3 . The idea of climbing Mt.Qomolangma disgusted me. The mountain came to represent the opposite of everything that I loved and respected about climbing. What had once been the final mountain climbing goal became the focus of a commercial guiding industry. Over the years, the crowds at Base Camp grew, leaving behind tons of trash. Whenever I was asked whether I’d climb Mt.Qomolangma, my answer was always the same: not interested.

That was probably where my personal Mt. Qomolangma story would have ended, were it not for an old friend and his obsession (迷恋) with one of the greatest mysteries. In 1999, Thom Pollard began to explore and found the remains of George Mallory, the celebrated British climber who disappeared while he was attempting to be the first to climb Mt. Qomolangma. But Mallory’s partner, Sandy Irvine, and the camera he had likely carried, were not found. The mountain climbing world has been wondering whether they might have reached the top in 1924.

Pollard’s story moved me. I began to pack for the climb and expected that our advanced equipment would make it manageable, perhaps easy. I was wrong. On the highest point on the planet, I was more tired than I’d ever been in any climbing. Along the way, I continuously tipped_my_hat, not just to Mallory and Irvine but to anyone who has the drive to push himself or herself up this route. My search was in vain, but I began to reconsider Mt. Qomolangma.

I witnessed many climbers, who were much more than just self­centered tourists. We shared route information, weather forecasts, and family photos—all united around a common goal.

I went to Mt. Qomolangma to seek Irvine. But in the end, I found something more difficult to get: the spirit that Irvine and Mallory shared. It was hiding in plain sight, right where it has always been: inside the brave souls who risk so much to follow in storied adventurers’ footsteps up Mt. Qomolangma.

1. What is the main reason why the author hated climbing Mt. Qomolangma?

A．He changed his climbing goal.

B．Mt. Qomolangma was seriously polluted by trash.

C．Mt. Qomolangma became an industry to make money.

D．The mountain was too crowded with climbers.

2. Why did the author climb Mt. Qomolangma later?

A．Because he desired to challenge himself.

B．Because he got motivated by Thom Pollard.

C．Because his old friend persuaded him to climb again.

D．Because he wanted to follow the footsteps of Mallory and Irvine.

3. What does the underlined phrase “tipped my hat” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Expressed my gratitude.

B．Proved my determination.

C．Relieved the tiredness.

D．Showed my respect.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Admiration for the climbers.

B．Concern about the risk.

C．Confidence in the journey.

D．Hope for Mt. Qomolangma’s future.

4 . Devon Gallagher, a college graduate from Philadelphia, wants the world to know exactly where she’s been during her worldwide vacation in a special way.

The traveler, who was born with a congenital bone disease (先天性骨病), had her right leg amputated (截肢) at the age of four. Although the amputation caused misfortune for Gallagher early on, she now sees it as an inspiration for living her best life.

To spread that message, Gallagher has taken to social media, where she shares photos of her travels around the world. Besides, she writes her location across her artificial leg (假肢) before taking a picture.

Now she has been taking pictures across Europe, which show her cycling over the canals in Amsterdam, relaxing on a wall overlooking the city of Barcelona, posing with a waffle (华夫饼) in Brussels, taking breath-taking pictures in Athens and enjoying a river cruise (巡航) in Budapest, with all the well-known locations written on her artificial leg.

“I get a new leg every two years and I can choose the design on it. One day I had a sudden idea to get a chalkboard (黑板),” Gallagher said. “My mum and grandmother didn't like the idea, but my friends thought it was great and told me to go for it, so I did.”

Gallagher said people often stare when she’s writing on her leg, but once she shared the photos, she received only positive comment. “My leg hasn't stopped me doing anything I’ve wanted to do, I know it’s my determination to prove to myself that I can do it. Therefore, I’ve been able to keep up with my peers (同龄人) and lead a pretty great life.”

Gallagher shows us that you should never let anything stand in the way of your dreams. If life gives you an artificial leg, make art.

