1 . Once home to kings and queens, palaces were built not only to act as royal residences (皇家官邸), but to project power. Due to their artistic, cultural and historical value, palaces now make for some of the most popular tourist attractions and museums around. Let’s get close to the most famous four.

Forbidden City

Since it was built in 1406, the Forbidden City has been the center of Beijing, as well as China. Protected by a high wall, the palace holds some 980 different buildings. These show lots of amazing Chinese palatial (宫殿式的) architecture, of which the Hall of Supreme Harmony and Palace of Heavenly Purity are must-see sights. Now it has become the Palace Museum and visitors can enjoy various artworks there.

Winter Palace

Once the living place of the Russian tsars (沙皇), the Winter Palace now houses the world-famous Hermitage Museum. Built in an Elizabethan Baroque style, its seemingly never-ending green and white walls are said to house over 1.500 rooms, with each of them beautifully decorated. The size of the palace, not to mention the beautiful art and architecture on show, perfectly shows the power of Imperial Russia.

Alhambra

Located on the top of a mountain, Alhambra has long been one of the best-known and recognizable palaces on Earth. Built by the Nasrid sultans in the 13th century, the palace proudly exhibits lots of delicate(精美的) Andalusian architecture, with unique designs and patterns wherever you look. Walking around its gardens is enjoyable, and it will leave you a deep impression.

Palace of Versailles

Although Versailles started out as a hunting shelter, it was turned into one of the grandest palaces under Louis XIV. The Sun King decorated and enlarged it, eventually turning it into his royal residence and these at of his government. Many precious artworks were removed and placed in the Louvre following the French Revolution. Now, many repairs have seen the palace returned to its former glory.

1. Which is on the mountaintop?

A．The Forbidden City.	B．The Winter Palace.
C．Alhambra.	D．The Palace of Versailles.

2. In what way is the Palace of Versailles different from the other palaces?

A．It has always been well protected since the very beginning.

B．It was not designed to serve as a royal residence.

C．It has the largest number of rooms of the four.

D．It was built in an Elizabethan Baroque style.

3. From which part of a website can we read this text?

A．News.

B．Education.

C．Culture.

D．Fashion.

2 . Growing up. Mychal Threets fell in love with reading at Fairfield Civic Center Library (FCCL) in California. Now, at age 33, he is the supervising librarian of FCC Land has gained a following of more than 740,000 people who enjoy watching the video she posts about libraries on social media.

Threets was mostly homeschooled by his mother. They spent hours at FCCL and it became a home lo him, he said. But he didn’t see many people who looked like him cm ploy cd there and didn’t consider becoming a librarian until age 23, when he was hired to shelve books at a different Fair field library. That’s when “my librarian journey began,” he said. Threets took librarian education courses and worked his way up to the position he now holds.

About two years ago, he began sharing what he calls his “library joy” on TikTok and Instagram. He posts videos about being a librarian as well as tips on using a library card, book recommendations, and stories about children who have discovered their love of reading at the library. And with hundreds of thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok, he spreads awareness far and wide about the numerous positive impacts libraries have on their communities.

Last year, he was among 10 librarians chosen by the American Library Association to win the I Love My Librarian Award for outstanding public service. “He has touched many people in a positive way and has created a place for all to know they are cared about and loved.” one of his nominators (提名人) wrote. “His devotion, innovation, and impact have improved our library to new heights, strengthening its role as a center for growth and learning.”

It seems clear that Threets will continue to inspire the next generation of librarians. The message he has for young people is to remember to visit their own local library. “When life gets tough.” Threets said, “you can always find a library card.”

1. What can we infer from the figure 740,000 in Paragraph l?

A．FCCL in California has a variety of books.

B．The number of librarians is becoming larger.

C．Threets has posted over seven million videos.

D．Threets is very popular on TikTok and Instagram.

2. When did Threets start this librarian career?

A．After he took up courses on library.

B．After he was employed to shelve books.

C．After he found nobody wanted to be librarians.

D．After he became the supervising librarian of FCCL.

3. What do Threets’ words in the last paragraph mean?

A．It’s hard to find a local library.

