​​​​​​​Off the coast of Santa Barbara — Just yards from the Fish 1,a 22-foot research ship, a humpback whale about twice the size of the boat threw itself out of the water, sending shining droplets in a broken necklace of splash. In the other direction, a cargo ship, piled high with containers, crept closer.

Aboard the Fish 1, a slight figure whose face is wrinkled from years in the sun and saltwater, looked from one to the other. Ocean scientist Douglas McCauley wanted to see whether the near real-time detection system he and his colleagues had developed, Whale Safe, could prevent crashes between whales and ships in the Santa Barbara Channel. By collecting data from several sources, Whale Safe forecasts to ships the chances of meeting a whale and then grades shipping companies on whether they actually slow down during whale migrations.

"We can literally watch all of the ships in California and across the whole ocean; we are better positioned than ever before to try to track damage before it occurs," McCauley said, "We are in trouble if we don't do something different, and I realized that if I kept sticking my head literally underwater or stayed in the lab, these problems weren't going to fix themselves."

Humans have worked in the seas for centuries. But as development has intensified and the planet has warmed, the 43-year-old McCauley has dared to brave the gray area between scientific research and advocacy to try to fix these problems — or at least make them visible.

"One of Doug's notable qualities as a scientist is that he is keen to explore outside the box," said Benjamin Halpern, a professor of marine biology and ocean conservation who has worked with McCauley for about a decade. "He is a very creative thinker, and able to think differently about the solutions to problems and what kinds of research and science can help inform those."

1. （1） Why are the whale and the ship mentioned in paragraph.1?

   A . To tell a story. B . To describe a scene. C . To provide an example. D . To make a comparison.
3. （2） What do we know about Whale Safe?

   A . It alarms the whales about the presence of ships. B . It offers data-driven warnings to the ships. C . It grades shipping companies all year around. D . It records crashes between whales and ships.
5. （3） What can we infer from McCauley' words?

   A . Preventive measures are critical to whale protection. B . Conventional approaches prove effective in damage tracking. C . Underwater investigation guarantees real-time ocean monitoring. D . Laboratory research provides valuable solutions to ocean problems.
7. （4） Which of the following can best describe Douglas McCauley?

   A . Courageous and hard-working. B . Adventurous and open-minded. C . Competitive and forward-looking. D . Innovative and solution-oriented.

The progress of a human being through life might be thought of as mostly gradual changes from the cell to the grave. But if you wake up one morning, look in the mirror, and wonder when you suddenly grew so much older, you may not be imagining things. According to a recent research into the molecular (分子) changes associated with aging, humans experience two sharp lurches forward, one at the average age of 44 and the other at the average age of 60. "We're not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes," geneticist Michael Snyder of Stanford University explained.

Aging is complex, and associated with growing risks of diseases of all kinds. Snyder and his colleagues have been investigating the biology of aging to better understand what changes occur and how, in order to better ease and treat these diseases. To this end, they have been tracking a group of 108 adults, with ages spanning from 25 to 70, who have been donating biological samples every few months over several years. They noticed that in some conditions, such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease, risk doesn't rise gradually with time; it increases sharply after a certain age.

To see if they could identify related changes, the researchers decided to take a closer look at the biomarkers of aging. Each participant submitted an average of 47 samples over 626 days, with the longest-serving participant submitting 367 samples. This wealth of data resulted in more than 246 billion data points, which the researchers then processed, looking for patterns in the changes. Snyder and his colleagues noticed that around 81 percent of all the molecules they studied showed changes at two distinct stages. Changes peaked in the mid-40s, and again in the early 60s, with slight differences.

Despite their findings, the researchers note that their sample size is pretty small, and they tested limited biological samples. Future research could help dig further into this phenomenon, studying it in more detail, across a wider range of subjects, to better understand how the human body changes over time.

1. （1） What does the underlined word "lurches" in paragraph 1 mean?

   A . Rises. B . Advances. C . Conditions. D . Changes.
3. （2） What is the aim of Michael Snyder's research team?

   A . To slow the aging process. B . To extend human lifespan. C . To promote disease treatment. D . To reduce disease risks.
5. （3） What can we learn about the participants?

   A . They experienced identical changes at two age stages. B . Their risk of contracting certain diseases rose with time. C . They donated biological samples monthly over the years. D . Their long-term involvement contributed to the abundance of data.
7. （4） What is author's suggestion for future research?

   A . Expand the sample size. B . Lengthen the research period. C . Increase the number of researchers. D . Improve the data processing efficiency.

Hiking: A Timeless Exercise Gaining Modern Popularity

Hiking, a form of exercise older than exercise itself, is so hot right now. From2018 to 2021, the number of Americans hitting the trails increased from around 48 million to 59 million.

Hiking offers all the cardiovascular (心血管) benefits of walking. The uneven trails strengthen legs and muscles more effectively than walking on flat surfaces. This in turn improves balance and stability, making hiking a full-body workout.

. Spending time in nature and experiencing awe-inspiring landscapes can reduce stress and anxiety. A 2015 study found that people who walked in nature for 90 minutes were less likely to engage in depression — compared to those who walked in urban environments.

