1 . Despite being connected online, no matter what state you’re from, each city still retains its own language and slang. At my public high school in Los Angeles, we had our own secret language. A party was a “yart”. A beer was a “brewsky”. If I tried to use these words in front of anyone that didn’t live in Los Angeles, they would have no idea what was going on. When I came to college and used these words around my roommate from the East Coast, she would look at me with a blank stare.

Teenagers are often blamed for pulling apart standard linguistic patterns. The way my parents used to talk isn’t the same way that teenagers talk now. But it reflects the dynamic nature of language, which evolves over time due to various influences, including generational shifts and technological advancements. Teenagers, at an age when they are actively exploring their identity and seeking to differentiate themselves from previous generations, often play a significant role in this evolution.

It’s interesting to note that people around the world all have different terms for everyday things. Last year, I came across a British show called Love Island, which is a reality show that mixes people from different parts of the U. K. in a “villa”(another word Americans don’t typically say) for about eight weeks. As a bystander, the way they talked felt so elegant and fun, but to them, it was just normal.

Whether the way we talk is regional or from online, the soul of communication lies in its power to connect people, foster understanding, and facilitate interactions that shape our personal and social lives. I have often found it’s the way we connect with the people we live around.

1. Why might the roommate not understand the author’s high school language?

A．It is specific to Los Angeles.	B．It is too informal.
C．It is outdated.	D．It is from online.

2. According to the text, how do the teenagers contribute to the evolution of language?

A．By imitating their parents.

B．By applying advanced technology.

C．By following previous language patterns.

D．By finding their own voice.

3. Why does the author mention the British show in paragraph 3?

A．To demonstrate worldwide language diversity.

B．To speak highly of British English.

C．To recommend a reality show.

D．To introduce everyday expressions in Britain.

4. What is mainly talked about in the last paragraph?

A．The means of communication.	B．The nature of communication.
C．The elements of communication.	D．The process of communication.

2 . Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement (HOME) Program in Los Angeles

The Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement (HOME) program provides field-based outreach, engagement, support, and treatment to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Services are provided by addressing basic needs, conducting clinical assessments, providing street medical treatment, and providing access to appropriate services (including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and shelter).

HOME serves the youth aged 16 to 21 who are experiencing chronic (长期的) unsheltered homelessness and who have profound mental health needs and associated impairments. These vulnerable individuals struggle with securing appropriate food, clothing, and shelter due to their mental illness. In addition, they may have critical shortage in communication, and are generally highly avoidant of medical services. They are unable to live safely in the community and require specialized mental health services to secure and sustain housing.

Most referrals (移交) are submitted by homeless outreach program staff members who identify individuals with severe impairments that require specialized and intensive support and engagement.

The general public may initiate a referral to a homeless outreach team through the Los Angeles Homeless Outreach Portal at www. LA-HOP. org. Individuals will be assigned to a HOME team if the person meets the criteria.

Homeless outreach providers should complete the form below and email it to HOME@dmh.lacounty.gov.

Press coverage about HOME:

●Los Angeles Times “LA’s first street psychologist makes his sidewalk rounds, transforming homeless lives”

●KPCC-FM “How LA’s ‘Street Psychology’ Program Works To Treat People Who Are Unhoused”

1. How does the HOME program offer help?

A．By conducting scientific research.

B．By providing accessible medical care.

C．By recommending useful websites.

D．By finding hosting families.

2. Which of the following youth groups is most likely to benefit from the HOME program?

A．The temporarily unsheltered.	B．The well-off but troubled.
C．The homeless mentally ill.	D．The physically challenged.

3. What should one do to help his friend get help from the HOME program?

A．Apply on the website.	B．Contact local media.
C．Visit its employees.	D．Write a letter of reference.

3 . When Eugenie George first heard that her friend passed an exam, her heart sank. She’d failed that test weeks earlier, and needed more work to advance her own career. But instead of anxiety, she called her friend. “I congratulated her and told her she inspired me,” she says. She was surprised when it changed her attitude, so she could share her friend’s happiness and experience her own, in turn.

Finding pleasure in another person’s good fortune is what social scientists call freudenfreude, a term that describes the joy we feel when someone else succeeds, even if it isn’t directly connected with us. Freudenfreude is like social glue, says Catherine Chambliss, a professor of psychology at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. It makes relationships “closer and more enjoyable”. Sharing in someone else’s joy can also improve life satisfaction and resilience(适应力) and help people cooperate during a disagreement.

