1 . Very few people can say that they have achieved all that they are capable of. But what is it that is preventing you from fulfilling your potential (潜能)?

    1     They know that they have something special to contribute and they are determined to make their mark. This does not mean that they are too proud. On the contrary, they are self critical and push themselves hard because they know that they can achieve more.

It is easy and natural to settle into a rut (墨守成规). Why try something new when you are already doing that you are good at?     2     They take risks. They move out of their comfort zones. They take on difficult challenges. They push themselves to acquire new skills and to face new examinations of their abilities.     3     Where are you right now — inside your comfort zone or taking risks?

    4     Thinking and planning are great but it is action that leads to success. It is only by doing things and doing the right things that you change the world.

Let’s face it — your friends and family are really nice people but they are not challenging you to achieve more. Spend more time with high flyers and positive thinkers who understand ambition and achievement. Share some of your thoughts, dreams and challenges with them.     5    

A．High achievers go further.

B．This means that they run the risk of failure.

C．All successful people have strong self-belief.

D．They can take comfort in modest achievements.

E．You waste a lot of time every day on low value activities.

F．They will encourage you and give you the direct advice you need.

G．It is really very hard to make progress if you have no ambition for your life.

2 . My long-distance cycling career of 13 years and 35, 000 kilometres ended as I approached 75. Although I am now no longer strong enough to _________ the long days and big climbs, day in and day out, I have my memories.

The road behind is just memories, some soon to be forgotten, others to be _________ and enhanced with the retelling. A 6000-kilometre cross-country ride initially appears _________, but, once done, it is simply done, much like the challenges that life _________.

Real _________ would come when I was alone on my bicycle. I enjoyed meeting and even _________ the daily targets I had set for myself. I enjoyed the technical challenges faced by tire bursts and loose handlebars, but _________ not at that time. I loved cycling with a strong tailwind pushing me along and hated _________ into a strong headwind. I loved striking up conversations with a diversity of people and sincerely appreciated the support and comfort they _________.

Long distance cycling brings unbearable exhaustion, long hours of anxiety, even fear and desperation, but these __________ into insignificance, compared to the joy and __________ of climbing huge mountains or seeing fantastic sights for the first time. The experiences add newness and __________ to my life and the memories are __________.

Most importantly, cycling taught me to know myself better. It eventually dawned on me that I had more __________ and courage than I ever imagined. The self-awareness and long-lasting memories will give me enormous __________ as I carry on my life journey.

1.

A．appreciate

B．choose

C．expect

D．stand

2.

A．treasured

B．explored

C．created

D．discussed

3.

A．boring

B．annoying

C．confusing

D．discouraging

4.

A．overcomes

B．greets

C．throws

D．ignores

5.

A．loneliness

B．joy

C．convenience

D．panic

6.

A．making

B．changing

C．beating

D．finalizing

7.

A．reasonably

B．admittedly

C．fortunately

D．hopefully

8.

A．battling

B．slipping

C．falling

D．wandering

9.

A．owned

B．offered

C．mentioned

D．promised

10.

A．fit

B．pale

C．run

D．back

11.

A．reflection

B．anticipation

C．satisfaction

D．motivation

12.

A．secrets

B．rules

C．decisions

D．dimensions

13.

A．reliable

B．flexible

C．inaccessible

D．unforgettable

14.

A．toughness

B．curiosity

C．imagination

D．wisdom

15.

A．insight

B．knowledge

C．power

D．admiration

3 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

In 1940, I worked in the checkroom of the railway station. I saw everybody that came up the stairs.

Harry was a young man who came to the station and waited at the head of the stairs for the passengers from the 9:05 train.

I remembered seeing Harry that first evening. He wasn’t much more than a thin, anxious kid then. He was all dressed up and I knew he was meeting his sister, who he hadn’t seen for many years.

Well, the passengers came up and I had to get busy. I didn’t look toward the stairs again until nearly time for the 9:18 and I was very surprised to see that the Harry was still there. His sister didn’t come on the 9:18 either, nor on the 9:40, and when the passengers from the 10:02 had all arrived and left, Harry was looking pretty upset. Pretty soon he came close to my window so I called out and asked him what his sister looked like.

“She’s small and dark. She is nineteen years old and very neat in the way she walk,” he said. “She has a face that has lots of spirit. I mean she can get mad but she never stays mad for long, and her eyebrows come to a little point in the middle. She’s got a brown fur, but maybe she isn’t wearing it.”

“I couldn’t remember seeing anybody like that,” I told him.

He showed me the telegram he’d received: ARRIVE THURSDAY. MEET ME AT THE STATION. MAY. It was from Omaha, Nebraska. “Well,” I finally said, “why don’t you phone to your home? She’s probably called there if she got in ahead of you.”

