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上海市古美高级中学2023学年第二学期期中考试
高二年级英语试卷答案
I. Listening Comprehension
1. B 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. C 6. C 7. C 8. B 9. B 10. D
11. A 12. B 13. C 14. B 15. B 16. D 17. B 18. D 19. D 20. B
II. Grammar and Vocabulary
21. D 22. A 23. C 24. B 25. A 26. B 27. C 28. A 29. D 30. D
31. to overestimate 32. named 33. who/that 34. Whether 35. less skillful
36. having 37. that 38. with/to 39. those 40. embrace
41. G 42. D 43. I 44. A 45. K 46. B 47. F 48. H 49. J 50. E
III. Reading Comprehension
51. B 52. A 53. B 54. C 55. A 56. C 57. C 58. B 59. C 60. D
61. B 62. C 63. D 64. A 65. C 66. A 67. B 68. C 69. C 70. B
71. C 72. C 73. B 74. F 75. D 76. A 77. C
IV. Summary Writing
78.
People are seeking innovative ways to tackle tensions in modern life. Studies indicate that birdsongs and other nature sounds such as waves lapping or light rainfall have a healing effects on one’s moods. Meanwhile, recordings of nature sounds will deliver the same effect. Therefore, in order to unwind, expose yourself to natural surroundings in person or via headphones. (58 words)
V. Vocabulary Review
79. G 80. B 81. A 82. D 83. K 84. J 85. E 86. C 87. I 88. H
VI. Translation
89. In order to cut carbon emission, the organizer has called on everyone to take/use public transport.
90. After experiencing the severe earthquake, the residents here consider it necessary to prepare a survival kit at home in case similar tragedies (should) happen.
91. Our team had thought we were sure to defend the championship, only to see our opponent reverse the situation in the last minute.
92. Daughters and sons should show more concern for the elderly who are uncomfortable about/with smart phones so that they won’t feel at a loss because they can’t keep pace with the times.
VII. Guided Writing（略）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: Mary, why isn’t Mrs. Green teaching here this term
W: She can’t. She was fired.
Q: Why isn’t Mrs. Green teaching this term
2. M: The blood test shows that my liver doesn’t seem to be in good condition.
W: I think you’d better cut down on wine consumption.
Q: What does the woman suggest the man do
3. M: For dessert, I want to have an ice cream. How about you
W: No, thanks. I am a little full.
Q: What does the woman mean
4. W: I am wondering if there’s a service charge for our meal in such a fancy restaurant
M: I think so. The menu says the service charge is 10 percent.
Q: How much is the service charge if the food costs $80
5. W: Professor Smith caught some students cheating on the final exam and failed them right then and
there.
M: Serve them right. I don’t sympathize with anyone trying to pass that way.
Q: What is the man’s attitude towards what Professor Smith did
6. W: Hi Mike, I hear you have found a new place.
M: Yeah, the apartment is pretty nice, but after living there a couple of months, I am wondering if I
can afford to stay in it.
Q: What does the man imply
7. M: Frank is certainly in a good mood.
W: The bargain he got on his new cellphone made him very happy.
Q: What does the woman say about Frank
8. M: Where have you been We were supposed to meet at the library half an hour ago.
W: Yeah, I know. I’m really sorry. I guess I just lost track of the time.
Q: What can be learned about the woman from the conversation
9. M: I don’t feel like going out. Why don’t we just stay home and watch a football match on TV
W: Come on. You promised to take me out for dinner and to the theatre on our wedding anniversary.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation
10. M: I’m the only one in class who didn’t sign up for the biology field trip. Walking in the rain can’t
be fun.
W: No. But I’ve got the feeling your classmates will come back knowing some things you won’t
know.
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 three 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.
Pictures of the bird called the red siskin appear on Venezuela’s money, on products and in school books. The “Little Cardinal,” as the bird is known, is loved by Venezuelans. But the small song bird is disappearing from the wild. It has become the victim of shrinking forests.
