1 . Abeid was born in a village of Tanzania and dreamt of flying a plane, soaring (翱翔) through the sky. Due to financial difficulties, he became a wildlife guide instead.

Abeid didn’t give up. He became a chief pilot of hot air ballooning at the age of 20. His passion for flying was matched by his skill both as a pilot and as a guide. Then, he came up with the idea of flying across the Serengeti from east to west, which would take four flights on successive days, taking off and landing where no one had ever seen a balloon before.

As a journalist, I was so lucky to make a journey with Abeid. We were up at 3 am. Abeid walked into the basket and checked the lines and the fastenings. Moments later, he was instructing me to get into it. With barely time to catch my breath, he gave a long blast (猛吹) on the burners and the basket tipped upright.

Over the following days, we gasped at the joy and wonder of the sky; at the beauty and complexity of the land beneath us. There was no fear, just a sense of being part of something fantastic as we floated in the silence of the African sky.

But not everything went entirely to Abeid’s carefully worked-out plan. The rains that had started to fall every afternoon slowed the air. On the final day, we landed 20km short of the destination. Luckily, we finally made the crossing the next morning.

When we were returning to the land, crowds of people shouted and waved. Many children looked up as we flew over them, and started to run. As Abeid brought the balloon down, people gathered around the balloon, pressing against the basket. Those children were also there, flushed and breathless, eyes wide with amazement. Abeid and I both looked at each other in silent agreement. Suddenly we were helping some children into the basket. Abeid lifted off and we flew just a few hundred metres with the excited crowd running alongside.

I realized that Abeid’s journey was more than just about flying. It was about hope, inspiration, and the joy of sharing one’s passion. And as I penned down the last words of this extraordinary experience, I knew that Abeid’s story would resonate (回荡) far beyond the Serengeti.

1. What did Abeid dream of?

A．Being a wildlife guide.	B．Being a journalist.
C．Flying a hot air balloon.	D．Flying a plane.

2. Which of the following best describes the journey across the Serengeti?

A．Smooth.

B．Pioneering.

C．Painful.

D．Eco-friendly.

3. What agreement did Abeid and the author reach?

A．Showing their technical skills.	B．Teaching the children to be a pilot.
C．Taking the children for a ride.	D．Attracting people to their show.

4. What would be the best title for the passage?

A．A Beautiful View: from East to West

B．A Balloon Adventure: the Dream Soaring High

C．Different Job Experiences: from a Guide to a Pilot

D．A Wildlife Exploration: the Unforgettable Experience

3 . Subscribe to Reader’s Digest Magazine

Launched in 1922, Reader’s Digest has built 100 years of trust with a loyal audience and has become the largest circulating magazine in the world.

Reader’s Digest magazine is bursting with stories, news, advice, recipes, reviews, tips, jokes and anecdotes. Each issue is small enough to fit in your pocket, but big enough to keep you entertained for weeks on end.

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1. What features Reader’s Digest?

A．The flexible sizes.	B．A wide variety of topics.
C．Its imaginary stories.	D．Its longest history in the UK.

2. How much should you pay to get the digital annual subscription?

A．£13.5.

B．£22.99.

C．£23.99.

D．£34.99.

3. How can you cancel your subscription?

A．By clicking the link.	B．By phoning the service.
C．By contacting the deliveryman.	D．By visiting the magazine office.

4 . It was nearly midnight when my wife Rita and I were driving home from the University of Illinois, where our son Randy was a freshman. Rita was asleep in the passenger seat. I headed north, wondering what on earth had made us take the afternoon off to drive to the university and back, a six-hour round trip. All for nothing.

For weeks Randy had been telling me how much fun he was having in football matches. I suddenly got the idea to show up and cheer my son, like we did in high school.

Just several hours earlier, Rita and I had met him on the field. We watched the young go on to the field, warm up, and then…there was something wrong. Randy ran over. “We cannot hold a competition today. The other team doesn't have enough players,” he said. It was not a big deal. I tried to comfort myself. But I'd just driven three hours to get here and I'd had my heart set on seeing my son in action. Instead, we took Randy out for pie and coffee.

As I was driving on the road, a memory rushed back to me when I was a Boy Scout (童子军). Our team made a canoe (独木舟)   journey down the Fox River. My dad drove miles to see me. About a mile downriver we came to a bridge. I looked up and there he was. Dad was standing right on the bridge. He didn't shout like others. He simply waved until we passed underneath. But several miles later, on the next bridge, there he was again. And the one after that. And the next. My dad had taken the chance to show he was always with me.

At last I understood the most important thing I could do for my son — just be there, even if it meant driving a long way.

1. How did the author feel at first when he was driving home with his wife?

A．Hopeless.

B．Shocked.

