2 . When reading, my mother likes to slice a paragraph or a sentence out and attach it to the wall of her kitchen. She picks boring sentences that puzzle me. But I prefer copying favorite bright lines into a journal in soft, gray No. 2 pencil, word by word.

She doesn’t know any of this. There's nothing shocking: for our chatting. we seldom begin certain conversations though we talk on the phone weekly, sometimes making each other laugh so hard that I choke and she cries. But what we don't say could fill up rooms. Fights with my father. Small failures in school. Anything that really upsets us.

My mother has never told me “I love you, Lisa.”—as if the four-word absence explains who I am—so I carry it with me, like a label on me. The last time she almost spoke the words was two years ago, when she called to tell me a friend had been in hospital. I said, “I love you, Mom.” She stopped for a while and then said, “Thank you.” I haven't said it since, but I've wondered why my mother doesn't until I've found a poem that supplies words for the blank spaces I try to understand in our conversations:

Don’t fill up on bread. I say absent-mindedly. The servings here are huge.

My son, middle-aged, says: Did you really just say that to me?

What he doesn’t know is that when we’re walking together, I desire to reach for his hand.

It's humble, yet heartbreaking. After copying it down in my journal, I emailed it to mom, adding “This poem makes me think of you.” My mother doesn’t read poetry—or at least, she doesn’t tell me, and I felt nervous clicking “Send”.

She never mentioned the poem. But the next time I went home for vacation, I noticed something new in the kitchen fixed to an antique board: the poem. The board hung above the heater, the warmest spot in the kitchen. The poem still hangs there. Neither my mother nor I have ever spoken about it.

1. What's the function of paragraph 1?

A．To stress the theme.	B．To establish the setting.
C．To represent the characters.	D．To create the atmosphere.

2. Which of the following best describes the mother daughter relationship?

A．Shaky.

B．Distant.

C．Reserved.

D．Intense.

3. Why did the author send the poem to her mom?

A．It reminded her of mom's love.

B．She wanted to apologize to mom.

C．It suited mom's taste of literature.

D．She needed an interpretation from mom.

4. What does the poem mean to mom?

A．A memory of golden days.

B．Daughter’s gratefulness to her.

C．A decoration in the plain kitchen.

D．Daughter's understanding of her.

3 . Best Places to Visit in England

As the largest part of the United Kingdom, England is home to many great places to visit. The following destinations are some of the best.

London

Of course, most visitors to England will arrive in London. It’s home to a long list of famous sights as well as beautiful green spaces. It also houses some of the best museums on the planet, many of which are free. See the city from above by riding the London Eye or run into famous people at Madame Tussauds (杜莎夫人蜡像馆).

Liverpool

Liverpool is well known as the place that started The Beatles, though you’ll find a lot more to do there than visit The Beatles Museum. Spend time in the pubs chatting with the locals, go shopping at Liverpool One and enjoy the beaches. Art lovers will enjoy Liverpool’s excellent art sight.

Bath

Some people say Bath is England’s most beautiful small city, named for its natural hot springs that served as ancient Roman baths (浴缸) 2,000 years ago. And, today, it’s the only place in the United Kingdom where you can bathe in naturally hot, mineral-rich waters just like the Romans did long ago. Enjoy rooftop baths with wonderful views over this Georgian city, dine in award-winning restaurants and stay in romantic hotels.

Dover

Dover, located in White Cliffs Country, offers a rich history as well as peaceful countryside and a breathtaking coastline. This area has a unique place in history. You could easily spend weeks experiencing this area’s castles, like Dover Castle as well as the Secret War Time Tunnels, once used as an underground hospital.

1. What can visitors do in London?

A．Have a bath in naturally hot water.

B．Visit The Beatles Museum for free.

C．Enjoy the city’s view from the London Eye.

D．Learn about its music at Madame Tussauds.

2. Which place is well known for natural hot springs?

A．London.

B．Liverpool.

C．Bath.

D．Dover.

3. What can we know about the Secret War Time Tunnels?

A．It is in Liverpool.

B．It is a 2,000-year-old art sight.

C．It looks like Dover Castle.

D．It was an underground hospital before.

4 . Life is like a roller coaster, and every point has ups and downs. People plan something, but luck and sometimes misfortunes lead them toward a different destination. However, passionate individuals are not scared of such uncertainties. They set goals, welcome challenges, overcome obstacles, and eventually achieve what satisfies them.

Those who stay committed to their broad goals and find satisfaction even in unplanned circumstances are truly victorious. One true example of such people comes from a woman passionate about spreading happiness and helping others. Nicole Thornes is a mother, a former police officer, and now serving society as a death doula (陪护师).

Nicole joined the police academy intending to be helpful to society. She believed that a police officer has the opportunity to eliminate crime, bring justice, and create a better society for everyone. Although she became a mother during her studies and her responsibilities were increased due to children, she didn’t give up on her passion. Nicole could have called off her studies, but her passion for serving society didn’t let her step down. With great efforts, she finally became a police officer and gave her contributions to law enforcement and the betterment of society. She was not only a police officer making full commitment to the society but also a mother who played her responsibilities in the best way possible.

