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1、Forests cover about 30% of the planet, and the ecosystems they create play an essential role in supporting life on earth. The deforestation is clearing earth forest on a massive scale. And at the current rate of destruction, the world's rainforest could completely disappear within 100 years.
Together, forestry and agriculture are responsible for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions, making deforestation a significant contributor to climate change.
Deforestation impacts the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in two ways. Second, trees play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming. Fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere and increased speed and severity of global warming. In addition to helping regulate the earth's climate, forests provide habitats for over 80% of the plants and animals that live on land, but deforestation destroys these habitats, diminishing biodiversity. This also affects the more than 2 billion people relying on forest as sources of food and shelter.
The biggest driver of deforestation is agriculture. Farmers chopped down trees in order to plant crops like soybeans, palm trees and coco, or to make room to raise livestock for beef. Logging operations, which provide the world's wood and paper products, also cut countless trees each year. as land is developed for dwellings.
Efforts such as managing forest resources, eliminating clear cutting, and planting new trees to replace those removed are already being made to reduce deforestation environmental impact on our planet. And while some plants and animal species are gone forever, combating deforestation can help prevent further loss of biodiversity.
A. Why should we care about deforestation?
B. Many animals and plants will go to extinction.
C. Forests are also destroyed as a result of urban growth,
D. The effects of deforestation are grave but not irreversible.
E. As a result, many rainforest species go extinct each year.
F. Forests are very important for the expansion of urban areas.
G. First, when trees are cut, they release the carbon they are storing into the atmosphere.
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2、A study published on July 3 in the journal PLOS ONE set out to explore whether Chat GPT could outshine humans in the field of joke-telling. Drew Gorenz, a social psychology doctoral candidate, explained that the research aimed to determine if artificial intelligence could outwit humans when it came to making people laugh.
In the first study, 105 participants and Chat GPT were each given three tasks, with three prompts for each task. They were asked to create humorous phrases for common acronyms, come up with funny answers for fill-in-the-blank phrases, and compose "roast jokes." The 105 participants generated over 945 jokes, while Chat GPT produced 180. Another group of participants then rated the funniness of these jokes without knowing their authors. Surprisingly, nearly 70% of them found ChatGPT-generated jokes funnier than those made by humans. Only about 25% thought human-crafted jokes were better, and around 5% considered both equally funny.
To further test Chat GPT's humor-generating ability, researchers conducted a second study. They asked Chat GPT to create new headlines in the satirical style of The Onion, using the original The Onion headlines as references. Then, 200 participants rated the funniness of both the original The Onion headlines and the Chat GPT-generated ones. The result showed that Chat GPT's headlines were regarded as equally funny as the original ones.
Gorenz, an amateur stand-up comedian, got the idea for this study from the ongoing debate in the entertainment world about the use of large language models like Chat GPT. With Hollywood writers and actors striking due to concerns that such models threaten their jobs, art, and creativity, the study has significant implications. For ordinary people, Chat GPT can add humor to daily conversations. However, for professional comedy writers, large language models pose a serious employment threat. Whether AI will have the last laugh in the field of humor creation remains an open question.
(1)、In the first study, how many prompts did Chat GPT receive in total?A、9. B、3. C、6. D、20.(2)、Why did the author mention the Hollywood strikes?A、To show the popularity of Chat GPT in the entertainment industry. B、To explain the background and significance of the study. C、To prove that AI has no negative impact on the entertainment industry. D、To encourage more people to support the striking writers and actors.(3)、What does the phrase "have the last laugh" in the last paragraph mean?A、Be the ultimate winner. B、Stop laughing finally. C、Laugh at others rudely. D、Tell the funniest joke.(4)、Which of the following can best summarize the passage?A、Hollywood strikes are caused by the development of AI. B、Chat GPT is applied in daily communication. C、There are differences between Chat GPT and professional comedy writers. D、A study finds Chat GPT funnier than humans in humor creation and its implications. -
3、In the current educational landscape, cooperative learning has emerged as a popular teaching method. Instead of studying alone, students are grouped together to complete tasks, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. While many educators believe it offers numerous benefits, there are also challenges that come with this approach.
