1 . Pullman is a superb writer and Seagull is a brilliant communicator. They had a debate after Seagull posted a question on his social media platform: “When you were trying to create an environment for learning, what were your best pieces of classical music to listen to?” He received hundreds of suggestions — and one negative reply, from Pullman: “That’s not what classical music is for. Treat it with respect.”

That did it! Everyone — professional musicians, students, teachers — weighed into the argument, and the majority supported Seagull and were criticizing Pullman.

It’s easy to see why people are annoyed. We all want classical music to be as accessible as possible, especially to the young. If some of them are using Bach or Schubert as a tool to help them study, what’s the problem? They may also develop an attachment to classical music.

So is Pullman ridiculous and supercilious by objecting to classical music being used as background music? At first sight, his idea seems stuffy and extreme. By suggesting that classical music should be “treated with respect” and not used as background music, Pullman seems to be closing classical music of to millions of people.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that he isn’t the first to express concerns about classical music being devalued by becoming too commonplace in today’s technologically shaped world. In Benjamin Britten’s 1964 speech, the composer expressed exactly the same worries as Pullman. Britten suggested, “The true musical experience demands some preparation, some effort, a journey to a special place, saving up for a ticket, some homework perhaps”. In short, it demands as much effort from listeners as from composers and performers.

I don’t agree with such an extreme viewpoint, but I do think it touches on a reality. You will never fully grasp the beauty of classical music if you half-hear it only in the background. That doesn’t necessarily matter. Music can be enjoyed on many levels. What Pullman and Britten are really saying is that, in a drive for “accessibility”, we shouldn’t deny the emotional and intellectual complexity underpinning (构成) much classical music.

1. What did Seagull’s posting result in?

A．Great admiration for Seagull.

B．Public criticism of classical music.

C．A discussion about learning environments.

D．An argument over the role of classical music.

2. What does the underlined word “supercilious” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Self-important.

B．Open-minded.

C．Impatient.

D．Considerate.

3. Why is the Benjamin Britten’s 1964 speech mentioned?

A．To show his affection for classical music.

B．To introduce young people to classical music.

C．To demonstrate classical music is demanding.

D．To support Pullman’s idea over classical music.

4. Which word best describes the author’s attitude to Pullman’s idea?

A．Favorable.

B．Doubtful.

C．Objective.

D．Uninterested.

2 . From displays of budding local creative minds to famous artists, airports are stepping up their game to share more of what their city is known for within the terminal. Visit our site and the most surprising, engaging, and inspiring art museums within an airport are just a click away.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport

Ancient Greece travels to you when you arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Before security, travelers can explore 172 pieces of archaeological artifacts from the Neolithic and Early Helladie to the Post-Byzantine period. Some of the pieces were actually uncovered during the construction of the airport. Even those not traveling through the airport can explore the displays thanks to an online 3D gallery.

Doha Hamad Airport

Social media enthusiasts have surely seen people posing for photos with the famous yellow “Lamp Bear” inside Doha Hamad Airport. You’ll also find 10 other giant statues and displays within the terminal. These include “A Message of Peace to the World,” a striking sculpture honoring the work of a local nonprofit organization, Reach out to Asia, that supports education in underprivileged Asian countries. The carefully-selected art on display is a cooperation between the airport and Qatar Museums.

Seoul Incheon Airport

Beyond traditional pieces of art, Seoul Incheon Airport takes things a step further by offering interactive experiences and classes for travelers. Within the airport is a branch of the National Museum of Korea exhibiting many pieces from its collection. There are rotating (轮流的) exhibits that allow frequent travelers to see a different selection of local artifacts and art pieces on different visits. There are traditional music concerts, ancient relic exhibitions and contemporary art displays.

Singapore Changi Airport

You may have seen the famous Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore with its garden-enveloped waterfall. It is part of a larger shopping complex that encourages visitors, including those that are not traveling. Besides, there is other museum - quality art to explore like magnificent sculptures suspended from the ceiling, paintings lining the walls and even a rotating propeller (螺旋桨) that looks like a blossoming flower.

1. Which airport’s artworks can be appreciated both physically and virtually?

A．Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.	B．Doha Hamad Airport.
C．Seoul Incheon Airport.	D．Singapore Changi Airport.

2. What do Doha Hamad Airport and Singapore Changi Airport have in common?

A．They support charity causes.	B．They boast splendid sculptures.
C．They cooperate with local museums.	D．They possess large shopping malls.

3. Where can the text possibly be found?

A．In an art magazine.	B．On a travel website.
C．In a geography textbook.	D．In a museum guidebook.

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。

Shortly after the silk and feather umbrellas became popular in China, their manufacturers managed     1     (discover) a new kind of material from wood paper, enabling the     2     (create) of highly stylized, decorative and lightweight umbrellas.

