1 . Nature can be unforgiving, especially when it comes to the animal world. As such, squirrels need every advantage they can get in order to protect themselves from a variety of predators that may want to make them their next meal. Squirrels pay incredibly close attention to their surroundings, and they pick up alarm calls from other nearby animals in reference to nearby predators. Now, a new study reveals that squirrels also listen to nearby birds’ conversations to make sure there is no threat close by.

Researchers from Oberlin University say that if the talk from birds is relaxing and normal, the squirrel knows it is not in immediate danger. The authors said that squirrels were listening to bird conversations and sounds to assess their safety, so in order to test their theory they observed the behavior of 54 wild Eastern gray squirrels scattered across various parks and areas in Ohio.

First, a threat was shown by playing a record of a red-tailed hawk(鹰), an animal known to hunt and eat both squirrels and other smaller birds. Then, researchers played one of two different recordings; one recording was of many songbirds chattering among one another happily, and the other was with no bird noises. After playing these recordings, each squirrel’s behavior was monitored for three minutes.

As expected, after hearing the initial record, all the squirrels displayed defensive attitudes, such as running away, looking around, or freezing their movements. Interestingly, the squirrels that heard the happy sounds of songbirds returned back to a normal, relaxed state much faster than the other group that heard the quiet sounds.

The study’s authors say that this indicates squirrels use the sounds of nearby animals to ensure their own safety. This allows the squirrel to either get back to what they were doing in a faster manner, or prepare for potential threats more efficiently.

“Perhaps in some circumstances, cues of safety could be as important as cues of danger,” the study reads. The study is published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.

1. What does the underlined word “predators” mean in the first paragraph?

A．Animals that hunt squirrels as food.

B．Animals that make friends with squirrels.

C．Animals that hunt squirrels and birds at night.

D．Animals that steal the food from the squirrels’ nests.

2. What will the squirrels do after hearing the sound of a red-tailed hawk?

A．They will stay and freeze.

B．They will behave normally.

C．They will keep on their guard.

D．They will look around and run away.

3. How did the researchers get the result?

A．By studying the different data.

B．By listing the different figures.

C．By comparing the different responses.

D．By playing different games with the squirrels.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Three interesting experiments.

B．Squirrels listen to birds to stay safe.

C．Judging danger from nearby sounds.

D．Squirrels can record the dangerous sound.

2 . As the other four players enjoy the crucial victory in an Arena Of Valor competition, they remained unaware that their teammate Lu Dong is a Paralympic _________ champion who plays with her feet.

At 32, Lu Dong has _________ a lot of medals over her 19-year swimming career. Meanwhile, she has enriched her daily life by _________ into various hobbies.

Lu _________ an interest in Arena Of Valor in 2017. _________, her appearances in internet cafes drew a lot of curious glances, which made her _________ However, it also led to generous compliments when others _________ her remarkable skills. “They praised me after watching me play so well with my feet, which gave me a sense of _________,” Lu said. Besides video games, Lu has _________ an hour daily to piano practice for the past three years and has also __________ her skills in both cooking and beauty makeup.

Losing her __________ in a childhood accident, Lu stop participating in P. E. classes to avoid __________ in her elementary school days, which made her physically and mentally __________. Luckily, she was recommended to join the provincial swimming team in 2004. She won two golds and two silvers in the youth group of the National Championship in 2005, earning a __________ in the national squad (代表队). Lu’s __________ performances in the pool caught the eye of Beijing Sports University in 2020, __________ the beginning of her college journey.

Changing from a (n) __________ girl to a national champion, Lu gained immense confidence. She no longer __________ to wear T-shirts in summer or to tuck her sleeves into her pockets in winter.

“It was swimming that __________ the girl who always talked a lot and the girl who was brave enough to __________ the fixed image of the disabled.” Lu said.

1.

A．swimming

B．running

C．dancing

D．singing

2.

A．accounted

B．accommodated

C．accomplished

D．accumulated

3.

A．looking

B．diving

C．leaping

D．bumping

4.

A．developed

B．created

C．made

D．built

5.

A．Eventually

B．Formally

C．Initially

D．Firstly

6.

A．confident

B．comfortable

C．uneasy

D．annoyed

7.

A．approved

B．witnessed

C．learned

D．practiced

8.

A．responsibility

B．belonging

C．identity

D．achievement

9.

A．dedicated

B．lasted

C．waited

D．offered

10.

A．found

B．kept

C．required

D．showcased

11.

A．hands

B．arms

C．legs

D．feet

12.

A．wounds

B．damage

C．injuries

D．loss

13.

A．vulnerable

B．capable

C．strong

D．tired

14.

A．degree

B．living

C．position

D．point

15.

A．unique

B．ordinary

C．typical

D．exceptional

16.