That threat has brought together an international team. The team includes scientists from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. and coffee farmers in Venezuela’s mountains. They hope to save the bird. The plan is to have farmers plant organic coffee plants. Such coffee plants are covered with branches which make good nesting places for the birds.
The Red Siskin Initiative began about three years ago on a budget of less than $100,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private groups in the U.S. and Venezuela. Planting organic coffee crops with branches stops farmers from increasing production by thinning their coffee crops to let more sun onto their fields.
Farmers who meet the project’s rules will win the right to sell their beans with “Bird Friendly” labels. They will be able to set prices for such “high quality” products that can be five times higher than legal prices set by the government. At the same time, a red siskin breeding center is being built at a private zoo in Venezuela. There, 200 birds are expected to be born next year. This number will be added to the 25 siskins at the Smithsonian Institution. Red siskins from the center will be placed in the coffee plants. These efforts could prevent the birds from disappearing.
There are reports of early success. About 40 farmers in the mountains of Carayaca, northwest of the capital Caracas, have stopped cutting down trees, a move that will help the siskin.
Now listen again.
Questions
11. What did coffee farmers do that put red siskins in danger
12. How can farmers benefit from planting organic coffee crops
13. What is the passage mainly about
Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.
Today I’m going to talk about the commercial jingle. So, first of all, what is it Well, it’s a word, a phrase, or a sentence that is set to music. It could be very simple, for example just a company name, if that’s the most important message to get across.
Jingles have been in existence since the birth of commercial radio in the USA in the 1920s. It is generally believed that the modern commercial jingle took off on Christmas Eve 1926, when a group of four signers was heard performing a jingle for a breakfast cereal. The product in question had not been selling well but sales increased noticeably after the broadcast.
In the early 1930s, listening to the radio was very popular in the States—there was no television then of course. The rules on advertising did not permit the direct promotion of products during peak listening hours. The jingle was a clever way round this problem, and so advertisers started using them a lot. For example, one long-running radio series called The Adventures of the Jenkins Family began with a short rhyming jingle for a dessert. Interestingly, this product was the first of its type to be marketed in the United States, and the catchy rhyme made a big impact on the public.
Now listen again.
Questions
14. What is the passage mainly about
15. According to common belief, when did the modern commercial jingle take off
16. Why did advertisers start using commercial jingles a lot in the 1930s
Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.
W: Dr. Rosenthal, nice to see you again. Today we will still talk about the human brain. Actually, I sometimes feel as if my brain works more and more slowly. So, do our brains work less well as we get older
M: Well, not necessarily. The brain keeps growing in size until you’re 18, but it continues to develop until you’re in your late 40s. After that, it’s “use it or lose it!”
W: OK. We’ve heard a lot in recent years about right- and left-brain functions. Could you take us through that area briefly
M: Yes, of course. We’re familiar with the brain having two sides, and each side of the brain largely interacts with just one half of the body. The left side of the brain is more responsible for language, math, and logic, while the right side deals with aspects of spatial awareness, face recognition, and visual imagery. It’s not as clear-cut as many people think, though. For example, the right side of the brain is also important for language, helping us to recognize emphasis. Generally, both sides are needed for different aspects of all functions.
W: Mmm. I see. Anyway, is there anything we should do to take care of our brains
M: Well, the brain is 60% fat and needs energy for fuel, so it does need us to eat regularly. And the food needs to be good quality. Junk food, like fried chickens and hamburgers is no-no as far as brain function is concerned. And the same for sugary drinks with lots of additives.
W: So, I imagine plain water is best for the brain
M: That’s right. Water is a must for brain function. Studies have shown that children who were allowed to drink water during a two-hour exam had noticeably better results.
W: Hmm. And exercise
M: Yes, some exercise gets more oxygen to the brain, so it’s great for brainpower. It can work the other way, too. In one experiment, volunteers were asked to spend fifteen minutes a day just thinking about exercising their arms and developing their arm muscles. After twelve weeks, their arms were 13% stronger—without actually exercising them.
W: No! That’s unbelievable!
