Passage 1
Research from the renowned charity Shelter has recently uncovered some distressing statistics. It has been determined that at least 271,000 individuals are officially recorded as homeless in England. Alarmingly, within this substantial figure, there are a staggering 123,000 children who are also grappling with the harsh reality of homelessness. These heart-wrenching numbers have left many of us deeply troubled and pondering over what steps we can take to bring about a positive change.
Historically, writing to our local Members of Parliament (MPs) and actively engaging in community initiatives have been regarded as excellent ways to extend a helping hand to those in need. However, in this era of digital innovation, a novel and promising approach has come to the fore. A new app has been launched with the noble objective of providing support to homeless people across the entire nation.
This app was ingeniously developed by a social impact startup called Beam. The platform functions in a rather unique manner. It empowers companies to establish subscriptions, which are then utilized to fund homeless individuals. For each homeless person, a generous donation of 50 is set aside. Furthermore, as the companies expand and thrive, they have the flexibility to enhance their financial contributions, thereby offering even more substantial support to those without a place to call home.
One of the key features of this app is the ability for companies to establish communication channels with the beneficiaries. They can send messages, via a Beam caseworker, to the homeless individuals they are supporting. This not only facilitates the building of a connection but also enables a more personalized and effective approach to assistance.
Notably, the Permira Foundation is one such company that has already recognized the potential of this platform and has been actively making use of it. With the growing awareness among the public regarding social issues, an increasing number of people are now seeking out companies that they work for to demonstrate social responsibility. Initiatives like the one offered by this new app are precisely what these socially conscious individuals are looking for. It clearly indicates that companies are not solely focused on financial gains but also care about making a meaningful and positive impact on society.
Which of the following statements about the research from Shelter is correct
A. The research only focused on the number of homeless adults in England.
B. The research found that the number of homeless children in England is less than 100,000.
C. The research revealed that the total number of homeless people in England is at least 271,000, including 123,000 children.
D. The research was conducted by a small local charity and has limited credibility.
What can companies do through the new app
A. Only send messages to homeless people.
B. Set up subscriptions to fund homeless people and send messages via a caseworker.
C. Directly give money to homeless people on the street without any intermediary.
D. Increase their financial support only when they reach a certain size.
What can be inferred from the passage about the Permira Foundation
A. It is the first company to use the new app.
B. It is the only company using the platform.
C. It is a company that values social responsibility and has adopted the new app to support homeless people.
D. It is a company that only focuses on profits and has no interest in social issues.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce a new app that helps homeless people and explain how it works.
B. To criticize the local government for not doing enough to help the homeless.
C. To encourage people to write to their local MPs to help the homeless.
D. To compare the traditional ways of helping the homeless with the new app.
答案：
C
B
C
A
解析：
细节理解题。文章明确指出 “Research from the charity Shelter has found that at least 271,000 people are recorded as homeless in England, with that figure including 123,000 children.”，C 选项正确，A 选项说只关注成年无家可归者错误，B 选项说儿童数量少于 10 万错误，D 选项说研究由小地方慈善机构进行且可信度有限文中未提及。
细节理解题。根据文中 “This platform allows companies to set up subscriptions to fund homeless people. For each person, a 50 donation is panies are able to send messages, via a Beam caseworker, to the beneficiaries.” 可知 B 选项正确，A 选项不全面，C 选项文中未提及直接给街上无家可归者钱，D 选项与原文不符，原文说公司发展壮大可增加支持，不是达到一定规模才增加。
推理判断题。从 “One such company that has been making use of the platform is the Permira Foundation. With the increasing awareness among the public about social issues, more and more people are now looking for companies that they work for to be socially responsible.” 可推断出 Permira Foundation 是重视社会责任并采用新应用来支持无家可归者的公司，C 选项正确，A 选项文中未提及是第一个，B 选项说唯一使用错误，D 选项与原文意思相悖。
主旨大意题。文章主要介绍了一款帮助无家可归者的新应用以及它的运作方式，A 选项正确，B 选项文中未批评政府，C 选项只是提到传统方式之一，不是主要内容，D 选项不是重点在比较，而是介绍新应用。
Passage 2
Our furry friends, dogs, have always been known for their intelligence and companionship. However, a recent study has taken this understanding to a new level by exploring the remarkable intelligence of a special group of dogs.
The term "gifted word learner" (GWL) is used to describe a rare subset of dogs that possess an exceptional ability to swiftly learn the names of various objects or dog toys. Although previous studies have touched upon this topic, they were often limited by small sample sizes and provided only a superficial understanding of these gifted dogs.
To delve deeper into this fascinating area, researchers behind a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports initiated a unique approach. They launched a widespread social media campaign to identify dogs with this extraordinary characteristic. Dog owners who responded were asked to conduct a self-test on their pets. This involved training the dogs to recognize the names of their toys. Subsequently, if the dogs demonstrated an understanding of their toy names, the owners were required to complete a detailed questionnaire. This questionnaire aimed to gather comprehensive information about the dog's overall experience and training background.