A．changing

B．marking

C．following

D．proving

17.

A．uncommunicative

B．unambitious

C．selfish

D．impatient

18.

A．managed

B．attempted

C．expected

D．hesitated

19.

A．found out

B．brought back

C．waken up

D．taken away

20.

A．understand

B．accept

C．challenge

D．shape

3 . Rehan Staton was close to giving up on his dreams. His father, who was his family’s mere provider, struggled to make _________ meet. There were times when Rehan was_______ meals and went to school on an empty stomach, as his dad was always at work.

His education suffered because of all the _______ his family was going through. By the 7th grade, Rehan’s grades rapidly_________. Instead of bringing him down, this hardship_________ him to turn to sports. It was at this point that Rehan became _______ about athletics and boxing. At the time, his father met an engineer, who offered to _______ the boy for free. This chance seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel(隧道). Unfortunately, just when things were starting to ___________, Rehan’s dreams of becoming a boxer were _______by a severe injury.

The young boy was________ by every college he applied to. He was forced to get a ________to help his family keep the________over their heads. His job as a garbage collector at the trash company________to offer him more opportunities than he could ever imagine.

At the company, he finally found people that saw his great________. Most of his colleagues encouraged the bright boy to continue with his________. A higher-up from Rehan’s work heard about his story and helped him register at Bowie State University.________, he was admitted into Harvard Law School.

The 24-year-old’s success story now ________   many young people to never stop following their dreams. Rehan himself started ________ youngsters facing adversity(困境), in a________to help them use their full potential________the difficulties they’re going through.

1.

A．harvest

B．ends

C．share

D．drops

2.

A．preparing

B．purchasing

C．begging

D．missing

3.

A．progress

B．changes

C．struggles

D．reforms

4.

A．worsened

B．developed

C．advanced

D．escaped

5.

A．taught

B．scheduled

C．encouraged

D．permitted

6.

A．enthusiastic

B．curious

C．concerned

D．particular

7.

A．serve

B．tutor

C．measure

D．record

8.

A．turn down

B．hold back

C．pay off

D．line up

9.

A．destroyed

B．refreshed

C．followed

D．postponed

10.

A．distinguished

B．celebrated

C．rejected

D．selected

11.

A．scholarship

B．job

C．deal

D．rise

12.

A．ceiling

B．curtain

C．roof

D．balcony

13.

A．turned out

B．kept away

C．showed off

D．broke out

14.

A．relief

B．fortune

C．privilege

D．potential.

15.

A．introduction

B．education

C．organization

D．invention

16.

A．Consequently

B．Obviously

C．Eventually

D．Hopefully

17.

A．promises

B．predicts

C．trains

D．inspires

18.

A．guiding

B．interviewing

C．targeting

D．understanding

19.

A．load

B．bid

C．range

D．kick

20.

A．on account of

B．instead of

C．in case of

D．regardless of

5 . 为了让学生全面发展，你校在课外活动中，举办了主题为“Life Skills Show”比赛，你赢得了一等奖。请你就你的参赛经历写一篇短文向校英文报投稿，内容包括：
1. 活动目的；
2. 介绍你参赛的生活技能（烹饪或手工等）；
3. 个人感受。
注意：1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Life Skills Show

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . It was the day of the big cross-country run. Students from seven different primary schools in and around the small town were warming up. I looked around and ______spotted David. I walked over and asked him why he wasn’t with the other______. He hesitated and then said he had decided not to______.

What was wrong? He had worked so hard for this event! I quickly searched for the school’s ______ and asked him what had happened. He said that kids from other schools would ______David. After making sure that David could run if he ______ to, I decided to have a talk with David.

David had a brain ______ which prevented him from walking or running like other children, but he always participated to the ______of his ability in whatever they were doing. That was why none of the children thought it ______ that David had decided to join the cross-country team. It just took him ______— that’s all. As a special education teacher at the school, I was familiar with the ______ David faced and was proud of his strong ______.

I came up to David and ______ him. Finally, he was determined to______ the race. Half an hour later, the race ______, but he had only gone a few meters before he tripped and ______on the ground. My heart ______. As I started to shout encouragement, other voices around me took up the ______. “Come on David, you can do it!” David picked himself up and started again. Needless to say, David ______ last. And he raised his arms high as he ______ the finish line to wild cheers and applause.

1.

A．gradually

B．temporarily

C．finally

D．quietly

2.

A．friends

B．partners

C．schoolmates

D．children

3.

A．walk

B．run

C．go

D．leave

4.

A．adviser

B．headmaster

C．doctor

D．coach

5.

A．care for

B．laugh at

C．worry about

D．take in

6.

A．wanted

B．agreed

C．decided

D．informed

7.