Dr. Laura Harris, a renowned education researcher, states, "Cooperative learning is not just about group work; it's a dynamic process that can significantly enhance students' social skills, critical thinking, and overall academic performance. It creates an environment where students actively engage with each other, which is essential for their growth." However, she also acknowledges that proper guidance and organization are crucial for its success.
One of the key advantages of cooperative learning lies in its ability to foster social interaction. When students work in groups, they learn to communicate effectively, listen to different perspectives, and resolve conflicts. For example, in a literature discussion group, students may have varying interpretations of a novel. Through dialogue, they can expand their understanding, learn to respect others' viewpoints, and improve their own analytical skills.
Cognitive psychologists explain that cooperative learning also promotes deeper learning. According to the Social Constructivism Theory, knowledge is constructed through social interaction. When students collaborate, they build on each other's ideas, challenge assumptions, and construct new knowledge together. This process encourages active thinking, rather than passive absorption of information.
Despite these benefits, cooperative learning is not without its problems. Some students may become free riders, relying on their group members to do most of the work. Others might struggle to express their opinions in a group setting, especially if the group dynamics are not well-managed. Additionally, teachers need to carefully design group tasks and monitor the progress to ensure that every student is actively involved.
To address these challenges, educators can adopt several strategies. For instance, clearly defining individual responsibilities within the group can prevent free-riding behavior. Encouraging equal participation through rotating leadership roles and creating a safe and inclusive atmosphere can help shy students feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.
In conclusion, cooperative learning has the potential to transform the learning experience. By understanding its benefits and challenges, and implementing appropriate strategies, educators can harness its power to create a more engaging and effective learning environment. After all, learning is not a solitary journey, but a collaborative adventure.
(1)、What is Dr. Laura Harris's attitude towards cooperative learning?A、Critical. B、Indifferent. C、Supportive. D、Neutral.(2)、How does cooperative learning promote deeper learning according to the text?A、By increasing the amount of information students receive. B、By enabling students to construct knowledge through social interaction. C、By reducing the time students spend on passive learning. D、By forcing students to accept different viewpoints.(3)、Why are problems in cooperative learning mentioned in the text?A、To prove that cooperative learning is not suitable for all students. B、To show that it is more difficult to implement than expected. C、To emphasize the importance of addressing these issues for its success. D、To compare it with other teaching methods.(4)、What does the author imply in the last paragraph?A、Cooperative learning should replace traditional individual learning completely. B、Students should be left to manage group tasks on their own. C、Teachers play a minor role in the success of cooperative learning. D、With proper handling, cooperative learning can greatly benefit students. -
4、In "Overcoming the Shadow of Failure", we follow Lily, a young worker whose career suffered a big setback a year ago. As the leader of an important project, she met unexpected problems and small mistakes that led to failure. This bad event left her in deep self-doubt, guilt, and a deep fear of taking on new tasks. She started avoiding work chances, thinking any challenge would end in failure, and finally asked a coach for help.
A coach's real job, the story shows, is not to solve problems directly but to build inner strength. Over 10 months, Lily's coach worked with her to create ways to manage stress and rebuild her confidence in her skills. They made careful answers to hurtful comments like "Your project really failed, didn't it?" to help her face such words without breaking down.
During a key meeting, Lily still focused too much on her mistakes, seeing them as a sign of her lack of ability. The coach then told a personal story: once, after preparing a lot for a public speech, they made mistakes in some parts but were still praised for their try. This was to show that blaming oneself often exaggerates errors—mistakes in what you do don't decide your value.
Lily stopped and then said she had been being too hard on herself for no good reason. She realized failure was a lesson, not the end of everything. Slowly, she started to take on small projects, each time telling herself about her progress. Her worry reduced, and her courage came back.
Six months later, the coach received an email with an invitation to Lily's promotion party. The invitation showed her great change: from a woman defeated by one setback to a confident worker who saw challenges as opportunities to grow. It proved that coaching is mainly about guiding the way to self-acceptance—turning the shadow of failure into a step for success.
