1 . The greatest sports moments often have a wonderful flow state behind the victories or performances. Being in flow refers to the moments where distraction reduces, and concentration ________ .

It was a _______ summer camp ping pong tournament where I was not only down I set, but 7 points behind my opponent (对手), who had only 3 points left to ________ the set, and the tournament. For a comeback, I had to win at least 10 points, without making ________ !

Facing the desperate situation, I could ________ it a day and let my opponent win. Perhaps my opponent had already focused on the ________, but failure wasn’t an option! Thus, I ________ it out, hoping for the best. I told myself, “Let’s just try and win the next point, nothing else.” ________ deep, I stared at the ball with a clear mindset and keen ________. I took it, hit it back and scored!

5 points to go, 4 points to go... My opponent started getting visibly ________ and made mistakes. Point by point I was getting closer to being even.7-8. I was one point away from doing the ________. My mouth was shut and my eyes stayed ________ the entire set. He made another error. 8-8. The comeback was complete. The crowd went ________! Winning the next 3 points, I managed to win that set. In the last set, my opponent turned restless again. ________ the flow, I ended up winning the final set, and the tournament.

Despite a small game, it inspired me a lot. Not being able to control how our opponent plays, we can _______ how to react. Don’t be there, where you are not. Instead, be here and now! Stay in flow! Be concentrated!

1.

A．limits

B．decreases

C．heightens

D．changes

2.

A．tough

B．competitive

C．crazy

D．close

3.

A．lose

B．win

C．tie

D．restart

4.

A．adjustments

B．reservations

C．efforts

D．mistakes

5.

A．call

B．make

C．leave

D．take

6.

A．defense

B．attack

C．celebration

D．relief

7.

A．figured

B．tried

C．pointed

D．stuck

8.

A．Sighing

B．Breathing

C．Regretting

D．Struggling

9.

A．attention

B．interest

C．insight

D．appreciation

10.

A．confused

B．desperate

C．exhausted

D．uneasy

11.

A．right

B．impossible

C．opposite

D．previous

12.

A．swollen

B．bright

C．sharp

D．bloodshot

13.

A．wild

B．silent

C．mad

D．deaf

14.

A．Going against

B．Cutting off

C．Holding to

D．Recovering from

15.

A．wonder

B．determine

C．predict

D．consider

2 . 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。

An unexpected Chinese presence, the Chinese steamed buns (馒头), known as mantou in Chinese, made an appearance at La Fête du pain, the annual bread festival held in front of the Notre Dames (圣母院), Paris, from May 7 to May 16.

On May 9, a Chinese netizen who attended the bread festival, posted a video on Douyin. In the video, a line of mantou     1     (place) among the array of baked food on display.

In no time, “Chinese Steamed Buns Compete at the French Bread Festival” became     2     trending topic on the internet. Some netizens expressed surprise, saying, “The steamed buns     3     we see every day at the dinner table have turned around and gone to France to participate in an international     4     (compete).”

Mantou can be enjoyed in various ways. When freshly     5     (steam), it is a delight on its own.     6     (alternative), it can be roasted, skewered, and grilled to golden brown, and     7     (it) flavor can be enhanced with aromatic spices like cumin and chili powder.

According to the video, the label called it mantao, and described it     8    : “Made with wheat flour, yeast and then steamed. The mantao has a smooth surface and a dense crumb. In the southern     9     (region) of the country, sugar and fat are added. As a staple food, it comes in a variety of shapes, with the most common ones     10     (be) round, leaf, flower.”

3 . Spanish class scared me in the freshman year. I knew little Spanish before starting the class, and I thought it would be ________ for me. However, Mary, our honored Spanish teacher, who was full of creativity, made her class fun from the beginning. I knew what to expect with a schedule for each week, but there was always some slight ________.

Before the exam, Mary often asked us to ________ our lessons by ourselves. But I could remember one day she said, “This time, let’s play a game before going over what you’ve learned.” The game was so interesting that we all ________ ourselves. After the exam, Mary gave us opportunities to make up for our ________. After each error correction, she would check again. She took things so ________ that she wouldn’t overlook any detail. No wonder she was ________ by us.