The results of this study were astonishing. From nine different countries including Brazil, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United States, a total of 41 dogs were identified as having this unique ability. These dogs came from various breeds, highlighting that this trait is not limited to a specific breed but can be found across different canine lineages.
Further analysis of these gifted dogs revealed some interesting patterns. For instance, many of these dogs showed a high level of motivation and enthusiasm during the learning process. They seemed to enjoy the interaction with their owners and the challenge of learning new words. Additionally, the researchers noticed that these dogs often had a strong bond with their owners, which might have contributed to their ability to learn and respond effectively.
This study not only sheds light on the intelligence of dogs but also opens up new avenues for understanding animal cognition and the potential for interspecies communication. It makes us wonder what other hidden talents our canine companions might possess and how we can further nurture and explore these abilities.
What does the term "gifted word learner" (GWL) refer to according to the passage
A. Dogs that can learn many tricks easily.
B. A rare number of dogs with a special ability to quickly learn the names of various objects or dog toys.
C. Dogs that are very good at communicating with humans.
D. Dogs that have a large vocabulary.
How did the researchers find the dogs with the unique characteristic
A. By visiting dog training centers in different countries.
B. By conducting experiments in laboratories.
C. By launching a social media campaign and asking dog owners to self-test their dogs.
D. By observing dogs in parks and public places.
What can be inferred from the study about the dogs identified as GWLs
A. They all come from the same breed.
B. They have a low level of motivation during the learning process.
C. Their strong bond with owners might help them learn better.
D. They are only found in a few countries.
What is the main purpose of the passage
A. To introduce a new study on canine intelligence and its findings.
B. To encourage people to train their dogs to be gifted word learners.
C. To compare different breeds of dogs in terms of intelligence.
D. To discuss the importance of social media in scientific research.
答案：
B
C
C
A
解析：
细节理解题。根据文中 “The term 'gifted word learner' (GWL) refers to a rare number of dogs who have a special ability to quickly learn the names of various objects or dog toys.” 可知 B 选项正确，A 选项说容易学很多技巧错误，C 选项说擅长与人交流不准确，D 选项说有大词汇量错误。
细节理解题。从 “As part of their research, they launched a social media campaign to find dogs with this unique characteristic. Owners who reached out to them were asked to self-test their dogs...” 可知是通过社交媒体活动并让狗主人自测找到这些狗，C 选项正确，A、B、D 选项文中未提及。
推理判断题。由 “Additionally, the researchers noticed that these dogs often had a strong bond with their owners, which might have contributed to their ability to learn and respond effectively.” 可推断出它们与主人的紧密联系可能有助于它们更好地学习，C 选项正确，A 选项说来自同一品种错误，B 选项与原文说的高积极性相悖，D 选项说只在少数国家发现错误，文中提到来自九个不同国家。
主旨大意题。文章主要是介绍关于犬类智力的新研究及其发现，A 选项正确，B 选项鼓励人们训练狗不是主要目的，C 选项比较不同品种狗的智力不是重点，D 选项讨论社交媒体在科研中的重要性不是主旨。
Passage 3
I always smile as soon as I reach the counter and am greeted by the barista who knows my name and order. We ask each other how we're doing, and as I head to a table, latte in hand, I feel a lightness in my step.
Chances are, there are people you come into contact with in your day-to-day life who give you the same feeling. You may not know much about them, but the interactions you have put a smile on your face. These people are sometimes called "consequential strangers" or "weak ties". They could be the neighbour you chat with as you do gardening; the person you regularly make small talk with at the gym; or even co-workers in a different team whom you look forward to seeing each morning in the elevator but don't really know well.
The term "consequential stranger" was coined by psychologist Karen L. Fingerman, and it can cover a range of relationships. A consequential stranger goes beyond someone you notice at the bus stop every so often but never speak to. They are people we interact with. There is a spectrum, and this can include people who you may call "acquaintances": those who you feel you know to some extent, but aren't close enough to call friends. Typically, our lives feature many consequential strangers. We may only know some of them for a short time, whereas others may become longstanding parts of our day-to-day lives.
These fleeting moments of connection with consequential strangers can have a long-lasting effect. They can brighten our day, make us feel more connected to the world around us, and even provide a sense of community. In a fast-paced world where we often focus on our close relationships, it's easy to overlook the importance of these seemingly small interactions with consequential strangers. But they can bring unexpected joy and meaning to our lives.
Who are "consequential strangers" according to the passage
A. People we know very well and are close friends with.
B. People we notice at the bus stop but never talk to.
C. People we interact with in our daily life, such as neighbours we chat with occasionally or co-workers we don't know well.
