1 . My car slid easily into the school lane. I turned around and glanced at the backseat as my ten-year-old daughter _______. My daughter’s words started to spill. “Momma, Jenny _______ all the girls in the class to attend her birthday party except Heather and me. I _______ I was her friend too.” The air was filled with her _______

As tears ran down my little girl’s face, I felt _______. As an introvert (内向的人), I often breathe a sigh of _______ when I am not invited to a large social gathering. I prefer _______ with a few friends who get me. _______, I don’t extend my preferences to my daughter’s social life. Since the age of four, rather than _______ just a few, I’ve invited all of her classmates to her birthday parties, because I am ________ to the need for young girls and boys to feel ________ .

I understand that at some point all of us are excluded from something and that this is a ________ children will eventually learn. But why does it have to happen when they are so ________?

As soon as we got home, I hugged my still upset daughter and wiped away her tears. As I ________ her, I thought of her own approaching birthday party. The invitation would go out to ________ of her classmates.

1.

A．climbed in

B．got off

C．pulled up

D．checked out

2.

A．persuaded

B．invited

C．allowed

D．reminded

3.

A．remembered

B．pretended

C．admitted

D．thought

4.

A．embarrassment

B．excitement

C．sadness

D．anxiety

5.

A．powerless

B．hopeless

C．tireless

D．fearless

6.

A．disappointment

B．relief

C．impatience

D．sadness

7.

A．competing

B．bargaining

C．living

D．connecting

8.

A．Instead

B．Therefore

C．However

D．Otherwise

9.

A．expecting

B．ignoring

C．choosing

D．training

10.

A．used

B．sensitive

C．blind

D．addicted

11.

A．included

B．at ease

C．fulfilled

D．left out

12.

A．quality

B．test

C．skill

D．lesson

13.

A．upset

B．lonely

C．naughty

D．young

14.

A．comforted

B．entertained

C．rewarded

D．rescued

15.

A．some

B．all

C．none

D．few

2 . Whenever photographer Casey Ryan heads into the wilderness, he brings along his drone (无人机) to capture photographs from a bird’s eye view. Having the ________ device with him on a recent trip to the Cascades Mountain Range in Oregon saved his and another person’s ________.

Casey was ________ through the Willamette National Forest when he ________ a stranger whose vehicle was stuck. Casey ________ to help get it out without hesitation. ________, he got his own vehicle stuck in a ditch while trying to help, leaving both people in ________ with no cell phone service for miles around.

Casey immediately assessed the ________ and recalled a movie he’d seen recently in which a character used a drone to lift his phone high enough to capture a ________ in a similar situation, so he ________ his device and got to work.

First, he attached his cell phone ________ to his drone. Then, he typed a series of messages to his wife. He told her where he was located in the park, and then launched the drone into the air. Somewhere up there over the tall trees, it ________ a signal and whoosh! All of Casey’s texts were ________.

Rescuers arrived and saved both Casey and the other driver. Who knows, maybe future drones will have built-in ________ features added to it ________ this photographer’s practice. We’d buy a phone drone!

1.

A．preserving

B．detecting

C．repairing

D．flying

2.

A．lives

B．photos

C．strength

D．money

3.

A．searching

B．driving

C．wandering

D．slipping

4.

A．rang up

B．came across

C．got rid of

D．lost his temper with

5.

A．managed

B．pretended

C．volunteered

D．denied

6.

A．Unnaturally

B．Generally

C．Unfortunately

D．Gradually

7.

A．peace

B．trouble

C．charge

D．silence

8.

A．standard

B．damage

C．evidence

D．situation

9.

A．bird

B．picture

C．signal

D．radiation

10.

A．put aside

B．gave away

C．pulled out

D．broke up

11.

A．securely

B．accidentally

C．freely

D．dramatically

12.

A．turned up

B．came up

C．spoke up

D．picked up

13.

A．typed

B．hidden

C．delayed

D．sent

14.

A．emergency

B．camera

C．lighting

D．identity

15.

A．consistent with

B．in case of

C．thanks to

D．depending on

3 . Auri Katariina used to be a service manager at a cleaning company in Finland. To her family and friends’ _________, she quit her high-paid job and decided to follow her unique passion.