While the benefits of freudenfreude are plentiful, it doesn’t always come easily. Sometimes, your loss might last, making freudenfreude feel out of reach. If you were raised in a family that paired winning with self-worth, Chambliss says, you might misread someone else’s victory as your own personal shortcoming. And factors such as mental health and overall wellbeing(幸福) can also affect your ability to participate in someone else’s joy. Still, freudenfreude is worthwhile and there are ways to encourage the feeling.

Instead of an automatic response, freudenfreude is often an active process. To help people strengthen joy-sharing muscles, Chambliss and her colleagues developed a programme called FreudenfreudeEnhancement Training (FET). They found that depressed people who used the practices for two weeks had an easier time expressing freudenfreude, which built up their relationships and improved their mood.

Jean Grae, an artist, supports friends in this mindset. When someone gets a new opportunity or reaches a milestone, she makes sure to celebrate. Grae says she’s especially moved when anyone considered ‘other’ succeeds. “It’s truly inspirational,” she says, “because it lifts us all up and makes us shine.”

1. What do we know about Eugenie George?

A．She took pride in passing her exam.	B．She shared her success with her friend.
C．She was pleased with her friend’s success.	D．She was annoyed at her failure in an exam.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly focus on about freudenfreude?

A．Its great benefits.	B．Its disadvantages.
C．Reasons for its absence.	D．Ways of improving it.

3. Why is Freudenfreude Enhancement Training (FET) held?

A．To test the effect of freudenfreude.	B．To help people apply freudenfreude.
C．To get people to know freudenfreude.	D．To show the advantages of freudenfreude.

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

A．How to experience freudenfreude?

B．Let’s share what leads to freudenfreude.

C．Freudenfreude: View others’ success as our own.

D．A win-win: Freudenfreude brings our own pleasure.

4 . It seems that we just can’t get enough of roller coasters. Today we look at some top amusement parks and the roller coasters which have helped make them famous.

Holiday World

It is a family park that resists the exciting atmosphere of its competitors and instead offers a more relaxing and friendly experience. Rare in that it is privately owned and it has many features other parks can’t match. There is lots of entertainment for youngsters, and the park’s family-friendly policy offers free entry to the water park, reasonable food prices and unlimited soft drinks free of charge.

Lake Compounce

Lake Compounce, one of America’s more traditional parks, is a rare find indeed. As the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the US, it has been a popular family spot since 1846. Like many old-time parks, it witnessed the danger of being closed. Luckily, in 1977, a well-known company gave its revival with new rides appealing to many new fans.

Knott’s Berry Farm

As one of America’s favourite theme parks, Knott’s has something for everyone. For those seeking a breathtaking rush, try the roller coaster, GhostRider or the Xcelerator. GhostRider is the single largest attraction in amusement park history and one of the longest and tallest wooden roller coasters in the world. If you are after something less exciting, go visit the heart of Knott’s, Ghost Town, for a glance of life in the Wild West of the 1880s. With its cowboys, steam trains and historic buildings-many transported from mining towns-Ghost Town will let you relive a piece of the past.

Islands of Adventure

In the style of Walt Disney World, Islands of Adventure is divided into themed “lands”. Unlike the sugar-coated Magic Kingdom, however, IOA features attractions promising to set the heart racing. While the Spiderman is fantastic, you haven’t truly lived until you’ve experienced The Incredible Hulk’s wild and unique uphill launch. The effect is like being trapped inside an airplane that’s flying out of control.

1. What is special about Holiday World?

A．It provides free food.	B．It owns the latest ride technology.
C．It belongs to an individual.	D．It creates the exciting atmosphere.

2. Which park takes visitors back to earlier times?

A．Holiday World.	B．Lake Compounce.
C．Knott’s Berry Farm.	D．Islands of Adventure.

3. Why does Islands of Adventure differ from Magic Kingdom?

A．It is divided into different lands.	B．It plays many famous movies.
C．It has more visitors waiting in line.	D．It provides a very exciting experience.

5 . It was a September day. Today was the first day of high school for a freshman, Kayla. Kayla had always been a bit of a shy kid, but she had always ______ her studies. She was determined to make full use of her high school years.