D. People we only meet once in our lives.
What can be inferred about the effect of interactions with consequential strangers
A. They have no effect on our lives.
B. They can only make us feel sad.
C. They can brighten our day and make us feel more connected.
D. They always lead to long-term friendships.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce the concept of consequential strangers and their importance in our lives.
B. To encourage people to make more friends.
C. To describe the author's daily life.
D. To compare consequential strangers with close friends.
According to the passage, which of the following statements about "consequential strangers" is correct
A. They are all people we know for a long time.
B. They are only those we meet at the gym.
C. They can cover a range of relationships and interactions in our daily lives.
D. They are not important in our lives.
答案：
C
C
A
C
解析：
细节理解题。根据文中 “These people are sometimes called 'consequential strangers' or 'weak ties'. They could be the neighbour you chat with as you do gardening; the person you regularly make small talk with at the gym; or even co-workers in a different team whom you look forward to seeing each morning in the elevator but don't really know well.” 可知 C 选项正确，A 选项说的是亲密朋友，B 选项不全面，D 选项只说见一次也不准确。
推理判断题。从 “These fleeting moments of connection with consequential strangers can have a long-lasting effect. They can brighten our day, make us feel more connected to the world around us, and even provide a sense of community.” 可推断出与这些人的互动能让我们心情愉悦，感觉与周围世界更紧密相连，C 选项正确，A 选项说无影响错误，B 选项说只会让我们悲伤错误，D 选项说总是导致长期友谊太绝对。
主旨大意题。文章主要是介绍 “重要陌生人” 的概念以及他们在我们生活中的重要性，A 选项正确，B 选项鼓励交朋友不是重点，C 选项描述作者日常生活只是一部分，D 选项比较不是主旨。
细节理解题。由 “The term 'consequential stranger' was coined by psychologist Karen L. Fingerman, and it can cover a range of relationships.” 可知 C 选项正确，A 选项说都是认识很久的错误，B 选项说只是在健身房遇到的错误，D 选项说不重要与原文意思相悖。Passage 1
Research from the renowned charity Shelter has recently uncovered some distressing statistics. It has been determined that at least 271,000 individuals are officially recorded as homeless in England. Alarmingly, within this substantial figure, there are a staggering 123,000 children who are also grappling with the harsh reality of homelessness. These heart-wrenching numbers have left many of us deeply troubled and pondering over what steps we can take to bring about a positive change.
Historically, writing to our local Members of Parliament (MPs) and actively engaging in community initiatives have been regarded as excellent ways to extend a helping hand to those in need. However, in this era of digital innovation, a novel and promising approach has come to the fore. A new app has been launched with the noble objective of providing support to homeless people across the entire nation.
This app was ingeniously developed by a social impact startup called Beam. The platform functions in a rather unique manner. It empowers companies to establish subscriptions, which are then utilized to fund homeless individuals. For each homeless person, a generous donation of 50 is set aside. Furthermore, as the companies expand and thrive, they have the flexibility to enhance their financial contributions, thereby offering even more substantial support to those without a place to call home.
One of the key features of this app is the ability for companies to establish communication channels with the beneficiaries. They can send messages, via a Beam caseworker, to the homeless individuals they are supporting. This not only facilitates the building of a connection but also enables a more personalized and effective approach to assistance.
Notably, the Permira Foundation is one such company that has already recognized the potential of this platform and has been actively making use of it. With the growing awareness among the public regarding social issues, an increasing number of people are now seeking out companies that they work for to demonstrate social responsibility. Initiatives like the one offered by this new app are precisely what these socially conscious individuals are looking for. It clearly indicates that companies are not solely focused on financial gains but also care about making a meaningful and positive impact on society.
Which of the following statements about the research from Shelter is correct
A. The research only focused on the number of homeless adults in England.
B. The research found that the number of homeless children in England is less than 100,000.
C. The research revealed that the total number of homeless people in England is at least 271,000, including 123,000 children.
D. The research was conducted by a small local charity and has limited credibility.
What can companies do through the new app
A. Only send messages to homeless people.
B. Set up subscriptions to fund homeless people and send messages via a caseworker.
C. Directly give money to homeless people on the street without any intermediary.
D. Increase their financial support only when they reach a certain size.
What can be inferred from the passage about the Permira Foundation
A. It is the first company to use the new app.
B. It is the only company using the platform.
C. It is a company that values social responsibility and has adopted the new app to support homeless people.
D. It is a company that only focuses on profits and has no interest in social issues.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce a new app that helps homeless people and explain how it works.
B. To criticize the local government for not doing enough to help the homeless.
C. To encourage people to write to their local MPs to help the homeless.
D. To compare the traditional ways of helping the homeless with the new app.
Passage 2
Our furry friends, dogs, have always been known for their intelligence and companionship. However, a recent study has taken this understanding to a new level by exploring the remarkable intelligence of a special group of dogs.