He gave me a sick look. “I’ve only been in the town for two days. We were going to meet and then drive down to the south of the city where I’ve got a job. She doesn’t have my address.”

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

When I came on duty the next day, Harry was still there and I asked more about his sister.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One day, after about two weeks, I thought I could say something encouraging to him.

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4 . The book Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No, authored by an experienced decision strategist Bruce Mullen, is more than just a theoretical exploration of simplicity; it’s a practical guide to enhance decision-making skills. The goal of this book is not merely to promote the philosophy but to equip readers with the tools they need to carry it out effectively. From techniques to prioritize tasks to methods for removing distractions, the book offers a comprehensive toolkit for simplifying the decision-making process.

In a world where indecisiveness often leads to confusion and missed opportunities, the book’s philosophy distinguishes between a decisive “Yes” and a clear “No”. At its essence, this title encourages readers to grasp the power of conviction and the art of clear choices. The book urges us to channel our energies into the positive ‘Yes’ and decrease our efforts with undecided commitments.

Author Bruce Mullen’s journey began with a conversation with his brother, causing a serious reflection that gave rise to a philosophy centered around simplicity. Titled “Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No”, this guiding principle explores the importance of decisions in one’s life. Through his personal experiences, Mullen determined the power of simplification, directing him to decisions harmonizing with his core values and ambitions. Beyond individual context, this book extends its reach, influencing business strategies, relationship dynamics, and societal considerations. Mullen’s exploration into the essence of the phrase not only drew parallels to the legal ‘Yes Means Yes’ principle but also emphasized the significance of clear intention in negotiating life’s crossroads.

Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No is more than a book; it’s a philosophy that can revolutionize how we approach decisions. Rooted in the simplicity of its title, the book briefs the essence of purposeful decision-making. It offers a set of tools to take apart complexity and embrace the power of confirmation and decisive negation. For those who seek to live a life with clarity and purpose, this book is a guiding light in the fog of indecision.

1. What is the book aimed at?

A．Teaching strategy theories.	B．Solving philosophical problems.
C．Empowering readers with decision-making skills.	D．Equipping readers with techniques to simplify life.

2. What does the underlined word “conviction” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Doubt.

B．Speech.

C．Certainty.

D．Action.

3. What is the inspiration for Mullen’s philosophy of simplicity?

A．A family talk.

B．A hard decision.

C．A painful lesson.

D．A sudden thought.

4. What does the author think of Mullen’s book?

A．Serious and daring.	B．Inclusive and practical.
C．Objective and humorous.	D．Plain and straightforward.

5 . The rising popularity of swimming hasn’t skipped by the Lake District — this beautiful national park is a hotspot for swimmers. Don’t miss these amazing swimming spots in the Lake District, perfect all year round.

Haverigg Beach

Great for dog walking, Haverigg Beach is best enjoyed at a low tide so you and your family can make the most of the available space. The beach isn’t busy in the colder months, which makes it an ideal location for a spot of swimming.

Blea Tarn

Blea Tarn is ideal for beginners or those who want a quiet swim. It is one of the easiest lakes to visit with two car parks. Blea Tarn is scenically impressive, especially in the colder months. Its otherworldly feel is best seen to be believed — it was even a filming destination for Netflix’s hit fantasy film The Witcher.

Silecroft Beach

Silecroft Beach sleeps at the edge of the Lake District National Park. This beach has excellent water quality and is Marine Conservation Society-recommended and it’s easy to see why. As well as being brilliantly looked after, the beach has accessible toilets, adequate parking, a local cafe and plenty of nearby pubs to warm up in after a dip in the water.

St Bees Beach

This sand beach is a hidden diamond when it comes to striking Lake District views. St Bees Beach has two car parks available, plenty of cafes and restaurants and even a golf course! Dogs are also allowed here all year round. The impressive cliff face at the end of the beach makes for a brilliant view to swim towards and a sight you won’t soon forget. St Bees is England’s only cliff-nesting seabird colony!

1. Which of the four spots was shot in a movie?

A．Haverigg Beach.

B．Blea Tarn.

C．Silecroft Beach.

D．St Bees Beach.

2. What is special about St Bees Beach?

A．It is dog-friendly.	B．It has car parks available.
C．It has a cliff sight.	D．It has the best water quality.

3. What do the four spots have in common?

A．They are located in the Lake District.	B．They are sand beaches with restaurants.
C．They are perfect for swimming beginners.	D．They are recommended by Marine Conservation Society.