1. What message does Gallagher want to express in her special way?

A．She enjoys her traveling across the globe.

B．She suffers little from her leg amputation .

C．She looks on her misfortune as another form of blessing.

D．She has exactly fallen in love with posting photos online.

2. What can we learn about Gallagher from the text?

A．She is interested in art.

B．She lost her both legs at the age of four.

C．She wrote her travel destinations on her artificial leg.

D．She got permission from her family for getting a chalkboard.

3. Which of the following can best describe Gallagher?

A．Considerate and cooperative	B．Reliable and generous
C．Independent and selfless	D．Determined and creative

4. Which of the following might be the best title for the text?

A．Never Too Late to Share	B．A Special Artificial Leg
C．An Outstanding Photographer	D．Gallagher’s Summer Holidays

6 . As a child, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.

Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never agree because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. However, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.

“I want to climb the stone walls.” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself!” The response was just as I’d expected. But before I left the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute.” I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.”

“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back.” For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls — and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “you made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”

Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. “There’s only one person in this whole world like you,” the kids will hear me say, “and people can like you exactly as you are.”

1. Why did the writer enjoy his visits to the farm?

A．There were old stone houses.	B．He was allowed to climb the walls.
C．He missed his grandfather a lot.	D．He could experience new fun there.

2. What can be inferred about the writer from the passage?

A．He was backed up by his grandfather to follow his heart.

B．He didn’t expect his parents’ disagreement on wall climbing.

C．He became a TV program host with his grandfather’s help.

D．He didn’t know the possible danger of the stone walls.

3. Which is probably the best title for the text?

A．Unforgettable Childhood	B．Just Be Yourself
C．Do Whatever You Like	D．Like grandfather, like grandson

8 . Camel Conversation

A mother and a baby camel were lying around under a tree.

Then the baby camel asked, “Mom, _______ do camels have humps (驼峰)?”

The mother camel considered this and said, “We are desert animals and we have the humps to _______ water so we can survive with very _______ water.”

The baby camel _______ for a moment and then said, “Okay, why are our _______ long and our feet rounded?”

The mama _______, “They are meant for walking in the _______.”

The baby paused, and then asked, “Why are our eyelashes (睫毛) _______? Sometimes they get in my way.”

The mama responded, “Those long thick eyelashes _______ your eyes from the desert sand ________ the strong wind blows in the desert.”

The baby camel thought and thought. Then he said, “I see. So the hump is to store water when we are in the desert, the legs are for ________ through the desert and these eyelashes protect my eyes from the desert sand. Then why are we in the ________?”

We were given all ________ skills and abilities. These special gifts are to bring about the satisfaction we all ________. That satisfaction comes in helping others.

Don’t sit around in a zoo. Use your gifts and talents to help ________. You’ll be glad of what you did.

1.

A．why

B．how

C．whether

D．where

2.

A．drink

B．flow

C．bring

D．store

3.

A．few

B．little

C．less

D．much

4.

A．missed

B．wished

C．asked

D．thought

5.

A．arms

B．hands

C．feet

D．legs

6.

A．replied

B．asked

C．wanted

D．yelled

7.

A．sea

B．desert

C．garden

D．yard

8.

A．thin

B．weak

C．long

D．short

9.

A．depend

B．prevent

C．stop

D．protect

10.

A．when

B．although

C．as

D．because

11.

A．flying

B．walking

C．covering

D．driving

12.

A．desert

B．zoo

C．country

D．city

13.

A．worthy

B．expensive

C．special

D．seasonal

14.

A．disturb

B．differ

C．disgust

D．desire

15.

A．others

B．another

C．other

D．else

9 . One Saturday last November, I stepped into my local library. I was about to read a book when I heard an elderly man speak to a lady. “This library will soon become a cafe. Everyone is reading with electronic devices,” he said. Hearing this, I wanted to shout, “I still read library books!” But my words stuck in my throat and I found teenagers around me were talking to friends or staring at their phones.

