【推荐1】During the holiday season, many of us feel pressure to find our loved ones the “perfect” gift. Why? Because gift-giving has long been considered a prime way to express love. However, recent research suggests that small acts of kindness, like a kind word, hugging a child or receiving sympathy, make people feel most loved and supported.

In the study, 495 men and women between the ages of 18 and 93 completed a questionnaire evaluating 60 possible ways that people can feel love. The storyboards included situations like spending time with friends, receiving gifts, and spending time in nature. The survey also included negative interactions, like being controlled and criticized (批评) by others.

The findings highlight the psychological benefits that close relationships can offer. In fact, study participants ranked human interaction as a more significant expression of love than receiving material items, like presents. Connecting with others was also rated more highly than getting positive feedback on the Internet, indicating that people get the most support from personal human contact.

“During the holidays，anxiety rises, making it harder to remain present with ourselves and others. However, the power of spending time with another person is a gift we can give at any moment,” says Dr. Carla Naumburg, a mindfulness coach and social worker in Newton, Mass. He suggests balancing party planning and online shopping with moments of human connection. Activities like reading to a child, meeting a friend for a walk, or taking a moment to call a family member, are ways to express love and care and can keep us emotionally grounded.

While the idea of offering loved ones the gift of our time may pale in comparison to giving them a generous present, recent research shows shared human experiences can tighten social bonds. Despite personality differences，most people agree on what makes us feel loved—the presence of our loved ones.

1. What does the text mainly focus on?

A．Gift and holiday economy.	B．Social and personal relationships.
C．Stress and human progress.	D．Selfish and generous love.

2. What can we know about the questionaire?

A．About 500 men participated in it.

B．Participants disliked negative interactions.

C．A wide range of age groups got involved.

D．Participants had limited ways to feel love.

3. What does Dr. Carla Naumburg intend to tell us?

A．People often find it difficult to stay with others.

B．Face to face connection is a gift to show love.

C．Reading to a child is the best way to convey love and care.

D．Balancing holiday activities with relaxation is recommended.

4. What might be the best title of the text?

A．Gift-giving is already out of date.

B．Social interaction lights up your holidays.

C．It is not presents but presence that counts.

D．Stress causes people to withdraw from others.

【推荐3】How to Build a Healthy Relationship

Healthy relationships allow you to express your identity, bring out the best in you, and encourage growth.       1    , it's best to lay a foundation for a positive and healthy relationship from the start. By giving your focus on respect and helpful communication, you can enjoy a healthy and satisfying relationship.

Speak up. Don't always expect your partner to be able to read your mind     2    . Likewise, don't hold in the things that bother you. If something is bothering you, say something to your partner.

Appreciate each other. A healthy relationship should be one in which you and your partner feel appreciated.     3    . Instead of focusing on mistakes your partner makes, focus on the ways your partner adds to your life. When you notice something, speak out and show your appreciation.

    4    . No one can fulfill everything and every role for another person. Let your partner have time with friends and family and engage(从事) in hobbies. It's important for each person to have their own friends and activities that are enjoyed on their own.

Spend quality time together. Find activities that you can do together regularly. It can be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee together each morning or reading together at night. Trying something new together can be a fun and exciting way to spend time together.     5    .

A．Give each other space

B．Respect your partner's identity

C．Especially if you are in a new relationship

D．If you have a need, you need to express it

E．If you don't know how to start a conversation

F．Find the things your partner does for you and say "thank you"

G．It can help strengthen your relationship and increase the bond between you and your partner

【推荐1】There have been many great violinists but none could hold a candle to Kuznetsov, a miraculous young Russian. On his emergence while still in his teens, his playing was filled with timeless wisdom beyond his years; he now holds the stage with immense authority. So it comes no surprise that he is about to add a new string to his bow. When he performs with the English Chamber Orchestra, it will be as both soloist(独奏者)and conductor. “It’s something I’ve often thought about,” he says.

Other musicians who have traded the bow or piano for the baton(指挥棒)have failed; the transition is not easy, of which he is aware. “The most crucial thing is the human chemistry between conductor and players. You must avoid at all costs being an outsider, as though saying to the orchestra, ‘You make your music while I imagine mine.’”

He is quite relaxed about not yet having his own hand-language —every conductor is different. Kuznetsov believes the connection between notes is not just physical, but also spiritual. Spiritually is, for Kuznetsov, the conductor’s key characteristic. “And it should ideally be expressed through beauty of movement,” he says. Some conductors threw themselves about, others hardly move a muscle. Where will Kuznetsov fit on that scale? “We must wait and see,” he says.

Kuznetsov himself moved straight as an arrow toward his goal. His father was an oboist(双簧管演奏者)and his mother conducted a choir, but at the age of four, young Leonid settled on the violin. “The violin is located at the front of the orchestra. It seemed very desirable to sit there and show off.” He gave his first concert at the age of five. “When I went on stage, I bowed so deeply and so long that he audience laughed —but I knew that this was what great artists always did. I felt it was an honour for the audience to listen to me.” His programme that day included Paganini variations, “which were very easy for me.”