6 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Grandma tried to straighten out her fingers. “Jessica, I think I am done knitting (编织),” she said. “My fingers just won’t do what I tell them any more.” I looked at Grandma’s hands, remembering that she had taught me how to knit gloves for my dolls since I was little and that her hands had been sure and strong whatever she had knitted. Grandma had always said that I was very good with her knitting needles and balls of yarn (纱线).

But this winter she could hardly bend her fingers. The doctor said Grandma had arthritis (关节炎), suggesting she should keep her hands warm. I made her cups of tea to hold and moved her chair closer to the fire. However, her fingers were still difficult to move.

I wasn’t used to seeing Grandma’s hands so still. In the morning, her hands were still in her lap. In the evening, her quiet hands even made her voice stay still. I tried to help her find her voice. “Grandma, tell me about when you were a little girl like before,” I begged, knowing she loved to tell interesting stories of her nine brothers and sisters and herself during their childhood. “That was so long ago, Jessica,” whispered Grandma. “I can barely remember.”

This winter there were no hats with matching gloves or soft sweaters knitted by Grandma. But I missed her voice more than those. What about her sister Olga giving their snowman a bath in hot water? What about her brother Peti cutting off her doll’s beautiful hair and then hiding it? Were those words still moving silently in her head?

After dinner, Grandma fell asleep in her rocking chair. Mom sorted through our knitting items, among which an old pair of gloves caught my attention. The gloves were Grandma’s favorite ones with the names of Grandma and her nine brothers and sisters on the fingertips. Each time she wore them, all her happy childhood memories would become very interesting stories in her mouth.

注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The gloves gave me an idea.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Grandma, shall we knit a new pair of gloves?” I asked hopefully.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . Washing windows was the worst chore for Maddie. As she did it, she noticed her________Mr. Valdez pressing his knees with a rake (耙子) lying beside him. “How are you?”

“Well, Maddie.” Mr. Valdez answered. “But raking leaves is the________chore for me.” “I’ll rake them for you first and finish washing my windows later.” Maddie________. She enjoyed building piles of golden leaves, ________the grass and making the yard look like a freshly swept carpet. Truly appreciating her help, Mr. Valdez ________ Maddie the rake and went to see Mrs. Iguchi across the street.

Maddie raked, piled and bagged all leaves. “I have to go back to do my windows.” She thought, turned toward her house and then stopped in________. Tom, the teenage boy living nearby, was washing her windows! Before she expressed her ________ to Tom, Mr. Valdez entered with Mrs. Iguchi. “I can explain. When I visited Mrs. Iguchi, she was ________ peeling (去皮) potatoes, so I volunteered. I like making the potato peelings into long curly shapes.”

Maddie looked puzzled, still ________ how peeling potatoes could have turned into washing windows. Mrs. Iguchi continued the________. She said she ________ to do her favorite — cleaning the carpet at Tom’s house when borrowing dustpans. When Tom asked what could be done for her, she couldn’t ________ any chores but only remembered Mr. Valdez had mentioned Maddie’s windows weren’t getting ________ because she was raking his leaves.

Tom added, “Nothing is more pleasant than seeing the ________ glass shine in the sun.”

What a neighborhood chore chain! Everyone gets a favorite and returns a _______.

1.

A．gardener

B．cleaner

C．neighbor

D．colleague

2.

A．hardest

B．tiniest

C．latest

D．earliest

3.

A．indicated

B．hesitated

C．resisted

D．volunteered

4.

A．cutting

B．watering

C．uncovering

D．planting

5.

A．handed

B．bought

C．returned

D．displayed

6.

A．sorrow

B．delight

C．fright

D．surprise

7.

A．gratitude

B．doubt

C．concern

D．disapproval

8.

A．unwillingly

B．hopefully

C．excitedly

D．aimlessly

9.

A．understanding

B．wondering

C．stating

D．showing

10.

A．broadcast

B．persistence

C．observation

D．explanation

11.

A．appeared

B．refused

C．happened

D．pretended

12.

A．think of

B．set aside

C．put off

D．take up

13.

A．changed

B．repaired

C．washed

D．decorated

14.

A．valuable

B．spotless

C．previous

D．colorful

15.

A．call

B．greeting

C．profit

D．favor

8 . One might hope that children’s capacity for boredom would be matched by an appetite for all things new — If only parenting were so easy.     1    Here are expert-approved tips on how to get your kids to attempt new things without frightening them off.

Start with what they know. Take something your kids already like or are good at, and push them to try it in a new environment or a slightly different way. If you want your kids to feel confident about their strengths and use that as a springboard to try something new, think:    2    How can you help them advance in that? There is no need to learn a new thing — you just create an opportunity to push your kids to try something new with the skill they know.