In addition to providing protection from sun and limited protection from rain, oil-paper umbrellas     3     (view) as symbols of wealth, and power in the past. During the height of umbrella popularity in China, you could easily recognize the owners by the designs and colors of their umbrellas—royal family members used yellow or red colors,     4     the wealthy carried blue. Even in today’s Chinese and Japanese society, umbrellas play     5     important role. They are one of the most essential items     6     (present) to newly -wed brides, symbolizing blessing, protection from evil spirits and wishes    7     more babies.

The beauty of the Chinese paper umbrellas had     8     an impact on worldwide trends that their     9     (elegant) crafted materials and their canopy designs showcasing dragons, flowers, and landscapes quickly traveled via trade routes to distant Europe. Paper umbrellas today represent one of the best -known Chinese traditional exports, with businessmen selling them to     10     (passer-by) on streets worldwide.

4 . I observed one child hugging her beloved toy dog while reading a book to her friend — both she and her dog were actively turning the pages — and with every page turned, she looked down at her dog, lovingly. As a longtime educator of toddlers and a current PhD student studying transitional phenomena and object relations, I have had the pleasure to witness the presence of transitional objects in the kindergarten.

The term transitional object, coined in 195l by D.W. Winnicott, refers to any material to which a child attaches a special value and by means of which the child is able to make the necessary shift from the earliest oral relationship with mother to genuine object-relationships. It is typically something soft, such as a blanket or a soft toy, that is similar to the mother’s warm arms.

It may also be the subject of the child’s fantasies, for example where a teddy bear is spoken to, hugged, punished, etc. It thus becomes a tool for practicing interaction with the external world. Moreover, the transitional object supports the development of the self, as it is used to represent ‘not me’. By looking at the object, the child knows that it is not the object and hence something individual and separate. in this way, it helps the child develop its sense of ‘other’ things.

If the object is denied in any way, attachment difficulties may arise later in life. The object allows for and invites emotional well-being, and without such an object, true feelings may be hidden or dismissed as the child has no other means to cope with and comprehend the world. Worse still, the object is intimately bound up with the identity of the child. Taking away the object is also taking away something of the child itself.

Winnicott noted that transitional objects continue through the course of our lives, as “sacred monuments” which pull us back to “a place and time of great comfort and memory”. The attachment to certain objects like self photographs defines both memorials, and more importantly a stale of connection and presence in the world.

1. How does the writer introduce the topic?

A．By sharing feelings.	B．By illustrating a term.
C．By relating an experience.	D．By providing background information.

2. What does the term “transitional objects” refer to according to the passage?

A．Tools used by educators to aid teaching.

B．Items to which a child becomes deeply attached.

C．Toys designed to amuse kids in the kindergarten.

D．Expensive personal possessions gifted by parents.

3. What might happen if a child’s transitional object is denied?

A．Ho might lose his imagination.

B．He may become more independent.

C．He is less likely to share personal feelings.

D．He probably distances himself from his mother.

4. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To introduce how to develop a sense of ‘other’ things.

B．To do research on the psychological development of kids.

C．To show how to enhance the bond between mother and child.

D．To stress the importance of transitional objects to children.

5 . My father Rong Xing isn’t exactly a good father.

He works very late every night because ________ his job, sometimes even ________ to eat dinner, and gets up ________ as well. Even when he’s at home, he thinks about his work all the time and hardly ever spend any time ________ my mother and me.

As a doctor who graduated (毕业) from a famous ________ before, he could make ________ of money and only do half the work he is doing now, but he chose to do more difficult and important work. He spends less money on himself ________ he makes more. He always wears old, cheap clothes, saying they are ________ and refuses to change. I sometimes get ________ with him for not caring enough about his clothes, but he just smiles and says, “Daddy has more ________ uses for the money, all right? ”

I never stopped being curious (好奇的)________ how he spent his money. Then one day when I was reading the newspaper, a piece of news caught my eyes: “Rong Xing ________ 100, 000 yuan to help   ________ children go back to school.” Then I ________ understood.

My father’s love for others touched me deeply, I started to understand the great ________ and I decided to pass it on.

1.

A．to

B．of

C．for

2.

A．forgetting

B．offering

C．continuing

3.

A．early

B．late

C．fast

4.

A．for

B．with

C．on

5.

A．university

B．hospital

C．library

6.

A．lot

B．lots

C．many

7.

A．but

B．though

C．if

8.

A．beautiful

B．uncomfortable

C．comfortable

9.

A．happy

B．nervous

C．angry

10.

A．important

B．easy

C．difficult

11.

A．for

B．about

C．on

12.

A．wrote down

B．gave away

C．cut out

13.

A．rich

B．poor

C．simple

14.

A．suddenly

B．quietly

C．carefully

15.

A．truth

B．opinion

C．spirit

6 . 假设你是高中生李华，你的英国笔友 Mike 从网上看到中国抗击疫情中的许多英雄人物之后，给你写了一封e-mail，询问谁是你眼中的英雄，请根据以下要点用英语给他回信，介绍自己眼中的英雄钟南山。
注意：1.词数 80 左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
资料参考：钟南山1936年出生于江苏
共和国勋章的获得者（共和国勋章 the Medal of the Republic） 战胜 SARS 和 COVID-19
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . Angus Neish dared to hope that his fine-looking cattle, bred at Rodmead Farm in Wilt-shire, would nab a prize at the Royal Bath and West Show last month. The annual fair, held near Shepton Mallet, in Somerset, is England’s oldest and grandest. As well as a fiercely competitive livestock parade, it features Morris dancing, sheep-shearing and a vintage fairground. Its pony-chariot races are second to none. Many contestants performed vigorously before a large crowd. 100,000 turned out for some of the three-day show.