(1)、Why did Lily go to a coach?A、A project failure caused her mental struggle. B、She wanted to get a promotion quickly. C、She had conflicts with her boss. D、She lacked experience in teamwork.(2)、How might Lily feel when colleagues mentioned the failed project at first?A、Dismissive. B、Heartbroken. C、Unconcerned. D、Worried.(3)、What can we infer from Lily's inviting the coach to her promotion party?A、She wanted to show off her promotion. B、The coach became her close friend. C、The coach helped her regain professional confidence. D、She needed the coach's advice for her new position.(4)、What is the author's purpose in writing the passage?A、To describe the process of career coaching. B、To criticize the harm of self-blame. C、To introduce a successful coach's methods. D、To encourage readers to face failure with self-empowerment. -
5、Sports Summer Camps: A Great Choice for Teenagers
Are you a teenager looking for a meaningful and fun summer? Sports summer camps are excellent options that offer both excitement and numerous benefits. Here are some highly recommended ones.
The All-Star Soccer Camp is a top pick for soccer enthusiasts. Experienced coaches at this camp focus on enhancing individual skills like dribbling and shooting, as well as team strategies. Through intense training sessions and friendly matches, campers not only improve their soccer techniques but also learn the importance of teamwork and communication on the field.
For basketball lovers, the Dynamic Basketball Camp is a great choice. It provides comprehensive training on shooting, ball-handling, and game-understanding. With one-on-one coaching and group competitions, participants can boost their confidence and refine their skills. Moreover, analyzing professional basketball games helps campers gain a deeper insight into the sport.
The Tennis Pro Camp is perfect for those who are passionate about tennis. Here, campers receive professional guidance on strokes, footwork, and match tactics. The well-equipped tennis courts and experienced instructors ensure that every camper can make significant progress in their tennis skills.
Participating in these sports summer camps brings several advantages. Firstly, it allows teenagers to improve their sports skills under professional guidance, which can be beneficial for future competitions or just for personal growth. Secondly, it promotes physical health. Regular sports activities at the camps help build strength, endurance, and flexibility. Thirdly, it offers a chance to make new friends with the same interests. Campers from different places come together, share their experiences, and build lasting friendships while enjoying sports.
Don't miss the opportunity to join these amazing sports summer camps and have an unforgettable summer!
(1)、What can participants do at the Dynamic Basketball Camp?A、Only participate in group competitions. B、Get one-on-one coaching and analyze professional games. C、Learn basketball skills together with tennis strokes. D、Play basketball without any training.(2)、What is special about the Tennis Pro Camp?A、It has no professional instructors. B、It offers training on all sports. C、It merely provides guidance on tennis strokes. D、It has well-equipped tennis courts.(3)、What can we infer from the passage about the purpose of these sports summer camps?A、To make a lot of money. B、To help teenagers become professional athletes. C、To provide teenagers with a meaningful and enjoyable summer. D、To let teenagers compete with each other fiercely. -
6、听下面一段独白,回答以下小题。(1)、What does the speaker probably do?A、A professor. B、A researcher. C、A radio host.(2)、What can we learn from Arthur Stone's study?A、People aged 18-22 feel stressed the most. B、Women feel more negative than men. C、Stress levels drop sharply at 70.(3)、What is going to be discussed next?A、The reasons that happiness rises with age. B、The ways that age influences happiness. C、The other factors that affect happiness.
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7、听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。(1)、Why does the woman come to talk to Carl?A、To ask for advice. B、To apply for a job. C、To share some experience.(2)、What did Carl do at the food bank?A、He handed out food. B、He sorted out food. C、He bought the food.(3)、How did Carl feel about working at the food bank in the end?A、Tired. B、Proud. C、Bored.(4)、What does Carl suggest the woman do at the end of the conversation?A、Start with a short term. B、Choose her favorite. C、Do more outdoor exercise.