The term "gifted word learner" (GWL) is used to describe a rare subset of dogs that possess an exceptional ability to swiftly learn the names of various objects or dog toys. Although previous studies have touched upon this topic, they were often limited by small sample sizes and provided only a superficial understanding of these gifted dogs.
To delve deeper into this fascinating area, researchers behind a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports initiated a unique approach. They launched a widespread social media campaign to identify dogs with this extraordinary characteristic. Dog owners who responded were asked to conduct a self-test on their pets. This involved training the dogs to recognize the names of their toys. Subsequently, if the dogs demonstrated an understanding of their toy names, the owners were required to complete a detailed questionnaire. This questionnaire aimed to gather comprehensive information about the dog's overall experience and training background.
The results of this study were astonishing. From nine different countries including Brazil, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United States, a total of 41 dogs were identified as having this unique ability. These dogs came from various breeds, highlighting that this trait is not limited to a specific breed but can be found across different canine lineages.
Further analysis of these gifted dogs revealed some interesting patterns. For instance, many of these dogs showed a high level of motivation and enthusiasm during the learning process. They seemed to enjoy the interaction with their owners and the challenge of learning new words. Additionally, the researchers noticed that these dogs often had a strong bond with their owners, which might have contributed to their ability to learn and respond effectively.
This study not only sheds light on the intelligence of dogs but also opens up new avenues for understanding animal cognition and the potential for interspecies communication. It makes us wonder what other hidden talents our canine companions might possess and how we can further nurture and explore these abilities.
What does the term "gifted word learner" (GWL) refer to according to the passage
A. Dogs that can learn many tricks easily.
B. A rare number of dogs with a special ability to quickly learn the names of various objects or dog toys.
C. Dogs that are very good at communicating with humans.
D. Dogs that have a large vocabulary.
How did the researchers find the dogs with the unique characteristic
A. By visiting dog training centers in different countries.
B. By conducting experiments in laboratories.
C. By launching a social media campaign and asking dog owners to self-test their dogs.
D. By observing dogs in parks and public places.
What can be inferred from the study about the dogs identified as GWLs
A. They all come from the same breed.
B. They have a low level of motivation during the learning process.
C. Their strong bond with owners might help them learn better.
D. They are only found in a few countries.
What is the main purpose of the passage
A. To introduce a new study on canine intelligence and its findings.
B. To encourage people to train their dogs to be gifted word learners.
C. To compare different breeds of dogs in terms of intelligence.
D. To discuss the importance of social media in scientific research.
Passage 3
I always smile as soon as I reach the counter and am greeted by the barista who knows my name and order. We ask each other how we're doing, and as I head to a table, latte in hand, I feel a lightness in my step.
Chances are, there are people you come into contact with in your day-to-day life who give you the same feeling. You may not know much about them, but the interactions you have put a smile on your face. These people are sometimes called "consequential strangers" or "weak ties". They could be the neighbour you chat with as you do gardening; the person you regularly make small talk with at the gym; or even co-workers in a different team whom you look forward to seeing each morning in the elevator but don't really know well.
The term "consequential stranger" was coined by psychologist Karen L. Fingerman, and it can cover a range of relationships. A consequential stranger goes beyond someone you notice at the bus stop every so often but never speak to. They are people we interact with. There is a spectrum, and this can include people who you may call "acquaintances": those who you feel you know to some extent, but aren't close enough to call friends. Typically, our lives feature many consequential strangers. We may only know some of them for a short time, whereas others may become longstanding parts of our day-to-day lives.
These fleeting moments of connection with consequential strangers can have a long-lasting effect. They can brighten our day, make us feel more connected to the world around us, and even provide a sense of community. In a fast-paced world where we often focus on our close relationships, it's easy to overlook the importance of these seemingly small interactions with consequential strangers. But they can bring unexpected joy and meaning to our lives.
Who are "consequential strangers" according to the passage
A. People we know very well and are close friends with.
B. People we notice at the bus stop but never talk to.
C. People we interact with in our daily life, such as neighbours we chat with occasionally or co-workers we don't know well.
D. People we only meet once in our lives.
What can be inferred about the effect of interactions with consequential strangers
A. They have no effect on our lives.
B. They can only make us feel sad.
C. They can brighten our day and make us feel more connected.
D. They always lead to long-term friendships.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce the concept of consequential strangers and their importance in our lives.
B. To encourage people to make more friends.
C. To describe the author's daily life.
D. To compare consequential strangers with close friends.
According to the passage, which of the following statements about "consequential strangers" is correct
A. They are all people we know for a long time.
B. They are only those we meet at the gym.
C. They can cover a range of relationships and interactions in our daily lives.
D. They are not important in our lives.