M: And exercise also promotes the growth of new brain cells. Scientists used to think that we were born with all brain cells, but now we know that we keep producing them throughout our lifetime, and exercise is one of the best ways to achieve this.
W: Ah, the ability to produce new brain cells … That’s very reassuring, and a good note to end on! Thank you very much.
Now listen again.
Questions
17. Which of the following statement is true of the development of the human brain
18. What does Dr Rosenthal say about the two sides of the brain
19. Which food does more good to the human brain
20. What good does exercise do to the human brain
That’s the end of listening comprehension.上海市古美高级中学2023学年第二学期期中考试
高二年级英语试卷
高二___ 班_____号 姓名__________得分____________
I. Listening Comprehension（20分）
Section A（10分）
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. A. She is tired of teaching. B. She no longer works here.
C. She has just resigned. D. She is too busy.
2. A. Have a blood test. B. Drink less wine.
C. Consume more alcohol. D. Watch his weight.
3. A. She doesn’t need any dessert. B. She wants to eat more to feel full.
C. She prefers something else for dessert. D. She doesn’t think the ice cream is good.
4. A. $8. B. $10. C. $18. D. $80.
5. A. Doubtful. B. Critical. C. Supportive. D. Uninterested.
6. A. He’ll move into his new apartment in a couple of months.
B. He’d like the woman to find him a new apartment.
C. The apartment might be too expensive for him.
D. The apartment is far from his expectation.
7. A. He paid a high price for his new cellphone. B. He has just earned a big sum of money.
C. He is pleased with his new purchase. D. He loves doing shopping.
8. A. She couldn’t find her watch. B. She feels bad about being late.
C. She forgot what time the library closed. D. She had never agreed to meet the man.
9. A. The man is too tired to go out.
B. The woman insists on going out.
C. The man promised the woman a gift on her birthday.
D. The woman prefers to stay at home at their wedding anniversary.
10. A. She wouldn’t consider going on the field trip.
B. She thinks the class is too difficult for the man.
C. She has been on the trip herself and has enjoyed it.
D. She thinks there’s a good reason to take the field trip.
Section B （10分）
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.
11. A. They thinned their coffee crops.
B. They planted too much coffee crops.
C. They occupied Venezuela’s mountains.
D. They drove away red siskins from the forest.
12. A. They can get funds from the government.
B. They can sell the coffee beans at a higher price.
C. They can prevent coffee plants from disappearing.
D. They can attract more consumers with the quality beans.
13. A. Organic coffee beans developed to increase the production.
B. Coffee farmers who are devoted to bird protection.
C. A project intended to save an endangered bird.
D. A private zoo serving as a breeding center.
Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.
14. A. The different types of commercial jingle.
B. The early years of the commercial jingle.
C. The importance of the commercial jingle.
D. The reason why the commercial jingle emerges.
15. A. In the early1920s. B. In 1926.
C. In the early 1930s. D. In 1936.
16. A. Televisions began to take the place of radios gradually.
B. The public was more likely to be impacted by words sung with music.
C. The market in the United States started to care about consumers’ taste.
D. The direct promotion of products was not allowed in peak listening hours.
Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.
17. A. It stops growing in size while you are approaching 40.
B. It keeps developing until you are in the late 40s.
C. It stops developing while you are 18.
D. It keeps growing in size all your life.
18. A. They interact with each other less often than thought.
B. The left side is more responsible face recognition.
C. The right side deals mainly with math and logic.
D. They need to work together to function.
19. A. Fried chickens. B. Hamburgers. C. Sugary drinks. D. Plain water.
20. A. It gets the brain to become stronger.
B. It helps the production of new brain cells.
C. It enables the brain to consume less oxygen.
D. It allows the brain to remain active all day long.
II. Grammar and Vocabulary （25分）
Section A （5分）
Directions: Beneath each of the following sentences there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one answer that best completes the sentence.
21. The majority of dictionaries are labeled desk dictionaries, __________ (range) from about 50,000 entries to 200,000 entries.
