1 . As an elementary teacher, what I had experienced recently touched me a lot. Last week, my elementary school ___________ College Colors Day, when alumni (校友) and fans show their passion and spirit for a certain university. Bailey told me he wanted to wear a University of Tennessee shirt, but he couldn’t ___________ one. We discussed he could wear an orange shirt to show his ___________.

When the day finally arrived, Bailey was so ___________ to show me his shirt. I was impressed that he took it one step _________ to make his own UT’s label. However, after lunch, Bailey came to my office, ___________. He told me some girls had made fun of the label   ___________ to his shirt. Knowing that he used the resources ___________ to him to take part in the spit day, I decided to make it extra special for him.

I shared the story on my social media and contacted UT to buy a shirt, and what happened subsequently was beyond my expectation. Alumni, fans and volunteers ___________ in response to this story. Packages ____________ with shirts, gifts and souvenirs (纪念品) flooded in. ____________, in recognition of the fourth-grader’s spirit, the university decided to __________ a four-year scholarship covering his tuition (学费) fees should he decide to attend UT and meet admission ____________.

Bailey and I were __________ by the love from the extended community. I am sure this unforgettable experience will serve as __________ for Bailey throughout his life.

1.

A．held

B．attended

C．sponsored

D．promoted

2.

A．abandon

B．select

C．afford

D．recognize

3.

A．strength

B．spirit

C．experience

D．motivation

4.

A．excited

B．warmhearted

C．optimistic

D．dynamic

5.

A．down

B．further

C．closer

D．back

6.

A．lost

B．panicked

C．focused

D．depressed

7.

A．attached

B．restricted

C．exposed

D．reduced

8.

A．available

B．convenient

C．precious

D．genuine

9.

A．put in

B．stepped in

C．dropped in

D．gave in

10.

A．mixed

B．stuffed

C．rolled

D．connected

11.

A．After all

B．On the whole

C．As a result

D．In addition

12.

A．win

B．grasp

C．apply

D．offer

13.

A．involvements

B．assignments

C．requirements

D．achievements

14.

A．embarrassed

B．confused

C．amazed

D．satisfied

15.

A．determination

B．qualification

C．imagination

D．inspiration

2 . When I was five, my parents began to place me in a variety of different sports. The first ________ was gymnastics, which was a complete ________. The second was track and field. Track was fun at first, I actually liked to run and I was pretty fast. When I joined the team, the ________ was going to begin soon, only giving me three weeks to ________ for my first track meet.

I ________ for a while and then the day of the track meet arrived. Arriving at the stadium I was ________ to see how huge it looked. Before my race I did my warm ups while watching the other kids run their races with a few hundred audience. The ________ of the stadium was something I never felt before.

While ________ the starting line to run the 400m dash, I started to feel ________! At the starting line, we sat there silently waiting for the gun to ________. In that silence I continued to ________ myself and I felt like I was going to win. The gun finally shot and racers began a(n)________ dash to the finish line. The first 100 meters I was doing great. Then came the 200m mark, and my legs were dying. I was slowing down still trying to run. Alone ________ I was on the track, I still walked to finish line. When seeing my mother, I burst into tears. That race was probably the most ________ one in my life. Even though I gave up running track and field, I am grateful for what I experienced when I was 5 because it ________ me who I am today.

1.

A．game

B．activity

C．variety

D．class

2.

A．joke

B．failure

C．mess

D．change

3.

A．season

B．sport

C．training

D．track

4.

A．account

B．answer

C．apply

D．prepare

5.

A．trained

B．hesitated

C．waited

D．considered

6.

A．disappointed

B．shocked

C．interested

D．moved

7.

A．noise

B．condition

C．situation

D．atmosphere

8.

A．approaching

B．recognizing

C．appreciating

D．finding

9.

A．confident

B．anxious

C．nervous

D．content

10.

A．turn out

B．go off

C．break off

D．set out

11.

A．warn

B．balance

C．encourage

D．enjoy

12.

A．specific

B．usual

C．attractive

D．mad

13.

A．since

B．though

C．while

D．unless

14.

A．terrifying

B．convincing

C．challenging

D．annoying

15.

