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The polar research vessel (船舰) RRS Sir David Attenborough, which will always be thought of by some as Boaty McBoatface, is currently on an Antarctic task to find out how sea ice influences the cycle of nutrients and carbon in the world's oceans.

The 12 researchers on board are using autonomous underwater vehicles to explore huge areas of free-floating sea ice. This will help us better understand how climate change is impacting organisms from microscopic plankton (浮游生物) to penguins and orcas. . 

Last week, the vessel collected samples from around the A23a mega iceberg (a scientific term) . The largest iceberg in existence is almost 4, 000 sq km, equal to an area twice the size of Greater London, weighing close to a trillion metric tonnes and towering up to 1, 312 feet above the sea. 

It originally broke away from a main ice shelf connected to Antarctica in 1986, but had remained stuck against the seabed ever since. Until last month. Now, A23a is drifting into the Southern Ocean. 

Of course, one iceberg floating into warmer waters and melting is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the climate crisis. At COP28, billions and billions were promised to fund global I climate solutions, especially in developing nations. More than 130 countries agreed to deal with emissions in agriculture, with 118 promising to triple renewables too. 

But more needs to be done. Forget the A23a iceberg being a threat to shipping, it's a sign we may be all sunk.

Growing up on a farm, Tori James spent much of her early years outdoors, building shelters and playing in muddy streams. She describes herself as an ambitious, adventurous child who went to bed reading the survival guides that lived on her bedside table. Even so, James says she could never have predicted that, one day, she might be the youngest British woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. 

Today, James is a professional adventurer. Yet ahead of her first expedition at the age of 18, which she spent mapping the cracks of Iceland's Vatnajökull glacier with the British Exploring Society, James recalls doubting her ability to last a month out in the cold without the comfort of a hot bath. "It's only by stepping out of our comfort zone that we understand our true potential,"she explains. "That's when the magic happens."

Although James has spent a significant part of her life exploring some of the most remote landscapes in the world, when it comes to traveling, she believes that there are numerous ways for everyone to push their boundaries, other than by undertaking physical challenges. James also encourages would-be adventurers not to be put off by the stereotypical image of the rugged, hardy explorer. "I am such a believer that, with the right support and skills, everyone can bring something to an expedition," she says.

Sometimes, she adds, it's only out in the field that someone's hidden talents emerge. A diverse team can be key to a successful trip, particularly given the role of exploration in today's world. "Historically, exploration has been about people finding nature's hardest obstacles and trying to either overcome them, or beat them," says James. "But now, for me at least, exploration is about connecting, not conquering. It's about our connection to the living world around us, it's about sharing its importance once we've returned and it's about figuring out how to do adventure sustainably."

It was meant to connect us, make us smarter and our lives easier. And it has. But there's at least one comer of life where the Internet has made things so much more difficult: gift giving.

Once upon a time, if you were struggling to find a present for a loved one, there were easy options to fall back on-DVDs, CDs, video games and other physical media. This wasn't even that long ago, but now it's been snatched from our grasp by the Internet offering us the chance, at a relatively low cost, to watch, listen to or read whatever we want, whenever we want. With everything already watched, listened to, or read, buying a present has become near impossible.

Therefore, we all have to work at becoming perfect gift givers, taking all factors into consideration and searching high and low to seek out the ideal present. If we go the extra mile, there's less chance that the person we have in mind has already bought what we're considering online.

But as I now consider this exact plan of action, I'm thinking perhaps it's not all that bad. Maybe the Internet is delivering us a lesson, firm but fair: the era of half-baked present purchasing is over and it's time to go hard or go home.

In this era of immediate satisfaction, if you want to give someone a useful present, you do have to actually go to the effort of sourcing something nice for them. Perhaps that's making for a more rewarding gift experience for all involved. And perhaps it also means fewer gifts that are given as an excuse and end up being unused.

From unexpected colour to making clever environmental choices, Joanna Plant, an interiors specialist and tastemaker, shares her design intentions for the year ahead. 

·What is your New Year design resolution?