Make a list. Ask your children what new things they want to try out or have them write a list. Help them figure out what it is that they are worried about when they avoid new things.    3    It’s a way to help them feel in charge of their emotions and understand the connection between thoughts and actions.

    4    You should both recognize your children’s fears and express certainty that they can handle the task. It is important to project confidence in your children. Say you believe they have capacity to handle those challenges and tolerate the discomfort or worries or negative feelings that might come along with doing new or scary things.

Consider if they are doing enough. You should also do some reflecting of your own. Do your children really need to try tofu or martial arts? If your kids are functioning overall, they are doing the basics and they have some friends, then be encouraging.    5    Sometimes doing that stops you from focusing on the things they are doing.

A．Sympathize and encourage.

B．Be tolerant and open-minded.

C．What are your kids comfortable with?

D．Why are your kids fascinated by new things?

E．Don’t overstress on everything they are not doing.

F．Sometimes the act of identifying and naming fears can help decrease them.

G．Trying new things is difficult for many children, whether a different food or skill.

9 . “Mom, I got into the University of Delaware!” I still remember how thrilled I was to be the first one in my family to have the opportunity to study abroad. I was so excited that I did a countdown every single day leading up to move in day at the university. However, just a few weeks after I got there, I found it very difficult to adapt to a different country, culture, and a strict curriculum.

I knew studying in a foreign university was going to be hard, but the first exam still shocked — me I got a 58%, the lowest in my life. Worse still, since my day-to-day experiences and interests were so different from the American students’, I was struggling to make friends. I felt like a complete loser and kept thinking maybe I should just give up. But then it occurred to me that I was not studying just for myself, but to live up to my family’s expectations.

Having made up my mind to push myself forward, I came up with a plan to make improvements. The plan was not only about study, but also about my eating and leisure time. I also planned weekly goals on how to make friends, such as “you will talk to someone at the dining hall, and you will not be scared!” Looking back, I find it was definitely embarrassing to plan my days like this, but I did it and made it. I was able to interact with others without looking like an outsider and even made some friends. I even began to teach others about my country, Panama. I told them about typical cultural differences between Panama and the US. It was really exciting to see them eager to learn more about my country.

Now I am a senior, confident, strong and smart. My freshman-year self is extremely proud of how far I have come. The coming graduation surely makes me sad, but I’m sure it’s not the ending, but the beginning of the many more goals I will accomplish.

1. How did the author feel after entering college?

A．Thrilled.

B．Stressed.

C．Disappointed.

D．Proud.

2. What stopped the writer from giving up?

A．His interest in knowledge.	B．His longing for friends.
C．His sense of responsibility.	D．His desire for a degree.

3. How did the writer overcome the difficulties?

A．By turning to his parents.	B．By interacting with outsiders.
C．By carrying out an overall plan.	D．By engaging in leisure activities.

4. Which of the following best describes the writer?

A．Proud and productive.	B．Sensitive and cautious.
C．Optimistic and warm-hearted.	D．Determined and self-motivated.

10 . Jobs for Teens

Teenagers earn more than just money at a part-time job, they also earn experience, financial independence, responsibility, and savings for college. Here are some popular jobs for teens to earn extra money while getting valuable experience for the future.

Babysitting

Babysitting is a true way for any teenager who enjoys kids to make money. Neighbors, family friends, and relatives with small children often need help and want someone they know and trust. In order to offer more valuable services, teens can take classes on dealing with possible dangerous situations.

Coffee Shop

If your teen enjoys coffee, music, laptops, and people, then working as a waiter at a coffee shop can be a great part-time job choice. Coffee shops often offer a peaceful atmosphere (氛围) perfect for people watching. Besides, he can earn tips (小费)! If your teen wants to serve people, working at a coffee shop part-time could be the job for him.

Dog-Walking

Many elderly neighbors, friends on vacation, and people who work long hours need help washing and walking their pets. If your teen enjoys working with animals and is responsible for his work, then this is the job for him. His part-time business will begin to pick up once he sets himself up as a reliable animal lover.

Food Services

If your teen loves communicating with people, restaurant employment might be right for her. She can choose from such positions as cashier, server, food runner, dish washer, and prep cook. Food industry positions can help your teen develop people skills, self-respect, and responsibility, while enjoying a bit of socializing.

1. Which job is especially fit for pet lovers?

A．Babysitting.	B．Coffee Shop.
C．Dog-Walking.	D．Food Services.

2. What do Coffee Shop and Food Services have in common?

A．They offer music and laptops.

B．They help improve teen’s social skills.

C．They have a peaceful atmosphere.

D．They provide tips for employees.

3. Who is the text probably for?

A．Parents.

B．Teenagers.

C．Teachers.

D．Graduates.