1 . 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。

Wearing Hanfu and sitting in front of a Chinese zither (筝), Peng Jingxuan, a young Chinese student, moves her fingers gently along the strings on a street in Paris, France.

Peng has shared more than 200     1     (origin) videos online, with the most popular one featuring the theme song of the movie A Chinese Ghost Story viewed over 16.61 million times. “I love how she’s representing her culture in a     2     (set) where people are not familiar with it. You can tell she’s proud of her background and her music,” one of her fans commented.

Chinese zither (筝), or guzheng, is an ancient musical instrument with 21-26 strings and a length of 1.63 meters. Peng     3     (fall) in love with it when young and has been practicing it for years. Hardly finding Chinese instruments     4     (play) on the streets in Paris, she took along her guzheng     5     began her street performances to sharpen her skills. The more she performed, the more she felt a greater sense of responsibility     6     (spread) Chinese music and culture.

Considering her audience’s     7     (unfamiliar) with Chinese songs, Peng made adaptations, for     8     she received positive responses. She also performed Western pop songs that local people could relate     9    , entertaining them with beautiful melodies in a     10     (refresh) style.

2 . NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour recommendation about what to view and read this weekend.

Riddle of Fire

Riddle of Fire is set in Wyoming. Three kids just want to play video games, but their mom gives them a request that only when they bake a pie for her ten can they play their video games. So this launches a little charming adventure. Full in love with this movie, I hope other people will heck it out. — Monica

Palm Royale, streaming on Apple TV+

Palm Royale stars a bunch of women and is set in the late 1960s-Kristen Wiig plays a woman who wants to fit in with the rich society at an exclusive Palm Beach club. There is a sub-plot about women’s environmental consciousness. It is silly fun, with excellent costumes. — Danielle

Collecting the Simpsons, by Warren Evans

This book takes you through the T-shirts, the video games, the comics, the cookie jars, all the Simpsons stuff that was produced around the mid-90s. It goes into the Bart phenomenon where Bart Simpson was tied fighting in the Gulf War and playing local music. It’s a fun and interesting tip into that time. — Jordan

Get the Picture, by Bianca Bosker

Unlike her previous book Cork Dork exploring the wine world, Bianca’s new book sets out to better understand the art world. Instead of talking about things in the art world that sound strange, she goes in with an open heart and tries to listen to what people are saying. I learned a lot about art, and I appreciated her approach. — Linda

1. Why does Monica recommend Ridle of Fire?

A．It keeps us conscious of the environment.	B．It reminds us of life in the mid-1990s.
C．It’s filled with fascinating adventures.	D．It helps us listen to the language of art.

2. What did the role Kristen played try to do?

A．To fit in with the rich society in a club.	B．To get the children to bake a pie for her.
C．To play local music while fighting at war.	D．To listen to what artists say in the artwork.

3. What dilemma was Bart stuck in?

A．What to do to get admitted into the rich society.

B．Who to turn for help making a pie for his mum.

C．How to appreciate the true beauty in an artwork.

D．Whether to go to the war or enjoy local music.

3 . The client crises in my social-work job always multiplied during the holidays. As I drove through the darkness that rainy December night, I shelved my worry and focused on our December events.

The parking lot was full. Everyone in our small Arkansas town must have turned out for the Christmas program. Our second grader son Jon should have joined his class inside the gym by now, but I was running late. Jim and Michael, our fifth graders, were warm and dry inside.

While Jon played with a toy in the back seat, I drove once more through the parking lot. Then I saw, through the downpour, the narrow area of grass between two cars perfect for our small car. I pulled into the spot, nosing forward to line up beside my neighbor.

With a loud noise, the front of our new car ran over some hard stones and hung over a foot above a pool. Shaking, I held the wheel and couldn’t decide whether to drive forward or backward. Either would do damage to my car.

Suddenly, someone tapped on the driver-side window. A man stood there in the cold rain. Without greeting he gave me instructions. “When I walk to the front of your car and lift, put it in reverse (倒挡) and back up.”

He moved unhurriedly around to the front of the car into my headlights. With apparent strain, he lifted and held the car’s front end. I remember staring a moment, and then I put the car in reverse and looked over my shoulder until the front tires rested on the ground again. Before I could thank him, he was gone. I never saw him again.

Much later, I realized our car-lifting angel marked a turning point in our family’s direction. In the decades since that evening, life has thrown plenty of difficulties in our way. But I recall that night and know confidently that there’s someone ready to help.

1. What was the author’s task that December night?

A．Attending a Christmas event.

B．Sending Jon to his gym lessons.

C．Taking the car to the garage.

D．Solving one of the client crises.

2. How did the man help the author?

A．He raised the front of the car in the rain.

B．He backed out the author’s Car skillfully.

C．He picked up the author’s children from the gym.

D．He saved the author from the pool of water.

3. Which of the following best describes the impact of the author’s experience?

A．Unidentifiable.

B．Predictable.

C．Life-threatening.

D．Far-reaching.