As she walked down the hallways, Kayla couldn’t help but feel ______. The older students seemed so confident, while she felt small and unimportant, But Kayla was determined to succeed, no matter what ______ came her way.

It wasn’t long before Kayla’s determination was put to the ______. In her first week of school, she was assigned (分派) a (n) ______ project that required a lot of research and planning. Kayla did her ______, but she soon realized that she was in over her head. As she struggled (努力) to complete the project, Kayla began to ______ herself. She wondered if she was cut out for high school. But then, something ______ happened.

Kayla’s classmates began to notice how ______ she was working, and they started to offer her help and ______. They gave her advice on how to ______ her time better, and they shared their tips for ______ assignments. With their help, Kayla was able to complete the project on time and with great ______.

From that day on, Kayla ______ that high school was not a challenge to be faced alone. With the help and support of her ______, she was able to deal with any difficulty that came her way.

1.

A．feared

B．loved

C．missed

D．forgot

2.

A．bored

B．excited

C．worried

D．interested

3.

A．difficulties

B．honours

C．reasons

D．dangers

4.

A．use

B．side

C．trouble

D．test

5.

A．simple

B．challenging

C．suitable

D．amazing

6.

A．part

B．share

C．best

D．duty

7.

A．teach

B．doubt

C．enjoy

D．believe

8.

A．great

B．strange

C．confusing

D．secret

9.

A．fast

B．bravely

C．fluently

D．hard

10.

A．flash

B．news

C．support

D．service

11.

A．manage

B．find

C．fill

D．waste

12.

A．thinking about

B．getting through

C．giving up

D．asking for

13.

A．freedom

B．creation

C．success

D．trust

14.

A．realized

B．argued

C．stressed

D．recommended

15.

A．families

B．customers

C．teammates

D．classmates

6 . As a physically fit 89-year-old big band singer, Tony Bennett performed timeless ballads (民歌，情歌) perfectly. He was an exception to the belief of aging and decline.

However, the trouble with his _______ concerned Bennett, especially since it might impact his ability to put on his signature fine-tuned show. Eventually, Bennett was _______ with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017.

After receiving the diagnosis, Bennett insisted on continuing to perform. “Tony has always had a very _______ attitude,” his wife Benedetto says. “He was going to keep going straight ahead _______ he always has.”

As one of only a few artists to produce chart-topping records every decade since the 1950s — _______ more than 60 albums — Bennett is an American icon (偶像). His _______ “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” and “Rags to Riches”, among many others — have earned him 19 Grammy Awards.

_______ the disease, Bennett’s desire to help others connect through music remained strong. He felt it _______ to make people feel good.

In February 2021, Bennett _______ shared that he was living with Alzheimer’s in an interview. Shortly after the news, the ________ from the public was overwhelmingly supportive. In October, Bennett and Lady Gaga released ________ is billed as Bennett’s final studio album, “Love for Sale.” Upon its release, Bennett earned the Guinness World Records ________ for the oldest artist to release an album of new material.

As the disease ________, music has a renewed importance in Bennett’s life. Over seven decades, Bennett’s brave and ________ voice is helping people find joy among life’s hardships. “He gives people courage and hope. And he is ________.”

1.

A．memory

B．appearance

C．finance

D．origin

2.

A．charged

B．assigned

C．diagnosed

D．choked

3.

A．negative

B．positive

C．professional

D．confident

4.

A．as

B．like

C．except

D．if

5.

A．adopting

B．discounting

C．packing

D．totaling

6.

A．beats

B．instances

C．plots

D．hits

7.

A．Though

B．Unless

C．Despite

D．Unlike

8.

A．incredible

B．honorable

C．convincing

D．dynamic

9.

A．publicly

B．secretly

C．instantly

D．critically

10.

A．response

B．priority

C．influence

D．resolution

11.

A．how

B．why

C．when

D．what

12.

A．topic

B．title

C．theme

D．model

13.

A．spreads

B．exposes

C．progresses

D．explodes

14.

A．hopeful

B．original

C．faithful

D．merciful

15.

A．moving the goalposts

B．walking on air

C．taking no notice

D．leading the way

7 . Patrick, Scheels store’s fishing manager, always helps customers with their angling (垂钓) needs, but one ______ stood out.