What is his view now of the recordings he made at that age? “I didn’t have the technique I have now but across the years the intuition has not changed. I still feel every time I go on stage as though I’m newborn.”

Kuznetsov cautiously paces his own development. He didn’t give his first performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto until he felt ready for it, and he’ll let Bach’s works stay in his mind for some years.

One of Kuznetsov’s admirers wonders whether he is in danger of not hanging onto “the fearlessness of youth.” On the evidence of Kuznetsov’s bravely assured new interpretation of the Brahms Concerto, which he plays on a new CD release, I’d say that his fearlessness is in no danger yet.

1. Kuznetsov think _________ is most important in conducting.

A．the conductor’s and the orchestra’s knowledge of the composition

B．whether the conductor has cooperated with the players before

C．the understanding between the conductor and the orchestra

D．the players’ recognition of the conductor

2. What can be learned about Kuznetsov from the passage?

A．He didn’t start to play the violin until five.

B．He plans so give Bach’s works a try first.

C．He isn’t as enthusiastic as before about the violin.

D．He was confident while giving his first concert.

3. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Violin players are usually those who like to show off in an orchestra.

B．It’s easy for piano or violin players to become conductors.

C．Kuznetsov hasn’t decided which conductor’s hand-language to follow.

D．The writer thinks highly of Kuznetsov’s performance as a conductor.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．A violinist’s understanding of music.

B．Kuznetsov’s efforts that have led to his success.

C．A violinist’s new attempts in his musical ambitions.

D．Kuznetsov’s insight into how techniques matter in performance.

【推荐2】Katie always wanted to be a performer．She, the youngest of the three kids from Cleveland, was crazy about musicals and Disney movies from an early age and would often watch them singing with her mom, Karen．However, Katie's happy childhood took a-turn when her mother was diagnosed(诊断)with cancer．When the doctor informed the family that Karen's disease was terminal, they decided to make a trip to Disney World．

The family spared no expense for their once-in-a-lifetime vacation and stayed at Disney's hotel for eight nights．They spent their days in the parks, seeing the sights, greeting characters, all the while pushing Karen in her wheelchair and watching her face light up with joy．They all shared in the merriment of experiencing the parks for the first time with Karen．The trip to Disney World at the height of Karen's battle with cancer allowed them to escape into a world of magic and laughter．This was the day Katie decided she wanted to work for Disney．

Sadly, Karen lost the battle and died later, but the whole family remembered her every day and often thought of that Disney vacation．Katie went on to go after her dream．After she received her degree in musical theater, she struggled for years, working as a waitress and trying to be a performer．Her hard work finally paid off when she was hired to work for Disney．

As a Disney performer, Katie is aware that many other families visit the parks and have similar stories to her own．She encourages everyone, especially children, who may be experiencing a hard time．“Every moment is meant for you, even the painful ones．” she says．“It's just like in your favorite Disney movie: There is always some kind of conflict or hardship or pressure．Remember to celebrate those moments, too, because they are taking you to whatever your version of a happy ending is．”

1. Why did Katie's family decide to go to Disney World?

A．Katie always loved Disney movies．	B．Katie had a happy childhood．
C．Katie's mother got seriously ill．	D．Katie dreamed of being a performer．

2. What made Katie decide to work for Disney?

A．The dream that she wanted to live a life full of magic．

B．The memory that she watched Disney movies as a kid．

C．The great joy the Disney vacation brought to her family．

D．The great courage her mother showed in fighting cancer．

3. Which of the following words best describe Katie?

A．Kind and curious．	B．Patient and helpful．
C．Strict and independent．	D．Tough and determined．

4. What message does Katie convey in the last paragraph?

A．Sweet is pleasure after pain．	B．Experience must be bought．
C．Many drops make a shower．	D．Good medicine tastes bitter．

【推荐3】We lived in a very quiet neighborhood. One evening I heard a loud crash in the street. Earlier that evening my wife had asked me to go to the store to get some soft drinks. It seemed that this would be a good time to let my teenage daughter Holly practice her driving, so I sent her to the store in my truck. At dinner my son talked about how much he liked my truck. I enjoyed having it, but I said: “Guy, my heart is not set on that truck. I like it but it is just metal and won’t last forever. Never set your heart on anything that won’t last.” After hearing the loud noise, the whole family ran outside. My son shouted: “Dad! Dad, Holly crashed your truck.”

The accident had occurred in my own driveway. Holly had crashed my truck into our other vehicle, the family van (厢式货车). In her inexperience, she had confused the brakes (刹车) and the gas pedal (油门). Holly was unhurt physically but when we reached her, she was crying and saying: “Oh, Dad, I’m sorry. I know how much you love this truck.” I held her in my arms as she cried.

Later that week a friend stopped by and asked what had happened to my truck. I told her the whole story. Her eyes moistened and she said: “That happened to me when I was a girl. I borrowed my dad’s car and ran into a tree that had fallen across the road. I ruined the car. When I got home, my Dad knocked me to the ground and began to kick me.”