B．Being a librarian is a tiring job.

C．Life is always filled with difficulties.

D．You can have fun when reading books.

4. Which may best describe Threets?

A．Curious.

B．Inspiring.

C．Generous.

D．Easy-going.

3 . The New Year Honors list was published at the end of December 2023, rewarding more than 1,200 people for their outstanding achievements and helping others. Prime Minister Sunak said those honored are “an inspiration to us all”.

The list included well-known figures and ordinary people who have help cd their communities. Everyone is awarded one of a number of honors depending on what they have done, from a Knighthood or a Damehood to a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). These awards are given twice a year by the King.

Tony Hudgell, aged nine, became the youngest person to be awarded a New Year Honor. He was given a British Empire Medal(BEM) for his charity work to protect vulnerable (易受伤害的) children. Tony has raised £1.8 million for charity and successfully campaigned to update laws protecting children.

A transport worker called Rizwan Javed, who works at Ealing Broadway station in London,was awarded an MBE for helping people who are in difficult situations. Following special training with the Samaritans charity, Javed lea med to spot people who are struggling with mental health problems and have conversations with them to help them feel better. After learning of his award. Javed said, “I feel like this MBE award has given me the confidence to take it a step further to help people talk about mental health.”

Space scientist Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who is also the head of the University of Leicester, received a Damehood for services to science education and diversity. Goalkeeper Mary Earps was honored with an MBE and is one of three of the England women’s national football team to be recognized for their services to football. James Martin, an actor from Nor them Ireland, was awarded an M BE for his services to drama. When he found out about the honor. Martin said. “I couldn’t believe it — I was really happy.”

1. What do we know about the New Year Honors list according to the text?

A．It was released on December 12.	B．It rewards people who inspire us.
C．The awards are given by PM Sunak.	D．Children have no right to be honored.

2. What did Tony do?

A．He got some laws renewed.	B．He set up his own charity.
C．He had a big New Year celebration.	D．He wrote lots of laws about children.

3. Who devoted a lot to soccer?

A．Rizwan Javed.	B．Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
C．Mary Earps.	D．James Martin.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．High-achieving people.	B．Ordinary people’s lives.
C．Community-focused charities.	D．Well-known campaigns in England.

4 . Influenced by factors like school funding, sports facilities, teacher resources and safetyconcems, traditional physical education was limited to static (静态的) scenes and closed gymsand playgrounds, which lacked interaction and feedback functions. PE curiculum was also restricted to basic sports like ball games, track and field and gymnastics. However, the emergence and application of new technologies like virtual reality (VR), 3D technology, greatly expand and innovate sports scenes, providing possibilities for the construction of a flexible “on-site, on- campus, online” integrated new sports world.

IT can build online virtual learning environments for students, creating teaching scenes hard to achieve in physical world. Many schools have already partnered with technology companies to create different teaching scenes using digital sports products. The University of South Florida has cooperated with the VR sports training company Sense Arena, allowing students to practice tennis on its globally pioneering VR tennis training platform. Students use the Meta Quest 2 headset and VR touching racket (球拍) which imitates the weight and feel of a real tennis racket. The platform features 35 training modes imitating various scenes in real-life tennis matches, including crowd noise, dazzling sunlight, shadows and wind. Athletes can engage in various forms of training, such as skill practice, technical analysis and match imitation. Such virtual sports teaching space further enhances the experience of PE leaming.

Technology-based physical education not only serves ordinary students’ physical health but also addresses the needs of special groups in sports, especially students who cannot participate in regular PE classes due to physical, psychological or social adaptation issues. Many schools offer specialized sports programs to disabled students, like the “Pathways to Inclusion” program launched by the University of Queensland, which tailors various sports activities to different disabilities, such as blind football and wheelchair hockey. This is made possible with the support of sports technology, as different symptoms require the use of different sports equipment.

Through scientific, healthy and joyful educational concepts, technology-empowered PE classes convey the values of creating and enjoying a personalized experience, developing a sports education where everyone participates and benefits.