One day, a young boy named Xander entered the store with his mother, Brynn. Patrick noticed his eye were filled with ______ about the world of fishing. For nearly half an hour, they ______ their shared passion.

Brynn shared the ______ of Xander’s connection to angling, explaining, “My dad, a fisherman, passed away last year, but Xander never got to go fishing with him. So over the last year, he’s been ______ grandpa, wishing he could go fishing with him.”

______ by Xander’s longing for a connection to his late grandfather, Patrick decided to take action and ______ Xander his first fishing pole. “It was sixty dollars and he bought it with his own money,” Xander said. This ______ gesture brought tears to Brynn’s eyes, and she acknowleged that such acts of kindness aren’t ______ .

However, Patrick’s generosity didn’t ______ here. The 22-year-old fishing enthusiast went a step further by ______ a memorable fishing trip for Xander and his family. To ______ that Xander had an enriching experience, two professional anglers from Scheels ______ him on the trip, offering guidance and teaching him valuable skills.

Patrick’s kindness was ______ a breath of fresh air for Xander and his family, who described the fishing trip as a once-in-a-lifetime ______ . “I felt like it was my due diligence to pass on the good word of fishing,” Patrick said.

1.

A．argument

B．journey

C．adventure

D．encounter

2.

A．curiosity

B．nervousness

C．concern

D．regret

3.

A．debated over

B．bonded over

C．stuck to

D．turned to

4.

A．wisdom

B．evidence

C．significance

D．definition

5.

A．missing

B．blaming

C．admiring

D．persuading

6.

A．Annoyed

B．Touched

C．Amused

D．Surprised

7.

A．gifted

B．lent

C．showed

D．made

8.

A．ambitious

B．strange

C．genuine

D．urgent

9.

A．practical

B．avoidable

C．secure

D．common

10.

A．root

B．stop

C．appear

D．reach

11.

A．recording

B．postponing

C．organizing

D．canceling

12.

A．reveal

B．stress

C．prove

D．ensure

13.

A．accompanied

B．monitored

C．assessed

D．sponsored

14.

A．possibly

B．initially

C．truly

D．mainly

15.

A．deal

B．experience

C．task

D．performance

8 . Animals being extinct from the Earth is a serious issue. When this happens in order to use their fur or skin for fashion, it is even worse, since it’s not even for a matter of human survival. That’s why a London zoo decided to make a powerful statement at the Siamese crocodile enclosure (鳄鱼围栏).

When visitors come in expecting to see a crocodile, they’re greeted with the handbag instead, making a very effective and powerful point about illegal wildlife trade and the harm it takes on the species involved.

A sign by the enclosure reads, “This bag used to be found swimming in slow-moving rivers and streams across Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Over the last 75 years, more than 80% of Siamese crocodiles have disappeared. Many, like this one, were hunted for their skins as part of the illegal wildlife trade.”.

Native to parts of Southeast Asia, Siamese crocodiles are critically endangered and have become virtually extinct in the wild. Due to hunting as well as habitat loss, they are now absent from nearly 99% of their original range. A huge part of the decline of population is due to humans using their wetland habitat for rice farming, and things only took a turn for the worse when large-scale hunting for their skin for commercial purposes began in the 1950s.

The particular handbag that is on display at the zoo was confiscated at a UK airport, according to Benjamin Tapley, leader of reptiles and amphibians at ZSL London Zoo.

Tapley told The Huffington Post, “We made this exhibit, within ZSL London Zoo’s Reptile House, to draw visitors’ attention to the destructive impact the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is having on species around the world. At ZSL, we are working globally with governments and local communities to protect wildlife, support law enforcement (执法) that targets illegal trade networks, empower local communities affected by IWT and reduce demand for threatened wildlife.”

1. Why does the sign say this handbag used to swim?

A．It is made of a crocodile’s skin.

B．It is made into a crocodile shape.

C．It is light enough to float on water.

D．It was kept in flowing river at first.

2. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Wildly hunting of Siamese crocodiles.

B．Destruction of Siamese crocodiles’ habitats.

C．Commercial value of Siamese crocodiles.

D．Causes to make Siamese crocodiles endangered.

3. What does the underlined word “confiscated” in paragraph 5 mean?

A．Seized.

B．Sold.

C．Found.

D．Stolen.