A．provided

B．persuaded

C．made

D．inspired

3 . Dreaming of photographing the world’s beauty, I wrote a travel wish list and hung it on my wall, not expecting to actually go anywhere. However, a local photo contest gave me a _________. I chose the Grand Canyon, one of my bucket list places to visit, since I got my first camera.

The journey was _________, with unique touches like aspen trees towering and lizards (蜥蜴)rushing about. After a day’s _________, I decided to have a good rest and start fresh the next day for the mission to _________ the Canyon’s grandeur.

The next morning, I woke up early to capture (拍摄) the _________. Reaching the overlook, I found an elderly man alone on a bench. After exchanging _________, he noticed my camera and _________if I’d captured any favorites. I _________ shared a couple of photos, not anticipating any further conversation that followed. He _________, revealing that he and his late wife, Betty, visited the Grand Canyon annually for their anniversary. Her __________the previous year marked his first return without her and he spent each sunrise reflecting on their treasured __________. His heartfelt tales __________ me deeply, as I, too, had experienced a recent loss, making the moment __________.

Returning home with numerous photos, I __________the best from my adventures for the contest. This journey taught me the value of chasing dreams, embracing challenges, and __________with others through shared moments, making it a truly enriching experience.

1.

A．favor

B．break

C．suggestion

D．push

2.

A．tiring

B．puzzling

C．refreshing

D．encouraging

3.

A．traveling

B．meeting

C．talking

D．picnicking

4.

A．shoot

B．paint

C．describe

D．video

5.

A．trees

B．sunrise

C．lizards

D．birds

6.

A．gifts

B．ideas

C．numbers

D．greetings

7.

A．doubted

B．inquired

C．considered

D．checked

8.

A．elegantly

B．purposefully

C．hesitantly

D．gratefully

9.

A．opened up

B．dressed up

C．hurried up

D．cheered up

10.

A．running away

B．passing away

C．breaking down

D．settling down

11.

A．possessions

B．collections

C．memories

D．qualities

12.

A．entertained

B．inspired

C．concerned

D．touched

13.

A．available

B．comfortable

C．admirable

D．unforgettable

14.

A．purchased

B．guaranteed

C．selected

D．made

15.

A．competing

B．connecting

C．discussing

D．cooperating

4 . When she was 61, Sian Davies decided to row across the Atlantic Ocean. In March 2021, she was one of the 12 crew members who set out on the 3,000-mile journey from Tenerife to battle sun, salt and fierce currents. “We would row in three-hour shifts and only sleep for an hour or so every six hours,” she says. “For the first 15 days, I was seasick, so I hardly ate anything. I was just rowing and collapsing. I went through some pretty dark times.”

But after 42 days on the water, Davies reached Antigua to become one of the only six women in the world over the age of 60 to have rowed across an ocean. “I was exhausted and I was also so proud of myself,” she says.

Davies began rowing when she was 53, after spotting a six-oar (桨) rowing boat in Bristol harbor. Attracted by its size and appearance, she spoke to the crew and was encouraged to do a trial run. “As soon as I got on the water, I fell in love with it,” she says. “Feeling your whole body working and the fresh air on your skin is amazing.”

It wasn’t until 2017, though, that her Atlantic plans were born. Suffering from a herniated disc (椎间盘突出), she was only able to crawl out of bed. “I began thinking of things I could look forward to after I had surgery,” she says. “One day I was reading about women adventurers when it hit me that once better, I would row across an ocean.”

After successful surgery, Davies began driving to meet other women who had undertaken rows. Hearing the experiences and advice of them gave Davies the confidence. Soon after, she heard that a new boat producer was organizing a team for a voyage across the Atlantic and she joined it immediately.

“In June, I’m planning to break a few world records by rowing around the UK when I’m 64, and I want to motorcycle through the Himalayas later in the year. After all, we need things to look back on.” she says.

1. What do we know about Davies’ journey across the Atlantic?

A．She fell apart and abandoned the task.

B．She suffered a lot during the process.

C．She was the oldest woman to finish it.

D．She rowed along with six other women.

2. How did Davies feel about her first attempt to row?

A．Painful.	B．Frightened.
C．Confident.	D．Impressed.