Mary was ________ and willing to help, within reason, on everything. We could ask her questions at any time. She encouraged everyone to speak Spanish in class. Because of that, I was ________ enough, and then I could communicate with Spanish speakers outside of class. When she knew our problems, she would give advice. When someone was struggling, she would ________.

Mary’s ________ teaching eventually transformed my ________ into fascination. She infused (灌输) foreign culture into lessons, using music and dance to ________ our language skills. Her personalized attention to each student’s needs fostered a(n) ________ environment. At the end of the term, my Spanish improved, and my confidence soared. Mary left a lasting impact on my ________ for new challenges.

1.

A．exciting

B．easy

C．boring

D．beneficial

2.

A．variation

B．disturbance

C．annoyance

D．inconvenience

3.

A．explain

B．describe

C．prepare

D．review

4.

A．challenged

B．enjoyed

C．trusted

D．developed

5.

A．experience

B．time

C．losses

D．mistakes

6.

A．seriously

B．roughly

C．modestly

D．curiously

7.

A．amused

B．respected

C．judged

D．spotted

8.

A．understanding

B．humble

C．athletic

D．courageous

9.

A．discouraged

B．suspected

C．heartened

D．comforted

10.

A．stand out

B．reach out

C．get around

D．get by

11.

A．passive

B．conventional

C．voluntary

D．innovative

12.

A．fear

B．sorrow

C．anger

D．confusion

13.

A．know

B．match

C．enhance

D．assess

14.

A．secure

B．supportive

C．economic

D．competitive

15.

A．pity

B．profit

C．debate

D．desire

4 . Late last month a team of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a person — the second such surgery ever attempted — and it has kept him alive for the past few weeks.

The patient, 58-year-old Lawrence Faucette, underwent the highly experimental procedure under a “compassionate use” pathway, in which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration permits an unapproved therapy when a person is seriously ill or dying and has no other options available. Faucette was not eligible for a conventional human heart transplant because he had peripheral vascular disease and other complications, which narrowed the outlook for success.

By mid-October, Faucette was continuing to recover. “He’s had a rough time,” however, Bartley Griffith, a surgeon who performed Faucette’s procedure as well as the previous one, said at that time. According to Griffith, Faucette was living at home when the FDA first approved the surgery, but he was subsequently hospitalized with fluid in his lungs. Then he suffered a cardiac arrest the night before the surgery. Still, he had so far responded well to the transplant.

More than 100,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant, so researchers have long been exploring xenotransplantation (异种器官移植): transplanting other species’ organs into humans. To prevent the human immune system from attacking these alien organs, scientists have begun to breed genetically modified donor pigs that lack certain genes or have other genes added.

In the past couple of years, pig xenotransplants have been tested in both nonhuman primates and deceased humans — but the ultimate goal is to conduct human clinical trials on a bigger scale. The results of the recent compassionate use transplant will likely influence the FDA’s consideration of whether and when to allow such trials to take place. Many researchers hope this could happen in the next year or two.

“We took a pretty good swing at the ball the first time, and we got very close to a prolonged success, we think,” Griffith says. Although there were some unforeseen circumstances in that first xenotransplant, his team and others have developed better methods to test for these conditions.

1. Why did Faucette undergo the pig-to-human heart transplant?

A．Because he was seriously ill and there was no better options.

B．Because the pig heart fits well in human body.

C．Because FDA has long approved such transplant.

D．Because the surgery has been applied in medical treatment already.

2. What do we know about the transplant according to paragraph 3?

A．Faucette highly praises the surgery.

B．Faucette responds well to the alien organ.

C．Faucette has suffered a lot after the transplant.

D．Faucette experienced cardic arrest after the surgery.

3. What method was put forward to prevent human immune system from attacking the alien organs?

A．The FDA is taking great care on human clinical trials.

B．The patients will receive the best of care after the transplant.

C．The human immune system is greatly changed before the transplant.

D．Scientists modified the donor pig’s genes or added other genes before breeding it.

4. What’s scientists’ attitudes towards pig xenotrasplants?

A．Skeptical.

B．Neutral.

C．Supportive.

D．Indifferent.