Auri has always _________ cleaning things, and she began posting cleaning videos online after leaving her job. Then one day, a single mother asked her for help because she was _________ so much with three children always making a mess at home. Auri, who is “in heaven” whenever she is doing cleaning, was _________ to help. So she went on a weekend and _________ her home. Auri didn’t ask for any _______ for her service; it was the _______ in the house, which her work resulted in, that made her really happy.

Since then, Auri has gone as far as France and the UK to help people. She gets _______ online but chooses only the   _______ homes belonging to people most in need. For the first six months she __________ all travel and product expenses herself, about several hundred euros per visit._________ her popular videos of cleaning tips, a sponsor (赞助者) has reached out to her. But she still never __________ a penny.

Now, Auri goes to clean homes of _________ once a week and creates _________ for her social media channels, including lists of some of her top tips. Her dream is to clean all over the world, helping people while doing something she absolutely __________.

1.

A．embarrassment

B．amusement

C．surprise

D．regret

2.

A．avoided

B．considered

C．delayed

D．enjoyed

3.

A．struggling

B．earning

C．wondering

D．paying

4.

A．ashamed

B．excited

C．hesitant

D．grateful

5.

A．painted

B．decorated

C．searched

D．cleaned

6.

A．reward

B．evidence

C．permission

D．assistance

7.

A．experience

B．furniture

C．change

D．space

8.

A．arrangements

B．requests

C．comments

D．instructions

9.

A．oldest

B．biggest

C．closest

D．dirtiest

10.

A．covered

B．approved

C．planned

D．decreased

11.

A．In spite of

B．Thanks to

C．Ahead of

D．In addition to

12.

A．loses

B．keeps

C．wastes

D．charges

13.

A．guests

B．employers

C．strangers

D．sponsors

14.

A．content

B．wealth

C．advantage

D．opportunity

15.

A．supports

B．loves

C．recommends

D．manages

4 . On a Saturday morning, I drove my son Andrew to a shoe store. We ________ the trip to arrive right when the store opens, for Andrew is a nonspeaking autistic (自闭患者) and prefers to go shopping when it’s not ________.

After the purchase, I thanked the two clerks and headed toward the door. What came next only ________ when the inner voice told you to do things differently.

________ having Andrew point to the “thank you” symbol on the picture chart he carries with him, I held up his letterboard and asked how he’d like to ________.

The picture chart only contains images that ________ his most frequently used words. The letterboard, however, ________ an effective tool. He can ________ more through the use of a letterboard—by pointing to individual letters on an alphabet grid (网格). Using it requires ________ time and effort for him. He would not ________ the use of the letterboard on his own. I need to present it to him and ________ his wishes if he pushes it away.

“Thank you,” Andrew pointed to each letter. The two clerks’ ________ almost dropped as they watched. One spoke up: “My brother Jason doesn’t talk. Can I ask you?” “Andrew, what do you think?” I asked, ________ that his patience might be running out.

Surprisingly, Andrew ________ started pointing to letters: “Tell Jason he will change everyone’s opinion of him in 26 letters.” I immediately ________. Sometimes I forget just how powerful the 26 letters are. Just how powerful Andrew is.

1.

A．started

B．timed

C．extended

D．expected

2.

A．spacious

B．smelly

C．busy

D．bright

3.

A．happened

B．moved

C．changed

D．mattered

4.

A．Due to

B．As for

C．Apart from

D．Instead of

5.

A．translate

B．comment

C．respond

D．lecture

6.

A．summarize

B．match

C．identify

D．explain

7.

A．proves

B．witnesses

C．claims

D．remains

8.

A．shoulder

B．consume

C．predict

D．communicate

9.

A．precious

B．concrete

C．considerable

D．flexible

10.

A．initiate

B．resist

C．mind

D．promise

11.

A．tolerate

B．guarantee

C．respect

D．question

12.

A．hands

B．jaws

C．eyes

D．faces

13.

A．concerned

B．annoyed

C．embarrassed

D．ashamed

14.

A．helplessly

B．willingly

C．tirelessly

D．naturally

15.