C．Unhappy.

D．Worried.

2. Why did the author and his wife make the trip to the University of Illinois?

A．To cheer their son on.	B．To watch a football match.
C．To have a meal with their son.	D．To encourage their son to study hard.

3. Why did the author mention his experience of being a Boy Scout?

A．To show how his dad cheered him on.	B．To show he missed his dad very much.
C．To show he lived a happy life when young.	D．To show how his dad showed his love to him.

4. What did the author learn from his father?

A．Be strict with his children.	B．Just be there with his children.
C．Have more patience with his children.	D．Do what he could to help his children.

5 . During the Labor Day Holiday, Zha Liguo, at our guide, enjoyed sunrises and sunsets over Huangshan. He was joined by thousands of followers who enjoyed the views on their phones in what is known as “cloud tourism”. During the holiday, Zha would begin his day with a broadcast of the sunrise at the mountaintop. He then would hike across the grand valley and wait for the sunset with his mobile phone.

Having worked in the tourism industry for two decades, Zha began experimenting with live stream in 2022. His positive attitude, engaging presentation, and high quality filming in particular, have helped him attract 700,000 followers.

Not far away from Huangshan, the Hongcun Village is also exploring new possibilities. In less than a year since the village created an official livestream account, it has gained more than 100, 000 followers.

“In addition to the landscape, we also take the audience closer to local folk customs, such as lantern making and wood carving. Compared with the traditional tour, ‘cloud tourism’ can give them a much deeper understanding of a place,” said a manager of a local tourist agency.

“Cloud tourism” has not only increased the appeal of tourist attractions in Hongcun Village but also boosted the growth of local industries. The sales of products in the scenic zone shot up in live stream shows and at present about 40 local tour guides regularly live stream. The live video streams have also cultivated (培养) a huge potential customer base. “I would love to go to Huangshan in the future,” read a message left in Zha’s live stream.

1. What did Zha do in early May?

A．He landed a job as at our guide.	B．He met followers over Huangshan.
C．He broadcast day breaks and night falls.	D．He shared routines of daily life online.

2. Which helped Zha attract followers most?

A．His quality filming.	B．His creative experiments.
C．His positive attitude.	D．His engaging presentation.

3. What can be inferred about the Hongcun Village?

A．It draws attention for natural streams.

B．It is located in the valley of Huangshan.

C．It benefits financially from-livestream.

D．It explores possibilities with landscape.

4. What impact might cloud tourism have?

A．Introducing some new folk customs.

B．Helping locals to admire the scenery.

C．Promoting the woodcarving techniques.

D．Attracting tourists to explore the site.

7 . Volunteers Wanted: Caring Rides

CareGivers is seeking volunteers for its Caring Rides program, serving homebound seniors (居家老人) in New Hampshire.

Volunteering is easy, and we offer flexible opportunities built around your schedule, whether you volunteer once a week, once a month or on an as-needed basis.

Volunteers need to drive seniors to medical appointments, dental visits or a drugstore. Sometimes, you need to shop for them or run errands (差事) on behalf of individuals. Taking a client on a round-trip usually takes an hour of your time, and our requirements are that you have a car, valid driver’s license and a friendly attitude.

For hundreds of seniors in New Hampshire, doing something as simple as getting to a medical appointment or picking up medication at a local drugstore is a necessity — but sadly, not an option. Most live alone, and cannot drive or access reliable transportation. They rely on our network of volunteers. But more than 200 seniors across the area are on waiting lists to receive these services, many of whom have to cancel doctor appointments and have difficulties gaining adequate access to the food they need. That’s where YOU can come in.

You Truly Make a Difference in the Life of a Local Senior

For these seniors, our network of volunteers is their lifeline. While providing a ride for a senior in need may seem like a small task, it’s significant and life-changing for those we serve:

●You can help them avoid common feelings of isolation and loneliness they have.

●You can ensure they maintain access to medical needs, food and other essentials key to their physical health, emotional well-being and overall quality of life.

●You can make them realize that they can age in a dignified manner inside their homes for as long as possible.

To sign up, simply fill out the contact form on this page and we will be in touch with you the next steps!

1. Which of the following services should volunteers offer to homebound seniors?

A．Cooking meals for them.	B．Doing business with them.
C．Taking them to see a doctor.	D．Spending some time with them.

2. What question is answered in paragraph 4?

A．Why do few seniors own a private vehicle?

B．Why does CareGivers need more volunteers?

C．Why do many seniors want to join CareGivers?

D．Why does CareGivers start its Caring Rides program?

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A newspaper.	B．A TV program.
C．CareGivers’ website.	D．CareGivers’ brochure.