5 . How To Find Spring Fashion Trends

Fashion changes faster than most people can keep up with.     1    . Keep yourself at the forefront by paying attention to designers and social media, shopping early and knowing the basics of spring fashion.

Look through fashion magazines to get fashion ideas. Magazines like GQ, Vogue, and Cosmo are generally considered “taste makers”.     2    , and often bring excellent runway shows together. To keep ahead, make notes about the fashion trends that keep popping up in different magazines.

Find your favorite fashion blogs. What’s on the catwalk isn’t necessarily what’s on the streets, so I also like getting inspiration from travel blogs, fashion blogs, and smaller designers. Many brands, designers, and fashionistas post their inspiration online, as well as recommendations on where to find the best new fashions.    3    .

Explore social media. More and more often, people are using the Internet to broadcast their personal fashion recommendations, which is a great way to get a pulse on spring fashion. Sites like Tumblr and Pintrest have specific sections devoted to fashion.

    4    . If you’ve got friends in Miami, they will experience spring fashion a lot faster than you might in the cold Chicago. Check out your friends’ pictures or go online and look up southern fashion blogs to get ahead of the game before the snow melts.

Make your own spring trends. Having confidence in yourself and rocking your outfit is more important than following any trend. Sometimes you still can’t figure out what spring fashion trend to follow.     5    . Trends aren’t as exaggerated as they used to be because people are more into developing their own personal styles, which is more permanent and empowering.

A．Make notes of fashions you see often

B．Look to warmer areas for inspiration

C．They are selling the right clothes for the right season

D．Find an outfit you like and make up your own trend

E．They are in touch with the big clothing designers

F．Spring is often when people launch new and inventive fashion for the warming weather

G．Search “Spring Fashion Blogs” and browse through a few to see styles you enjoy

6 . The UK is experiencing a boom in book clubs, according to new data from event listing companies. Book club listings on the ticketing site Eventbrite increased by 350% between 2019 and 2023. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, book club listings on the site rose by 41%. Another event listing site, Meetup, reported a 14% increase in the number of RSVPs to book clubs between January 2023 and January 2024, compared with a 4% increase in RSVPs for all UK-based events.

Victoria Okafor, who co-runs the book club Between2Books, said the heightened interest in reading may be partly the result of a general “shift in hobbies”, as GenZ (the generation around 00s) turned to other ways to spend their free time. Besides, during the global health crisis period, many people were forced to slow down and pick up or reignite hobbies, and online book clubs provided a platform to connect with others.

Social media may be helping with the visibility of book clubs, too, said Okafor. “People may come across your page accidentally, but from there people have the knowledge to attend should they wish. I think this makes a big difference compared to just hearing things from word of mouth.”

Many of the book clubs listed on Eventbrite carry specific themes — Sheffield Feminist Book Club, Bring Your Baby Book Club, and Modern Chinese Literature Online Book Club.

Okafor’s club, Between2Books, focuses on books by writers traditionally excluded (排除) from the classics. She thought she began seeking out such stories “embarrassingly late”. “Reading authors of color brought back a joy to my reading that came from not only seeing elements of myself and culture reflected in novels but also reading stories that could be funny or empowering as opposed to the accounts of struggle that can often surround stories of people of color,” she said. “The variety of books makes reading and discussion so rich and I think that’s what attenders are drawn to.”

1. How is paragraph 1 mainly developed?

A．By giving examples.	B．By listing figures.
C．By analyzing causes.	D．By presenting theories.

2. What does the underlined word “reignite” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Return.

B．Reward.

C．Regain.

D．Reconnect.

3. Which is one of the reasons for the boom of book clubs?

A．The influence of social media.	B．The recommendation of old generations.
C．GenZ having a stronger thirst for knowledge.	D．Some people shifting the focus of their lives.

4. What attracts people to join Okafor’s club according to the last paragraph?

A．The diversity of books.	B．The reputation of writers.
C．The humor of the works.	D．The suggestion of the organizer.

7 . Seven years ago, my wife bought me a terrific birthday present. For $70, she   _________ me two garden plots of land 20 feet by 20 feet from the Skokie Park District, which come with free _________ to fresh water from faucets, no _________. The football field of garden is a true place of beauty, costing the Park District very little to _________, with the water pipes being the only _________ capital investment.