However, hiking does carry some risks. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, it's important to take a few simple precautions. If you're a new hiker, go with a friend or join a local group. Remember: The point is to be able to see the views and smell the flowers.

In conclusion, hiking is more than just exercise. By following basic safety guidelines, hikers can ensure they return home safe and ready for their next adventure. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, the trails offer something for everyone.
 

A. Lace up your boots and start exploring.

B. Hiking also promotes mental well-being.

C. But its advantages go further than heart health.

D. Push yourself harder and faster through challenging trails.

E. It's a well-rounded activity that benefits both the body and mind.

F. Always inform someone of your plans and check in with them afterward.

G. This growth reflects hiking's appeal as a way to stay active and connect with nature.

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Chinese animated film Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea (《哪吒之魔童闹海》) has outperformed the Avengers 3: Infinity War with a box office reaching 14.8 billion till March.8th, (rank) sixth in the global film history.

Director Yang Yu, better (know) as Jiaozi, had domestic teams improve the effects. The film is a mix of cultural symbols. It (combine) punk style, modern colloquialism (白话) and other elements such as the "Sichuan-style Mandarin" accent of Master Taiyi, is the tutor of Ne Zha. This practice adds popular symbols to traditional culture, making the film appealing the audience. At the same time, it creates unique cultural identity.

The Global Times spoke with film critics to analyze the reasons behind Ne Zha 2's high box office performance and positive reviews, learning that the film not only matches the 2019 Ne Zha in terms of production quality, with stunning (visual) and an engaging storyline, but also draws on traditional Chinese stories, integrates Eastern philosophy of beauty, and connects (emotional) with viewers.

"This attracts the younger generation arouses a sense of national pride among audiences when they watch," a critic told the Global Times. Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, noted that the popularity of Ne Zha, alongside strong IP (recognize) played a critical role in attracting large audiences to theaters.

假设你是高三学生李华，高考以后即将迎来一个长暑假。请你以"我的暑期成长计划"为题，写一篇短文，向校英语报"畅想未来"栏目投稿，内容包括：

1.提出你想实现的一个目标；

2.阐述你的理由。

注意：

1.写作字数应为80左右;

2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

My Summer Growth

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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。

Mr. Whiteside was more than a regular teacher; he belonged to those rare educators who truly loved teaching. His joy spread through his smile as he stood by the geometry blackboard, showing his passion for plane geometry (平面几何). I was a quiet, shy student who rarely spoke up — never causing trouble or drawing attention. Yet in his class, plane geometry unexpectedly became my favorite subject. Through his lively teaching, the clear logic of geometric principles quietly awakened interest in my usually silent heart.

Toward the end of the year, Mr. Whiteside wanted to check our knowledge of geometry and gave us 25 true/ false questions — a nationally standardized test: The test presented each problem with a conclusion shown. If we could prove the result using rules we learnt in math class, the answer was true. If it couldn't be proved, it was false.

I quickly finished 24 problems. However, number 17 seemed to be a great challenge. I knew deep down that I had the ability to prove its truth, but the exact approach was not immediately obvious. Finally, I spent 30 minutes working on that proof until it was completed. Satisfied, I marked the question true and handed in the completed test.

The following day, when the results came back, my score was an impressive 96, signaling a solid grasp of the subject. However, to my surprise and disappointment, number 17 was marked as incorrect. It was a blow to my confidence, but I couldn't ignore the efforts I had put into that problem. I clearly remembered that I had racked my brain to cover my page with related lines, figures and formulas until the proof was there at last.

When Mr. Whiteside asked if there were any questions, for the first time, gathering all my courage, I raised my hand and spoke up, "The correct answer to number 17 is true!"

Instead of arguing that this was a nationally standardized test, Mr. Whiteside did the most powerful thing I have ever seen a teacher do.

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。

Para. 1 Nodding smilingly, he held out his chalk to me in front of the class.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Para.2 From that day in his geometry class, something changed.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From forgotten beaches, ancient castles to soaring desert dunes (沙丘) , Morocco boasts the best locations for hiking, surfing, swimming and sleeping under the stars.

Anti-Atlas Mountains

Extending from the Atlantic coast to the edge of the Sahara and with a huge variety of terrain, the Anti-Atlas Mountains cater for even the most indecisive traveller. Above all, Anti-Atlas is agadir country (the word means wall) . The landscape is dotted with these remarkable walls. Built from stone and clay, they were typically set on hilltops or cliffs to provide protection from attack.

The Mediterranean coast

Unlike Morocco's Atlantic coast, the country's Mediterranean coastline is a less well-known destination. Of all the beaches in this area, Plage Ihttpye n is the best. Hidden from view behind two enormous red cliffs east of Port Sidi Hsaïn, and accessible only by a steep rocky path, it's an incredible peaceful and picturesque spot, with crystalline waves lapping against the pebble shore and curious rock formations rising from the waves.

