阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

In the heart of the city, nested between the towering skyscrapers, stood a little library that had withstood the test of 1 . Every brick and book in that building held stories not just from the pages, but of the countless souls who had walked its 2 .

Anna, a young writer, often visited this oasis（绿洲）of knowledge. She was on the 3  of publishing her first book but was facing the crippling self-doubt that often troubles creators. One evening, as she wandered between the shelves, she happened to see an old, dusty 4 . It was a journal from the 1800s, written by a then-unknown writer named Lillian.

As Anna skimmed through the pages, she was 5 by Lillian's struggles which mirrored her own. Lillian wrote of her rejections, her moments of despair, and the nights she wanted to give up. But she also wrote of her 6 moments, where the words flowed like a river and the stories took a life of their own.

The final entry was dated a day before Lillian's first book was published. It read, "To the future dreamers who may find this: Remember, every 7 has its dawn. Your struggles are merely the dark before the morning light. Keep writing, keep dreaming, and one day, your stories will light up someone's 8 just as you have lit up mine."

Anna felt a connection to Lillian across the centuries. With renewed 9 , she left the library, ready to face the challenges ahead. For in her heart, she carried Lillian's story—a beacon of hope and a testament to the timeless journey of 10 .

阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。 

Millions of years ago, the Earth  (inhabit) by wonderful creatures that no longer walk our lands. One such creature, the dodo, once thrived on the isolated island of Mauritius. It was a flightless bird  a unique appearance. Sadly, due to human interference and introduced species, these birds were driven to extinction within a few centuries of their (discover).

 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Marie Curie, born in Warsaw, Poland, was a trailblazing physicist and chemist acknowledged for her  (pioneer) research on radioactivity. Not only did she become the first woman  (win) a Nobel Prize, but she also remains the only person who has won Nobel Prizes in both Physics and Chemistry. Her dedication and perseverance in a male-dominated field  (inspire) countless individuals worldwide.

 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

During the Renaissance, a period covers from the 14th to the 17th century, Europe experienced a revival of art, culture, and intellect. Leonardo da Vinci, often referred to as the archetype of the "Renaissance Man", was not only an artist but also inventor, scientist, and mathematician. His painting, the Mona Lisa, is considered one of (famous) iconic works of art. Yet, many of his , although revolutionary, were not built during his lifetime.

阅读理解

Horizon Institute: Annual Winter Workshop

Background

Established in 2005, Horizon Institute is committed to bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. With over 20,000 alumni worldwide, our focus is on providing hands-on experiences in a wide range of disciplines.

Workshop Details:

Dates: December 5th - December 20th

Courses Available: Advanced Mathematics, Experimental Physics, Digital Art Design, and Leadership Dynamics.

Eligibility: Students aged 12-18 with a keen interest in the chosen subject.

Fee: $350 for a single course. Enroll in two or more courses for a 15% discount on the total fee.

Facilities and Features:

State-of-the-art laboratories and design studios.

Interactive sessions with industry experts.

Dedicated mentorship by experienced professionals.

Access to our extensive library and online resources.

Additional Benefits:

Certification upon course completion.

Opportunities for internships in partner organizations.

Networking events with Horizon alumni and industry leaders.

For More Details:

Visit our campus on November 15th for an open house session.

Contact us via email: contact@horizoninstitute.org or call: (456) 789-0123.

1. （1） What is Horizon Institute's primary mission?

   A . Hosting winter workshops every year. B . Organizing networking events for students. C . Linking academic teachings to practical experiences. D . Offering online courses in various disciplines.
3. （2） What can students expect when they join in the workshop?

   A . Free meals throughout the course. B . Personalized one-on-one teaching sessions. C . Interaction with professionals from various industries. D . A chance to study abroad with partner institutions.
5. （3） How can someone gather in-depth information about the workshop?

   A . By browsing the institute's online catalog. B . By attending the open house on November 15th. C . By waiting for the annual newsletter. D . By joining the institute's social media page.

阅读理解

In the sprawling metropolis of Grayville, where skyscrapers touched the heavens and streets were constantly buzzing with life, there existed a unique place called "The Corner of Quietude". It was neither a park nor a building. In fact, it was simply a street corner, marked by a single lamppost with a peculiar sign: "Speak softly, for this is a place of solace".