Britons love a fair. No one is sure exactly how many shows there are across the country, but at least 400 days of such rural events happen annually across the country. Roughly one in ten Britons attend them each year. It appears their popularity is rising.

In late June, it was the turn of the Royal Highland Show, near Edinburgh, where 217,000 people—breaking a record set in 2019—rolled up. It is estimated that the event last year boosted nearby businesses by almost £40m ($51m).

Why do people go? Nostalgia (怀旧) is evidently a draw. At Bath and West, as colored flags flapped, visitors formed queues, bought cream teas and listened as a military band played wartime hits. Rural shows also have a purpose. Many fairs were founded to spread the knowledge of new farming technology among rural populations. Some of that mission lives on.

A secondary goal is to better educate those who flood in from towns and cities—urban folk make up a decent share of those who pack the grounds. Some consumers also come armed with powerful knowledge of food supply chains—as well as sometimes picky personal preferences for organic, local, animal-friendly and environmentally sound products. Laura Williams, of the Royal Welsh Show, notes that visitors are “much more invested in farming and interested in where their food comes from” than in years past.

A last purpose, naturally, is for farmers to excel against their rivals in friendly competition. In this respect, Mr. Neish enjoyed an utterly successful day. In a first for Bath and West, his cattle scooped all four of the top prizes on offer in their categories. Such victories do not bring immediate, large financial rewards, but should boost the reputation of his breeding program.

1. What do we know about the fair last month?

A．It saw high attendances.

B．It was a monthly show.

C．It was a fierce art competition.

D．It conveyed British moral values.

2. What’s the purpose of the shows?

A．To narrow the urban-rural gap.

B．To promote wartime hit records.

C．To offer an insight into farming.

D．To erase competition among farmers.

3. What will Mr. Neish gain from Bath and West?

A．An instant profit.

B．Marketing strategies.

C．A chance to advertise.

D．An academic reputation.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Rural shows: Victors’ stage

B．Masses of farmers: True winners

C．Farm products: Sweeping British

D．Fun of the fair: Gaining popularity

9 . The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is the largest and most well-known virtual business competition for high school students in the world. It was founded in Maryland in 2014 by a young budding (萌芽的) high school entrepreneur.

The competition gives high school students the chance to present their innovative business ideas, get real entrepreneurial experience, earn cash prizes, and build resumes that stand out from the crowd when applying for college. Participation is 100% free for all students, which levels the playing field and provides equal access to opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs regardless of their socioeconomic background or nationality.

The competition attracts the very best high school student entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe, making the competition truly global.

Participating is Easy

Register for the competition individually or team up with up to four friends to compete together.

Recognize a pressing problem the world faces, then create something new and build a business idea to address it.

Check out the scoring criteria to make sure your idea qualifies as a blue ocean business.

Reference the blue ocean pitch template (模版) to record your 5-minute video, upload on YouTube, and submit a link and the video file.

1. What benefit could a competitor get from the competition?

A．A college admission letter.

B．A full scholarship.

C．Hands-on business experience.

D．Discounted entry fee.

2. When did the competition expand on a global scale?

A．In 2014—15.

B．In 2015—16.

C．In 2016—17.

D．In 2022—23.

3. What should be done in preparation for participation?

A．Submitting a word file.

B．Designing a scoring criterion.

C．Identifying an urgent global issue.

D．Register a business organization.

10 . 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。

Fashion is always a major indicator of popular trends. The new Chinese style has been selected as one of the Top 10 lifestyle trends in a compilation (汇编)    1     (release) by Xiaohongshu.

Besides adding value    2    design, the new Chinese style is enriching people’s eating and drinking habits. So far, the imported coffee business    3     (embrace) the Chinese style and culture to create a new image for coffee as a lifestyle beverage. For instance, Sexy Tea launched Chinese-style Yuenn & Yang Coffee,     4    struck an instant chord with young people.     5     (similar), a Moutai flavored latte by Luckin Coffee created a stir in the market. The integration of Eastern and Western drinks is not simply a    6     (combine), but a new flavor supported by new materials and processes.

“Amid all these market    7     (phenomenon) sparked by the new Chinese style, cultural consumption has also emerged. Scenes such as traditional Chinese style photography, Hanfu outings, ancient city cultural tourism, the popular new Chinese weddings and related fashion have all become    8     (act).” said Hua Hui, associate professor of the School of Media & Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The inclusiveness of Chinese culture    9    the leading role of Chinese aesthetics (美学) have redefined the contemporary world,     10     (give) it a new dimension and a new status.