Over 40 years later, she still felt the pain of the night. I remember how sad Holly was on the night she crashed our truck, and how I comforted her. One day, when Holly thinks back on her life, I want her to know that I love her a thousand times more than any piece of property.

1. What can we know about the crash?

A．The family van was parked in the way.	B．Holly was badly hurt.
C．Holly’s truck ran into a fallen tree on the road.	D．Holly mistook the gas pedal for the brakes.

2. Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word “moistened” ?

A．Rolled.

B．Became wet.

C．Were closed.

D．Shined.

3. What does the author intend to show us in this passage?

A．Everyone will make mistakes.	B．Never let young children drive too early.
C．Love is more important than possessions.	D．Girls are easily hurt.

4. Which is the best title of the passage?

A．What Really Matters	B．How to Educate Children
C．How to be a father	D．A terrible accident

【推荐1】That cold January night, I was growing sick of my life in San Francisco. There I was, walking home at one in the morning after a tiring practice at the theatre. With opening night only a week away, I was still learning my lines. I was having trouble dealing with my part-time job at the bank and my acting at night at the same time. As I walked, I thought seriously about giving up both acting and San Francisco. City life had become too much for me.

As I walked down empty streets under tall buildings, I felt very small and cold. I began running, both to keep warm and to keep away from any possible robbers. Very few people were still out except a few sad-looking homeless people under blankets.

About a block from my apartment, I heard a sound behind me. I turned quickly, half expecting to see someone with a knife or a gun. The street was empty. All I saw was a shining streetlight. Still, the noise had made me nervous, so I started to run faster. Not until I reached my apartment building and unlocked the door did I realize what the noise had been. It had been my wallet falling to the sidewalk.

Suddenly I wasn't cold or tired anymore. I ran out of the door and back to where I'd heard the noise. Although I searched the sidewalk anxiously for fifteen minutes, my wallet was nowhere to be found. Just as I was about to give up the search, I heard the garbage truck(垃圾车) pull up to the sidewalk next to me. When a voice called from the inside,   "Alisa Camacho?" I thought I was dreaming. How could this man know my name? The door opened, and out jumped a small red-haired man with an amused look in his eye. "Is this what you're looking for?" he asked, holding up a small square shape.

It was nearly 3 a.m. by the time I got into bed. I wouldn't get much sleep that night, but I had gotten my wallet back. I also had gotten back some enjoyment of city life. I realized that the city couldn't be a bad place as long as people were willing to help each other.

1. How did the writer feel when she was walking home after work?

A．Cold and sick.

B．Fortunate and helpful.

C．Satisfied and cheerful.

D．Disappointed and helpless

2. From the first paragraph, we learn that the winter was busy_____.

A．solving her problem at the bank

B．taking part in various city activities

C．learning acting in an evening school

D．preparing for the first night show

3. On her way home the writer______.

A．lost her wallet unknowingly

B．was stopped by a garbage truck driver

C．was robbed of her wallet by an armed man

D．found some homeless people following her

4. From the text, we can infer that the writer_______.

A．would stop working at night

B．would stay on in San Francisco

C．would make friends with cleaners

D．would give up her job at the bank

【推荐3】Everyone tries their best in life, and sometimes a few kind words of encouragement can help people realize that their efforts are not in vain (徒劳).Ⅰ remember a time when I was in fifth grade, and I was a very shy girl.

There was a drawing competition at my school that day. As everyone started to use their creative ideas to draw, I was only trying to think of something creative that could express my thoughts and emotions. Lost in my own world, I was brought back to reality when my art teacher called my name from behind. She came to me and encouraged me, saying, “Don’t overthink it, just put whatever comes to your mind on the canvas (画布). Do your best, and you will do well.”

Taking her words of wisdom to heart, I started my painting. Time flew by, and soon the bell rang, signaling the end of the time limit. We all turned in our canvases for inspection (检查). The next day, the winners of the competition were announced in front of the whole school. To my surprise, I heard my name being called second prize. It was a bolt from the blue for me, as I had never dared to dream of winning any prize.

Later on, I expressed my gratitude to my art teacher for her words of encouragement and for believing in me. That day, I became aware of my talent and started painting more whenever I had free time. Sometimes, I think that if it weren’t for her words of encouragement, I may have never discovered the talent I have.

Overall, this experience taught me the importance of encouraging others and how a few kind words can make a significant impact on someone’s life.

1. What was the author doing when called by the art teacher?

A．Organizing a drawing competition.	B．Trying to get some creative ideas.
C．Painting her work on her canvas.	D．Trying to get help from others.

2. What did the author think of the competition?

A．Easy

B．Interesting

C．Challenging

D．Encouraging.

3. What do the underlined words “bolt from the blue” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Addiction

B．Puzzlement

C．Disappointment

D．Surprise

4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．The author didn’t show a talent for drawing.

B．The author was forced to participate in a drawing competition.

C．The author started her painting under the teacher’s encouragement.

D．The judge awarded the author the third prize for her picture.

5. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．The Power of Encouragement

B．The Importance of Art Competitions

C．Overcoming Shyness Through Painting

D．Discovering Your Great Natural Ability