1. How do new technologies change traditional PE class according to paragraph 1?

A．By investing more in basic sports.

B．By combining it with academic study.

C．By making dynamic PE class possible.

D．By replacing PE teachers with AI teachers.

2. Which of the following services can Sense Arena provide?

A．Real-life tennis matches.	B．Virtual headsets and rackets.
C．Imitative distracting conditions.	D．Sufficient sports space on campus.

3. What does “Pathways to Inclusion” program feature?

A．Professional knowledge about psychology.

B．Technology-assisted sports for the disabled.

C．Interactive activities with ordinary students.

D．Personalized medical treatment for disabilities.

4. What is the author’s writing purpose of the text?

A．To advertise a new VR product.

B．To raise public awareness of physical education.

C．To stress the importance of equality among students.

D．To introduce a new application of technology in PE class.

5 . THIS STREET IS OPEN FOR PLAY

Concerned about outdoor play in crowded cities? Start a play street - a community event where neighbors close their road to traffic, creating a safe space for children to play. This initiative allows kids and adults to explore, create and socialize, which, undoubtedly, will bring the bonds between neighbors to a new height.

Compared to structured plays with strict rules and fixed procedures, a play street allows children to lead, establish rules and get involved in an open-ended activity without specific instructions, methods or goals.

Getting Started:

1. Host a meeting to discuss benefits and encourage involvement. Choose an event date and assign tasks to the neighbors.

2. Reach out to city councils for necessary permits to close the road. Ignoring this will lead to the cancellation of the whole plan.   

3. Use posters, flyers, and social media to spread the word. Use these promotion means to inform residents of the date, time and activities planned for the play street.   

4. Set up barriers for safety, provide equipment and encourage neighbors’’ participation.

What to Expect:

●Game Areas: A variety of play equipment tailored for kids, such as jump ropes, balls, chalk for drawing, hula hoops and other outdoor games.   

● Swapping Corner: A place where moms can bring unwanted items such as kitchenware, gardening tools or other household goods to exchange with each other.

●Arts and Crafts Seating: Arts and crafts seating with materials like paper, markers, crayons, paints and brushes. Children are encouraged to get creative and express themselves through art.

●Snack and Refreshment Station: Light refreshments like water, juice, fruit and healthy snacks to keep mixed-age participants energized. A potluck to share homemade treats and recipes.

1. What is the purpose of “a play street”?

A．To prevent traffic jams.

B．To strengthen community bonds.

C．To explore kids’ artistic potential.

D．To involve children in structured plays.

2. What is a must to hold the event?

A．Raising funds

B．Announcing instructions.

C．Posting the safety regulations.

D．Asking for authorities’ approval.

3. Which activity is intended for both kids and adults?

A．Game Areas.	B．Arts and Crafts Seating.
C．Swapping Comer.	D．Snack and Refreshment Station.

6 . It was not until photographer Rita Nannini left New York that she grew fascinated by the city’s subways. While living in Manhattan for some 15 years in the 1980s and early 1990s, Nannini only commuted (通勤) on the one train-given the subway system’s bad reputation. But after relocating to New Jersey for several years where subway is not an option, Nannini found that absence did make the heart grow fonder — maybe even for pizza rats. During her visit back to New York, Nannini nodded, noticing improvements in the subway’s facilities.

While Nannini was waiting for a train, a bench on the platform opposite caught her attention due to the ever changing faces and characters. They were people of different accents, colors and beliefs. They were from all walks of life, a diverse mix of New Yorkers all there for their own different reasons. Having learned the teenagers’ popular “End of the Line” challenge — boarding trains at random and riding them until their final destination; Nannini decided to visit every first and last stop across the NY subway’s lines with her beloved camera.

Nannini’s “End of the Line” experience saw her traveling some 665 miles across 26 routes in New York city. She took over 8,000 photos of the final stations, as well as the communities they served. In many cases, she rode the routes two or three times over to ensure she got “the shot”. “The project really shows me how important the subway is, and how sustainable it makes our lives,” she said

“It’s often said that my photos show the end of the lines — the last stops,” she said. “But theend of the line is indeed the start for so many people. That made me think about who the people and the communities that live at the two ends are and what it is that the subway means to them.”

