1 . The Language of Flowers

Ding dong! I looked up from the couch. Who in the world could that be? My body was troubled with illness, so I’d ________myself away. Friends telephoned, texted, emailed and sent cards. I didn’t ________, thinking that I had nothing to offer anyone in the miserable condition I was in.

I ________got up and opened the door to a flower delivery. As I put the flowers on my dining table, I was struck by its ________. It was comprised of solitary blossoms of many varieties that shouldn’t really ________yet somehow did. The mystery flowers had come in a blue jar, without a card.

Instead of returning to the couch, I ________ the florist. He told me some of my friends were behind the ________, secretly. “They wanted to get a ________to you, ” he said, “through the language of flowers.”

The group had followed him and picked very ________stems after consulting an old book. “I learned some things,” the florist said, then ________: “The red carnation (康乃馨) meant ‘Our hearts ache for you’. The yellow tulip (郁金香) wanted to see ________in my smile again. The pink carnation had a few ________words to say about never forgetting me.”

The more I understood what the flowers were ________, the more I started to remember the woman who might have ________them before I separated myself from everyone and everything. My friends knew I was still that woman, with ________beyond my health.

1.

A．hidden

B．given

C．driven

D．broken

2.

A．forbid

B．accept

C．act

D．respond

3.

A．cautiously

B．reluctantly

C．instantly

D．cheerfully

4.

A．size

B．style

C．uniqueness

D．shape

5.

A．go together

B．stand out

C．mix up

D．fade away

6.

A．informed

B．thanked

C．rewarded

D．telephoned

7.

A．delivery

B．program

C．mystery

D．scene

8.

A．companion

B．message

C．commitment

D．gift

9.

A．expensive

B．rare

C．specific

D．fresh

10.

A．explained

B．clarified

C．defined

D．analyzed

11.

A．pain

B．fortune

C．sympathy

D．sunshine

12.

A．modest

B．tolerant

C．formal

D．meaningful

13.

A．involving

B．saying

C．smelling

D．signing

14.

A．advocated

B．confirmed

C．required

D．earned

15.

A．ambition

B．value

C．curiosity

D．fantasy

2 . Jonathan Jones, 12, was overcome with emotion after his principal, who is also color blind, let him _______ his unique glasses during science class last week.

As soon as Jones put the glasses on, he appeared to be immediately _______. He initially smiled and laughed, but he _______ moments later. He then walked around the classroom excitedly, _______ the now – vivid colors around him.

“I was feeling joy that I could _______see all this color...and a little bit of _______ that I couldn’t see color my whole life,” Jonathan told ABC news.

The boy’s mother posted a(n) _______ of Jonathan seeing color for the first time online and started a GoFundMe campaign to buy a pair of the unique glasses for Jonathan, which reportedly cost $ 350. However, so many people were _______ by Jonathan’s story, and the campaign actually ended up _______ more than $ 25, 000.

She wrote “After posting the video, we’ve been touched by how many __________ people have wanted to help him. We’ve had __________ pairs donated to Jonathan and will use 100% of donated funds to purchase color blind glasses for those who can’t __________ them.” “The glasses company will __________ every pair we purchase with a free pair, which doubles the number of people we can __________,” she continued.

For Jonathan, with the new glasses comes a new __________ of the world. He said his favorite color is blue and he’s excited to visit the Caribbean this winter so he can see the ocean in all its glory.

1.

A．borrow

B．polish

C．remove

D．adjust

2.

A．disappointed

B．annoyed

C．surprised

D．embarrassed

3.

A．calmed down

B．broke down

C．cheered up

D．woke up

4.

A．mixing

B．painting

C．changing

D．exploring

5.

A．finally

B．rarely

C．constantly

D．occasionally

6.

A．tension

B．sadness

C．relief

D．shame

7.

A．picture

B．article

C．video

D．introduction

8.

A．moved

B．shocked

C．confused

D．entertained

9.

A．loaning

B．costing

C．saving

D．collecting

10.

A．wealthy

B．generous

C．competent

D．ambitious

11.

A．limited

B．cheap

C．multiple

D．fashionable

12.

A．find

B．produce

C．fix

D．afford

13.

A．match

B．equip

C．replace

D．compare

14.

A．treat

B．instruct

C．help

D．accompany

15.

A．future

B．view

C．situation

D．record

3 . Michael Gonsalves, a chef of Golden Oak at Disney World, has a cuisine concept rooted in fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that originated from childhood harvesting produce from their family garden with his mom to eventually leading kitchens at Walt Disney World Resorts to employ a sustainable model.