Legend had it that anyone speaking beneath this lamppost, regardless of the surrounding noise, would find their words drowned out, replaced by an mysterious peace. Over the years, many had come to experience its magic. They spoke of heartbreaks, dreams, regrets, and wishes, seeking solace in its embrace.

Ella, a journalist new to Grayville, stumbled upon this corner during an assignment. Doubtful, she decided to test the legend. Whispering her deepest fears about her failing career and struggles in the big city, she was shocked when all she heard was a calming whisper, almost as if the world around her paused.

Ella dug into the history of "The Corner of Quietude". She discovered that decades ago, a musician named Alaric had lost his voice and would visit the corner every night, playing his silent tunes on a violin, hoping to communicate through his music. Some believed that the corner absorbed Alaric's yearning for expression and became a place for all who sought to voice their innermost emotions.

1. （1） What was unique about "The Corner of Quietude" in Grayville?

   A . It was the oldest park in this busy city. B . It was where Alaric played music every night. C . People found their words replaced by quietness. D . It was a silent zone where no sound was allowed.
3. （2） Why did Ella come to the corner in the first place?

   A . To check the legend. B . To whisper her fears. C . To meet the musician. D . To finish her assignment.
5. （3） How did Ella react upon experiencing the corner's magic?

   A . She felt it was just another city mystery. B . She immediately believed in the legend. C . She wrote an article to clarify the truth. D . She was surprised and felt a sense of calm.
7. （4） What is suggested about the musician Alaric?

   A . He was the founder of Grayville and the corner. B . He reclaimed his voice by playing at the corner. C . He played music to disrupt the peace of the corner. D . His silent tunes contributed to the corner's mysterious sense.

阅读理解

Chinese scientists recently achieved precise total synthesis（合成）of sugar from carbon dioxide in the laboratory, marking a crucial step in artificial sugar synthesis. 

The synthesis, which took more than two years to realize, was achieved by teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology and the academy's Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. Their research was published last week in a paper in Chinese Science Bulletin, a multidisciplinary academic journal.

Sugar is a major source of energy for the human body and a key raw material for industrial production, and it is mainly obtained by extracting it from crops such as sugar cane. However, the traditional method of extraction is limited by the energy conversion efficiency of plant photosynthesis. Moreover, the process of extracting sugar has been affected by uncertain raw material supplies due to land degradation and shortages, ecosystem degradation and extreme weather and natural disasters caused by global warming.

As a result, artificial sugar synthesis has been continually studied by the scientific community in recent years, and scientists around the world have contributed to the effort. In their latest research, the Chinese scientists adjusted high-concentration carbon dioxide and other raw materials in the reaction solution. With the help of chemical catalysts and enzyme（酶）catalysts, they obtained four kinds of sugars: glucose, allulose, tagatose and mannose.

The experiment lasted about 17 hours, much shorter than the time required for traditional methods of sugar extraction, according to Yang Jiangang, lead author of the paper and associate researcher at the Tianjin institute.

The efficiency of sugar synthesis in this study was 0.67 grams per liter per hour, which was more than 10 times higher than the previous results achieved by scientists worldwide. Yang said that the carbon dioxide to sugar conversion rate of glucose reached 59.8 nanomoles of carbon per milligram of catalyst per minute. This is the highest level of artificial sugar production known domestically and internationally.

The study also achieved precise control of artificial sugar synthesis. "By controlling the varied catalytic effects of different enzymes, theoretically almost any type of sugar can be synthesized," Yang said. Regarding the study, Manfred Reetz, a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, said it is a particularly challenging task to convert carbon dioxide into sugars.

The achievement by Chinese scientists has provided a flexible, multifunctional and efficient sugar synthesis route, which opens a door for green chemistry, Reetz said. Green chemistry, similar to sustainable chemistry, is a rapidly developing field that focuses on how to fully utilize raw materials and energy in the process of producing the intended product while minimizing or eliminating the use and generation of harmful substances.

Carbon dioxide to sugar conversion is seen as an example of green chemistry, since it was conducted under normal temperature and pressure conditions and did not yield any harmful substances.

1. （1） Why do scientists keep studying artificial sugar synthesis?

