urgent and difficult problems concerning the people his top priority.

74. The article exhaustively/fully/extensively discussed the positive rolesof state-owned enterprises (或the positive roles state-owned enterprises had played/played) in (the two aspects of) stabilizing growth, and promoting innovation, as well as their role in assisting/helping and empowering other enterprises to develop 或as well as their role in assisting/aiding and facilitating/enhancing/fostering/promoting the development of them.

75. His poems cover a wide range of subjects/themes with their profound artistic mood /atmosphere, reflecting his romantic feelings and burning/high/great ambition. It can be said that with the words/a word he spoke/said/uttered (或one utterance he gave/made或with his words/poems), half of the glorious/prosperous Tang Dynasty has been/is/was presented.

VI. Guided Writing

76.

可以立论的角度：

参考范文

Dear Mike,

Long time no see! It’s a shame that you can’t keep your mother company on her birthday, but I’ve heard you’ve been struggling with which audio clip to choose to make a ringtone. In my opinion, I sincerely advise you to choose “Song of the Parting Son” because it outshines its counterpart in terms of emotional expression and originality.

Firstly, it overshadows “The Best Day” in emotional expression. “Song of the Parting Son” describes the scene of a mother carefully weaving and sewing her son’s gown while constantly worrying about his safety. It displays the delicate and sincere love of a mother for her son, who is thousands of miles away. This may resonate with your mother, as you two are also separated by a geographical chasm. Expressing your gratitude for her dedicated care and deep love is sure to move her to tears. In contrast, “The Best Day” features a mother and daughter spending a day together, which is contrary to your current situation, making it less suitable for expressing your feelings.

Another reason, I reckon, is that making a ringtone from an AI-generated audio clip really showcases your effort to offer the best birthday gift to her. Nowadays, the internet is teeming with Taylor Swift’s songs, and there are definitely countless audio clips currently available, making it hard to distinguish yourself from those who simply download a clip online. On the other hand, “Song of the Parting Son” is a poem translated into English and is fresh to the realm of music. Making it into a ringtone displays its originality and your sincerity.

Therefore, I think it’s wiser to make a ringtone out of “Song of the Parting Son.” I hope you will reunite with your mother in the near future. Best wishes!

Yours sincerely,

Li Min

录音文本

I. Listening Comprehension

Section A

Directions: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.

1.M: The pizza seems to have a lot of toppings.

W: But I would recommend the burger. It has a better ratio of meat and the pizza is too greasy.

Q: What does the woman think of the burger?

2.W: I have been looking for a gift for my friend’s birthday a whole day. I want to buy her a present like a lipstick or a cushion, or a cat perhaps.

M: I heard she likes cooking. If I were you, I would buy her a set of kitchen tools.

Q: What does the man suggest the woman buy for her friend?

3. W: I’m looking for a new clock. Do you have any recommendations?

M: Yes madam, we have a wide selection of clocks here. What kind of style are you looking for?

Q: Where does this conversation most probably take place?

4.M: Sorry, Mrs. Chen. I should have come to school earlier today. I promise it won’t happen again.

W: It’s okay. Just try to be on time tomorrow.

Q: What can we learn from the conversation?

5.M: Hey, the website I’m working on is really buggy.

W: I can’t agree more.

Q: What does the woman mean?

6.W: Honey, did you remember to set the alarm clock for 6:30 tomorrow?

M: Yes, but I thought it was too early. I wanted to sleep for another half an hour.

Q: What does the man mean?

7.M: Can I have another look at the antique vase? Is it still priced 10,000 yuan?

W: I’m sorry, Sir. The price has increased by 15%.

Q: How much does the antique vase cost now?

8.M: Writing this essay assigned by Professor White is really stressing me out.

W: It looks like a lot of work. If only I had attended his class.

Q: What does the woman imply?

9. W: You must be a cat person. I didn’t know that you were a volunteer for the cat rescue center for years.

M: Let the matter rest. It’s just between you and me.

Q: What does the man mean?

10. M: Hey, do you know if the gym offers personal training after 7 pm? I need someone to help me with my workout routine.

W: Well, according to their website, the gym is open until 9 pm, so I’m sure they will offer personal training at some point during that time.

Q: What can we learn from this conversation?