“Truly the whole process starts with menu planning,” he said. Creating one dish leads into the creation of many more through the end-to-end use of products. As chefs, they are always searching for the best ingredients. It is then their focus to ensure they appreciate and respect all that go into each and every one of them. For example, they source chicken that is naturally grown and fed on a natural plant forward diet, no hormones (激素) or additives — that’s used in many ways throughout menus from a simple grilled chicken breast to bone soup. Nothing goes to waste.

When they do have waste, even if minimal, they shift it from landfills to transform it into compost (堆肥) that’s then used across the Walt Disney World property. They also support Second Harvest, a local community food bank where healthy produce, prepared, but not served, meals eatable for human consumption are donated. Disney also works with pig farmers when they can’t distribute foods past the point of safety for human consumption. Besides, wildlife reservations love to get the meat because tigers and wild cats can still eat that.

Their operations are “on a path to a sustainable zero waste kitchen of tomorrow” where chefs learn the full-life cycle of plants from seed to plate and gain a better understanding and appreciation for the product and their craft.

Golden Oak at Disney has millions of bees that produce up to 300 pounds of honey per year, plus those bees help with cross pollination (授粉) of their gardens on a daily basis. They advocate a culture that helps develop not only the quality of food, but an appreciation for nature.

1. Where did Michael Gonsalves’ idea about cuisine come from?

A．His mom’s suggestions.	B．His dream of becoming a chef.
C．His interest in delicious food.	D．His labor experience as a child.

2. How are the ingredients dealt with in Golden Oak?

A．They are grilled to eat.	B．They are used to the fullest.
C．They are divided into groups.	D．They are selected by quality.

3. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 3?

A．Give examples about zero waste.

B．Introduce the unique habit of wildlife.

C．Stress the importance of natural food.

D．Explain the operation mode of the food bank.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Disney World:New Cuisine Road

B．Michael Gonsalves:Creative Chef

C．Michael Gonsalves:Advocate of Food Diversity

D．Disney World:Pioneer in Environmental Protection

4 . Spending time outdoors has long been linked (联系) to better health. Gardening goes beyond just beautifying outdoor spaces—it can have a deep effect on our physical and mental (身心上的) health.

Gardening involves physical activity that works all the main muscle (肌肉) groups, which is helpful for overall health. “Activities such as digging, planting, weeding and harvesting require movement and can help to improve strength,” said Clayton, CEO of an online lawn care company. “Performing these activities regularly can help burn calories, and keep a healthy weight.”

Beyond burning calories and building muscle, lots of studies have shown that gardening can improve the immune system (免疫系统). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, and gardening is listed as a suitable activity. Doing garden work for that time each week can reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. Additionally, spending time outdoors makes us get close to natural sunlight, which is important for vitamin D synth.

Gardening provides a chance for social connection, too. It can be a shared activity among family members, friends or neighbors, building relationships and a sense of belonging.

Gardening also offers cognitive (认知的) benefits. It excites the senses, improves focus and encourages problem-solving and creativity. It provides a chance to learn about plants, ecosystems and the environment, developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature.

1. What is Clayton’s attitude towards gardening?

A．Supportive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Unclear

D．Uncaring.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly tell us about gardening?

A．It improves focus.	B．It is a waste of time.
C．It can keep a body in shape.	D．It helps to reduce the risk of diseases.

3. How does gardening affect social connection according to the text?

A．It contributes to creativity.	B．It encourages problem-solving.
C．It builds relationships between people.	D．It improves people’s awareness of safety.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．How to Start a Garden	B．Choose a Garden or Not
C．What Plants Grow Best in a Garden	D．Start Gardening and Get the Health Benefits

5 . Armed with a toolkit of techniques and tricks to calm the mind and bring focus back to your body, you can stop stressful situations from sabotaging your day, says Katy Georgiou.

GROUND YOURSELF

Making contact with the ground is your baseline go-to response for stress. This technique can be especially helpful if you find your stress regularly turns into panic. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, place your feet flat on the ground so that you feel stable, and then close your eyes. If you’re able to sit on the floor cross-legged or to lie down flat, then even better.

Think of this as earthing: really connect with the ground beneath your body. Some studies suggest that this simple act can help reduce or relieve symptoms of stress such as pain and fatigue, reduce blood pressure, and improve sleep. If you’re feeling disconnected from the world, it can also remind you that you belong to it and are a crucial part of it — the ground will always be there for you.