A. range B. ranged C. to range D. ranging
22. He went out of the room and left the door half __________ (shut).
A. shut B. shutting C. shutted D. to shut
23. __________ (involve) in leisure-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while drawing our attention away from our worries and troubles.
A. Involving B. Involved C. Being involved D. To involve
24. Unless metals are polished frequently, they rust when __________ (expose) to air.
A. being exposed B. exposed C. exposing D. to be exposed
25. Friendship between Chinese may become lifelong attachments, with mutual obligations __________ (extend) into each other’s families.
A. extending B. extended C. to be extended D. being extended
26. I am so thankful and proud __________ (give) the opportunity to lead this kind of lifestyle, which someday will be passed on to my grandchildren .
A. to give B. to be given C. giving D. being given
27. I was about to leave the classroom when some students came to me and asked several questions __________ (cover) translation.
A. to cover B. to be covered C. covering D. covered
28. The rich life the businessman had long been used to __________ (change) greatly soon after the big failure of his business.
A. changed B. changing C. to change D. was changed
29. It is no use regretting __________ (not work) hard last term. What you should do is to make up your mind __________ (accomplish) your task.
A. not to work; accomplishing B. not working; accomplishing
C. not to work; to accomplish D. not working; to accomplish
30. Many people find themselves __________ (stick) in jobs without a hope of advancement, so they feel a need to get more education __________ (get ahead) at work.
A. sticking; to get B. being stuck; getting ahead
C. being stuck; getting ahead D. stuck; to get ahead
Section B （10分）
Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
Knowing Our Limitations
Humans can be poor judges of their own ability. So, you might not be as good, or as bad, as you think you are. Psychologists have found the less expertise（专业知识） you have in something, the more likely you are (31)_________ (overestimate) your competence in it. And in a digital era where confident social media influencers give you “life skills”, and face-to-face conversation is more limited, this psychological phenomenon seems important to remember.
This concept is called the Dunning-Kruger effect, (32)_________ (name) after the psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger. Back in the 90s, they found a correlation between a person's lack of skills and ability and a lack of awareness of lack of ability. They are ignorant to their own limitations. This plays out in various areas of life, such as in medical diagnosis. For example, Dunning told BBC Radio 4 that, one third of the time, doctors disagree with patients (33)_________ self-diagnose using internet sources rather than seeing a medical professional. (34)_________ it's judging jokes, logical reasoning, or grammar, the pattern is the same: the (35)_________ (skillful) you are, the more over-confident you are.
On the opposite side is intellectual modesty. This means (36)_________ (have) a humble or low view of your importance or abilities. Elizabeth J. Krumrei-Mancuso, Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University, found (37)_________ a higher willingness to acknowledge cognitive limitations, and the ability to embrace diverse perspectives, is connected (38)_________ a more accurate perception of intelligence.
How can we use this knowledge to help us in everyday life Tenelle Porter, a psychologist at Rowan University, told the BBC that knowing this "opens us up to being intellectually humble, to admitting everything that we don't yet know". And current studies suggest that (39)_________ with higher intellectual modesty are more open to negotiating, compromising and exploring information.
So, (40)_________ (embrace) the unknown and remember, there's always more to learn.
Section C （10分）
Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.
(
A. unjustified
B. consequently
C. invasion
D. executive
E. company
F. exerted
G. exploitative
H. corresponding
I. irritably
J. flourishing
K. dismissed
)
Balancing Profit and Privacy in the Digital Age
Concerns about privacy are becoming increasingly widespread as companies prioritize profit over ethical considerations. The rise of technology has enabled businesses to engage in increasingly (41)__________ practices, often at the expense of user privacy.
Many (42)__________ teams are under pressure and therefore have started adopting tricky strategies to maximize profits. Personal data is collected and analyzed without authorization, and users may find themselves (43)__________ flooded with targeted advertisements based on their online behavior, which is annoying to say the least. Moreover, the rise of social media platforms has worsened privacy concerns. These platforms often require users to agree to lengthy and (44)__________ terms of service, granting the company broad access to their personal data. Despite user protests, these concerns are often (45)__________ by companies in favor of financial gain. As a result, users may feel powerless in the face of corporate interests. The negative impact of this practice can be far-reaching as it affects not only individuals’ privacy but also their freedom of choice.