Section B

Directions:In section B, you will hear two passages and one longer conversation. After each passage or conversation, you will be asked several questions. The passages and the conversation will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.

Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.

Despite the recommendations of pedometers everywhere, there’s nothing scientific to the goal of walking 10,000 steps a day. The concept of taking 10,000 steps a day to maintain health is rooted not in science but in marketing trick.

In the 1960s a company in Japan invented an early pedometer. Because the Japanese character for “10,000” looks like a person walking, the company called its device the 10,000-step meter.

“It was just sort of a catchy phrase,” says I-Min Lee, a scientist at Harvard Medical School. “Sure, if you get 10,000 steps, it seems like a good goal. But there was not really any basis to it.”

In 2019, Lee published one of the first studies specifically investigating the actual effects of meeting the 10,000-step goal. Several other large studies followed. Results showed that some movement is good, and more is better, but the benefits start to reduce at some point.

Your personal peak depends on your age. People younger than 60 should indeed walk 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day to get the best benefits in terms of life expectancy and heart health. People older than 60 show the most benefit between 6,000 and 8,000 steps. The difference is energy expenditure.

“The older you are, the less efficient you are with your steps,” says William Kraus, a physician and scientist at Duke University. “Per step, older people expend more energy.” As a result, they need fewer steps to achieve the same benefits.

(Now listen again.)

Questions:

11.What is the main idea of the passage?

12.According to I-Min Lee from Harvard Medical School, which of the following statements is true?

13.According to Duke University’s William Kraus, what is the relationship between age and energy expenditure per step?

Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.

As the world continues to grapple with extreme heatwaves, which are becoming ever more regular thanks to climate change, the clothing we wear is a vital component in how we stay cool.

Researchers have found that by wearing appropriate clothes, it is possible to turn the air-conditioning up by 2℃ – which over the long term would save considerable energy, both saving money and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

So what should you wear to stay cool? When it comes to colour, most people wear white in the summer – because white reflects the sun’s rays, rather than absorbing the light like black does.

However, heat doesn’t just come from the sun – it comes from our bodies too. When that heat from our bodies hits the white clothing, it is reflected back at us.

The Bedouins are native people who live in desert areas of the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and North Africa. In 1980, a study of why Bedouins wear black robes in the desert, found that heat exposure was the same whether they wore black or white robes.

How is that possible? Black coloured fabrics absorb heat producing from the body – so this can also play a role in cooling your body down.

The Bedouin’s secret is wearing loose-fitting black clothing, especially if it’s windy. The loose black clothes heat up the space between the fabric and the skin, promoting an upward air current – like a chimney – and providing cooling relief.

So, the fit of the clothing is actually more important than the colour. However, if you are going to be wearing tight-fitting clothing, then stick with white.

(Now listen again.)

Questions:

14.What can we infer from the passage?

15.What did the Bedouin people discover about wearing black robes in the desert?

16.What is the best type of clothing to wear in hot weather?

Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.

M: Hey, Linda, how are you?

W: Hi, Jerry. I’m good, thanks. How about you?

M: I’m a little nervous about the chemistry examination.

W: Don’t worry, Jerry. I heard you did well in the maths and Chinese exam. Chemistry is not that difficult. The professors usually give a review before the exam, right?

M: Yes, they do. I went to the review session yesterday and took some notes.

W: That’s great. Have you reviewed your notes and prepared well for the exam?

M: Not yet, I’ve been busy with other classes. I’ll start reviewing tonight.

W: So there is nothing to worry about. Right?

M: Yep...but I think I was absent-minded in that session.

W: You mean you didn’t take down the notes?

M: No, I have taken down all the notes, but I couldn’t make out my handwriting. It was in a mess.

W: OK. In that case, why not ask William for help? He always types his notes on his laptop.

M: That’s great. I’ll turn to him right away.

W: Make sure you’ve got all the materials and know them well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

M: Thank you, Linda. I’ll definitely need some help.

W: No problem. Good luck on the exam! I’m sure you’ll do well. I’m going to take physics exam now.

M: See you around.

W: Yeah, see you.

(Now listen again please.)

Questions:

17.Which exam is Jerry going to take?

18.When will Jerry review Chemistry?

19.What is the problem with Jerry’s notes?

20.What will Jerry do immediately?