3. What inspired Davies to row across an ocean?

A．A trial row on a six-oar rowing boat.

B．Support from a boat company.

C．Stories of some women adventurers.

D．Sufferings from her back pain.

4. Which of the following best describes Davies?

A．Caring and open-minded.	B．Humble and self-motivated.
C．Determined and easy-going.	D．Strong-willed and ambitious.

5 . 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。

The first time I can remember wanting to be a writer was when I was eleven or twelve years old. It happened in the kitchen on a weekday night. I had written a poem titled How do I know the World Is Real?

I was sitting at the kitchen table finishing it off when my father walked up behind. I could feel him reading over my shoulder. I felt anxious and embarrassed. This little thing I was making, this first poem, was being examined by a very serious critic. My father was a qualified writer, an award-winning playwright, a Shakespearean scholar and a teacher of literature, including poetry.

So there I sat, hoping he would be distracted (分心的) by something and go away but he didn’t. It must have only been a minute, but it felt much longer. Then I felt his hand on my shoulder, gentle and warm. “You may have a talent for writing,” he said. And then he turned his attention to the refrigerator, took out a beer and went back to his reading chair in the living room.

I wrote lots of poetry in the months that followed and I began to think of myself as a writer. I liked that feeling.

But soon other interests — touch football, the Junior Police Club, Virginia Lanzo — crowded themselves into my life. Gradually I wrote less and less. I still longed to be a writer and so I began to feel guilty about not writing. To relieve my guilt, I promised myself that my other activities were life experience and that I needed life experience to become the good writer I wanted to be. It old myself that it was okay not to write so long as I spent some time now and then wanting to be a writer.

This was the shape of my delusion (错觉) when, at 16, I asked my father finally, “So how does a person become a writer?”

注意：
1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；2.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。

Unexpectedly, he didn’t highlight rich life experience.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My father’s words washed away my doubts and anxieties.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . Fifteen-year-old Sansa has been writing for eight years and has been working on a book for the past four. Feeling stuck and unable to write, she started searching for writing groups in Los Angeles, looking for guidance. When she found WriteGirl, she was inspired.

Keren Taylor started WriteGirl in 2001 as a way to help teen girls who did not have access to creative writing programs. “Teen girls are incredibly vulnerable (脆弱的) and invisible,” Taylor said. “They really need to be lifted up and inspired.”

At WriteGirl, 400 women writers volunteer to mentor (指导) 700 teenagers a year. Every girl who has gone through the mentorship program has gone to college and several have pursued careers as professional writers. Through the program, girls dive into poetry, fiction, songwriting, play and so on, learning techniques from professional women writers. This leads to well-rounded training and sets WriteGirl apart from other organizations.

A typical exercise at WriteGirl is mic and rant, a 30-second session before writing for each girl. As a vehicle for teens to get their ideas out, it empowers girls to explore anything meaningful to them. “Not the flowery language, or rather, complicated expressions that sound skillful, but more of the natural, this is what I’m thinking and what I’m feeling.” Taylor said.

Sansa’s mentor Danyella Wilder is attracted by the long-term nature of mentoring at WriteGirl. Wilder wishes she had a program like this herself when she was 15. “To just have an organization where people are spending their time just to tell you, ‘Hey, good job,’ or ‘That was amazing.’ You’re at the age where you need to hear that.”

1. Why did Sansa join WriteGirl?

A．To gain a sense of belonging.	B．To overcome her writing block.
C．To release negative emotions.	D．To become a professional writer.

2. What makes WriteGirl different from other organizations?

A．It aims to produce professional writers.

B．It turns teen girls into mentors.

C．It exposes girls to varied writing styles.

D．It ensures girls’entry to college.

3. What does the “mic and rant” exercise in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．A daily writing task.	B．A recitation of poetry.
C．A session for idea generation.	D．A skillful expression activity.

4. What does Danyella Wilder imply in the last paragraph?

A．Mentoring is a time-consuming process.

B．Positive feedback is crucial for teen girls.

C．Criticism at a young age can be harmful.

D．Mentorship should be based on friendship.