LOVE THYSELF

Adopting regular, daily or weekly routines for self-care can be very containing, creating consistency amid all sorts of stressful life events happening around you. Looking in the mirror each day can actually remind you that you exist, so feel free to factor some reflective gazing into your daily routine, whether it’s while applying moisturiser, shaving, or brushing your hair. Studies have shown that being confronted with your reflection can have powerful effects, taking us out of our heads and into the immediate present. For added effect, pay attention to the way your products interact with your hair and skin as you apply them.

Playing around with smells, colours and textures in your hands will also engage your senses. Using a scented shampoo or smoothing on body lotion after a warm bath can be easy ways to do this.

CLEAR YOUR MIND

Abandon all your thoughts and try to focus only on your surroundings. What can you see, hear, smell, taste and touch? Identify three things you can hear, one thing you can taste, four things you can see and two things you can feel on your skin. Pick out colours in the room you are sitting in, notice textures and different kinds of light. If somebody is with you, tell them what you are experiencing. The point here is that your senses are your best and easiest route back to feeling calm, by coming out of your head and rooting yourself back in the present. This is incredibly helpful if you’re having a panic attack or flop response.

1. If your friend Jane always feels worn out and suffers from sleep deprivation, which of the following techniques will you especially recommend to her?

A．Connect her body to the ground beneath her.

B．Adopt a daily gaze at her reflection in the mirror.

C．Exchange her scentless shampoo for an aromatic one.

D．Focus on what she can see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

2. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A．Lying down flat can better relieve your stress.

B．Grounding yourself can give you a sense of belonging to the world.

C．Brushing your hair while looking in the mirror can remind you of your existence.

D．Those having a panic attack should shut their senses down.

3. The passage is intended to __________.

A．help people understand themselves better

B．introduce some practical methods for stress management

C．emphasize the significance of exploiting multiple senses

D．promote a mindset of living in the moment

6 . Los Angeles native Randall Bartlett sat under the rooftop of a traditional Chinese scholar’s studio, occasionally turning a page of his book. The scene was in the reopened Liu Fang Yuan garden at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. For him, the garden brings to life the Chinese philosophies he learned from books.

Phillip E. Bloom, director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies, said the idea for Liu Fang Yuan goes back to the 1980s with the initial aim of creating a collection of Chinese plants, but after research, they realized plants alone were not sufficient to demonstrate the essence of a Chinese garden. Eventually, it was decided to model a garden on 16th and 17th century scholarly retreats(隐居处)in Suzhou.

The decision was made partly due to the fame of Suzhou classical gardens, but also because similarities were found between the Huntington and Suzhou gardens. Bloom said that Henry Huntington, founder of the Huntington Library, was a successful US businessman who used his fortune to collect rare books, artworks and to create gardens. “Many Suzhou gardens were also created by rich people who tried to pursue a scholarly lifestyle,” he added.

To preserve the character of the Suzhou gardens, the Huntington Library sought help from Suzhou, giving rise to collaboration between US and Chinese architects, contractors and designers. In all stages of construction, artisans(工匠)from Suzhou came to work on details of the venue.

After three years of expansion from 2018 to 2020, Liu Fang Yuan reopened to the public with 4.6 hectares of new landscape, making it one of the largest classical-style Chinese gardens in the world. The additions include courtyards displaying penjing, a scholar’s studio, a pavilion(亭子)situated at the garden’s highest point, etc.

Now, it is meaningful to see how people from local communities interact with the garden. “A lot of volunteers come to different lectures and exhibitions about Chinese culture hat we hold regularly,” Bloom said. By exposing its visitors to arts and literature, Liu Fang uan goes beyond international boundaries and bridges the cultural gaps between the two ountries.

1. What do we know about Liu Fang Yuan?

A．It used to be a scholarly retreat in Suzhou.

B．It was constructed by Suzhou artisans alone.

C．It became the largest garden after being expanded.

D．It promotes cultural exchanges between America and China.

2. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The introduction to the founder.

B．The fame of Suzhou classical gardens.

C．The features of a scholarly lifestyle.

D．The reasons for modeling a Suzhou garden.

3. What does the underlined word “collaboration” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．negotiation

B．cooperation

C．inspiration

D．contradiction

4. Why did Bloom mention local people’s interactions with the garden?

A．To show its cultural significance.

B．To detail its architectural features.

C．To promote its diverse activities.

D．To boost its international fame.

7 . In a study in the journal Science, researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois reported that they had developed an effective and inexpensive method for breaking down chemicals called poly fluoro alkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS, first created in the 1930s, are chemical compounds (化合物). They are used to make a wide range of everyday products, including nonstick pans, carpeting, electronics, and fast-food wrappers. Once the chemicals are in the environment, they are almost impossible to eliminate because they are designed to avoid breaking down. Researchers have linked regular levels of exposure to these chemicals with several health problems, including liver damage, an increased risk of cancer, and reduced immunity.

