1 . With spring approaching, a foot of snow that had fallen rapidly melt. The runoff from the hills had filled the rivers and formed little _________ in the road. Broken tree branches were everywhere. I was _________ home and suddenly saw one of these branches _________ across the road. It was big enough to damage my car if I didn’t _________ in time so I stepped on the brakes and _________ my emergency flashers. _________ there were no other cars there yet. But I knew that it would only be a matter of _________ before one crashed into that branch, causing a(n) _________ and even death.

I _________ my car and tried to pull the branch to the roadside. It was a lot __________ than I thought but I started to __________ it. Inch by inch I pulled it off the road. When it was finally moved to the side I stood up and felt __________. Just as I did, though, a little red car passed by __________, hit a pool of water in the road and splashed my pants. I wasn’t __________ but laughed at the absurdity of it all.

Sometimes we all do good things in this life only to get dirty water. When this happens just remember that the real reason you do good is because of the __________ inside of you.

1.

A．steps

B．sculptures

C．ponds

D．footprints

2.

A．walking

B．driving

C．riding

D．running

3.

A．standing

B．hanging

C．sitting

D．lying

4.

A．emerge

B．skip

C．stop

D．check

5.

A．open

B．break

C．expand

D．examine

6.

A．Thankfully

B．Generally

C．Surprisingly

D．Hopefully

7.

A．position

B．order

C．rank

D．time

8.

A．conflict

B．injury

C．breakthrough

D．emission

9.

A．got out of

B．pulled over

C．slowed down

D．put away

10.

A．shorter

B．happier

C．heavier

D．easier

11.

A．observe

B．leave

C．release

D．move

12.

A．ashamed

B．depressed

C．relieved

D．relaxed

13.

A．politely

B．quickly

C．precisely

D．carefully

14.

A．reliable

B．angry

C．pleasant

D．sensitive

15.

A．kindness

B．curiosity

C．anxiety

D．regret

2 . Is life a story or a game? Answers may vary from one to another. Over the course of life, we find things to love and commit to — a job, a partner or a community. At times, we struggle to learn from our misfortunes to grow in wisdom, kindness and grace.

Will Storr, a writer whose work I admire, says this story version of life is a misunderstanding. In his book The Status Game, he argues that human beings are deeply driven by status. Rather than about being liked or accepted, he writes, it’s about being better than others. “When people are obedient to us, offer respect, admiration or praise, that’s status. It feels good.”

Life is a series of games, he adds. There’s the high school game of competing to be the popular kid. The lawyer game to make partner. The finance game to make the most money. The academic game for fame. The sports game to show that our team is the best. Even when we are trying to do good, Storr claims, we’re playing the “virtue game” to show we are morally superior to others.

I think Storr is in danger of becoming one of those guys who ignore the noble desires of the human heart and the caring element in every friendship and family. The status-mad world that Storr describes is so loveless. In fact, gaming as a way of life is immature. Maturity means rising above the shallow desire — for status — that doesn’t really nourish us. It’s about cultivating the higher desires: the love of truth and learning; the inner pleasure the craftsman gets in his work, which is not about popularity, and the desire for a good and meaningful life that inspires people to practise daily acts of generosity.

How do people gradually learn to cultivate these higher motivations? To answer that, I’d have to tell you a story.

1. What lies in the core of Will Storr’s opinion about life?

A．The pride in one’s virtue.	B．The pursuit of superiority.
C．The desire for acceptance.	D．The motivation by wealth.

2. What can be viewed as higher motivations in the text?

A．Love and inspiration.	B．Maturity and desire.
C．Commitment and kindness.	D．Friendship and popularity.

3. What’s the main purpose of the passage?

A．To correct an attitude.	B．To compare two values.
C．To explain two arguments.	D．To criticize a viewpoint.

4. What story do you think the author will tell next?

A．A king’s-comeback story.	B．A rags-to-riches story.
C．A Yuan Longping-style story.	D．An overnight-success story.

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

I never considered     1     (I) a picky eater, but when     2    (tradition) Chinese holidays rolled around, I wanted little to do with the customary foods.

Every fall, I celebrate the Moon Festival with mooncakes. Unlike many of my Chinese American     3    (friend), I never liked the red bean and salted-egg flavors in my family’s cuisine (饭菜). Instead, I     4    (draw) to mo chi ice cream!

My first taste of a snow skin mooncake, however, made a crack in this wall of pickiness,     5    (create) an opening for the other Chinese desserts (甜点). A bite of the mooncake reminded me     6     strawberry red bean mochi. One bite led to another, and soon I was attracted to the earthy flavors of the red bean and     7    (extreme) eager to taste the Chinese treats I once avoided.

Different types of mooncakes are served during the Mid-Autumn Festival,     8     falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, between mid-September     9     October. Because they can take up so much time to make, many people simply buy mooncakes. But for some, it’s much more meaningful     10    (hold) a homemade “full moon” in your hand.