A．injury

B．disease

C．activity

D．image

8.

A．best

B．least

C．most

D．worst

9.

A．unnecessary

B．unusual

C．possible

D．natural

10.

A．hours

B．days

C．shorter

D．longer

11.

A．danger

B．threat

C．challenges

D．risks

12.

A．body

B．power

C．support

D．determination

13.

A．awarded

B．rewarded

C．encouraged

D．touched

14.

A．participate in

B．break off

C．take charge of

D．sign up for

15.

A．paused

B．stopped

C．delayed

D．started

16.

A．lay

B．sat

C．fell

D．dropped

17.

A．sank

B．beat

C．hurt

D．died

18.

A．board

B．call

C．sport

D．match

19.

A．finished

B．smiled

C．left

D．abandoned

20.

A．monitored

B．searched

C．crossed

D．observed

7 . 阅读下列短文并回答问题。

We would all love to learn how to be happy. And sometimes, the solution comes from a surprising place.

During his fieldwork in a remote African village, an anthropologist (人类学家) had devoted himself to studying the unique habits and culture of the local tribe. He had been working in the village for quite some time and on the day before his scheduled return home, he composed a gift—a basket full of delightful fruits from the area, wrapped thoughtfully in a piece of cloth. He placed this offering beneath a tree and then gathered the village children around.

The man drew a line in the dirt, looked at the children, and said, “As soon as I signal to start, dash to the tree; the first to arrive will claim the basket of fruits.” However, when he signaled, instead of racing against each other, the children joined hands and ran together to the tree. Then They settled around the basket and enjoyed their treat as a group.

Bewildered by their act of unity, the anthropologist asked why they chose to run collectively when any one of them could have seized all the fruits. A young girl looked up at him and said innocently, “How can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?”

Years later, Desmond Tutu, the well -known South African activist, remembered how a girl once thought about things in a simple yet deep way. He used the word “ubuntu” to describe her thinking. “Ubuntu” means “I exist because we all do.” In other words, we are who we are because of our relationships with others. For that tribe, to be human is to relate with and through others. They think that our happiness comes from the union of our joys and the meaningful impact they have on the community.

1. What gift did the anthropologist prepared? (no more than 10 words)
_______________________________________________________________________
2. How did the children reach the tree? (no more than 10 words)
_______________________________________________________________________
3. What does the underlined word “bewildered” probably mean in Paragraph 4? (1 word)
_______________________________________________________________________
4. What is the source of happiness for the tribe? (no more than 10 words)
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Do you agree with the tribe’s belief about happiness? Please give your reason (s).(no more than 25words)
_______________________________________________________________________

10 . MINNEAPOLIS—A 13-year-old entrepreneur (企业家) who was reported for operating a hot dog stand outside his house without a license is still in business, thanks to Minnesota officials who could have shut it down.

The Minneapolis Department of Health received a complaint this summer about the hot dog stand that Jaequan Faulkner had set up outside his home. But instead of closing down the operation, officials decided to help. “We helped Jaequan become permitted and went through some food safety techniques and procedures with him so he could operate legally and safely,” said Minneapolis Health Department supervisor Ryan Krick. Besides, the staff of health department raised the money for his permit fee, which was $87.00. Daniel Huff, the environmental health director for the department, says his agency was excited to give him coaching for some business knowledge, instead of shutting down the operation.

Jaequan says he is supported widely. “I was actually kind of surprised at first, because usually I would have one person at a time help me, but then so many people came at once. Now I realize how much people enjoy it, ” he added.

Jaequan began operating with a license on Monday. He started the hot dog stand with help from his uncle, who said Jaequan handles about 90 percent of the business. The teen now works four—hour days, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and spends his free time “thinking about what’s next.” Maybe a food cart, so he can take his operation on the road.

Jaequan said he’s also thinking about donating some of earnings to charities that help people with depression.

1. According to the passage, why was Jaequan complained?

A．Because he was too young.	B．Because he didn’t get the license.
C．Because he chose an improper location.	D．Because he sold some unhealthy foods.

2. Minnesota officials did all of the followings to help the boy EXCEPT___________.

A．offering advice on food security	B．helping him get the official permit
C．asking him to pay for the permit fee	D．coaching him for some business knowledge

3. Which of the following can best show Jaequan’s feeling to people’s help?

A．Grateful.

B．Terrified.

C．Confused.

D．Doubtful.

4. What does Jaequan plan to do in the future?

A．Leaving his business to his uncle.	B．Expanding his business to some extent.
C．Working full time on his hot dog stand.	D．Giving away all his earnings to the poor.

5. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To inspire teenagers to establish their own career.

B．To call on people to donate their earnings to charities.

C．To inform people of a touching story in Minneapolis.

D．To persuade people to support Jaequan’s business.