Nannini was proud of her set of images directly challenging the traditions of story telling, which echoed both the boredom and excitement of travel on tracks.

Nannini enjoyed taking her time, starting her challenge in 2013 and only shooting the final photos last year. Her first monograph on the terminal stops of the NY subway was released in April 2023.

“When you drive in the suburbs, you don’t have those encounters,” she continued. “People enter your life on the subway. That’s what strikes me most on my jouney on tracks.”

1. How did Nannini find the New York subway during her revisit?

A．It tumed out fine.

B．It was depressing.

C．It still held the same bad reputation.

D．It would be her only commuting option.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The diversity of New Yorkers’ daily life.

B．The inspiration for Nannini’s subway shots.

C．The popularity of “End of the Line” challenge.

D．The challenges of Nannini’s job as a photographer.

3. What can we infer from Nannini’s “End of the Line” experience?

A．Her way of telling stories is traditional.

B．She expressed sympathy for the subway riders.

C．Her photography is highly expected by the encounters.

D．She found life on tracks was more interesting than life on wheels.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．“End of the Line” Challenge: A New Trend in NY Subways

B．The Road Home: Rita Nannini’s Record of her Subway Ride

C．Last Stop to New Start: A Photographer’s Rediscovery of NY Subways

D．New Yorkers’ Routine: A Surprising Mixture of Boredom andExcitement

7 . Pick up any packaged processed food, and there’s a decent chance that one of its listed ingredients will be “natural flavor”. The ingredient sounds good, particularly in contrast to “artificial flavor”. But what exactly does natural flavor mean? It refers to extracts (提取物) got from natural sources like plants, meat or seafood. When consumers see “natural flavor” on a label, they are unlikely to assume that someone is squeezing the juice from oranges into their bottle. They know even though natural flavor must come from natural sources, it needn’t all come from the plant or meat. For example, orange flavor might contain not only orange extract, but also extracts from bark and grass. Nor is the common belief true that ingredients extracted from nature are necessarily safer than something artificially made.

So if flavors like orange are needed, why not just use oranges? The answer comes down to “availability, cost and sustainability”, according to flavor chemist Gary Reineccius of the University of Minnesota. “If you’re going to use all your grapes on grape soda,” Reineccius says, “you don’t have any grapes for wine making; the products are going to be exorbitant; besides, what do you do with the by-products you create after you’ve squeezed all the juice out of the grape?”

Actually, while chemists make natural flavors by extracting chemicals from natural ingredients, artificial flavors are made by creating the same chemicals artificially. The reason why companies bother to use natural flavors rather than artificial flavors is simple: marketing. “Many of these products have health titles,” says Platkin, professor from Hunter College. “Consumers may be talked to believe products with natural flavors are healthier, though they’re nutritionally no different from those with artificial flavors. Natural flavors may involve more forest clear-cutting and carbon emissions from transport than flavors created in the lab.”

Platkin suggests getting more transparent labeling on packaging that describes exactly what the natural or artificial flavors are, so consumers are not misled into buying one product over another because of “natural flavors”. Reineccius also offers some simple guidance: “Don’t buy anything because it says ‘natural flavors’. Buy it because you like it.”

1. Which is a misunderstanding about the “natural flavor” juice according to paragraph 1?

A．It comes from 100% original fruit.	B．It is nothing but advertising tricks.
C．It certainly contains extracts made in the lab.	D．It is absolutely safer than juice with artificial flavors

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

A．Popular.

B．Expensive.

C．Durable.

D．Innovative.

3. Why do companies use natural flavors in their products?

A．To cut the costs.	B．To promote the sales.
C．To advocate a healthy diet.	D．To avoid food safety issues.

4. What can we conclude from the text?

A．Gary and Platkin hold opposite perspectives.

B．Natural flavors are more environmentally-friendly.

C．Customers are misled for ignoring labels on packaging.

D．Natural and artificial flavors are more alike than you think.