Reading online feels robotic to me. It’s like I stare at a screen and click “next” for the following page to appear until the very end of the e-book, and at the end of all of that, I just think, “That’s it?” But when I read a printed book, it’s like I’m holding on to the characters. I can imagine the plot better, as I can picture the scenes of each moment in my head with more accuracy and imagination.

Besides, some online books miss components that are in the printed novels. For instance, the physical copy of a fantasy novel I have read contains a map, but the e-book version does not. That is an injustice to e-book users; after reading and understanding the map, the story made a lot more sense for me, in terms of the setting and plot.

And personally, physically turning to the next page is better than clicking “next”. When reading online, I sometimes worry that I click “next” too quickly. It feels more like a race; I want to finish it because the pages just keep making that “flipping” sound and I wonder how long the book really is.

Some printed books have a special smell that makes the novel feel special to me. It’s hard to describe but I’m sure I’m not the only one that thinks so. I know I cannot convince every teen to switch from the digital book to the printed one, but maybe my writing about the difference will at least get some of them to think about it.

1. Why will the library be replaced by a cafe?

A．Few people head for it.	B．It lacks good management.
C．Few people read its books.	D．It holds little attraction for the youth.

2. Why does the author prefer printed books according to paragraph 2?

A．They include additional contents.	B．They provide a strong connection to the characters.
C．They have a special pleasant smell.	D．They can improve readers’ imagination.

3. What is the author’s purpose of writing this text?

A．To inspire teenagers’ interest in reading.	B．To show advantages of printed books.
C．To reduce the impact of electronic devices.	D．To encourage teens to change the reading medium.

10 . Even now, I have vivid memories of my last day of high school. In my mind’s eye, I’m cleaning out my locker, and then staring at the emptiness for a few extra beats before slamming it shut for the last time. I’m wandering in the halls with my best friend, blissfully ignoring the bells going off every 50 minutes on schedule because, just today, we’re allowed to break the rules. I’m sitting on my desk, swinging my feet, and chatting with my English teacher, Mr. Carr, in a way that makes me feel almost grown up.

It was maybe my favorite day of the whole year. Like the final layer of watercolor, the freedom and lightness I feel seeps (渗透) into the rest of my memories of that day and turns them just a shade rosier.

If the school year hasn’t yet ended for you, consider what you can do to make the ending count. Why? Because when it comes to human memory, not all moments are created equal. Instead, our remembered experiences are disproportionately(不成比例地) influenced by peaks(the best moments as well as the worst) and endings(the last moments). Nobel Prizewinner Danny Kahneman, who discovered this phenomenon, called this the peak-end rule. It suggests that our judgment of a past experience is largely based on its most extreme point and its endpoint.

I took advantage of the peak-end rule years ago, when my girls were young enough to want a bedtime story each night. I remember thinking that whatever trouble and stress had occurred that day, I could make the last moments count. I could end on a note of calm and act like the patient mom I hadn’t quite managed to be just hours before.

Don’t mistake all moments as equal insignificance. There’s a reason why yoga classes end with savasana (挺卧式). There’s a reason we eat dessert last. Do organize endings carefully. As Pete Carroll might say: Finish strong. Last impressions are especially lasting.

1. What does the underlined word in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Happily.

B．Surprisingly.

C．Guiltily.

D．Curiously.

2. Which statement is true about the peak-end rule?

A．The last moments matter the most in our memories

B．Peaks in life can be remembered better than endings.

C．The peaks and ends of experiences are easier to remember.

D．Our judgment of the past is determined by first impressions.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Why the author read stories to her kids.

B．What challenges the author faced in life.

C．How the author applied the rule to daily life.

D．When the author accompanied her daughters.

4. Why are Pete Carroll’s words mentioned in the last paragraph?

A．To show the importance of every moment.

B．To encourage readers to enjoy the endings.

C．To explain why last impressions are lasting.

D．To prove the peak-end rule can be used in sports.