Scientists had previously figured out how to remove PFAS from polluted water or soil but, until now, had no safe and effective way to destroy them once they were removed. The study reported that when the team boiled PFAS molecules (分子) with two common substances, the PFAS quickly broke down and became harmless.

In 2020, William Dichtel, a chemist and professor at Northwestern, read a study in which chemists at the University of Alberta, in Canada, found an easy way to break down chains of molecules. He asked a graduate student, Brittany Trang, to try the method on PFAS molecules.

Trang had spent months in the lab unsuccessfully attempting to pull apart PFAS, and at first she thought Dichtel’s idea was too simple to work. But she tried it, boiling PFAS with a common solvent (溶剂) called dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Trang was shocked when the process destroyed the PFAS. She later mixed DMSO with a chemical called sodiumhydroxide and broke down PFAS even more quickly.

The scientists will work on ways to destroy PFAS outside the lab so large amounts of forever chemicals can be broken down at once. “It’s a huge challenge, but it’s in our grasp,” Dichtel told The New York Times. Scientists are also calling for a decrease in the amount of PFAS being released into the natural world. In June, the US government announced new plans to monitor PFAS, decrease the amount released into the environment, and address the effects of PFAS on human health.

1. What does the underlined word “eliminate” probably mean in paragraph 2?

A．Identify.

B．Destroy.

C．Remove.

D．Release.

2. How did William Dichtel find the way to break down chains of molecules?

A．He got information from a study of others.

B．He conducted the experiments on his own.

C．His graduate student, Brittany Trang, told him.

D．Chemists at the University of Alberta told him.

3. What can we learn about Brittany Trang’s experiment?

A．She tried the method from Dichtel but didn’t succeed at first.

B．She pulled apart PFAS with her own idea at her first attempt.

C．She developed a more effective method to break down PFAS.

D．She thought Dichtel’s idea was too simple, so she didn’t try it.

4. What do scientists advocate to the public?

A．Addressing the effects of PFAS on human health and environment.

B．Reducing the amount of PFAS being released into the environment.

C．Finding more effective ways to destroy PFAS in and outside the lab.

D．Stopping the use of PFAS in everyday life to avoid health problems.

8 . TikTok, a social media app dedicated to short-form videos, has emerged as a major firer of food trends — from mushroom coffee and pancake cereal to cloud bread and feta pasta. But another trend, the #whatieatinaday trend, is dominating TikTok, which is nearing 9 billion _________.

Even though #whatieatinaday posts may be _________ to serve as healthy inspiration for others, there’s a growing feeling that these video diaries of daily eats will likely do more harm than good — especially among young girls or people with a history of disordered eating.

The _________ message these posts send is that if you eat like them, then you can eventually look like them. Yet what someone else eats in a day doesn’t mean it’s right for you, since these “_________” videos are not a completely accurate representation of what someone typically eats.

Often the overly stylized (程式化) meals do not _________ a nutritionally adequate diet. The posts are _________ the illusion (幻想) of an ideal day of eating, along with an ideal body size.

Younger audiences, especially girls and young women, internalize the message that they must eat like these creators to achieve and maintain not only health, but also social _________. The biggest harm with this trend is that it normalizes disordered or _________ eating behaviors. This could prevent someone struggling with an eating disorder from _________ support or treatment.

Even if the #whatieatinaday posts are displaying a ____________ day of eating, the subtext message of “eat like me, and you will look like me” is harmful because people will not necessarily achieve the same body size as the ____________ even if they copied their day of eating bite for bite.

____________, what might be a healthy, adequate day of satisfying meals for one person may be inadequate and unsatisfying to another. Even worse, someone looking at these posts may conclude that they need to be eating half as much to ____________.

People making these videos are overwhelmingly thin, young, able-bodied and white. There is a complete lack of body ____________. And this encourages harmful comparisons to unrealistic body standards that are ____________ to the vast majority of people. Therefore, those of us from marginalized communities are once again unable to see positive representations of our varying bodies, foods and cultural representation in these harmful posts.”

1.

A．views

B．statements

C．analyses

D．identities

2.

A．emphasized

B．simplified

C．requested

D．intended

3.

A．moral

B．scientific

C．potential

D．instant

4.

A．modern

B．staged

C．educational

D．labelled

5.

A．prioritize

B．commercialize

C．recognize

D．exchange

6.

A．promoting

B．representing

C．spoiling

D．perfecting

7.

A．welfare

B．equality

C．desirability

D．justice

8.

A．individual

B．instinctive

C．restrictive

D．changeable

9.

