1 . People have been dreaming up horrible monsters and scary spirits for centuries. The vampire, an “undead” creature thirsty for blood, is one of the most inventive and attractive creatures of all. It’s also one of the most lasting: Vampire-like creatures date back thousands of years, and pop up in dozens of different cultures.

In this article, we’ll see where the various elements of the vampire legend come from. We’ll also look at the psychological significance of these creatures and find out about some real-life people or things that are remarkably similar to the supernatural vampire.

The vampires in today’s books, movies and television shows are incredibly complicated creatures. According to the mythology (神话), every vampire was once a human, who, after being   bitten by a vampire, died and rose from the grave as a monster. Vampires desire the blood of the   living, whom they hunt during the night. They bite their victims’ necks with their two sharp front teeth.

Since they’re back-to-life corpses — the living remains of a dead person — vampires are often referred to as “the undead”. They can still pass as healthy humans, however, and will walk undetected among the living. In fact, vampires may be attractive, highly sexual beings, seducing their prey (猎物) before feeding. A vampire may also take the form of an animal, usually a bat or wolf, in order to launch a sudden attack on a victim before being detected.

Vampires are potentially immortal (不死的), but they do have a few weaknesses. They can be destroyed by a stake through the heart, fire, beheading and direct sunlight, and they are afraid of holy water and garlic. Vampires don’t cast a reflection, and they have superhuman strength.

This vampire figure, with its particular combination of characteristics and governing rules, is   actually a fairly recent invention. Bram Stoker made it up in his 1897 novel Dracula. Other authors reinterpreted Dracula in a number of plays, movies and books.

But while the many details are new, most of the individual elements of the legend have deep   roots, extending across many regions and cultures. In the next few sections, we’ll look at some of the more famous vampire ancestors.

1. What can be inferred from the first two paragraphs?

A．Vampire stories only exist in European cultures.

B．Vampires will die in 3 days without drinking blood.

C．Vampire stories have existed since a long time ago.

D．Vampires actually exist in real life.

2. According to the passage, which of the following best matches the image of a vampire?

A．A wolf standing still by the lake staring at its own reflection in the water.

B．A strong man with sunglasses sunbathing on the beach.

C．A lonely old man sitting by the campfire crushing garlic.

D．A sexy young woman dressed in a long skirt sipping wine in a night club.

3. What is the best title for the passage above?

A．Getting to Know Vampires	B．The History of Vampires
C．Where did Vampires Come From?	D．The Hometown of Vampires

4. Which of the following may best explain the meaning of the underlined word “seducing” in paragraph 4?

A．Moving.	B．Attracting.
C．Confusing.	D．Educating.

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。

On Tuesday, Baidu, a Chinese search engine and artificial intelligence firm, released a new version of its artificial intelligence model, Ernie 4. 0. Baidu's CEO, Robin Li,     1     demonstrated it at the     2     (company) annual Baidu World conference in Beijing, said the model was able to understand complex questions and instructions and employ reasoning and logic     3     (create) answers to questions.

In a live demonstration, Li asked Ernie 4. 0 to generate advertising     4     (material) including posters and a marketing video. He also asked Ernie 4. 0 to come up with a novel complete with characters with     5     (variety) personalities.

Li said that     6     technology can transform how certain products work. Baidu's search engine can generate a customized answer to a query (查询) instead of just     7     (provide) a list of results and links.

Beijing-based Baidu started off as a search engine firm and over the past decade has invested     8     (heavy) in artificial intelligence technology such as autonomous driving     9     more recently, generative AI to stay competitive.

At present, Ernie 4. 0     10     (be) not yet available to the general public, but some people have been invited to try it.

3 . It’s no secret that we all want to be liked and respected.     1     . Here we will go through a list of bad habits that can make people think twice about you.

Being polite with some people but not others

You might not be aware of this. but when you’re talking with someone who is clearly less important than another person in the room, it shows. You may be using fewer words with that person or speaking in a colder tone.     2     If you want to be more likable, it’s important to be equally polite to everyone.

Being too dramatic

Are you the kind of person who tends to be dramatic? If so, I’ve got some bad news for you.     3    . Not only does this behavior create a negative atmosphere, it also makes it difficult for others to take you seriously.

Of course, you don’t have to be as cool as a cucumber (黄瓜) all the time, but try not to be too dramatic.     4    

Telling inappropriate stories or jokes

This bad habit can create an uncomfortable atmosphere. It makes people feel like they are not respected and can even lead to hurt feelings or social tension.     5    . The key is to consider the situation and the relationship between you and the person you’re talking to.

