1 . Charles Robert Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 in Shropshire, England. Darwin’s childhood passion was science, and his interest in chemistry, however, was clear; he was even nicknamed ‘Gas’ by his classmates.

In 1825, his father sent him to study medicine at Edinburgh University, where he learned how to classify plants. Darwin became passionate about natural history and this became his focus while he studied at Cambridge. Darwin went on a voyage together with Robert Fitzroy, the captain of HMS Beagle, to South America to facilitate British trade in Patagonia. The journey was life-changing. Darwin spent much of the trip on land collecting samples of plants, animals and rocks, which helped him to develop an understanding of the processes that shape the Earth’s surface. Darwin’s analysis of the plants and animals that he gathered led him to express doubts on former explanations about how species formed and evolved over time.

Darwin’s work convinced him that natural selection was key to understanding the development of the natural world. The theory of natural selection says that individuals of a species are more likely to survive when they inherit(经遗传获得) characteristics best suited for that specific environment. These features then become more widespread and can lead eventually to the development of a new species. With natural selection, Darwin argued how a wide variety of life forms developed over time from a single common ancestor.

Darwin married his cousin, Emma Wedgwood, in 1839. When Darwin’s eldest daughter, Annie, died from a sudden illness in 1851, he lost his belief in God. His tenth and final child, Charles Waring Darwin, was born in 1856. Significantly for Darwin, this baby was disabled, altering how Darwin thought about the human species. Darwin had previously thought that species remained adapted until the environment changed; he now believed that every new variation was imperfect and that a struggle to survive was what drove species to adapt.

Though rejected at the beginning, Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is nowadays well accepted by the scientific community as the best evidence-based explanation for the diversity and complexity of life on Earth. The Natural History Museum’s library alone has 478 editions of his On the Origin of Species in 38 languages.

1. What made Darwin reconsider the origin and development of species?

A．Examining plants and animals collected.

B．His desire for a voyage to different continents.

C．Classifying samples in a journey to South America.

D．His passion for natural history at Edinburgh University.

2. We can learn from paragraphs 1 to 3 that Darwin ________.

A．used natural selection to develop new species

B．enjoyed being called nicknames related to science

C．learned some knowledge about plants when studying medicine

D．argued with others over the diversity of life forms for a long period

3. Which of the following changed Darwin’s view on the human species?

A．That he had ten children in all.	B．His youngest son’s being disabled.
C．That he lost his eldest daughter.	D．His marriage with Emma Wedgwood.

4. This passage is mainly about ________.

A．Darwin’s passion for medical science	B．Darwin’s theory and experiments
C．Charles Darwin’s changing interest	D．Charles Darwin’s life and work

2 . 16-year-old Gayowski was determined to seek fun with his friends once the busy school days came to an end. Their ____ was Red Mountain, a ski resort nearby.  

As a(n) ____ visitor since childhood, Gayowski knew all the ski paths well. This time, a path that wasn’t marked on the maps ____ him the most. He headed up for it and explored deeper and deeper into the bushes. It took a while for him to ____ that there was no way for him to ski. Gayowski slid to a stop and pulled out his phone but it was ____.  

The weather started to change. The winds were picking up and clouds ____ overhead. Soon it began snowing. Gayowski went deeper, reaching a ____, which he wished would lead him to a roadway.  

After he had followed the river for a long distance, Gayowski quitted any ____ of finding his way out. ____ and hungry, his legs were beginning to give out on him. He sat down under a tree, and curled up to ____ himself. Worse still, with the temperature below freezing, his phone was totally dead. ____, shouts coming behind him cheered him up. Then three ____ in the distance were approaching fast. He was in tears by the time they ____ him. 

Gayowski was more than ____ for their help, otherwise he couldn’t have returned safe and sound. After the incident, he decided to be a rescuer like them. The next time someone is ____ alone in the bush, he wants to be part of the team to save him or her.

1.

A．opportunity

B．experience

C．destination

D．decision

2.

A．generous

B．regular

C．foreign

D．illegal

3.

A．called for

B．agreed with

C．depended on

D．appealed to

4.

A．realize

B．announce

C．pretend

D．explain

5.

A．in condition

B．in action

C．out of date

D．out of service

6.

A．separated

B．reduced

C．gathered

D．disappeared

7.

A．valley

B．river

C．forest

D．mountain

8.

A．faith

B．energy

C．method

D．mistake

9.

A．Amazed

B．Relieved

C．Confused

D．Tired

10.