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

I jumped into my mother’s car, shut the door and poured out my recent trouble. “Jenny is playing her mind games again. Training is less tiring than dealing with her and her feelings,” I complained.

Jenny and I were co-captains of our cross-country team. We’d been training for the coming tournament (锦标赛) for weeks: stretching, running, and making the seven of us into a team. Jenny, with exceptional running talent, always had a way to get ahead of her competitors on the course. She also helped all of us run faster and cheered us on. It seemed that she was anticipating the final show.

However, this week, her attitude shifted. She kept making excuses not to run with the team, from aching legs to headaches. I had to beg her, telling her repeatedly that the team couldn’t do without her. It went on all day and I was worn out. What’s her deal?

Mom pulled into our driveway, and turned toward me, “Well, I know a little about Jenny. She and her   little brother have been together in foster care (寄养家庭). So close were they that every time they moved, Jenny would say that as long as they were together, they had a family.” My heart sank as Mom continued, “Jenny’s stepfather (继父) came for her brother this week, with gifts, hugs and big plans for their future. But Jenny wasn’t even part of his big plans.” My chest felt tight. “Poor Jenny, not to have a family.” I was close to tears. My mother patted my knee. “That’s it, honey. You got it.” And I did.

I decided that I should do something. I proposed that we organize a team gathering before the tournament.   Each member was to write a heartfelt message for every teammate and prepare a special gift for the one they felt most connected to. I made sure that Jenny would come. It took some persuading, though.

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。

As the team gathering began, there was tension in the air.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The day of the tournament arrived.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . Sargassum is the smelly seaweed piling up on beaches across the Caribbean. It isn’t something most people ________ kindly. But for Omar de Vazquez, a gardener, it was something like a(an) ________.

Years ago, as part of his gardening business, Omar launched a beach cleanup service to ________ the leafy seaweed. But, as its ________ intensified, he started considering how to turn it into something useful, and in 2018 he ________ a way to use it in building blocks. He started his company—SargaBlock to market the bricks which are being ________ by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as a sustainable solution to a current environmental problem.

“When I look at SargaBlock, it’s like looking in a ________,” he says, comparing his company to overcoming his personal ________, including drug and alcohol addiction. “That was a time when I felt unwanted and ________, like the sargassum people complained about.”

Luckily, Omar grew up in nature and poverty, which ________ his character and turned him into someone who takes action. He wanted to make something good out of something everyone saw as bad. Omar then put his idea into ________, mixing 40% sargassum with other organic materials, like clay, which he then puts into a block-forming machine. The process was ________.

The UNDP selected Omar’s work for their Accelerator Lab, which ________ and recognizes innovative solutions to environmental challenges globally. The idea is that some of the most timely and creative ________ come from locals suffering from environmental dilemmas ________.

1.

A．look upon

B．bring in

C．give up

D．come across

2.

A．game

B．gift

C．race

D．trouble

3.

A．access

B．harvest

C．remove

D．process

4.

A．heat

B．image

C．presence

D．movement

5.

A．worked out

B．called for

C．showed off

D．turned down

6.

A．highlighted

B．undervalued

C．overemphasized

D．withdrawn

7.

A．window

B．mirror

C．dictionary

D．puzzle

8.

A．struggles

B．fears

C．desires

D．opinions

9.

A．appreciated

B．infected

C．interrupted

D．rejected

10.

A．fitted

B．shaped

C．revealed

D．described

11.

A．operation

B．words

C．bills

D．profit

12.

A．straightforward

B．transforming

C．natural

D．consuming

13.

A．combines

B．provides

C．identifies

D．drafts

14.

A．responses

B．reminder

C．appeal

D．issues

15.

A．alongside

B．offshore

C．underneath

D．firsthand

9 . From a fish and chip stall, Jenny has come to be the toast of London’s foodie scene. She has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming a famous chef, a distinction that has been a dream coming true for her. “It’s still sinking in,” she said, expressing her surprise at the overwhelming social media response to her accomplishment.

Her restaurant is a unique space where modern West African cuisine takes center stage, highlighting the rich culinary (烹饪的) traditions of Nigeria’s Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo ethnic groups. “In my restaurant, I bring together these three culinary traditions, providing an exciting journey for diners,” Jenny described. Each dish tells a story, from a black sauce for fish, a postpartum (产后的) meal for new mothers, to a fermented tomato sauce.