A．This means respecting people’s physical and emotional space

B．Making assumptions can lead to false accusations and judgments

C．This is a sign of disrespect and may hurt the less important people’s feelings

D．Recognize that there are times when it’s best to just let things go and move on

E．But you may not realize some of the things you do may make people dislike you

F．People can tell when you try to make everything a big deal and they don’t like it

G．Remember that what may be funny to one person may be unacceptable to another

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答小题。
1. Why do white-collar workers turn to farming?

A．To get cheaper vegetables.

B．To reduce stress.

C．To learn farming skills.

2. What do Yang Rui's kids want to do next year?

A．Buy more land.

B．Grow some rice.

C．Raise some animals.

3. What is the speaker mainly talking about?

A．A popular lifestyle.

B．A monitoring system.

C．An animal farm.

5 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What time is it now?

A．It’s 7:45 am.

B．It’s 8:00 am.

C．It’s 8:15 am.

2. Where will the visitors go first?

A．Newton Street.

B．City Museum.

C．Redwood Park.

3. How long will they spend at Newton Street?

A．An hour.

B．One hour and a half.

C．Two hours.

4. How many places will they visit today?

A．Three.

B．Four.

C．Five.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. In what language is the opera usually sung?

A．Chinese or English.

B．Italian or French.

C．German or French.

2. How many languages can the man speak?

A．Three.

B．Four.

C．Five.

3. What will the two speakers probably do next?

A．Watch an opera.

B．Talk about the performers.

C．Learn a new language.

7 . It is reported that about 14 percent of Americans aged over 12 have trouble in hearing. And hearing loss increases dramatically to 50 percent or more for those aged over 70. It often comes on so gradually that many ignore it. Only an estimated 15 to 25 percent of adults would use hearing aids, and the use is lowest among people who have less access to health care.

However, recent research has revealed that even mild or moderate hearing loss in older adults is associated with cognitive (认知的) decline. Older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia (痴呆), and the likelihood increases with the severity of the loss.

In July, Frank R. Lin, a professor from Johns Hopkins University, presented results from a first-of-its-kind randomized clinical trial. Participants are 977 adults aged between 70 and 84, including those who have more risk factors for developing dementia and those who are relatively healthy. They received best-practice hearing care, including hearing aids. Three years later, hearing aids did make a difference to the participants in cognitive decline. Especially for those who were at the higher risk for dementia, a 48 percent cut in risk of cognitive decline could be made if they got hearing aids.

When hearing loss is untreated, the brain’s organization changes, says Anu Sharma, an auditory neuroscientist of the University of Colorado Boulder. In adults with mild hearing loss, studies show a decrease in gray matter (灰质) in brain. Sharma found early signs that vision and touch areas of the brain cover and change underused hearing areas. Adults with hearing loss also show more activity in working memory areas. They need to make extra efforts just to listen, Sharma says, which may exhaust cognitive reserves.

Hearing loss is also associated with more falls, higher health-care costs, and increased loneliness and social isolation. “Hearing is fundamental to healthy aging,” says Nicholas Reed, who worked with Frank R. Lin on the cognitive-decline study.

1. What can we learn from the figures in the first paragraph?

A．Americans pay special attention to their hearing.

B．Americans are unaware of danger of hearing loss.

C．Many Americans with hearing loss stay untreated.

D．Most Americans are suffering serious hearing loss.

2. What did Frank R. Lin’s clinical trial reveal?

A．Hearing aids helped reduce cognitive decline.

B．Hearing aids worked on healthy people.

C．Cognitive decline could result in hearing loss.

D．Cognitive decline was unrelated to age.

3. What is paragraph 4 centred on?

A．What sign will appear before losing hearing.

B．How hearing loss impacts cognitive decline.

C．Why hearing loss is left untreated by people.

D．How our brain discourages cognitive decline.

4. Which can be the best title for the text?

A．Hearing loss—a new factor connected with dementia

B．Cognitive decline, caused by more than hearing loss

C．Dementia—an incurable but preventable disease

D．Hearing loss, having limited access to healthcare

8 . 假定你叫李华，请给报社的编辑写一封信，针对最近有关小学生是否要学习英语的讨论表达自己的观点。可以选择支持或反对，并列出至少两条理由。
注意：
1.观点明确，逻辑清楚，表达充分连贯，语言准确；
2.写作词数应为80左右；
3.开头已为你写好，不计入总词数。
Dear editor,

Recently there have been lots of discussions about whether it is necessary for primary school to learn English.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

9 . In January 2022, when Luigi Quintos, 54, held his newborn grandson, Ayden, for the first time, the baby weighed just over a pound. Ayden had been born two________ premature, and doctors thought he might not________. Extremely shocked and sad, Luigi turned to art to________ himself. He had been drawing portraits of people________ since grade school.