A．checked out

B．cheered up

C．bent down

D．choked up

5 . Lonely Planet’s Top Places to Go in 2024

Are you looking for inspiration for your next travel destination? Lonely Planet has published its yearly list of top places to go. Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or value, there’s something for every type of traveler. Let’s explore the top picks for travel destinations in 2024.

Top City: Nairobi

Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, was chosen for its unique music and dance culture, and impressive local restaurants. Nairobi National Park, just a short drive out of the city’s central business district, is a must-see, where visitors can see over 400 species wandering the open grass plains while skyscrapers twinkle on the horizon.

Top Sustainable Travel Destination: Spain

The publisher also recommended Spain for the country’s efforts to expand renewable energy, to develop off-season travel, and to bring tourism to new destinations, such as the port city of Valencia, easing pressures on hot spots such as Barcelona.

Top Best-Value Location: The American Midwest

The American Midwest, including the cities of Chicago and Detroit, is also on the list, as it offers a high-quality travel experience at a reasonable cost. Visitors can enjoy excellent services and facilities, such as old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco-design hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurants, without having to spend too much money.

Top Beach Destination: Donegal

Donegal, Ireland’s most northwestern county, has the country’s longest coastline and over 100 beaches, where visitors can enjoy the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of beautiful coastal hiking trails.

1. What can people do in Nairobi National Park?

A．See various wild animals.	B．Enjoy adventure activities.
C．Taste local delicious dishes.	D．Appreciate musical performances.

2. Why is The American Midwest considered to be the Best-Value Location?

A．It has simplified entry procedures.

B．It offers cost-effective experiences.

C．It combines art with natural scenery.

D．It provides good transportation services.

3. Which destination is the best choice for a beach lover?

A．Mongolia

B．Nairobi.

C．Spain

D．Donegal.

7 . I have been adopted by an American family since I was fifteen months old. Growing up in the second-whitest county in California, I had little interest in my ________ as an adopted Chinese American. After I moved to Tucson, my curiosity about my identities ________ as I was exposed to a larger Chinese population there.

During my four years at Northern Arizona University (NAU), I took two years of ________ language courses, which was a major marker in my adventure to ________ myself.

Through my class, I was introduced to the NAU Chinese culture club, where I ________ my knowledge of Chinese culture and connected with international students from China and students who were deeply ________ Chinese culture.

Then I had an opportunity to study abroad in Hong Kong for a year. Surrounded by mainly people who looked like me, I did not feel like I ________ as I usually do in the US. I became ________ connected to Hong Kong and its ________. The experience ________ me to find beauty and ________ in the complexities (难题) of holding many identities.

After returning from my ________ abroad, I started to volunteer at the Education Abroad Office at NAU. I ________ my experience and encouraged other NAU students to go abroad, as it was such a ________ experience and enabled me to better understand myself. I’m ________ to call myself an adopted Chinese American.

1.

A．experience

B．safety

C．community

D．identity

2.

A．changed

B．grew

C．disappeared

D．continued

3.

A．English

B．Japanese

C．Chinese

D．German

4.

A．understand

B．improve

C．teach

D．support

5.

A．lacked

B．furthered

C．ignored

D．finished

6.

A．tired of

B．aware of

C．dependent on

D．interested in

7.

A．stood out

B．worked out

C．gave up

D．turned up

8.

A．stably

B．strangely

C．incredibly

D．hardly

9.

A．culture

B．geography

C．scenery

D．architecture

10.

A．required

B．allowed

C．forced

D．instructed

11.

A．annoyance

B．pain

C．comfort

D．patience

12.

A．business

B．holiday

C．performances

D．adventures

13.

A．announced

B．explained

C．shared

D．admitted

14.

A．life-changing.

B．eye-catching

C．time-consuming

D．heart-breaking

15.

A．curious

B．hesitant

C．awkward

D．proud

8 . In the summer of 2019, Tomas Quinones was undertaking a “bikepacking” trip, covering some remote desert in Southern Oregon. His trip had been marked with usual minor setbacks. He’d lost shoes. His water supply was sometimes uncertain. But there had also been moments of unexpected kindness: A couple parking beside offered to share their lunch; or the guy in the truck asked if he needed help. On the last day of Quinones’ trip, he was riding down a dusty track when he came upon a man lying unconscious on the ground, who was clearly dehydrated (脱水的). Quinones tried to give some water and waited until the ambulance arrived.