My _________ is that gardening is good exercise accessible to people far into late middle age and beyond, deeply beneficial and _________ by couples and groups of friends. My garden neighbors and I, once _________, share ideas and encouragement. My daughter loves to help me _________ the wild weed, and the whole family loves the good fresh food, some of which I give to friends and neighbors.

I __________ about $300 to $400 a year but harvest literally 10 times the __________ of fresh produce—and I’m far from the best gardener!

We need to __________ one another while respecting each other as individuals, as carriers of subcultures, as positive people. Human difference is easier to accept with __________ when we know each other and are building something together.

And who doesn’t need to have __________ and get some exercise and eat great food? Community gardening is a wholly __________ activity.

1.

A．sold

B．offered

C．guaranteed

D．rented

2.

A．use

B．access

C．storage

D．entrance

3.

A．comment

B．difference

C．charge

D．way

4.

A．measure

B．decorate

C．design

D．operate

5.

A．initial

B．risky

C．heavy

D．wise

6.

A．responsibility

B．qualification

C．ambition

D．experience

7.

A．occupied

B．divided

C．beloved

D．possessed

8.

A．lecturers

B．strangers

C．farmers

D．competitors

9.

A．harvest

B．irrigate

C．grow

D．classify

10.

A．waste

B．collect

C．earn

D．invest

11.

A．habit

B．value

C．room

D．time

12.

A．calm down

B．appeal to

C．connect with

D．believe in

13.

A．doubt

B．curiosity

C．care

D．dignity

14.

A．fun

B．money

C．fame

D．fortune

15.

A．tolerant

B．specific

C．positive

D．convenient

8 . How to have an attractive personality

Demonstrating an attractive personality is key to making friends and having lasting relationships. These traits (特性) give you the ability to inspire and fascinate others, making others more drawn to you as a result.

Listen to others.     1     Instead of responding to a text, opening an email, or thinking about your next meal, pay attention to what the other person is saying. Show them you’re listening and interested by commenting on the story or asking questions.

Speak sincerely. No one likes to be cheated.     2     If you can’t commit to something, it’s better to be honest about it than to have to tell them at the last minute that you can’t make it. When people ask for your opinion, you should be honest.

    3     You should always say what you believe in, be willing to take risks, and have the ability to admit your mistake without being worried about what other people will think. Doing this shows that you have self-confidence. This helps create an attractive personality.

Know “how” vs “what”. How you say things is arguably more important than what you say. If you try to give someone a genuine compliment, but he or she thinks you say it with a sarcastic undertone, your compliment won’t mean a thing.     4     If you notice that people often take things you say the wrong way, there’s a good chance you can change how you speak. Ask your friends to make you aware of the way you’re coming across.

Show enthusiasm for everything. Even if something makes you slightly uncomfortable, handle it with a smile on your face, an open mind, and a sense of humor. Not every day is going to be perfect, but being enthusiastic can help you accomplish anything.     5    

A．Tell people the truth.

B．You may make things bad.

C．Be aware of the way you speak.

D．Have confidence in how you speak and act.

E．When you act this way, people will love being around you.

F．Asking questions is important when it comes to confidence.

G．Listening is a trait that is often forgotten in today’s society.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the purpose of National Hugging Day?

A．To create a chance for people to get refreshed.

B．To expand the positive effects of hugging.

C．To promote an event related to hugging.

2. How will daily hugs affect a child?

A．He will be smarter.

B．He will be more sociale.

C．He will be more open-minded.

3. What can we learn from the talk?

A．Animals hug more than people do.

B．Hugs happen in various situations.

C．Hugging requires immediate actions.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man doing?

A．Conducting a survey.

B．Asking for directions.

C．Planning a trip.

2. What is the woman happy with about the train?

A．Its space.

B．Its Internet.

C．Its speed.

3. What do we know about the train today?

A．It was too crowded.

B．It broke down halfway.

C．It ran behind schedule.

4. What improvement impressed the woman?

A．The information display facilities.

B．Bigger boards for train times.

C．More seats on the platforms.