There is growing awareness and pushback against these practices. Regulatory bodies and advocacy groups are (46)__________ calling for greater responsibility from companies regarding their data collection and usage policies. For instance, the European Union has implemented the General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR), which has (47)__________ considerable international influence on online platforms. It requires organizations to handle and store personal information responsibly and also gives individuals more control over their personal data. The (48)__________ regulations of this kind, as some critics believe, serves as a deterrent(震慑因素) for companies engaging in unethical data collection practices.
While technological advancements have brought numerous benefits, it is fundamental for businesses to prioritize ethical considerations and respect users’ privacy. Only by doing so can they build trust and maintain positive relationships with their customers in the long run. Failure to uphold these principles may endanger the (49)__________ of their business and lead to reputational damage. Businesses must ensure that their practices side with ethical standards and regulations to keep (50)__________ with the best practices in the industry and maintain consumer trust.
III. Reading Comprehension （39分）
Section A （15分）
Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
I imagine a young man, a senior in high school. His academic performance is good enough. However, just as his parents are about to send the ____51____ check to a college where he has been accepted, the young man admits that he doesn’t want to go to college. He wants to work, to earn a living, to be out on his own.
Children have to build their own lives. But parents don’t want them to commit errors that will make it harder to build those lives. How should children and their parents think about this ___52____
College is often discussed as a(n)___53____ in the future: You pay up front so you can benefit abundantly for the rest of your life. The financial benefits of a college education over the past decades indeed look great. However, past performance won’t necessarily ensure future returns. To make the plots more ____54____, from 1989 to 2016, college tuition went up by 98 percent. This has led to a lot of student-loan debt.
It may be worth the cost for some kids who want to go into a field that requires a college degree, but others don’t know what they want to do after college, so for them college is like buying an expensive ____55____for future employment. Still, it’s worth noting that in 2019, just 66 percent of college graduates were in jobs requiring a college degree. What’s more, as of 2010, only 27 percent were in jobs related to their college major.
Perhaps you don’t primarily use ___56___ analysis to make decisions about your life or your child’s. But everyone wants to be happy, and wants their child to be happy as well. So let’s look at the___57___ effects of college.
Some scholars have found that, when controlling for other factors in life such as income and religious faith, education by itself has no independent explanatory ____58___ over happiness. Some actually believe that education is negatively linked to happiness, and hypothesize that some college attendees exchange life satisfaction for their academic ____59____. And there’s all that student debt to consider. According to a Gallup study, student debt is negatively correlated with financial and physical health and sense of purpose, and is ___60____ low well-being on these dimensions for as long as 25 years after graduation.
____61____, the only thing we can say with assurance is, “It depends.” On what On the unique ____62____ of each person. A child’s gifts, circumstances, and career ambitions all affect whether college is the right choice. Most of all, it depends on what they want to do. As a longtime academic, I can assure you that the No. 1 ____63____of a failure to thrive in college is not wanting to be there in the first place.
That may be obvious to would-be students, but to many of their parents it isn’t. The college decision is often as much about the parents as it is about their kids. It’s easy to ____64____our own desires onto our kids—to try to see our own potential come alive through them.
But it’s a mistake. No one can build a life alone—we all need help—but in the end, our lives are our own. Each of our lives is a start-up enterprise, and there is not just one path to success. The college-for-all fever that has overtaken much of our culture ____65___gifts that our kids have to develop and share. In fact, building their life with integrity and grit is what all parents could ever ask.