4. What does Tapley’s words focus on?

A．The importance of wildlife protection.

B．The crisis endangered animals are facing.

C．The purpose to show the handbag.

D．The harm IWT caused.

9 . When Amelia Lisowe was told she was too young to volunteer, she decided to make a difference by herself. The Benton, Arkansas native launched her own non-profit, Lisowe’s Lights, in 2018, donating over 500 nightlights to kids in the Arkansas foster (寄养的) system that year alone.

Since, she has expanded to all 50 states (and 9 countries) and raised funds to distribute more than 15,000 nightlights — with no plans of slowing down.

“Kids in foster homes sometimes have to leave in the middle of the night without taking anything with them,” she says. “I wanted to help them feel less scared and more safe.” The 12-year-old hopes to give away at least 2,500 more lights in 2023.

Amelia grew up volunteering with her mom, Lauren, who encouraged her daughter to find something she was good at and use it to make the world a better place. “I’m so proud of her,” Lauren adds. “She’s involved in every decision we make. Every time we spend money, she helps decide if something is a good idea or will further our cause.”

Amelia also gets help from friends in the Royal International Miss Pageant system, who run their own nightlight drives in person and online. Amelia, a sixth grader who also volunteers at her local food bank and nursing home, says she feels the impact of her work most when she hears from organizations that have put her lights to use.

“I heard about one boy in Oklahoma who never turned off his hall light, not because he was scared, but because he wanted to make sure his little sister was always doing okay across the hall,” Amelia shares. “When they got their nightlight, he knew she wouldn’t be afraid anymore.”

1. What was the reason for Amelia’s being refused as a volunteer?

A．Her young age.	B．Her slow reaction.
C．Her busy schedule.	D．Her little experience.

2. How can nightlights help kids in foster homes?

A．By easing their scare.	B．By encouraging them to explore.
C．By ensuring their safety.	D．By putting them to sleep.

3. What is Lauren’s attitude to Amelia’s work?

A．Opposed.

B．Doubtful.

C．Supportive.

D．Worried.

4. Why did Amelia mention a boy in Oklahoma in the last paragraph?

A．To explain why he kept light on.	B．To express her pride in her job.
C．To decide what she would do next.	D．To show how nightlights help kids.

10 . Tiffany Hammond and her son Aidan communicate in some familiar ways, like hand gestures and body language. But when Aidan wants to ______ himself with words, he uses a tablet (平板电脑).

Aidan is autistic (患孤独症的) and does not speak, so when his mom asks ______ , he can press a button on the screen to answer them. The family has designed routines around his autism, but people outside the household don’t ______ .

“Every single time we go outside the house, there’s something bad happening. There’s a______ , and there’s a mean stare,” Hammond said. “And he feels lonely a lot.”   However, that loneliness and those reactions from outsiders ______ Hammond to find a way to ______the ways in which people with autism can express. They just communicate in a(n) ______type of way. The result of this experience is a children’s book from Hammond titled A Day With No Words. The book followed Aidan through a regular day, showing his ______routines.

Hammond also wrote about the ______ of the book to want people to give kindness and the goal she hoped to ______ with the writing.

In an interview, Hammond said,   “I want to ______ all the things that I see in him. He loves being outside and swings, and he loves life. He is ______ like other people. I want to______ the regular life that I have with my son, and it is supposed to ______ a loving letter to him.”

______, a day with no words can be full of meaningful communication.

1.

A．express

B．enjoy

C．persuade

D．change

2.

A．chances

B．questions

C．roles

D．fantasies

3.

A．imply

B．inquire

C．understand

D．bother

4.

A．saying

B．witness

C．cheat

D．comment

5.

A．pushed

B．elected

C．warned

D．begged

6.

A．avoid

B．represent

C．ignore

D．refuse

7.

A．necessary

B．cold

C．different

D．equal

8.

A．daily

B．weekly

C．monthly

D．yearly

9.

A．cover

B．significance

C．price

D．time

10.

A．imagine

B．notice

C．defeat

D．achieve

11.

A．record

B．teach

C．doubt

D．celebrate

12.

A．nervous

B．strange

C．dangerous

D．hopeful

13.

A．create

B．organize

C．share

D．build

14.

A．look for

B．pick up

C．stare at

D．serve as

15.

A．Immediately

B．Fortunately

C．Actually

D．Finally