模拟试卷（三）

I. Listening comprehension

Section A

1-5 DABAC 6-10 CCBCB

Section B

11-13 BDC 14-16 BAB  17-20 DDAC

II. Grammar and vocabulary

Section A

21.a

22.that/which

23.asked

24.with

25.are really thinking

26.blocking

27.As

28.the more harmful

29.that

30.do

Section B

31-35 IGFJB 36-40 HEKDC

III. Reading comprehension

Section A

41-45 ACBDC    46-50 ABADD     51-55 BCBAC

Section B

56-59 CADB     60-62 CDB  63-66 DBDC

Section C

67-70 DFCB

IV. Summary writing

71.（答案供参考）

Fast fashion has caused many destructive problems. First, clothing production harms the environment through excessive water use, serious water pollution, and high carbon emissions. Second, plastic pollution is hard to avoid because synthetic fibers made from processed petrochemicals are used, and plastic recycling cannot eliminate microfibers. Third, to keep prices low, brands exploit workers by underpaying them. (57 words)

V. Translation

72. It makessense for drivers to fill up the tank before going on long trips.

73. What makes the game unique is that it helps children learn to cope/deal with real-life problems.

74. As graduationapproaches, I feel both excited and proud of myself, and I realize that only through continuous learning and hard work can I achieve/have a promising future.

75. When I saw the unique craftsmanship/techniques of the workers/staff, it suddenlyoccurred to me why this store with a long history has operated and endured for centuries.

VI. Guided writing

76. （范文仅供参考）

Dear friends,

I want to address a matter that has come to our attention recently. It seems that some of our classmates have been using AI tools like ChatGPT for English translation and writing assignments. This issue goes beyond concerns about academic integrity, and it prompts us to reflect on how we should responsibly utilize high-tech tools.

For one thing, it’s crucial to acknowledge that using AI tools for our homework is unacceptable academic misconduct. It has undermined the purpose of language acquisition and overall learning. Without practicing, we can never acquire the necessary skills for our future learning and career development. Relying on such external assistance deprives us of the chance to make mistakes and self-correct the mistakes for improvement.

For the other, learning is a fun process. When we are navigating an unknown world, our brains are lit up and activated. Remember the joy of discovering something new when learning? Challenging it may be for us to generate ideas and find the most appropriate expressions for our essays, we are often so relieved and satisfied when the Aha moment arrives. The same goes for translation practices, with which we will be amazed at the similarities and differences of languages.

This is not to say that we shall go against the tide. In the age of generative AI, digital natives like us shall be held accountable for our own decisions to use AI for our study. They can indeed be our personalized tutors who are ready to help us 24/7, but they shall never stop us from developing our skills. Thank you for your attention, and let’s continue to strive for excellence in both our academics and ethical conduct.

Your friend,

Li Hua

录音文本

Listening Comprehension

Section A

Directions: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard. 

1.W: Prof. Smith asked me to go to his office after class. So it is impossible for me to make it to the bar at 10:00.

M: Then it seems we’ll have to meet an hour later at the library.

Q: Where will the woman go first after class?

2.M: Excuse me, do you have change for a ten-dollar note? I need to pay the parking meter.

W: I’m sorry, but I think you can get it through the money changer in the shopping center across the street.

Q: What is the man doing?

3.W: I think the hostess really went out of her way to make the party a success.

M: Yes, the food and drinks were great, but if only we had known a few of the other guests.

Q: What can we learn from the conversation?

4.M: The drama teacher just announced the cast for our school musical. Did you see what part you were given?

W: Yeah. I was cast as one of the villagers. I don’t even have a speaking role.

Q: What are the speakers talking about?

5.W: Do you have any idea what this notice is about?

M: I’m as in the dark as you are.

Q: What does the man mean?

6.M: Let’s start things off with some huge promotions at department stores around Shanghai.

W: Great. How about having contests where we give away free prizes?

Q: What might the speakers try to do?

7.W: What does the latest weather forecast say?

M: The snowstorm is on its way. We’d better cancel skiing and get some groceries.

Q: What’s the man’s suggestion?

8.M: Bob, do you know who I saw the other day? Old Jake, looking terribly depressed. Did he get pensioned off at last?

W: Yes. They made him retire after 50 years at sea. He is pretty upset about it.