Everything went according to her plans, but uncertainty called off her journey as a police officer. Nicole suffered from an injury in a mission that ended her career in the police force. But her dreams and passion did not let her stop. She became a death doula to continue her dream. She chose this field after her grandfather’s death, when she couldn’t bear the pain of losing him. Being a death doula, she is now providing comfort to the dying and their families during difficult times. She aims to spread prosperity in people’s lives and help them overcome all the obstacles she faced throughout her life.

1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?

A．Life is full of ups and downs.

B．People are at the mercy of changes.

C．Uncertainties lead life to a different direction.

D．Fulfillment comes from making the best of the uncertainties.

2. What is Nicole’s original career commitment?

A．To conduct her duty well and better the society.

B．To cater to the children’s requirements and needs.

C．To accompany the senior through the darkest time.

D．To release people’s pain from losing the loved ones.

3. Why did Nicole leave her police post?

A．Because of the arrangement of the office.	B．Because of the injury she got at work.
C．Because of the change of interest.	D．Because of the danger of the job.

4. What brought Nicole to her new career?

A．The appeal of the people in sorrow.	B．The push of getting a new job to survive.
C．The passion in accompanying the sick ones.	D．The sorrowful pain of losing her beloved family.

6 . “If I wasn’t looking at you, I’d have thought you were white.”

I often get comments like that from classmates, friends and _________ my family members. Sometimes I laugh back, but the comments also _________ my feelings.

I’m a descendant (后裔) of Africans _________ in a black family in a largely black neighborhood. For people around me, being black is an _________. If you’re black, you listen to hip-hop, R&B and reggae. _________, it appears as if you’re from another planet. I do a lot of things that my peers don’t _________ with being black. They laugh at me because I _________ certain black rappers. They _________ me about watching TV shows whose characters are mostly white. They _________ call me “Oreo”: black on the outside, white on the inside.

It’s not just friends who __________ me “white”. One time, I was reciting some lyrics from a rap song and tried to move like the singer, thinking I was doing well __________ my sister’s hard laughter broke my __________. It hurt that even my own sister didn’t __________ me as black enough.

__________ about who I was, I wondered if I could __________ myself into someone my peers would recognize as a __________ black girl. So I put on big hoop earrings with hair dyed. I was __________ to fit in with the culture. However, it __________ wasn’t me.

Now, I’m more __________ of who I want to be: me. I even call myself “Princess Oreo”. It’s not that I’m purposely __________ white. Instead, I just like what I like.

1.

A．only

B．even

C．ever

D．still

2.

A．hurt

B．keep

C．change

D．recover

3.

A．carried out

B．cared for

C．brought up

D．taken over

4.

A．ability

B．attitude

C．advantage

D．achievement

5.

A．Besides

B．Instead

C．Therefore

D．Otherwise

6.

A．chat

B．equip

C．supply

D．associate

7.

A．dislike

B．dismiss

C．disappoint

D．discourage

8.

A．ask

B．tease

C．inform

D．entertain

9.

A．jokingly

B．seemingly

C．increasingly

D．surprisingly

10.

A．make

B．show

C．paint

D．write

11.

A．once

B．until

C．unless

D．before

12.

A．explanation

B．expectation

C．reservation

D．concentration

13.

A．feel

B．work

C．see

D．serve

14.

A．Concerned

B．Curious

C．Nervous

D．Insecure

15.

A．transform

B．move

C．separate

D．throw

16.

A．new

B．kind

C．cold

D．true

17.

A．eager

B．strong

C．pleased

D．embarrassed

18.

A．rarely

B．finally

C．simply

D．constantly

19.

A．tired

B．aware

C．afraid

D．ashamed

20.

A．turning

B．playing

C．acting

D．performing

7 . Marcus is a handsome and athletic kid. He plays tennis and _________ the state tournament every year. Marcus’s neighbor, Conrad, is also _________ to compete, but he has rheumatoid arthritis (类风湿性关节炎). Although it pains him just to walk, he _________ painful days at school walking to the sports field. He loves watching his school compete so he doesn’t _________ a game.

Marcus has known Conrad since primary school. They’ve always been _________. He sees Conrad in pain and his _________ at not being able to play sports. So, every day alter school, Marcus _________ his classmates to go to Conrad’s for a moment of discussion about the game competition. The discussion is as _________ as a real high school game, which makes Conrad forget the hurt.

Finally, the doctors found a new _________ to reduce the pain. Conrad walks without much pain, and then begins running, but he still has to learn the __________ of running. After a childhood of walking carefully and taking __________ steps, Conrad has to train his walking like a kid again and stay in shape. He pushes himself every day，building his lungs and doing leg lifts repeatedly for his leg __________. He knows what pain feels like, but running for Conrad is no longer __________.