A．prove

B．comfort

C．warm

D．resist

11.

A．Obviously

B．Actually

C．Gradually

D．Suddenly

12.

A．friends

B．locals

C．rescuers

D．doctors

13.

A．ignored

B．reached

C．contacted

D．permitted

14.

A．appreciative

B．extraordinary

C．professional

D．ambitious

15.

A．conducted

B．trapped

C．cheated

D．limited

3 . My son, Ben, died when he was 23. The year after his death, I hiked 48 of the state’s tallest mountains in his memory. Every step, path and peak has been a way to restore.

About a month after his death, my husband and I hiked Carter Dome and Mount Hight, sorrow weighing heavy in our hearts and legs. Standing on the peak, I looked out across the mountains my son loved. For a moment, the heavy blow brought about by Ben’s death faded into the timeless expanse, and I could breathe.

The next weekend found us on Mount Moosilauke. Then Mount Cannon, Mount Flume, Mount Liberty and so on. It was a series of firsts, of struggles and overcoming them — climbing at night, climbing slides and rocks, camping alone, finding paths and planning routes.

Six days before the anniversary of Ben’s death, I hiked my 48^th and final peak: Mount Carrigain. As I stood on the observation platform at the peak, I found the essential truth I had been grasping to express for months: The only place that feels vast enough to hold sorrow this deep and wide is the top of a mountain, looking out into forever.

These days, I hike not to hide, but to seek. I find Ben, but I also find myself: someone broken, now braver and more capable. The forced isolation of sorrow becomes the welcome loneliness of the path; the peace of nature replaces the pain of loss. Hiking is both exhausting and exciting, and it teaches us that sorrow and joy can coexist.

But there’s another, possibly more important truth: A hike is not the only way to find the peace of the natural world; a simple walk along a park path can have a similar effect. The internal journey of sorrow mixes with our steps, and we find comfort along the way.

1. How did the writer feel after climbing Carter Dome and Mount Hight?

A．Doubtful.

B．Relieved.

C．Sad.

D．Terrified.

2. After hiking the 48 peaks, the writer learned that __________.

A．it was possible to live with both sorrow and joy

B．it was the isolation of sorrow that exhausted her

C．only by overcoming struggles could one survive

D．the peaks were proper places to remember someone

3. What does the writer imply in the last paragraph?

A．Walking works best for those in sorrow.	B．We can plan our internal journey as intended.
C．What counts is to make peace with ourselves.	D．People tend to hike in parks to seek comfort.

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

A．The Heavy Steps That Led Me To Peaks	B．The Mountains That Held My Sorrow
C．The Journeys That Frustrated Me	D．The First Struggles That Empowered Me

4 . The year ending, it’s time to do my charity donations. I pick up my pen, but instead of writing the checks, I just hold it, _______.

Last week, two websites I wrote for said they decided to“_______cautiously for the gloomy market” . Yesterday I was e-mailed from the magazine I frequently _______, saying no more articles. Although my part-time teaching helps pay the _______, I haven’t got as many calls lately. To save money, the board is _______schools, meaning fewer teachers are needed.

So, can I really _______to give to charity? Doesn’t charity begin at home? My home. I could be tempted to _______ my check book by those thoughts, but I don’t.

My house is worth less now than it was for the _______market, but I still own it. Since I’m not looking to sell, I can wait until the economic _______ends. My fridge isn’t bursting with food, which I regularly donate, but some friends aren’t as ________. One lost six teenth because she couldn’t afford ________ care while I just had one repaired. Yes, the bill ________almost as much as the operation did, but the pain ________ soon.

Suddenly, I feel so lucky and rich that I hold my pen determinedly and write ________. Future is unpredictable, but now I can share my good ________ with others. Charity beginning at home shouldn’t stay there.

1.

A．desperately

B．firmly

C．hesitantly

D．freely

2.

A．improve

B．proceed

C．express

D．search

3.

A．stuck to

B．subscribed to

C．turned to

D．contributed to

4.

A．bills

B．taxes

C．rents

D．tips

5.

A．rebuilding

B．supervising

C．closing

D．assisting

6.

A．promise

B．afford

C．hope

D．bear

7.

A．close

B．open

C．consult

D．tear

8.

A．active

B．bright

C．dull

D．stable

9.

A．development

B．growth

C．reform

D．depression

10.

A．miserable

B．awkward

C．lucky

D．cheerful

11.

A．facial

B．dental

C．special

D．additional

12.

A．hurt

B．piled

C．came

D．reduced

13.