Quinones, who’d received help over the course of his trip, paid it forward. The odds are, if you’ve spent any time in the wild, you’ll have experienced these gestures of kindness from strangers or given them yourself too as Quinones did.

So what is it about being outside in nature that makes people want to help others?

The first explanation is that in the wild, there may not be any other help. According to the “bystander effect” (旁观者效应), the more people who are in the presence of someone needing help, the less likely any of those are to actually provide it. But another idea is that there is something about nature itself that seems to promote “prosocial (亲社会)” attitudes. As a recent study suggests, exposure to nature can stimulate feelings of transcendence — a sense of connection to other people, to the world around us and to the universe.

When we get into the wild, we become weaker. And being in an easily-hurt position makes us look at the world differently. So, in the wild, where we are removed of normal possessions, surroundings and identities, we seem more willing to go the extra mile for someone. It’s in nature, ironically, that we can learn new things about humanity.

1. What can we know about Quinones’ trip?

A．Pretty constant water supply was available.

B．Food was frequently provided from other strangers.

C．He’d usually encountered dramatic troubles.

D．He’d travelled to some remote desert on bicycle.

2. Why is Quinones’ experience of offering help mentioned?

A．To give further details of Quinones’ trip.

B．To show the difficulty of Quinones’ trip.

C．To provide an example for the topic.

D．To stress the importance of strangers’ help.

3. What can we infer from the “bystander effect”?

A．It explains people’s getting help easily in nature.

B．It demonstrates people’s prosocial attitudes.

C．It reveals people’s indifference in crowds.

D．It stimulates people’s connecting to people and the world.

4. What does the last sentence of the passage imply?

A．We can only learn about people’s personality in the wild.

B．It is a pity that people don’t often help others in daily life.

C．It is ironic to help strangers in need when in nature.

D．We can obtain new knowledge when in nature.

9 . Josefa Marin went to New York from Mexico in 1987, supporting her daughter back home with the $140 a week she earned at a sweater factory. With that small income, she had to collect recyclables, trading in cans for five cents each.

When the clothing factory closed down in the late 2000s, she became a full-time recycler, picking up cans and bottles to make ends meet.

Marin’s story is not unique. Millions around the world make a living from picking through waste and reselling it — a vital role that keeps waste manageable. In New York City, the administrative department collects only about 28 percent of the cans that could be recycled. Rubbish collectors, however, keep millions of additional recyclables out of landfills every year.

Yet collectors are ruled out by government policies. The United States Supreme Court in 1988 stated that household garbage is public property once it’s on the street. That enables police to search rubbish for evidence, but that protection hasn’t always been extended to recyclers. And in places like New York City, which is testing city-owned locked containers to hide garbage from rats, containers are made clearly inaccessible for collectors.

“There’s value in the waste, and we feel that value should belong to the people, not the city or the corporations”, says Ryan Castalia, director of a nonprofit recycling and community center in Brooklyn.

Recognized or not, waste pickers have long been treated with disrespect. Marin recalls an occasion when someone living next to a building where she was collecting cans threw water at her. “Because I recycle doesn’t mean I am less of a person than anyone else,” she says. It’s a pity to see that the government doesn’t stand by the garbage collector’s side, either.

Fortunately, some governments are starting to realize that protecting the environment and humanity go hand in hand. Brazil classified waste picking as an official occupation in 2001. In 2009, Colombia’s government granted the right to collect valuable garbage. The U.S. is slowly catching on too. After all, to the government, the garbage is garbage, but to the collectors, it’s something they make a living on.

1. What is the author’s purpose of telling about Marin?

A．To highlight waste collectors’ role.

B．To reflect the unemployed’s hardship.

C．To praise her devotion to her daughter.

D．To show the seriousness of unemployment.

2. How does the author show the importance of waste pickers’ work in paragraph 3?

A．By citing reference.	B．By contrasting.
C．By giving definitions.	D．By cause-effect analysis.

3. What would Marin agree with?

A．No job is noble or humble.	B．Business is business.
C．The early birds catches worms.	D．One good turn deserves another.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Who owns our garbage?	B．How can we end poverty?
C．Who takes blame for waste?	D．How should we recycle rubbish?