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8、听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。(1)、What are the speakers mainly talking about?A、A road trip. B、A vacation plan. C、Childhood memory.(2)、Where does the woman live now?A、In San Francisco. B、In Los Angeles. C、In San Diego.(3)、Which of the following is the first mentioned spot?A、Yosemite National Park. B、Golden Gate Bridge. C、Fisherman's Wharf.
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9、听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。(1)、When does the man plan to go to Philadelphia?A、On Tuesday. B、On Wednesday. C、On Thursday.(2)、How much does the man have to pay now?A、$100. B、$180. C、$280.(3)、What is the man asked to do before he returns the car?A、Fill up the car. B、Clean the car. C、Take out insurance.
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10、听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。(1)、Where does the woman suggest getting the groceries?A、On a farm. B、In an online store. C、In a physical store.(2)、What will Annie do?A、Visit the Greens. B、Have a rest. C、Make a list.
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11、What did Mary do on Friday night?A、She saw a doctor. B、She went to the concert. C、She visited her grandma.
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12、What does the woman want to do?A、Have a picnic. B、Eat out. C、Do some sunbathing.
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13、Why did Jack quit his job?A、To study a new skill. B、To further his education. C、To get a better position.
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14、What is the man busy doing?A、Making coffee. B、Dealing with work. C、Teaching physics.
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15、Where does the conversation probably take place?A、In a library. B、In a classroom. C、In a bookstore.
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16、假定你是李华,交换生Emily想参加中国日报社主办的"印象中国(My China Moments)"英文作品征集活动,来信向你咨询。请给她写一封回信,内容包括:
1. 作品类型;
2. 作品内容及创意。
注意:
1.写作词数应为80左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Emily,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Best regards,
Li Hua
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17、As a leadership consultant for many years, I've found many of the leaders I work with report feeling frustrated (沮丧的) as they face the continuous change and uncertainty in the growing challenges of their roles. Throughout their careers, leaders are conditioned to come up with the final, correct answer. Given that human's brains are hardwired to see uncertainty as a risk or threat, it's physiologically normal to feel stress when faced with unfamiliar situations.
Sadly, in the world of leadership training, we often celebrate qualities like decisiveness, innovation, and resilience (抗逆力). Without it, even the most talented leaders struggle to sustain their success.
According to the psychological definition, frustration tolerance involves the capacity to bear discomfort, regulate emotional responses, and maintain a forward mindset in the face of challenges. It not only allows leaders to stand the discomfort of building something meaningful without giving up but also helps them stay grounded and purposeful, even when immediate results aren't what they hoped for.
Leaders can train their frustration tolerance by pursuing goals outside of leadership that don't offer instant rewards. Try going to the gym teaching discipline, patience, and the value of gradual progress. These experiences build resilience and reinforce frustration tolerance as a transferable skill. Leadership and entrepreneurship are marathons, not sprints (冲刺). Honoring your energy ensures you're better equipped to handle frustration and maintain the stamina needed for long-term success.
A. They quit their jobs out of the blue.
B. Understandably, it's easy for them to feel this way.
C. In leadership, it is the unsung hero of long-term success.
D. One vital skill — frustration tolerance — is often overlooked.
E. Leadership can't be defined by a one-size-fits-all approach.
F. Developing frustration tolerance isn't easy, but it's possible.
G. Also, remember to prioritize rest and create space to recharge.
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18、Suppose you're preparing for a tennis match. Your mind wanders, envisioning every possible outcome. Do you picture yourself in control? Or does your imagination toy with the idea of failure? The answer matters because it could affect your confidence and, ultimately, how well you will perform in the upcoming match. Although people don't take such moments spent in their imagination as seriously as they should, it can be just as vital as any physical practice, directly impacting your chances of success.
This is especially the case in high-pressure situations where what's happening inside your mind outweighs what's happening outside. Your imagination shapes how you interpret the world around you and is capable of causing the same physiological (生理的) and emotional responses that are caused by external, real-life events. To take just one example, just as emotional pictures and sounds can cause the pupils to widen, so can emotional mental images in the mind.