A．added up

B．took over

C．wore off

D．broke out

14.

A．articles

B．reviews

C．receipts

D．checks

15.

A．experience

B．fortune

C．quality

D．story

5 . Raj Patel was 5, traveling with his family to India from England.A young girl, no older than 12, approached their car, carrying a crying baby, begging for money and food. “My parents embarrassingly pushed some money out to her from the window,”Patel says. “Since then, the journey has been to figure out why this stuff happens.”

Upon returning to England, Patel decided to rent out his toys and raise money to stop hunger. It didn’t take him long to realize his attempts would not fix the problem.While attending Oxford University, Patel had an idea to shift his major to mathematics, believing that mathematics could handle the crisis of hunger and poverty (贫困).But as he dived deeper into the topic, he learned the political and systemic side of the story. So he changed his undergraduate degree back to economics and added the study of philosophy and politics to his pursuits (事业).

After graduation, he worked for the World Bank and the United Nations. But even that, he says, didn’t lead to workable solutions (解决方案).

His first book, Stuffed and Starved, was a breakout work written for a general audience. While living in Africa, Patel created a number of documentaries but none gained much popularity until he met Anita Chitaya, an activist in Bwabwa, a remote village in Malawi. Anita works with a local organization that has fought hunger in Malawi for decades.She helps farmers to experiment with crops to grow more nutritious food. Her story evolved into an 11-year project -The Ants&the Grasshopper, which earned the Moving Mountains Award.

As the decade of research,filming and editing carries on, this drought-stricken village goes from being.self-sufficient through sustainable farming practices to struggling to grow enough nutritious food and access clean,drinkable water. Climate change ended up being another part of the story.

Patel knows that he needs to find other ways to reach audiences. He released a widely shared YouTube video about capitalism, chicken nuggets (鸡块) and the global hunger crisis. He’s given 20-minute TED Talks that summarize the intentions of his books. No matter what gets thrown his way, Patel seems to course-correct in order to continue pursuing his mission.

1. What excited Patel’s pursuit of his career?

A．A beggar-led crowd.

B．A fund-raising event.

C．A chance encounter with a needy girl.

D．A narrow escape from a car accident.

2. Why did Patel shift his major to mathematics?

A．He felt he was good at it.

B．He disliked boring economic theories.

C．He was eager to learn its political and systemic side.

D．He considered it as a solution to the hunger and poverty crisis.

3. What is The Ants & the Grasshopper mainly about?

A．Anita’s journey to tackle food crisis.

B．Causes of climate change in Malawi.

C．Bwabwa’s remarkable transformation.

D．Patel’s personal experience in Bwabwa.

4. What did Patel do to attract more attention to global hunger?

A．He shot funny videos.

B．He made presentations.

C．He cut the price of his books.

D．He conducted collaborative research.

6 . On a sunny morning, I walked casually through the park, savoring the gentle breeze, with the simple desire to locate a quiet spot for a good book. Little did I know that an unexpected encounter with a naughty creature would turn this peaceful outing into an unforgettable experience.

Settling down on a comfortable bench under an oak tree, I was fascinated by a novel, lost in a world of fictional characters. Suddenly, a strange sound interrupted me. Curiously, I glanced in the direction of the noise, only to discover a squirrel hurrying towards my bag. Immediately, I reached out to protect my bag from the thief. But the squirrel ran away, grasping a chocolate bar stolen from my bag. Fueled by determination to get my. snack back, I gave chase to the creature through the park.

The squirrel displayed impressive flexibility, effortlessly jumping onto trees and leaping from branch to branch. Children and bystanders couldn’t help but laugh at the spectacle of a grown adult chasing a squirrel. The chase continued , and as I ran after the squirrel, I became both exhausted and awkward. The peacefulness of the park transformed into a lively playground, with laughter echoing around us. The squirrel, seemingly aware of its comical effect, increased its speed and finally vanished into thin air.

As I made my way back to the bench, my heart still raced from the pursuit. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of companionship with the squirrel. It had reminded me to embrace the unexpected, to break free from routine, and most importantly, to find joy in life’s simplest pleasures. From that day forward, whenever I visit the park, I always keep a chocolate bar handy, just in case I come across my friend.

1. What did the author want to do in the park?

A．Find a quiet place to read.	B．Observe nature and wildlife.
C．Enjoy the sunshine and gentle breeze.	D．Have a picnic with his friends.