To Conrad’s delight, he gets a chance to join the cross country team. Conrad doesn’t win, not once, but Marcus is there, __________ for him who always finishes in the middle of the competitors, breathing in wind and waving his hands __________.

1.

A．gives up

B．competes in

C．hears of

D．breaks through

2.

A．able

B．lucky

C．eager

D．calm

3.

A．bears

B．counts

C．forgets

D．escapes

4.

A．accept

B．enjoy

C．lose

D．miss

5.

A．strangers

B．enemies

C．friends

D．teachers

6.

A．surprise

B．sadness

C．impatience

D．tiredness

7.

A．promises

B．asks

C．drives

D．forces

8.

A．long

B．noisy

C．boring

D．interesting

9.

A．treatment

B．excuse

C．period

D．topic

10.

A．goal

B．style

C．speed

D．skill

11.

A．suitable

B．serious

C．small

D．comfortable

12.

A．strength

B．show

C．shape

D．advantage

13.

A．relaxing

B．beneficial

C．painful

D．meaningful

14.

A．queuing

B．arguing

C．running

D．cheering

15.

A．excitedly

B．curiously

C．anxiously

D．actively

8 . Limiting your child’s candy this Halloween might be more of a trick than a treat, experts say. Once you’re a grown-up raising kids, that bag full of candy might be the scariest part of Halloween — whether it’s concern about a potential sugar rush, worries of parenting perfectionism or diet culture anxiety.

“It makes sense to be scared, because we’ve been taught to be scared,” said Oona Hanson, a parent coach based in Los Angeles. “Sugar is sort of the boogeyman in our current cultural conversation.”

But micromanaging your child’s candy supply can backfire (适得其反)，leading to an overvaluing of sweets，binge (暴食) behavior or unhealthy restriction in your child，said Natalie Mokari, a registered dietitian-nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina.

As stressful as it may be to see your child faced with more candy in one night than they would eat in an entire year, the best approach may be to lean into the joy, she added. “They are only in that age where they want to trick or treat for just a small glimpse of time — it’s so short-lived,” Mokari said. “Let them enjoy that day.”

Experts aren’t suggesting kids have sugar all day every day. The American Heart Association and the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee — groups charged with providing science-based recommendations every live years — have recommended lower daily levels of sugar. Too much added sugar has been associated with cardiovascular disease and lack of essential nutrients.

But a healthy relationship with food has balance, and you can keep your kids’ diets full of nutrients while allowing them lo eat sweets, Mokari said.

1. Why are the grown-ups raising kids scared at Halloween?

A．Because they don’t look perfect enough.

B．Because their children faced too much candy.

C．Because they’ve been taught to be.

D．Because they don’t know the diet culture.

2. Which of the following best explains “Sugar is sort of the boogeyman” underlined in Paragraph 2?

A．Sugar can make us scared.

B．Sugar is a sort of healthy food.

C．Sugar is harmful to our health.

D．Sugar is a sort of essential nutrient.

3. Which of the following statements will Natalie Mokari probably agree with?

A．Kids should have sugar all day every day.

B．It makes sense to be scared with that bag full of candy.

C．It’s a good idea to micromanage your child’s candy supply.

D．Kids would have much joy when treated to candy at Halloween.

4. What are the last two paragraphs mainly about?

A．Diseases associated with sugar.

B．The right attitude towards sugar.

C．Allowing your kids to eat sweets.

D．Keeping your kids’ diets full of nutrients.

10 . Here are top 4 destinations to start your new trip.

Ireland

If you’re looking for the right mixture of history, culture and nature, you’ll find it in Ireland. You can enjoy surprising views here. If you’re in the mood for a boat trip, consider giving it a try in the evening in Cork—it’s truly magical.

Italy

Italy has so many fascinating cities and places to visit, but it would be impossible to see them all in one go. A road trip could work, and Rome is a great place to start. You’re steeped in history throughout the city with the Pantheon and the Colosseum, as well as the historic and architectural gems in the Vatican City. Throw a coin into the Trevi di Fontana before you leave the city, which means you’ll return here one day.

Thailand

Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world, even before Leonardo DiCaprio made Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh, lamous in The Beach. Admittedly, the film does a great job of describing this beautiful island, yet green waters and white sands are pretty standards in this country.

United Arab Emirates

If you’re one of those people who love all luxurious (奢侈的) things, then a trip to Dubai is for you. With year-long sun and grand hotels, this is the place for endless shopping, cocktail drinking by a plush pool and sunbathing on an artificial beach—the Palm Islands. Head to the Golden Souk for a spot of jewellery (珠宝) shopping. If you’re feeling hungry, you can eat at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

1. What may one mean by throwing a coin into the Trevi di Fontana?

A．Getting more coins.	B．Expressing good will.
C．Coming back some day.	D．Wishing for good luck.

2. What is The Beach?

A．A magazine.	B．A website.
C．A newspaper.	D．A movie.

3. Which of the following has the highest building in the world?

A．Ireland.	B．United Arab Emirates.
C．Thailand.	D．Italy.