Agadir

Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Agadir quickly became a booming trading post, growing rich on the profits of sugar and spices. In 1960, an earthquake destroyed most of the city and paved the way for its rebirth as a tourist resort. This is the place if you're seeking sun, sand and surf; the coastline around Agadir is the heartland of Morocco's surf scene and you don't have to look far to discover quieter surfing beaches.

Merzouga

Located at the edge of the Sahara's shifting sands, Merzouga has become one of the main desert centers for travellers. The drive there involves a dramatic journey over high mountains and remote river valleys, a panorama (全景) outshone only by the view at the end of the road: the soaring dunes of Erg Chebbi stand in magnificence on the horizon. Climb to the top of the 150-metre-high dunes after the winter rains and you can gaze down on to Merzouga Lake, a watering hole frequented by a colony of flamingos (火烈鸟) and occasional camel herders.

1. （1） What do we know about the Anti-Atlas Mountains?

   A . They serve as a trade center. B . They overlook the Arctic Ocean. C . They feature defensive structures. D . They attract desert enthusiasts.
3. （2） What do Agadir and Merzouga have in common?

   A . Peaceful coastline views. B . Unique animal experiences. C . Beautiful natural scenery. D . Magnificent desert dunes.
5. （3） Where is the text probably taken from?

   A . A travel magazine. B . A marine study. C . A historical record. D . A geography textbook.

Will machines turn on humanity? Will we become slaves for a superior artificial intelligence? While such questions may seem to belong to the field of science fiction, the world-ending potential of AI is becoming an increasingly urgent topic—mostly due to the rapid ongoing development of popular technologies like ChatGPT.

The more extreme concerns around AI involve what's known as the singularity. In his 2010 paper The Singularity: A Philosophical Analysis, the philosopher David Chalmers describes the singularity as follows: "What happens when machines become more intelligent than humans? One view is that this event will be followed by an explosion to ever-greater levels of intelligence, as each generation of machines creates more intelligent machines in turn. This intelligence explosion is now known as the ‘singularity'." The main worry is that, if such a singularity event were to occur, we'd no longer have authority over what happens in society.

While influential figures across AI research express real concern about the singularity, however, American philosopher Daniel Dennett doesn't buy it. As he puts it, "I am not worried about humanity creating a race of super-intelligent agents, but that does not mean I am not worried. I see other, less dramatic, but much more likely, scenarios in the immediate future that are cause for concern." He argues that smart technology presents us with more practical threats that have a far higher likelihood of occurring. As Dennett clarifies: "The real danger is not that machines more intelligent than we are will usurp (篡夺) our role as captains of our destinies, but that we will overestimate the comprehension of our latest thinking tools, easily ceding (让渡) authority to them far beyond their competence. "

Take transport. It's not just aviation and shipping industries that depend on GPS for safe and efficient navigation: how many individuals now turn to their smartphones instead of using a road map? As Dennett summarizes: "Use it or lose it is the rule of thumb cited at this point. . . how concerned should we be that we are dumbing ourselves down by our growing reliance on intelligent machines? "

1. （1） What makes the future of AI become a hot topic?

   A . Advancement of technologies. B . Popularity of science fiction. C . Humanity of machines. D . Rise of unemployment.
3. （2） Which of the following can best describe "singularity"?

   A . It is a fictional design that populates science novels. B . It is a hypothetical point where machines beat human intelligence. C . It is a mathematical model that predicts the development of AI. D . It is a possible situation where intelligence explosion is under control.
5. （3） According to Daniel Dennett, what should we really worry about?

   A . The probable occurrence of singularity. B . Human's creation of super thinking tools. C . Machine's dominance over human beings. D . Human's misjudgment of AI's capabilities.
7. （4） What would be the best title for the text?

   A . Super-intelligence: the future trend of AI. B . Overreliance: the real danger of AI. C . Singularity: the uncontrollable nature of AI. D . Reliability: the wide application of AI.

There is a busy street corner near a bus station where kids change buses going to or from school. The area is far from attractive:1 traffic roars nearby, and grey buildings tower like concrete giants. Yet amid this urban gloom grows a lively garden called "Pete's Patch" —a2 created in nine and a half minutes.

Pete is one of the kids who, for nine and a half minutes each day, have to3 here to change buses. The station smelled strongly of gas, and the nearby land, once possibly a garden, now lay4 with trash—cans, wrappers, and chicken boxes. Most kids5 their time complaining, but Pete felt restless. He began to think: why not make these minutes6 for him and others.

One Monday, he arrived with bags and gloves. As he piled the7 into bags, his classmates teased: ‘Why8 yourself? It'll just get dirty again!" But Pete persisted. On the weekend, he dragged 12 bags to the landfill.

Next, he spent pocket money on tulips and lavender (薰衣草) seeds. Each day, he9 the soil and watered seedlings. Slowly, green shoots emerged. Teasing turned to awe when blossoms10 color to the cheerless corner. Kids began using trash bins; some even11 to help water.

One afternoon, an elderly man12 Pete. "I used to garden here decades ago." he said, handing Pete a watering can. "You've13 its soul."

Now, "Pete's Patch" thrives. What was once14 is now a symbol of community pride. Pete's story proves that small acts, if patiently nurtured, can grow into something15 .