Jenny’s love for food began at a young age, but she was initially guided towards a more traditional career path. She studied biological sciences in university, where she also ran a fish and chip cart. Her move to the UK in 1999 marked the beginning of her journey towards culinary success.

As for her, her restaurant is not only a restaurant but also Jenny’s way of honoring her heritage and the food her grandmother used to prepare. “The memory of my grandmother’s cooking inspires me every day,” she shared. Jenny’s cooking shows heartfelt respect for her roots, and her mission is to showcase the flavors of her culture.

Jenny longs to be a role model for chefs from diverse backgrounds. She recognizes the value of representation and hopes her success can inspire other chefs in the UK. She notes that while the industry is slowly becoming more inclusive, it’s crucial for employers, landlords, critics, and investors to expand their perspectives to support a variety of cuisines.

Her fame is a testament (证明) to her talent and dedication, but it’s the personal connection to her dishes and the memories of home-cooked meals that truly fuel her passion. Jenny’s story is a shining example of how one can achieve their dreams while staying true to their cultural identity.

1. What is the character of Jenny’s restaurant?

A．It serves traditional British cuisine.

B．It is famous for postpartum meals only.

C．It is managed by a social media influencer.

D．It features West African culinary traditions.

2. What was Jenny’s initial step to her career path?

A．Being a biological sciences student.

B．Being a social media influencer.

C．Being a corporate executive.

D．Being a professional chef.

3. What can we infer about Jenny?

A．She prioritizes commercial success over culture.

B．She aims to westernize traditional Nigerian cuisine.

C．She uses her restaurant as a medium for scientific research.

D．She integrates her personal history with her professional knowledge.

4. What does Jenny desire to contribute to the culinary world?

A．Celebrity status.	B．Culinary revolution.
C．Diversity in cooking.	D．Profits of her restaurant.

10 . Everyone has a different path through education. While some get through college right after high school, others find their way back years later. This was the case for Minnie Payne. The South Carolina native returned to the classroom after retiring at age 68, finally earning her desired undergraduate degree when she was 73. Instead of stopping there, Payne continued her higher education path at University of Northern Texas (UNT) and, at age 90, has become the oldest person to receive a master’s degree at the school.

Payne will be accompanied across the stage by her grandson to receive her well-earned diploma (毕业文凭). Although much older than the other students, she was deeply inspired to learn something new and achieve her dream. “It’s never too late to learn and Minnie Payne is making history,” writes UNT. “As the eldest UNT graduate to complete her coursework, Minnie Payne’s passion for writing and her positive attitude made college a joy rather than an obligation (义务).”

Before reaching her ultimate goal, Payne worked as a court reporter and a substitute teacher in a community in South Carolina. After retiring, she was admitted to college at Texas Woman’s University (TWU). A few years later, Payne graduated with a bachelor’s in General Studies. Now a nonagenarian (90多岁的人), the self-described “lifelong learner” has earned a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Payne already has a new job lined up in Houston after she graduates. She will be working at a magazine that is based in the area. “It’s not my intention to stop work.” she said. “I always wanted to improve myself. When I retired at age 68, I wasn’t doing anything constructive. And it’s my philosophy to constantly be doing something constructive.” We wish Payne the best of luck in her new career.

1. Why did Minnie Payne return to the classroom at age 68?

A．To prepare for her retirement life.

B．To realize her dream of getting a degree.

C．To keep herself occupied after retirement.

D．To follow the trend of going back to college.

2. Which of the following can best describe Minnie Payne?

A．Honest.

B．Mild.

C．Generous.

D．Determined.

3. What does the author think of Minnie Payne?

A．She is the most intelligent graduate.

B．She is the oldest undergraduate in the world.

C．She is a great inspiration to younger generations.

D．She achieved great success in Interdisciplinary Studies.

4. What can we know about Minnie Payne in the last paragraph?

A．She will stop working soon.	B．She has found a satisfying job.
C．She is a successful businesswoman.	D．She isn’t content with her present life.