2. What did the squirrel do to the author?

A．Tore up his book.	B．Gave him some snacks.
C．Chased him in the park.	D．Stole his chocolate bar.

3. What lesson did author learn from this experience?

A．The importance of welcoming surprises.

B．The habit of always carrying a chocolate bar.

C．The significance of developing a new routine.

D．The necessity of keeping a safe distance from animals.

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

A．The Annoying Squirrel	B．An Unexpected Encounter in the Park
C．Lost in a Book: A Squirrel’s Interruption	D．The Importance of Routine: Lessons Learned in the Park

7 . Many years ago I lived in New York City. One Sunday morning I decided to _________ my parents who lived in a small town two hours north. As I approached (靠近) the town, my car _________. It happened in the late 1970s when there were no cellphones. A woman in her thirties _________ to offer me a ride to a mechanic (修理工) in town, and as we _________ on the way in, I learned that she was a local realtor (房地产经纪人). I _________ that I was from the city seeing my parents. We exchanged _________ and went our separate ways, but I never forgot her _________.

Forty years later, both my parents now passed away; I decided to _________ their house because I was unable to pay the tax (税). I _________ the realtor who had helped me all those years ago and called her office by the number on her business card I always treasured. __________, the lady had passed away, __________ her daughter and granddaughter were running the __________ and ended up being my realtors.

They were __________ to work for their late family member’s old acquaintance (相识之人) who always remembered a simple act of kindness from a __________. And, knowing my difficulties, they helped me, sell the house for free.

Kindness __________ in the same family, and I felt quite thankful, again.

1.

A．find

B．visit

C．contact

D．protect

2.

A．broke down

B．showed up

C．pulled away

D．took off

3.

A．promised

B．happened

C．refused

D．stopped

4.

A．met

B．cheered

C．chatted

D．passed

5.

A．shared

B．heard

C．thought

D．imagined

6.

A．gifts

B．cards

C．ideas

D．messages

7.

A．situation

B．patience

C．courage

D．kindness

8.

A．clean

B．sell

C．decorate

D．repair

9.

A．mentioned

B．considered

C．remembered

D．informed

10.

A．Undoubtedly

B．Suddenly

C．Frankly

D．Unluckily

11.

A．but

B．because

C．since

D．unless

12.

A．town

B．program

C．business

D．industry

13.

A．brave

B．happy

C．nervous

D．worried

14.

A．friend

B．stranger

C．competitor

D．customer

15.

A．matters

B．changes

C．continues

D．disappears

8 . A mere four months ago, a black cat named Bounty had no idea just how adventurous his life was about to become. Although the cat was _______ destined for a cat shelter, Doina adopted him just in time. To some, Doina being an avid (酷爱的) traveler seemed like a potential issue, but it _______ , these two were made for each other.

_______ for their journey to begin, Doina gathered all of the equipment, treats, and other _______ that the two of them would need. Though, when it came to carriers for Bounty, Doina had to get a bit _______ . “I made a special pouch (小袋) for him, because cat carriers are not adapted to certain _______ ,” she said.

One of their first adventures included a _______ tour of Italy, the first test that helped them discover how _______ he was to an adventurous lifestyle. “At the start, Bounty was a little anxious and nervous, but after the first few days, he started to _______ himself,” Doina said. “While I pedalled, he ________ in the pouch.”

Since that first cycling tour, Bounty and Doina have ________ several more adventures in their short time together, including mountaineering and camping. In fact, this adorable ________ has already managed to become a record breaker! He is considered to be the first house cat to summit La Grignetta, a 7,100-foot mountain in the Italian Alps. Best of all, he did so “without even a meow of ________ ”.

The two of them have cycled the entire length of the Italian peninsula! If you’d like to ________ this adorable duo, you can visit their website where Doina ________ their travels with lots of updates, photos, and videos for their 800 followers to enjoy.

1.

A．originally

B．temporarily

C．eventually

D．actually

2.

A．gave out

B．broke out

C．turned out

D．found out

3.

A．Shocked

B．Frightened

C．Embarrassed

D．Excited

4.

A．necessities

B．products

C．presents

D．fruits

5.

A．generous

B．creative

C．efficient

D．ambitious

6.

A．hotels

B．journeys

C．problems

D．vehicles

7.

A．skiing

B．hiking

C．flying

D．cycling

8.

A．accustomed

B．opposed

C．blind

D．sensitive

9.

A．cure

B．enjoy

C．protect

D．feed

10.

A．cried

B．ran

C．sang

D．slept

11.