8 . Bang! Somewhere, someone set off fireworks. After hearing the loud noise, ten-year-old Rosie, ran back towards her ________, Steve Harper. Rosie, ________ from a rescue shelter, was easily shocked by loud sounds when she first arrived, but soon fell in love with the Harpers’ sons and ________ with Steve. But Rosie’s ________ of loud noises always continued and never ________. After the second bang on that Friday afternoon, she took off and ________ disappeared from sight with a silver ring shining around her neck.

Nowhere can Steve find Rosie. Steve had less than five minutes to begin worrying when his phone rang. “Is that black-and-white dog yours, Mr. Harper? She’s just ________ herself over. It seems that she were a criminal.” On the other end the voice came, and the caller was half ________.

Closed-circuit television showed Rosie walking into the police station, ________ around for a few seconds as if she were looking for food, and ________ seating herself in the waiting room just like a lady. A few minutes later, staff ________, gave her some water and called Steve, whose phone number was on Rosie’s ________.

Steve supposed why Rosie knew just where to ________: the waiting room chairs closely resemble those at the local vet. “Maybe she saw the chairs and thought, Oh, this is what I do. I sit and wait.”

Steve headed to fetch Rosie from the ________ and the dog was overjoyed. On their way home, Steve hugged her and stroked her curry hair. Finally they arrived home, safe and ________.

1.

A．partner

B．owner

C．vet

D．trainer

2.

A．adopted

B．bought

C．stolen

D．separated

3.

A．competed

B．fought

C．bonded

D．finished

4.

A．fondness

B．care

C．fear

D．awareness

5.

A．built up

B．gave off

C．passed on

D．went away

6.

A．partly

B．gradually

C．permanently

D．quickly

7.

A．handed

B．thought

C．pulled

D．troubled

8.

A．crying

B．kidding

C．whispering

D．shouting

9.

A．jumping

B．sitting

C．rolled

D．nosing

10.

A．anxiously

B．bravely

C．politely

D．impatiently

11.

A．left

B．explained

C．hesitated

D．emerged

12.

A．collar

B．back

C．tie

D．leg

13.

A．lie

B．settle

C．sleep

D．play

14.

A．station

B．house

C．shelter

D．clinic

15.

A．charming

B．nervous

C．sound

D．amazed

9 . Martin, Tom and Paul were brothers. They were very different, but they were consistent (一致的) about two things. They couldn't succeed in business. And they never _________ about anything. Martin was a hardworking farmer, growing organic vegetables and raising chickens. But he was _________ and forgot to pay his bills. Paul owned a textile factory that produced clothes. He was organized, but he was greedy and took too much clothing. His closet was _________ with his own products. Tom was once a sergeant in the army. He ran a martial arts school, but his attitude on discipline was too strong. He had almost no _________ .

One day, they received a _________ saying that their father had died. They were heirs to his old farm. They planned to sell it as soon as possible, so they went to see it even though there was a terrible storm. The house didn't look great, but there was a lot of land. There was so much, in fact, that they could hardly see its _________ .

_________ , the storm got worse. The sheer force of the wind almost knocked them _________ . Martin said, "Look, it's a typhoon!" Paul said, "No, it's a cyclone." Tom said, "No, it's a tornado!" They argued _________ Paul began to wail and said, "Whatever it is, it's coming __________ at us! We're doomed!" The three brothers scrambled inside the old house. Martin said, "If we survive, we must stop fighting. This farm could be great if we __________ it up. With my hard work, Paul's organization and Tom's __________, we could run a great business together!" The storm finally ended. And luckily, it didn't __________ the farm.

"Just think," Martin said, "it took the chaos of a typhoon to bring us together" Paul replied," You mean a cyclone brought us together." Tom said "Didn't I tell you both that it was a tornado?" The brothers never agreed on what kind of __________ it was, but by combining their __________ , they started a successful farm.

1.

A．agreed

B．argued

C．talked

D．figured

2.

A．disabled

B．distracted

C．disorganized

D．disordered

3.

A．decorated

B．equipped

C．fitted

D．filled

4.

A．soldiers

B．students

C．visitors

D．teachers

5.

A．telegraph

B．telescope

C．television

D．teleplay

6.

A．outline

B．branch

C．boundary

D．distance

7.

A．Suddenly

B．Eventually

C．Obviously

D．Occasionally

8.

A．off

B．up

C．at

D．over

9.

A．unless

B．until

C．when

D．since

10.

A．right

B．left

C．before

D．after

11.

A．picked

B．got

C．set

D．fixed

12.

A．greed

B．discipline

C．strength

D．attitude

13.

A．evacuate

B．affect

C．destroy

D．strike

14.

A．disaster

B．storm

C．wind

D．type

15.

A．skills

B．ideas

C．performance

D．reference