8 . 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 very first speech I had given changed my life more than I could ever have imagined. I was a third-grader when I chose Susan B. Anthony to be the topic. When I got the assignment, I went to the library and began researching the Women’s Fight for the Right to Vote. I never really thought about a time when women had no voting rights and that their opinions didn’t count. I learned that Susan B. Anthony led the fight to give women a say in our society. She overcame a

lot of obstacles in order to do that

About a week after giving my school speech, my mom read a newspaper article about a statue honoring Susan B. Anthony. The problem was that few people ever got to see the statue. It was dedicated (落成) in 1921, but within twenty-four hours it was taken down to the basement and stored where it had remained for nearly eighty years.

When I read that article, I was getting angry! This statue belonged in a place of honor. I felt

that it should be in the Rotunda, along with the statues of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther KingJr, and Gcorge Washington.

The article asked for donations because it would take $74,000 to move the thirteen-ton statue

out of the basement. I decided to write a letter with a self-addressed envelope asking my relatives and friends to send a Susan B. Anthony coin or a S1 bill to me to contribute to the Women’s Voting Statue Campaign. Every day I ran to the mailbox after school. But a month later, my piggybank was still far from full.

So every night, after my homework, I wrote more letters at the kitchen table. Pretty soon the whole family got involved in the project. My seven-year-old brother, David, prepared stamps and envelopes. My mother and grandmother found addresses for people I wanted to contact and my dad drove me around and gave me tons of encouragement when I spoke to big groups.

注意:
1.续写词数应为150个左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
I passed around a piggy bank for donations at the end of each speech.
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I was interviewed on TV
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9 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Every Lunar New Year, China introduces a zodiac(生肖) sign from a cycle of 12 lucky animals. This year, it’s the Year of the Dragon, or more     1     (accurate), ”the Year of the Loong”. Then what’s the difference?

The Western     2     (describe) of dragons as “fire-breathing winged creatures” was inspired by literature such as Beowulf - the Old English epic about a Scandinavian hero     3    contribution was killing monsters, including a dragon. Greek fairy tales also presented dragons    4    violent sea monsters or guards of valuable     5     (possession). By contrast, “loong”, a word    6     (create) in the 19th century, reminds people of strength and fortune, and should    7     (distinguish) from its Western cousin. In Shiji,     8    2, 000-year-old Chinese history book, the emperor’s mother dreamed of a dragon lying on her body,     9     (predict) the birth of a future emperor. Exactly for this reason, Chinese people proudly claim they are “descendants of the Loong” .

Therefore, some culture experts have been calling for a switch to ”loong”     10     (tell) the Chinese dragon from the frightening monsters of Western tales. The call is also in line with the push for cultural confidence to choose the preferred translation of the Mandarin word for a creature long respected in Chinese culture.

10 . 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。

Mary had always been a lover of tales. Her imagination was rich, and she often found herself making up stories in her head. Yet, she never dared to share them with anyone, confined (受限) by her shy nature and a fear of public speaking. Life passed her by in a routine that left little room for self-expression, and her stories remained locked within the walls of her mind.

One day, an old friend invited Mary to attend a local storytelling workshop. Hesitantly, she agreed, hoping to find a way to break free from her shell. As she entered the place, she felt a mix of expectation and fear. What if she stumbled(磕绊) over her words? What if people laughed at her? Despite her anxiety, Mary took her seat among the other participants, each there for their own reason—some seeking a new hobby, others looking for personal growth.

The workshop facilitator(主持人), a charming woman named Evelyn, greeted them warmly. She spoke of the power of stories and the beauty of sharing one’s voice. As the hours went by, Mary learned techniques to build suspense(悬念), create lifelike characters, and tell a fascinating story. The other participants listened carefully, offering ideas and encouragement. For the first time in a long while, Mary felt seen and heard.

As the day drew to a close, Evelyn announced an upcoming storytelling competition. It would be held in a few weeks at, a local bookstore. To Mary’s surprise, she found herself volunteering to participate. The thought of standing onstage frightened her, but something within her longed for the challenge.

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。
Paragraph 1:

From that day on. Mary practiced day and night.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:

The big day came.

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