A．offered

B．expected

C．finished

D．discovered

12.

A．bicycle

B．cat

C．tour

D．carrier

13.

A．protest

B．agreement

C．challenge

D．trust

14.

A．have fun with

B．put up with

C．keep up with

D．get along with

15.

A．helps

B．plans

C．orders

D．documents

9 . Britain’s longest-serving fire investigation dog has been awarded an animal charity’s order of merit (荣誉勋章) .

Reqs, a 12-year-old black labrador (拉布拉多犬) , retired in July after 11 years spent helping to discover the causes of fires and putting the people against the law behind bars. During his service with Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Reqs attended more than 500 fires. He found vital evidence for a police investigation after a fire in Leicester killed five people when 26 liters of petrol caught fire in the room below a shop.

He also helped to save one of his own kind, locating a painful dog that had been under ruins for two days after a house exploded in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

His help in identifying the presence of ignitable liquids such as petrol, white spirit and lighter fluid, which could be used as evidence in court, reduced the time fire investigators had to spend on the scene.

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) order of merit is considered the animal equal of the OBE. Reqs’s handler, Watch Commander Nikki Harvey, said: “He is an amazing dog who as well as his devotion to duty and service within the fire service is also a loving member of our family. He’s helped me through many tough times, at work and personally. ”

“Together we’ve attended some dangerous scenes, but he’s the one who pulls me through and we always had a hug at the end of a bad day. ” She added that her former co-workers was now “enjoying every minute” of retirement.

The PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary (兽医) charity that strives to keep people and their pets together. Jan McLoughlin, director-general of the PDSA, said Reqs was “a very worthy receiver of the award”.

1. What do we know about Reqs?

A．He has saved some 500 people.	B．He entered service at 1 year old.
C．He is the oldest living dog in the UK.	D．He is more capable than his human fellows.

2. What is the probable meaning of the underlined word “ignitable” in Paragraph 4?

A．Suitable.

B．Valuable.

C．Burnable.

D．Available.

3. What is Nikki Harvey’s attitude toward Reqs?

A．Grateful.

B．Regretful.

C．Concerned.

D．Enthusiastic.

4. What can be the best title of this text?

A．Hats off to a Fire Dog	B．A Fight with a Fire Dog
C．Learn from a Rescue Dog	D．Comments on a Fire Dog

10 . Brothers Mike and Nick Fiorito had a smooth life in the first 30 years. _________, they decided to quit their highly paid jobs since they realized that they often felt unfulfilled. At first they felt _________ about future without knowing what to do, but eventually they came up with an idea to help the homeless folks after _________ their poor situation on the street.

They _________ Blankets of Hope with their own efforts, which turned into a global nonprofit organization that also encourages kindness in schools. The brothers sent the blankets to schools. The kids would write the notes, and then _________ the brothers in delivering the blankets to homeless shelters in their local communities. They _________ students so that every blanket includes a note handwritten in classrooms to _________ homeless folks across the country.

Now, their organization is very _________ — reaching nearly 20,000 people in need across America, Canada and Mexico.

Adults can _________ as well. They can make efforts by donating on a GoFundMe page so that the brothers could have enough money to purchase the blankets. Thanks to people’s generous __________, the brothers aimed at __________ another 20,000 blankets this winter. And they expected these blankets would not only keep people warm, but provide a friendly __________ to another soul. The brothers tried to do what they could to make a __________ despite the sweat. They are __________ that more and more people can join them in __________ the kindness.

1.

A．Occasionally

B．Frequently

C．Consistently

D．Unexpectedly

2.

A．confused

B．prosperous

C．indifferent

D．curious

3.

A．assuming

B．acknowledging

C．resembling

D．witnessing

4.

A．backed down

B．backed up

C．set up

D．cooperated with

5.

A．shunned

B．invaded

C．assisted

D．posed

6.

A．acclaimed

B．involved

C．preserved

D．dominated

7.

A．inspire

B．promise

C．thank

D．teach

8.

A．exquisite

B．fascinating

C．challenging

D．successful

9.

A．disrupt

B．participate

C．commemorate

D．depict

10.

A．glory

B．friction

C．contribution

D．victim

11.

A．giving away

B．giving in

C．handing in

D．wearing out

12.

A．comprehension

B．connection

C．barrier

D．assessment

13.

A．difference

B．date

C．decision

D．estimate

14.

A．objective

B．prosperous

C．hopeful

D．potential

15.

A．understanding

B．receiving

C．paying

D．spreading