I'd like to get out and look at things. The aim is to visit lots of houses and gardens for inspiration and see more exhibitions abroad. I love a house tour and try to find somewhere to go and look about whenever I travel outside London or abroad. I really appreciate seeing things first-hand these days.

·What was a highlight of 2023?

Selling my house of 22 years and having the improvement of a new property — very exciting to be doing a project for myself! What's fantastic is to work with suppliers who have amazing collections to discover and those who allow us to change the colours or make changes to existing designs.

·What design ideas do you have that you hope to bring to fruition?

Happily, clients seem to be more responsive to having bolder paint plans and using more colours. We have been asking them to see how layering pattern can make a room more quiet and relaxing. I think that we are making our rooms look very nice by using a lot of decorative trims and accessories.

In a small community located at a suburb of Exeter, a disappointing issue had been troubling the neighborhood for years. The once pleasant surroundings were ruined by piles of waste that seemed to increase greatly in amount with each passing day. Residents（居民） were growing tired of the worsening environment, leading many to leave their homes in search of cleaner neighborhoods. It was in this terrible situation that two young students, Emma and Mia, decided to take matters into their own hands.

Emma and Mia were classmates and best friends from Phillips Exeter Academy, both passionate about environmental preservation and deeply concerned about the pollution crisis their community was facing. Witnessing more and more neighbours' leaving, they knew they couldn't stand by any longer. Determined to bring about a change, they undertook a mission that would soon catch the attention of the entire community.

Their journey began with thorough research and planning. The two girls searched carefully on the Internet for information on environmental initiatives (计划；措施) and connected with local environmentalists. They organized meetings with residents to understand the issues at hand, collecting data on the types of waste, the sources, and the areas most affected. Armed with this knowledge, Emma and Mia worked out a comprehensive plan and announced it to ask for opinions from the residents. Surprisingly it was strongly supported.

Their strategy was twofold. First, they started a waste classification and recycling program. They distributed recycling bins (回收箱) to every household and taught the community about the importance of responsible waste management. Soon, the streets began to show signs of improvement as the volume of garbage inappropriately（不恰当地） thrown away decreased gradually.

The second part of their plan was more ambitious. Emma and Mia gathered volunteers from their school and the neighborhood to take part in a massive clean-up campaign. Armed with gloves and trash (垃圾) bags, they began systematically clearing the waste from the streets, parks, and even the local bodies of water. Their firm commitment and hard work inspired others to join the cause.

注意：

1. 续写词数应为150左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Half a year later, the changes were significant.

Emma and Mia received recognition and honors for their work.

1. 展现家乡魅力；

2. 邀请前来参观。

注意：

1. 写作词数应为80左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Pan Yuzhen, a master of embroidery (刺绣), was embroidering flying butterflies and flowers with her back a window, saying, "Foreigners are so fond of our embroidery products

they even queue up just to buy one for their families. I never (think) the traditional skills handed down by my ancestors would become so (market) abroad."

"As you can see, Miao embroidery is not only the (proud) of our Miao people, but that of our Chinese people," Pan said, wants to pass her embroidery skills down to the younger generation, hoping that they can continue to promote the unique skills. Now, almost all families in Taijiang County together with Pan (involve) in the Miao costume business.

Zhang Yanmei, Pan's daughter, having difficulty (walk) like normal people, has taken over her mother's business and helped her run a clothing processing plant. Zhang also serves as the chairwoman of an association for the (physical) disabled, helping them to grow special plants used for dyeing (给……染色) cloth and instructing（指导） some of them (complete) Miao embroidery orders. Today, the Miao embroidery industry has become a major distinctive industry in Taijiang County.

After thinking it over for several weeks, I finally decide to say yes to a big life decision. The woman (me) who hasn't 1 a bicycle even once in the past seven years is going to take on a challenge to 2 from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle.

Anyone who knows me will think this is just 3 . I don't enjoy sports challenges. As I am 4 my mid-40s, I am eager to prove my body is still useful and can 5 things. And I want to work towards something bigger 6 the daily travel to and from work.