51. A. security B. deposit C. information D. routine
52. A. dilemma B. landscape C. consequence D. disappointment
53. A. shelter B. investment C. prospect D. victory
54. A. evident B. fancy C. complicated D. realistic
55. A. insurance B. scam C. maintenance D. lesson
56. A. trial-error B. question-answer C. cost-benefit D. pros-cons
57. A. health B. society C. happiness D. education
58. A. concern B. power C. favor D. advantage
59. A. prejudice B. panic C. ambition D. unemployment
60. A. applied to B. blamed on C. informed of D. associated with
61. A. However B. Therefore C. Otherwise D. Furthermore
62. A. fates B. decisions C. qualities D. inputs
63. A. qualification B. coverage C. witness D. predictor
64. A. project B. owe C. adjust D. prefer
65. A. highlights B. justifies C. ignores D. visualizes
Section B （16分）
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have read.
(A)
I used to think my little comer of urban England was somewhere I could get away from the stress and strain of modern-day life — until they moved in next door. There are two of them. They are white, woolly and probably have sharp teeth as well as loud bark. But every time their constant barking interrupts my sleep, I remind myself that, in many respects, I am lucky. The neighbors don’t hold all-night parties, nor do they shout or throw crockery at each other, and though their dogs may bark, they don’t bite.
According to a recent consumer magazine report on “nightmare neighbors”, dogs are the fifth most common source of bad relations between neighbors. Noise of any description heads the list of complaints, followed by DIY enthusiasts, parking quarrelling, and arguments over house extensions.
So what alternatives are there One is to take legal action. But this can be time-consuming and expensive and does nothing to improve already difficult relationships. The other alternatives are to sell up and go, or to try to reach a solution with the help of someone neutral. Mediation UK — the United Nations equivalent of garden fence conflicts — was set in 1984 to help resolve community disagreements.
In most cases, the lack of communication is found the main cause of conflict. David Nation of Plymouth Mediation points to poor public housing and widespread unemployment as additional factors. He also reports more cases of complaints from people who live in flats. Large houses built in the nineteenth century and designed as single-occupation family homes have, he says, been changed into flats with little or no attention to sound insulation. Dividing walls are paper thin and hardly block out sound at all.
Buyers can also be put off by the external appearance of neighboring houses. Anything from wild, uncared for gardens to unusual external color schemes can put off buyers — even though the offending property is next door. But it could be worse. John Gladden, of Norbury in Surrey upset his neighbors in St Oswald’s Road by mounting a huge fish in fiberglass (玻璃纤维) and putting it on the roof of his house. The local council argued that he should have got planning permission; residents thought the fish did nothing to improve the appearance of the neighborhood, and war broke out. Sightseers poured in and homes near the suburban property can now be hard to sell.
66. Why doesn’t the writer like her next-door neighbor’s dogs
A. They wake her up. B. They occasionally bark.
C. They are aggressive. D. They remind her of sheep.
67. According to the recent consumer magazine report, people argue with their neighbors mostly about __________.
A. dogs B. noise C. parking D. DIY
68. What does “it” in the last paragraph refer to
A. the color scheme B. the garden C. the situation D. the house
69. The purpose of this passage is to __________.
A. inform people what to do if they have problems with their neighbors
B. describe the writer’s own problems with her neighbors.
C. illustrate the types and causes of problems between neighbors
D. explain the activities of the organization Mediation UK
(B)
We are encountering real-world examples of how AI can harm human relations. As digital assistants such as Alexa or Siri become popular, we are becoming accustomed to talking to them as though they were alive; writing in these pages last year, Judith Shulevitz described how some of us are starting to treat them as friends and therapists. Shulevitz herself says she confesses things to Google Assistant that she wouldn’t tell her husband. If we grow more comfortable talking to our devices about our secrets, what happens to our human marriages and friendships Designers and programmers typically create devices whose responses make us feel better—but may not help us be self-reflective or think over painful truths. As AI goes deeper into our lives, we must face the possibility that it will prevent our emotions and deep human connects.
Besides, we will fight with some other challenges. The age of driverless cars, after all, is upon us. These vehicles promise to substantially reduce the exhaustion and distraction that put human drivers in danger, thus preventing accidents. But what other effects might they have on people Driving is a very modern kind of social interaction, requiring high levels of cooperation. I worry that driverless cars, by taking away from us an occasion to exercise this ability, could contribute to its decline.