Q: Why is Old Jake depressed?

9.W: Advanced Physics is too challenging for me. I will probably quit this course. What about you? 

M: You know, I’ve been busy with the club thing and preparing for my internship interview.

Q: What does the man imply?

10.M: Sophia is unlucky. The most terrible things keep happening to her. 

W: Yes, if you can trust what she says. You know she is never lazy in making up stories.

Q: What does the woman mean?

Section B

Directions: In Section B, you will hear two short passages and one longer conversation, and you will be asked several questions on each of the passages and the conversation. The passages and the conversation will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.

Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.

Our planet is heating up due to something called the greenhouse effect. But what exactly is the greenhouse effect? When fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, are burnt for power, carbon dioxide is released as a waste product. It enters the atmosphere and acts like a blanket around the planet, which means heat radiation can’t escape, and the temperature increases.

The impact of gases on the Earth’s climate was first investigated in the 1820s. Eunice Foote, a scientist and women’s rights activist, tested the effects of sunlight on different gases that she put into glass cylinders. Her results showed that carbon dioxide traps heat more than other gases. The idea of the greenhouse effect was born.

So, what can we do to reduce the greenhouse effect? The UN recommends using more energy-efficient electrical appliances at home. Also, by washing your clothes at 30°C instead of a higher temperature, around 40% less electricity is used over a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. A change in diet is also something to consider. The charity A Well-Fed World, claims that plant-based foods, as opposed to meat and dairy, need less land and water to be produced. So, switching saves energy and lowers emissions, which contribute to climate change. We only have one planet, so let’s try and take care of it as much as we can.

(Now listen again please.)

Questions:

11.How does the carbon dioxide lead to the temperature rise?

12.What did Eunice Foote find out according to the passage?

13.What does the UN suggest doing?

Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence has become an important part of our lives. But there are fears that AI has become too intelligent and could be a threat to humanity. This claim might sound extreme, but a letter signed by more than 1,000 technology experts, including Tesla boss Elon Musk, called on the world to press pause on the development of more advanced AI. This pessimistic outlook is supported by a report by investment bank Goldman Sachs.

The report says AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. But it may also mean new jobs and a productivity boom. We may argue that AI such as chatbots can help us. State-of-the-art ChatGPT, for example, has been helping some students write assignments. AI is allowing computers to think or act in a more human way. And machine learning means computers can learn what to do without being given clear instructions. The technology is impressive, but as it starts to think for itself, will it outsmart us?

Some people are more optimistic. AI advocates say the tech is already delivering real social and economic benefits for people. Meanwhile, the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has called on governments to work with industry to “limit the risks” of AI. But he says the technology could save lives, particularly in poorer countries. He says, “Just as the world needs its brightest people focused on its biggest problems, we will need to focus the world’s best AIs on its biggest problems.” If this happens, maybe humanity will have a future.

(Now listen again please.)

Questions:

14.What did over 1,000 technology experts demand in the letter?

15.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

16.What can we conclude from Bill Gates’ opinion?

Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.

M: Georgina, I know you are about to study for a degree in university, but before you move on to university, do you plan to take a year off?

W: Yes. Many students choose to take a break from their studies to travel or gain work experience before going to university, and this is what we call a ‘gap year’.

M: Then why do you choose to take one?

W: I wanted to go to university, but ... I decided I’ll do it after a year out. That way I can wait till I get my official results and apply to university with those rather than getting predicted grades and then, you know, potentially being surprised and not being able to follow the path I wanted.

M: You’ve definitely made the right decision. Well, to be honest,it’s not something that I really knew about until I started university. I thought it would have been far too expensive and it’s not something that would have been able to rely on my parents or family members for.

W: Actually, it needn’t burn a hole in your pocket because you don’t need to travel far. 

M: Yeah, I see. Nowadays more and more students decide to take the gap year and the experience of it has become much more practical and productive because of the demands on employability skills.

W: All in all, a gap year can give me a chance to learn new crafts and time to think over what I should work hard for in university.

(Now listen again please.)

Questions:

17.Why did Georgina make up her mind to take a gap year?

18.What can we learn about the man from his experience?

19.Why does taking a gap year not necessarily cost a lot of money?

20.What are students most likely to do during their gap year nowadays?