This time, Luigi drew a graphite portrait of Ayden with his parents-Luigi’s son and daughter- in-law-________ down at him. “It was my way of making sure they’d________ be together,”he says

After five months in intensive care, Ayden ________. Buoyed by the good news, Luigi set up a Facebook page, Priceless lmages, where he offered to draw portraits of other kids who were sick or________.“I thought my work might offer ________,” he says.

Within days, requests filled his inbox. Often, parents e mail Luigi a photo of their child along with a(n) ________ of his or her illness or how the child died. Sometimes they request that the artist exclude oxygen tubes and wires that________ in the photo, and one family asked for their child’s eyes to be drawn________, an image they never got to see in real life.

Each drawing takes Luigi a few hours. When he’s________, he mails an 11-by-14 inch portrait to the parents and posts a(n) ________ of the drawing on his Facebook page.

To date, Luigi has completed 450 portraits, with another 350 on the waiting list. But Luigi doesn’t mind the hard work. “The drawings give families something they can________,” he says.

1.

A．days

B．weeks

C．months

D．years

2.

A．do it

B．make it

C．say it

D．take it

3.

A．calm

B．help

C．remind

D．forget

4.

A．back and forth

B．off and on

C．in and out

D．up and down

5.

A．gazing

B．admiring

C．glancing

D．glaring

6.

A．sometimes

B．occasionally

C．frequently

D．always

7.

A．pulled up

B．pulled over

C．pulled through

D．pulled on

8.

A．had survived

B．had died

C．had been treated

D．had been cured

9.

A．expectation

B．luck

C．comfort

D．desire

10.

A．direction

B．instruction

C．explanation

D．description

11.

A．appear

B．stick

C．strike

D．fade

12.

A．clear

B．open

C．clean

D．near

13.

A．excited

B．worn

C．fascinated

D．done

14.

A．version

B．book

C．paper

D．situation

15.

A．get rid of

B．catch up with

C．hold on to

D．take interest in

10 . Luxury Vacation in Greece—A Unique Guide to Exquisite Destinations

Greece is a land of captivating beauty and rich cultural heritage. From pristine beaches to historic landmarks, Greek islands have it all.

In this guide, we will explore three extraordinary luxury destinations in Greece, each with   its own distinctive appeal, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.

Santorini:A paradise for the senses

Santorini, with its iconic white-washed buildings, is a world-renowned luxury destination. This volcanic island is celebrated for its dramatic sunsets and breathtaking landscapes, making it a top choice for discerning travelers. For a more exclusive experience, consider indulging (沉溺) in a luxury villa, where you can enjoy utmost privacy and personalized attention.

No luxury vacation in Greece is complete without tasting the culinary (烹饪的) delights the country has to offer.Santorini boasts a remarkable dining scene, featuring world-class restaurants that showcase the freshest local ingredients.

Mykonos:Where charms meets relaxation

Mykonos, known as the “Island of the Winds”, provides all pleasures that you can imagine, including infinity pools, private beach access, and exclusive spa facilities.

Mykonos boasts a reputation for its lively nightlife scene. From iconic beach clubs where you can dance to the hottest beats under the sun to sophisticated cocktail bars that offer panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, the island caters to those seeking an unforgettable party experience.

Crete:A painting of natural beauty and cultural heritage

Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, offers a diverse and captivating luxury vacation experience. With its rugged mountains, stunning beaches, and ancient ruins, Crete seamlessly blends natural beauty with rich history.

Immerse yourself in the island’s cultural heritage by visiting archaeological sites such as the Palace of Knossos or exploring charming villages where time seems to stand still. For the adventurous souls, indulge in thrilling outdoor activities, including hiking through the Samaria Gorge or boarding a yachting excursion along the coastline.

1. From which section of a magazine can you most probably read this passage?

A．Health.	B．Environment.
C．Travel.	D．Entertainment.

2. What makes Mykonos special compared with the other two places?

A．It is not a luxury destination.	B．It is the best place for food enthusiasts.
C．It offers various outdoor activities.	D．It is famous for its lively nightlife.

3. Which of the following statements is correct?

A．Santorini is the largest of these three islands.

B．Crete may hold a particular appeal for history lovers.

C．Mykonos features white-washed buildings.

D．Boat trips are offered in all these three destinations.