Another phenomenon highlighting the significance of the imagination is called functional equivalence, which refers to the way the brain doesn't always distinguish between imagining an action and physically doing it. For instance, when athletes vividly imagine running a race or sinking a basket, their brain scans reveal that the same neural circuits (神经回路) are activated as if they were physically performing the task. Other research with athletes using functional MRI (磁共振成像) has shown that mental practice engages regions of the brain involved in controlling the body and also activates areas linked to focus, motivation and emotional regulation.
The principle of functional equivalence extends beyond sports. In one study, pianists were asked to picture moving their fingers across the keys, hearing the tune, and seeing the sheet music. Astonishingly, the same motor areas in their brains lit up as when they actually played.
Many studies like this have proved the connection between mental imagery and realworld performance. Whether you're aiming to build confidence or prepare for a challenge, using your imagination with more intention could make all the difference. The key is to switch your mental channel to an image of capability, control and empowerment.
(1)、How does the author start the text?A、By giving a definition. B、By explaining an opinion. C、By presenting a context. D、By sharing an experience.(2)、In which aspect is mental imagery the same as actual occurrences according to the text?A、Requiring body movements. B、Initiating visual stimulations. C、Affecting physical functions. D、Causing emotional responses.(3)、In which case may functional equivalence occur?A、A learner conducts a discussion with a professor. B、A doctor envisions the procedure of an operation. C、A pianist videos finger movements for perfection. D、A speaker practices a deep breath before a speech.(4)、What can be a suitable title for the text?A、Positive emotion brightens your life B、Mental imagery boosts your success C、Imagination enhances your creativity D、Physical practice unlocks your potential -
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What Urban Bike Shop is all about. . .
We are the go-to platform for cyclists to shop for bike parts and build their own bikes. Additionally, our platform links you to the various bike retailers (零售商) so you can shop for bikes and components more easily.
Our Vision
To promote the joy of cycling and serve as a platform where cyclists can set fitness goals, achieve them, and be rewarded for their efforts, we hope to connect cyclists and inspire them to share their experiences with our year-long events.
(1)、What can participants do in the workshop?A、Maintain fitness through cycling. B、Gain the know-how to build bikes. C、Master the skills of being a trainer. D、Produce bike components by hand.(2)、How much should an Urban Bike Shop member pay for registration in March?A、$420. B、$450. C、$470. D、$500.(3)、What is Urban Bike Shop's long-term goal?A、To make high-end bikes more accessible. B、To attract as many bike retailers as possible. C、To create an interaction network for cyclists. D、To provide free bike maintenance (维修) services. -
20、 阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段,使之构成一篇完整的短文。
"What is your name? " is a question most frequently asked when people meet for the first time. But for me, it was the first challenge I encountered as an international student in Ireland.
The pronunciation system of the Chinese language is quite different from that of English. For native speakers of English, some Chinese words are rather difficult to pronounce. My given name Qiuyu(秋雨), for instance, happened to be a great challenge for many of them. Every time I gave a self-introduction, I had to explain how to pronounce my name at least five times, yet they still could not say it the way I did.
Once in a lecture, the professor tried repeating my name after me over and over in front of thirty classmates. I really did not know whether I should continue correcting him or simply drop the matter. I feared that my classmates might grow tired of my efforts or even lose patience with me. After all, I did care about how others would think of me. I realized that if I didn't stop, the entire lecture would be ruined. "It's okay, professor," I shrugged (耸肩). The awkward moment ended with the class erupting into laughter. I forced a smile, unsure how to respond further.
After that incident, I stopped acting as a "Chinese teacher. " Instead of correcting others when they were struggling to pronounce my name, I just smiled and nodded approvingly. This approach spared me the discomfort of having to over-explain. However, I soon found that by doing so, I might be losing something more important: the opportunity to share a small part of my cultural identity.
注意:(1)续写词数应为150个左右;(2)请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
In a class discussion, I was invited to explain the meaning of my name.
……
Many of my classmates got interested and came up to me after class.