I have 7  run marathons or done things alike. I just 8  friends on the sidelines when they ran the London Marathon. But in all 9 , there has been an element of

10  when I see their achievements. What I see on their faces when they cross the finish line are the joy and the sense of 11 . They know that they have pushed themselves beyond their limits and done something 12 . Now I am 43 and have a(n) 13  to know what that feels like.

Now it is the perfect time to 14 something more than the classes in the local gym, or a jog around the park and show what I can do. So I'm 15 to jump on a bike again as long before and take to the road.

The voice within can be your internal guidance system toward development and optimism. Having control of your inner voice can be an incredibly powerful tool for creating cycles of positive thinking.  

Identify negative thoughts. People who don't believe in themselves can go through life allowing negative thoughts to guide them. To break the dangerous cycle of negative thought patterns, you must first learn how to identify these thoughts. This way, you may be able to replace these with healthy ones.

Choose your friend circle wisely.  This is because friends who spend a lot of time together and expose themselves to a similar environment have similar neural (神经的) activity patterns. By surrounding yourself with those who have a positive mindset, your own thought pattern can be positively influenced.

Turn your mindset toward growth. A growth mindset is a belief that your abilities are developable over time. A person with a growth mindset tends to be less likely to suffer from mental health problems than someone with a fixed mindset.  They have repetitive thoughts in their heads. However, those who develop a growth mindset show perseverance (毅力) which can guide them toward happiness and success.

 When you feel motivated, you react without thinking, which usually ends up with you saying something you may regret. However, by choosing to respond mindfully before reacting, you are exercising control over your thoughts in a healthy way. So next time you notice an intense thought coming up, take a moment to think twice.

A. Keep highly motivated.

B. Choose to reflect rather than react.

C. People with a growth mindset will feel happier.

D. Read on to find how to channel your thoughts positively.

E. You are the average of the five people you spend time with.

F. Write down any negative thoughts that may come into your mind.

G. People with a fixed mindset tend to become stuck in their ways.

In one horrible film plot, AI eventually outsmarts humans and takes over computers and factories. In another, large language models (LLMs) of the sort that power generative AI like ChatGPT give bad guys the know-how to create destructive cyberweapons (网络武器).

It is time to think hard about these film plots, not because they have become more probable but because policymakers around the world are considering measures to guard against them. The idea that AI could drive humans to extinction is speculative — no one yet knows how such a threat might materialise（成为现实） and no common methods exist for determining what counts as risky. Plenty of research needs to be done before standards and rules can be set.

Governments cannot ignore a technology that could change the world deeply. Regulators (监管者) have been too slow in the past, but there is danger in acting hurriedly too. If they go too fast, policymakers could create global rules that are aimed at the wrong problems and are ineffective against the real ones.

Because of the computing resources and technical skills required, only a handful of companies have so far developed powerful "frontier" models. New hurried regulations could easily block out competitors to the "handful of companies", especially because these companies are working closely with governments on writing the rule book. A focus on extreme risks is likely to make regulators careful of open-source models, which are freely available and can easily be revised（修改）.

The best that governments can do now is to set up the basic systems to study the technology and its potential risks, and ensure that those working on the problem have enough resources. As AI develops further, regulators will have a far better idea of what risks they are guarding against, and consequently what the rule book should look like. A fully mature body could eventually take shape. But creating it will take time and reflection.

Between 1945 and 2000, educators employed a fairly uniform approach. The teacher was the sun in the classroom, and all lessons and activities centered around him or her. Educators stressed the importance of discipline and obedience (服从) within the classroom, and students were expected to follow very rigid (死板的) standards for behavior and academic performance. The stated goal of this model was to ensure fairness by applying the same expectations; however, the result was that only a few students succeeded while many others were left behind.

When computers and Internet technology entered the classroom a few decades ago, another pattern appeared and progressive educators immediately saw the opportunity to change the way school worked. Instead of needing to focus on the teachers for the vast majority of the day, students could use computers, websites, and even games to learn new materials and improve their skills and knowledge. Not all educators welcomed this shift（变化）, however, as some believed it took power and responsibility away from the teachers and cheapened the educational experience for learners.