Not only will these vehicles be programmed to take over driving duties and hence to remove from humans the power to make moral judgments (for example, about which pedestrian to hit when a crash is inevitable), they will also affect humans with whom they’ve had no direct contact. For instance, drivers who have steered awhile alongside an autonomous vehicle traveling at a steady, invariant speed might drive less attentively, thus increasing their likelihood of accidents once they’ve moved to a part of the highway occupied only by human drivers. Alternatively, experience may reveal that driving alongside autonomous vehicles travelling in perfect accordance with traffic laws actually improves human performance.
Either way, we should be careful to launch new forms of AI without first taking such social spillovers—or externalities, as they’re often called—into account. We must apply the same effort that we apply to the hardware and software that make self-driving cars possible to managing AI’s potential effects on those outside the car. After all, we install brake lights on the back of your car not just, or even primarily, for your benefit, but for the sake of the people behind you.
70. What can be inferred about human relationships from the first paragraph
A. We will feel comfortable speaking to others online.
B. AI will lead to shallow inter-personal relationships.
C. AI will enable people to communicate more with others.
D. We will be more self-reflective in interaction thanks to AI.
71. In paragraph 2, the phrase “its decline” refers to the decline in _____.
A. drivers’ interaction with the cars
B. drivers’ exhaustion and distraction
C. our ability to cooperate with others while driving
D. our ability to deal with emergencies while driving
72. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true of driverless cars
A. They may be better at making more judgments than human drivers.
B. They need to vary their speed to make contact with human drivers.
C. They may make human drivers in other cars drive more safely.
D. They need to force human drivers to concentrate in the car.
73. Which of the following is the writer most likely to agree with
A. Brake lights on the back of our car are installed mainly to warn us of danger.
B. We should figure out how new technology affects people before developing it.
C. It is hard to say why social spillovers will work in terms of self-driving cars.
D. More effort should be made to advance the hardware and software of driverless cars.
Section C （8分）
Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.
Astronaut Harry Hartfield reports an example of this where a colleague threatened to open the airlock and drain the oxygen from the spacecraft. The sacrifices of astronauts contributed to a giant leap in space exploration. It can also help those of us who are staying on Earth. Weightlessness caused by a lack of gravity can lead to a loss of bone and muscle mass. The missions do great harm to both physical and mental health of astronauts. It was only supposed to be 180, but a technical fault stopped him from returning as planned.
Health in space
Astronaut Frank Rubiales has returned to Earth after 371 days in space. 74 Unlucky for him, but very lucky for scientists who want to see what effects spending an extended time in space has on the human body.
Being in space can affect physical wellbeing. 75 Astronauts are recommended 150 minutes of exercise per day to counteract this. Also, space traveller's eyes can be affected by the way that fluids act in zero-gravity. Outside the protection of the Earth's atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to much higher levels and different forms of solar radiation. This can potentially cause long-term health problems, such as cancer.
It's not just physical health that is affected by being in space. Our mental health can be damaged if we don't get enough sleep. On earth, our bodies respond through circadian rhythms（昼夜节奏） to the Sun rising and setting to help us sleep, but astronauts on board the International Space Station see 16 sunsets and sunrises every day. This means that avoiding sleep deprivation is a challenge. Isolation, and spending all your time with a small group of people can also affect mental health. Along with isolation, is the pressure that comes from being constantly monitored by experts back on Earth. With possible future missions to Mars predicted to last three years, tensions within the crew could become heightened. 76
Developing new techniques and technology to support astronauts' health will enable more ambitious future missions. 77 The Canadian Space Agency is using its expertise to improve health care for people living in remote regions. The technology that supports robots used in space is now being used in surgery in normal hospitals, while pressure suits are being used to treat post-pregnancy complications.
IV. Summary Writing （10分）
Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.
78.