   A . Because sugar is an essential energy source for industrial production. B . Because the traditional extraction approach is not environmentally friendly. C . Because raw material supply is unreliable in the process of traditional sugar extraction. D . Because the traditional extraction approach is less productive than plant photosynthesis.
3. （2） How is the Chinese study significant?

   A . It synthesized almost all types of sugar in the laboratory. B . It controlled varied catalytic effects of different enzymes. C . It converted high-concentration carbon dioxide into sugar. D . It lasted 17 hours, shorter than previous traditional methods.
5. （3） What can we infer from the passage?

   A . Green chemistry helped use up all raw materials to generate more products. B . Carbon dioxide to sugar conversion will be used in industrial production soon. C . Green chemistry is a new field where Chinese scientists will put more efforts on. D . Carbon dioxide to sugar conversion will take up all sugar production due to its efficiency.

阅读理解

Making electricity out of fossil fuels releases lots of greenhouse gases, which accumulate in the atmosphere and heat up the planet. Nuclear power, on the other hand, has the potential to be an almost unlimited and more climate-friendly energy source. That is because in contrast to fossil fuels, no greenhouse gases are released directly during the immediate use of the fuel.

However, there are also several major problems. First, the mining of nuclear fuel is costly and energy intensive and causes many environmental problems. Second, nuclear energy production generates significant amounts of radioactive waste, which is extremely dangerous if not handled safely. Finally, the entire process requires very complex and energy intensive infrastructure（基建）, which contributes to indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

We use computer and mathematical models to understand if it might be possible to redesign nuclear power stations in a way that they run on nuclear waste. This would reduce the negative impacts of current and future nuclear power generation immensely. 

Our model show that it is feasible（可行的） to redesign nuclear power stations in a way they can run on spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Plus, the SNF does not have to be further modified before it is used. Even better, our advanced nuclear power stations do not produce any additional waste. While these innovative power stations do not yet exist, our research indicates that they are a real possibility for the future.

In our research, so-called molten salt reactors seem a promising candidate for the new type of nuclear power station as they could be redesigned to run on SNF. Molten salt reactors operate on fuel melt in liquid salt. Over a lifetime of 60 years, one of these reactors would "eat up" roughly 70 tons of SNF. This amount accumulates in 3 to 4 years of operation in a traditional nuclear power station of comparable size. Our suggested redesign would make nuclear energy generation much more efficient and sustainable, as it could "squeeze out" up to 20 times more energy from already spent nuclear fuel. It would also eliminate any SNF as a source of highly problematic waste.

Creating nuclear power stations that can run on existing nuclear waste is a worthy endeavor, and our feasibility analysis shows that it can likely be done. However, we need a lot of innovative and multidisciplinary research to put this vision into reality. "Eating up" radioactive waste as fuel would eliminate the long-term storage problem of current nuclear waste. Also, it would relieve us from the costs and environmental damages done by mining current nuclear fuel and the complicated processes required for long term operation. The new operational model would only consist of melting the SNF, operating the reactor, and cleaning the fuel salt. All in all, it would reduce many environmental, social and political issues of current nuclear power production. Using our current nuclear waste as fuel would allow us to take full advantage of the climate-friendly aspect of nuclear power generation.

Even in science and technology, it's important to realize when we have to rethink our current approaches and what our options are for improvement. Current nuclear power stations have been created with past technologies and goals in mind. Nowadays, some people claim, they might create often more problems than they solve. We need innovative alternatives to provide sustainable, safe and clean energy for generations to come.

1. （1） When talking about the major problems of nuclear power production, the author tries to say ____.

   A . nuclear energy is not environmental-friendly B . nuclear power plants deserve to be remodeled C . nuclear energy is dangerous and difficult to handle D . nuclear power plants are complex and hard to build
3. （2） What does the word "endeavor" underlined in Paragraph 6 most probably mean?

   A . attempt B . business C . candidate D . design
5. （3） What can we learn from the passage?

   A . The proposed reactor is feasible and likely to be put into use. B . The proposed reactor is economical and operationally effective. C . The proposed reactor can solve the major problems previously mentioned in the passage. D . The proposed reactor can use up SNF from many traditional reactors of comparable size.
7. （4） Which would be the best title of the passage?