A．attracting

B．seeking

C．losing

D．offering

10.

A．fixed

B．balanced

C．relaxing

D．demanding

11.

A．reader

B．advertiser

C．browser

D．poster

12.

A．Therefore

B．Finally

C．Additionally

D．Meanwhile

13.

A．lose weight

B．share interests

C．assume burden

D．make contributions

14.

A．language

B．diversity

C．warmth

D．response

15.

A．available

B．predictable

C．inadequate

D．unachievable

9 . Would you take a trip if you couldn’t use your cellphone? A new tour company called Off the Grid is asking travellers to put their cellphones away and not even use them for photos. The company founder, Zach Beattie, is developing his business, using money he saved from a tech job at a mapping company. He’s hired guides for every trip but will help lead the first few himself.

The first trip is to Lisbon, Portugal, in July. It takes 7 to 10 days, with small groups of up to 16 people. Prices range from $1,500 to $1,650, including accommodations, meals and ground transportation. The plan includes at least three excursions (远足) and two social events, with an emphasis on unique experiences over bucket-list sightseeing. The tour also includes surfing lessons, yoga on the beach, a day of sailing and dinner with a local family.

“When you’re somewhere new, there’s a lot to see and a lot of cool and interesting people to meet,” Beattie said. “Your phone can distract (使分心) you.” The phone ban won’t be enforced quite as strictly as it seems at first glance. “We want it to be voluntary,” he said. “We’re not collecting phones and throwing them in a locked trunk. It’s held by you, but put in your pocket, and you state your intentions for the week, whether that’s checking your social media once or twice a day or a total blackout.”

Tour-goers also get a “dumbphone” without Internet access that’s loaded with numbers for group leaders and other participants, both for emergencies and to promote socializing. Participants may bring regular cameras, but Beattie is hiring a photographer for each tour so there will be plenty of photos to remember the trip. Once the trip is over, participants will have access to those photos for use in social media posts.

1. What can be learned about Zach Beattie?

A．He set up his business at his own expense.

B．He is always guiding every trip personally.

C．He forbids tourists to take along cellphones.

D．He used to earn his living in a tour company.

2. What do we know about the Lisbon trip?

A．The trip features sightseeing.

B．Participants live in homestays.

C．Air ticket is covered in the cost.

D．Tourists experience water sports.

3. What does Zach Beattie expect the participants to do?

A．Lock their phones in a trunk.

B．Post their photos on social media.

C．Free themselves from their phones.

D．Shift their focus onto dumbphones.

4. What can tour-goers do with the dumbphone?

A．Take photos.	B．Access the Internet.
C．Record the trip.	D．Contact group members.

10 . Xi'an

It was called Chang'an in ancient times. As the cradle (发源地) of Chinese civilization, it has a really long history. The city passed through the Zhou Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty and some other dynasties as the capital city. It enjoys the title of the “four major ancient civilization capitals” with ancient Athens, Cairo and Rome.

Luoyang

It was the capital city of 13 dynasties, and it was listed as the world's largest city six times in history. Luoyang once was the starting point of the Silk Road in eastern countries. It connected Europe and North Africa with Asia.

Kaifeng

As early as the Neolithic Age (新石器时代), our ancestors lived here. Its history can be traced back to the Xia Dynasty, the Shang Dynasty and the Zhou Dynasty. It was the capital city of the Later Jin Dynasty, the Later Han Dynasty, the Later Zhou Dynasty as well as the Northern Song Dynasty. It achieved great prosperity (繁荣) in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Yangzhou

As one of the 24 famous historical and cultural cities listed by the State Council, Yangzhou has a history of about 2,500 years. It reached great prosperity in the Han, Sui, Tang, and Qing Dynasties. It used to be an important business center and a center of transportation.

Chengdu

It is an ancient cultural city, with two miracles in Chinese history. One is that its name has been the same for 2,000 years; the other is that it has always been the capital city of Sichuan region. It's a capital with a glorious history.

1. What is this passage mainly about?

A．Five of the largest cities with a long history in China.

B．Five famous modern cities with a long history in China.

C．Five of the most beautiful cities with a long history in China.

D．Five famous ancient cultural cities with a long history in China.

2. Which of the following cities is linked to ancient Athens, Cairo and Rome?

A．Xi'an.	B．Kaifeng.
C．Luoyang.	D．Yangzhou.

3. In the Han, Sui, Tang, and Qing Dynasties, Yangzhou was most probably famous for its ________.

A．history	B．culture
C．economy	D．beauty

4. This passage is probably taken from a website on ________.

A．business	B．schooling
C．parenting	D．traveling