4 . Keep a Moon Diary

Grab a notebook and your favorite pen or pencil, and you’re ready to begin your very own Moon Diary. You’ll discover all kinds of fascinating things about how the moon travels and notice the various phases of the moon.

Before you start you can collect together some books about the moon to learn about it.     1     And even though you are older you can still try these kinds of books about the moon.

Start your Moon Diary by looking for the moon one night and recording all the things you notice. Note the date, time, and weather. Is the moon full? Half full? Or maybe gone entirely? What color does it seem to be?     2     Take time to look at the moon each night for four weeks. Every night, record what you see. Does the moon appear to be getting bigger? Smaller? Where does the moon appear in the sky? Maybe record what natural sounds you hear when the moon is high in the sky!

    3     Sometimes you will see the moon in the daytime, and other times you may have to wait until nighttime for the moon to rise. You can check when the moon will rise each night by looking for the information online.

It takes about 28 days for the moon to make one complete orbit around the Earth. So after four weeks, you’ll have completed your very own Moon Diary!     4     What do you notice? How does the moon change shape over time? Is the moon rising earlier or later in the sky each day? How does it affect the amount of light in the sky?     5     See where the moon takes you!

A．Look back over what you wrote and drew.

B．You could draw a sad face in the box instead.

C．Write and draw your observations in your notebook.

D．Every day for a month, look in the sky and find the moon.

E．Maybe you’ll decide to keep going with your Moon Diary.

F．Picture books and stories are a great way to introduce a topic.

G．Predict what shape the moon will be each night for the next month.

5 . Daily Habits to Help You Get Healthier in 2024

Many of us hope to make changes for the better for the new year, and health goals tend to be at the top of that list. Sometimes New Year’s wishes require some sacrifices.     1     Below are some achievable daily habits that keep your overall health.

Prioritize sleep.

Your body needs time not only to rest and recharge, but also to do important work like learning new things. Experts suggest teenagers should get at least eight hours sleep each day. If this is a challenge for you, turn to your circadian rhythm, which tells you the right time to sleep and wake up.     2     Just go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Take a break from electronics.

In fact, studies have found that screen addiction has a negative influence on our health.     3     Keeping away from screen can improve your sleep and reduce depression and anxiety. Thus, remember to spare time each day when you’re screen-free.

    4    

Your healthy habits can also be fun and rewarding. What have you always wanted to do? Your answer to that question might point you toward a new hobby to explore in 2024. And getting into it can help you reduce stress and boost mental well-being. Plus, some hobbies can get you moving, boosting your physical and mental health.     5    

Ultimately, you can pick one or two healthy daily habits. And I am sure you’ll be moving toward a healthier, happier 2024.

A．Fight against stress.

B．Take on a new hobby.

C．Fortunately, doing the opposite is beneficial.

D．Then how do you use your body clock for better sleep?

E．For better sleep, perhaps make that the last thing before bed.

F．However, we don’t have to give up too much to realize them.

G．Maybe playing basketball or doing yoga will be a good choice.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024, join the United Nations in celebrating under the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.

The world is facing many crises,     1     (range) from geopolitical conflicts to increasing poverty levels and the severe impacts of climate change. These challenges can only     2     (address) by solutions that empower women. By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a     3     (health), safer, and more equal world for all.

If current trends continue, more than 342 million women will     4     (live) in extreme poverty by 2030．     5     (ensure) women’s needs and     6     (priority) are considered, governments must prioritize gender-responsive financing and increase public spending on essential services and social protection.

Policymakers must also value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution women make     7     economies worldwide through paid and unpaid care work. Women spend around three times more time on unpaid care work than men     8     if these activities were assigned a monetary value they would account for more than 40 per cent of GDP.

Investing in women and championing gender equality boosts a future     9     everyone in society can thrive, creating     10     world of boundless opportunity and empowerment for all.

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province. Harbin is now a large and open city,     1     (influence) deeply by Russia, Europe, and Japan in     2     (it) culture, architecture, and lifestyle. Harbin is one of the most popular destinations for winter tours,    3    (host) the world’s biggest ice and snow festival.

Harbin     4     (become) world-famous for having the largest ice and snow festival. The opening ceremony is held     5     January 5 every year. Lasting for more than two months, Harbin Ice and Snow international festival is also     6     longest snow festival in the world.     7     (near) all the ice for the festival is cut from the Songhua River in Harbin.

The most popular place is the Harbin Ice and Snow World,     8     is like a frozen Disneyland, and you can see the big ice and snow castles, carto on sculptures and enjoy the biggest     9     (vary) of snow sports and activities in the world.

There are also ice and snow sculptures exhibitions on Sun Island and an ice lantern show in Zhaolin Park.