   A . Nuclear waste = fuel of the future? B . Nuclear problems = efforts to solve them C . Nuclear power = clean energy for the future! D . Nuclear plants = innovation and multidisciplinary research

根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Have you become really interested in self-improvement lately? This pursuit of more and better things, whether they be better health, clothes, or money has been normalized, but sometimes to the detriment of people's wellbeing. This self-improvement mindset can make you feel disempowered, like you should be someone else. Here are five time-wasting self-improvement habits that are harmful to you.

 Extremely high and unrealistic expectations

Having goals can be very helpful since it can help give you something to work towards and place your energy into. This is a harmful habit because you're not focused on yourself and your enjoyment of life, but on achieving other people's ideals. Remember, you don't have to be perfect, you just need to be yourself.

 The quick culture mentality

The idea about how you must never give up or that you must constantly hustle, even at the expense of your health can be very damaging to your wellbeing. Sometimes, things just don't work out and you need to give up, but that's not a bad thing. As much as there are people who have support themselves and others by working long hours, constantly hustling without taking any breaks for yourself to get your bearings may only lead to burnout.

 Putting aesthetics（审美）over health

Social media can be a tool to help you change your life for the better, it can also mislead how you see yourself and others.  Women are implored to get dangerous, unnecessary cosmetic surgery and men are told to be jacked and in the gym by any means for those gains, but our bodies are not trends that we should be ashamed of.

 Information without application

Like many others, you may decide to apply the self-improvement information once you finished reading all of it, but there are so many books about it and new ones keeps coming out. As powerful as knowledge is, applied knowledge is the best kind. Don't be afraid to apply what you've learnt into the world.

 Visualizations without action

Perhaps you see yourself as a painter, or you wish you'd have a big house. Visualizing the life you want and putting it out there can be a great way to get yourself motivated. However, this can become an issue when you only put it out there and dream about it with nothing in between to bridge the gap. Remember that you have to actually do it to get there.

A. It can be heartbreaking and tough, but it may be necessary. 

B. It will be too bad if you fail to keep your momentum and work on. 

C. You need to create great expectations in order to drive yourself forward.

D. If it lacks the structure and action, all you dreamt about is only a dream.

E. However, you might create wild expectations which are too much for yourself. 

F. Instead of promoting healthy lifestyles, it advertises certain body types as desirable.

G. All of these how-to's can be helpful, but they are useless if you don't actually use them.

阅读下面短文,根据题目要求用英语回答问题。请在答题卡指定区域作答。

Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean on August 24th and will continue to do so for at least 30 years. In the face of strong questioning and opposition from the international community, Japan plays word games by referring to the discharged "nuclear-contaminated water" as "treated nuclear wastewater".

However, the two are fundamentally different. Nuclear wastewater refers to the wastewater produced during the normal, daily operation of a nuclear power plant, such as large quantities of water used to cool down the reactor of the plant. Because the water doesn't touch radioactive substances（放射性物质）in the nuclear reactor, it can be flushed out after strict processing.

Nuclear-contaminated water refers to cooling water that comes into direct contact with radioactive materials inside the reactor when the reactor is breached after a nuclear accident. The cooling water becomes contaminated with highly radioactive substances, thus becoming nuclear-contaminated water. 

The Fukushima nuclear power plant experienced a major incident in 2011, bringing water into contact with radioactive substances. The Japanese side's conflation（混淆）of this with wastewater from normal operations is a deceptive attempt to hide the truth. The Japanese side claims that the multi-nuclide treatment system ALPS is used to treat nuclear contaminated water, and that the treated water is safe and even meets drinking water standards. However, such statements fail to alleviate public concerns. Japan has yet to address major international concerns, such as the long-term reliability of the purification facility, the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear-contaminated water data, and the effectiveness if the monitoring arrangement. This is extremely selfish and irresponsible, as the discharge will spread the risks of nuclear contamination to the rest of the world.

1. （1） How does the Japanese mislead the international community?
3. （2） In what way nuclear-contaminated water is different from nuclear wastewater. 
5. （3） Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.

   > Japan's deceptive attempts to hide the truth alleviate public concerns over the long-term reliability of the purification facility, etc.

7. （4） How is Japan's dumping nuclear-contaminated water related to you? (In about 40 words)