Over the last decade, two distinct camps of educators have emerged（出现）. Tech advocates（支持者） stress that computers and Internet technology allow students to learn at their own pace in an environment that makes them feel comfortable, while the traditional classroom sets a pace that many learners can't keep up with and often makes students feel uncomfortable. Traditionalists, on the other hand, believe that over-reliance（过度依赖） on tech limits students' ability to develop their own knowledge and skills and does little to prepare them for the realities of being adults in the real world.

Regrettably, the inability of these two parties to find an agreement has prevented the growth of our education system. We must learn from what worked in the past while adopting the best of our new technologies to create an education system that reflects our modern world. If we can't get all our teachers on the same page, then we will be at risk of failing future generations.

I opened my car window and called out "Ma'am! Ma'am!" The only lady in the parking lot looked around until she saw me. "I just wanted to tell how nice you look today," I said. "The colors you have on are beautiful on you." Her face registered surprise for a second, and then she smiled. "Thank you!" she called back. Her final steps to her car seemed lighter, and I smiled to myself.

I grew up with very few cheerleaders in my own life. When I was in the middle of fighting a battle for my life, I had been confirmed depression, along with anxiety. It has taken many years and more effort and determination than I thought I was capable of recovering from this illness. With no cheerleaders in my court, I fought this battle alone. I am proud of the progress I have made thus far. There are times when I thought, if only I had had someone to hold me and say, "Susan, I believe in you. You can do this, and I'll be there every step of the way." I wonder how much sooner I would have recovered. I'll never know.

So I have made it a point in recent years to praise people, especially women and girls. Instead of just thinking that someone looks nice or did a great job, I say it out loud. It doesn't take long, and it's easy. So, I wonder, why don't more people do this? As women, we have learned from our role models to be quiet. We downplay（淡化） our own achievements even when we do receive a rare compliment（恭维）. Now, when I compliment someone and she denies, I say to her, "Just say thank you."

Most women are relieved that they don't have to deny the compliment; they can accept the praise without guilt.

Cheerleading doesn't require any skills. It only takes a few seconds, although you do have to remind yourself to do it. Eventually, it becomes a habit.

Day Trip to Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is one of those parks whose beauty is not fully recognized by people. It is often only visited for day trips because it is close to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. It is full of elephants, zebras and lions. It also has some super scenery to go with it. You can also see sights such as the Tarangire River.

Tarangire has the second highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania after the Serengeti and the highest concentration of elephants in the world. It has over 700 lions living there as well as a wide selection of other animals.

Itinerary (行程)

You will be picked up from your accommodation（住处）. After an approximate 3 hours' drive, you will arrive at Tarangire National Park. The name of this national park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park. The park is considered as one of the best places to view elephants up close. From the open roof of the safari (野外观兽旅行) vehicle you will be able to absorb the landscape and see the animals wandering around. In the late afternoon you will have a hot meal, and then you will leave the park and drive back to Moshi.

Included in the price (US $620 per person)

 All Tanzania national park fees     International flights to/from Tanzania

 Meals according to the itinerary（行程）     Alcoholic and soft drinks

  for each day     Personal expenses & tips

 Bottles of mineral water for each day     Travel insurance & visa fees

 Professional English-speaking guide     Extra activities within the park

 Safari 4 × 4 jeep with all accessories     Hotel accommodation before and after the safari

Come and start your day trip! Click here and fill out the form to send a booking request immediately.

Dear George,

It' s great to hear from you.  Thanks for the birthday card! You want to know if I have been thinking a lot about the future now that I' m 17.  The answer is yes!

Things change so quickly, don' t they? I mean, in just a year, I  (be) an adult.  And this time next year, I  (take) my final school exams.  Hopefully I  (pass) them! Then, in a couple of years, I  (study) at university.  It seems like no time at all! I  (choose) law, I think.  After graduation, I  (look) for a job related to law.  In the long term, I hope that 20 years from today, I  (work) as a judge.  Let' s see how things go.  

What are you hoping to do in the future? Tell me about your plans. 

Kind regards,

Diana