Harbin has long been a popular winter destination for snow tourism and skiing experiences. If you are skiing lovers, Yabuli Ski Resort and Jihua Ski Resort     10     (recommend).

8 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Trends popular among the youth such as “China chic” and the growing influence of young consumers have driven the development of hanfu industry in recent years. Among the various     1     (style), the horse face skirt has emerged as the most popular item.

    2    (combine) classical elegance with modern simplicity, the horse face skirt is said to perfectly suit the contemporary culture and lifestyle of young people, making     3     a fashion icon (标志). This trend has gained popularity in Luoyang city, Central China’s Henan province,    4     numerous performers recently showcased these beautiful skirts in their acts, with many visitors alike     5     (dress) in the elegant horse face skirts. In Caoxian county of Shandong province, one of the country’s hanfu production and sales centers, the sales     6     the horse face skirts during last Spring Festival holiday     7     (increase) dozens of times compared to usual volumes. Actually, the skirt has become a very popular     8     (choose) for gifts.

The current popularity of hanfu in the country is believed     9     (indicate) more than a fashion trend; it     10     (represent) a deeper connection to Chinese tradition and cultural identity.

9 . At graduation ceremonies, it’s common to see parents proudly cheering and clapping for their kids. But have you ever seen it _________ the other way around? A heartwarming viral video shows a little girl named Shivaee _________ rooting for her dad during his graduation ceremony.

The video shows Shivaee’s dad, Aashish, walking up to the stage to _________ his master’s degree certificate from Teesside University in England. As the then 34-year-old _________ the stage, Shivaee shouts, “Congratulations, Daddy!” stimulating _________ from those in the room.

The dad,_________ by the act, replies, “I love you,” and blows her a kiss. Excited to _________ a moment with her dad, she replies, “I love you, daddy!” His smile grows even wider, and he looks deeply moved when his _________ is announced and he joins the rest of the _________ on the stage.

“This ceremony would have been __________ without my princess,” Aashish wrote on social media. “Asher __________ spread through the silent ceremony hall, my heart melted along with all the others present.__________ the graduation award, I felt ‘Being father to my daughter’ is the biggest __________ to me.”

Shivaee was barely 3 years old when the video was taken in 2022. That makes the __________ even more sweet, and it’s something her dad will never forget. He added, “This was the cutest moment during my whole graduation ceremony. It would stay __________ forever.”

1.

A．show

B．happen

C．change

D．return

2.

A．secretly

B．patiently

C．shyly

D．loudly

3.

A．pick up

B．show off

C．apply for

D．hand out

4.

A．observes

B．decorates

C．occupies

D．approaches

5.

A．laughter

B．encouragement

C．suspicion

D．opposition

6.

A．confused

B．embarrassed

C．relieved

D．touched

7.

A．share

B．imagine

C．choose

D．recollect

8.

A．news

B．name

C．plan

D．prize

9.

A．professors

B．audiences

C．graduates

D．kids

10.

A．heartwarming

B．special

C．incomplete

D．unbearable

11.

A．words

B．story

C．ideas

D．optimism

12.

A．Thanks to

B．Regardless of

C．Rather than

D．As for

13.

A．challenge

B．achievement

C．opportunity

D．contribution

14.

A．father

B．dream

C．girl

D．scene

15.

A．popular

B．awake

C．alive

D．hopeful

10 . Research has shown that mindful eating has positive impacts on people, so it’s beneficial to know how to eat more mindfully. Here are some techniques for eating at a healthy pace.

Remove all distractions while you eat.     1     Make sure your cell phone is face down and you’re not going to be responding to any messages that come through.

Take enough time to finish your meal. Even with all distractions removed, very often you still find yourself eating faster than you should.    2     It takes about that time for your body to get the signal to the brain that you are full.

    3     You might wonder how to spend 20 whole minutes eating a sandwich. One way to slowdown is to engage your senses and think through all the details about your meal. Ask yourself: What’s on my plate? How hungry am I today? Is it too salty? Notice the smell, the taste and whatever other senses that arise as you eat.

Limit the amount of the food you might munch on(大口吃) mindlessly. Put a small amount of snack food, like potato chips, in a separate bowl to help avoid mindless munching.    4     Putting aside some of the food can help you eat less at a healthier pace.

Actually chew. If you’re wolfing down(狼吞虎咽) your food you’re probably not chewing it. And chewing is an important part of digestion.     5     Look at each bite before putting it into your mouth, acknowledge what you’re eating and chew, chew, chew.

A．Notice all the little details about your food.

B．Limit your time for a meal within 20 minutes.

C．It helps break up the foods so it’s easier for absorption.

D．Watch out for your food intake and the time you spend on it.

E．When you sit down to eat, spend at least 20 minutes doing so.

F．If you have a whole bag of it, it is challenging to stop after several bites.

G．They can limit your ability to enjoy your food and notice when you are full.