The Sounds of Relaxation
In a fast-paced world, where stress and mental fatigue seem commonplace, we're constantly looking for new ways to unwind. Some people take a hot bath, watch a film, go for a run, or listen to slower tempo music to help them relax. But what about the chirrups（小鸟唧唧叫） and whistles of birdsong or other nature sounds Could they also help people to let go of the tensions of modern life
According to a study by King's College London in 2022, seeing or hearing birds could help to boost the mental wellbeing of people. Taking a trip to a place rich in birdlife like parks, forests and canals and encountering birds chirping and warbling to each other in the trees could even help to treat some mental health conditions. And it's not just birds that could have a therapeutic effect on our moods. Another study commissioned by the National Trust compared the effects of woodland sounds with voiced meditation apps. The study found listening to birdsong as well as other woodland sounds like leaves crunching underfoot or the gentle trickle of a stream boosted feelings of relaxation 30% more than an app. Other sounds which may help to chill people out are waves lapping on the shore, gentle breezes, and light rainfall.
However, not all of us live in rural surroundings, and depending on where we live, a trip to the countryside to see birds may not be an option. But could the nature sounds that originate there still help you According to research by California Polytechnic State University, even a recording of the sounds of birds had a profound effect on people's mood, while other studies saw people listening to soundscapes（声景） of the coast and forests with similar outcomes to their wellbeing.
So, wherever you live, you can access the wonderful sounds of birds and nature, be it during a stroll through a wood or via some headphones. And maybe listening to the chirps, trills, warbles and whistles of some birds could help you to relax after a long, hard day.
V. Vocabulary Review （5分）
Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.
(
A. confronted
B. prospective
C. manipulating
D. ceased
E. suspecting
F. relentlessly
G. evidently
H. inhabitants
I. revenge
J. collaborative
K. assemblies
)
High School Life in the UK and US
High school life in the United Kingdom and the United States exhibits both similarities and differences. One key difference that is (79)__________ noticeable is the structure of the educational systems in these two countries.
In the UK, high school is commonly referred to as “secondary school” for students aged 11-18, while in the US, high school typically consists of a four-year period. British students typically study a broad range of subjects in preparation for their (80)__________ exams such as GCSEs and A-levels. Likewise, standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are often required for American college admissions. These exams play a crucial role in determining university admissions, and students are usually (81)__________ by academic challenges.
Apart from academic challenges, the pandemic has significantly disrupted high school experiences in both countries. At that time, schools (82)__________ to be traditional learning environments, with many students transitioning to online classes and virtual learning platforms. As a result, the usual in-person gatherings such as school (83)__________ have been replaced by virtual ones conducted through video conferencing software.
Despite these differences and challenges, both the UK and the US emphasize the importance of (84)__________ learning experiences. Group projects and sports teams provide opportunities for students to work together towards common goals. However, students in both countries start (85)__________ that they are being unfairly graded and treated. For example, the New York State Education Department has been accused of (86)__________ scores to artificially boost graduation rates. Additionally, peer pressure and social dynamics have led to bullying(欺凌) and even acts of (87)__________ from those bullied.
By understanding and learning from each other’s educational practices, we can continue to improve the overall educational experience for students in both countries as well as other (88)__________ of the communities served by these educational systems.
VI. Translation （16分）
Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.
89. 为了减少碳排放，组织者呼吁大家绿色出行。(call on)
90. 经历地震后，这里的人们都觉得有必要在家准备一套求生工具。(consider)
91. 我们队本以为一定能卫冕冠军，不料却目睹对手在最后一分钟扭转乾坤。(only to)
92. 子女应该多关心用不惯智能手机的老人，这样他们就不会因为跟不上时代而感到不知所措。(uncomfortable)
VII. Guided Writing （25分）
Directions: Write an English composition in 120-150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese.
93. 假设你是明启中学学生李华，你的好友Penny过于依赖电子词典来完成英语作业。你觉得这不利于他的学习。写封邮件说服Penny不要过多借助电子词典来应付英语作业，在邮件中，你必须：
1）对Penny的行为表示担忧；
2）给出你的具体建议并说明理由。

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