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

A．I Learned a Lesson That Night.

B．The Heavy Lifter Saved Me.

C．I Was Coached to Back My Car.

D．The Act Eased Client Crisis.

4 . Things To Remember On Your First Solo Travel Adventure

If you’ve ever thought about just taking a trip yourself instead of waiting for someone to join you, you’re not alone.     1     However, do you count yourself among the many who have tried it? If you’re planning your own solo trip, here are four important things to keep in mind.

    2     Since you’re traveling solo, how you choose to explore it is entirely up to you. This is your chance to do whatever you want whenever you want because this time, you’re running the show.

Don’t be afraid to talk to random people. Though there is someone who poses a threat, it’s important to remember that not everyone is out to get you.     3    That’s because you’re a novelty, a person from another country who is visiting theirs. Therefore, instead of putting on your headphones or instantly seeing them as weirdos, use this spontaneous chat as a chance to meet the locals or get recommendations for things to do during your trip.

It’s okay to have bad days.     4     It happens and it’s completely okay to take some time to process whatever it is you’re feeling. Take yourself to a movie or spend the day dong something relaxing like writing in your journal or reading on the beach.

It’s okay to start small.     5     Start by doing a staycation in another part of town, spending a few days in a new locale a bus or train ride away. Just do whatever you’re comfortable with and see how it all feels for you.

A．You are the boss of your own adventure.

B．You need to make an unusual travel choice.

C．It’s no secret that solo travel is on the rise.

D．Sometimes things can go incredibly wrong.

E．People like you simply don’t know how to start.

F．Most of the time people are just curious and try to be friendly.

G．Remember, your first solo trip doesn’t have to be to a whole other continent.

5 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker mainly talking about?

A．His feeling after receiving an award.

B．His experience about traveling around.

C．His preference for different music types.

2. Where is the speaker from?

A．Ireland.

B．Scotland.

C．England.

3. What did the speaker most recently announce to the public?

A．A single song.

B．A three-song collection.

C．A twelve-song collection.

4. Who will speak next?

A．A young musician.

B．One of the speaker’s fans.

C．The host of the ceremony.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What did Peter learn from his grandfather?

A．How to appreciate art works.

B．How to deal with artists.

C．How to run a museum.

2. What did Peter do in Chicago?

A．He studied at a college.

B．He served in the army.

C．He worked in a gallery.

3. Whose works did Peter like best?

A．Rembrandt’s.

B．Botticelli’s.

C．Rubens’.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is considered to be the most important to human?

A．Oxygen.

B．Water.

C．Crops.

2. How many people will live in water-stressed areas by 2025?

A．About 10%.

B．About 50%.

C．About 66%.

3. Which is not the cause of water shortage?

A．Sea water is undrinkable.

B．The population grows rapidly.

C．Agricultural production needs more water than industry.

4. What is not mentioned to solve the water shortage?

A．Urge people to save water.

B．Take measures to protect water resources.

C．Charge people more for using water.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What can we know about Ban Ki-moon?

A．He was born in 1844.

B．He was a host.

C．He received a Master of Arts at Harvard.

2. Where was the 2007 Climate Change Summit held?

A．In Brazil.

B．In Indonesia.

C．In France.

3. What do we know about Ban Ki-moon Center for Global Citizens?

A．It has 20 member nations.

B．It promotes strong economic growth.

C．It aims at helping developed countries.

9 . 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。

Jackson Merle was exhausted. He was in need of money because his wife was in hospital. He had been knocking on door after door, looking for work, but no one would even listen to what he had to say. No one wanted to talk to an old man. He stood in front of the biggest house on the block. This was his last chance for the day. Every homeowner on the street had run Jackson off, without even listening to his proposal, and maybe this one would be different? Jackson rang the doorbell. Within minutes a pretty young woman opened the door.

“Good morning,” she said cheerfully, “What can I do for you?” Jackson was heartened by her sunny smile and friendly attitude. “Good morning, miss,” he said, “I’m a handyman, and I’m here to offer you and your family my services.” “What kind of work do you do?” she asked.

“I do anything you might need, miss,” Jackson said, “I do some woodwork, painting, cabinet making; I fix small appliances, some gardening, anything you need and my rates are very reasonable.” “Come on in,” the woman smiled, “I have a table with a wobbly (摇摆的) leg that needs fixing, and maybe you can paint my guest room?” Jackson couldn’t believe his ears. He walked into the woman’s beautiful house, toolbox in hand.

First, he fixed the table, while the woman—who introduced herself as Ruth—sat watching him work and chatting to him. Then he looked at the guest room. Ruth gave him money to buy paint so he could fix it up the next day. She also paid him twice what he’d asked for the table. “But, miss,” Jackson protested, “You’ve given me too much money!” “No, I haven’t, Jackson.” Ruth told him firmly, “My daddy always told me to pay a fair price for a job well done, and that’s what I’m doing!”

Over the next few weeks, Ruth’s neighbor Jolene was surprised to see the elderly man coming in and out of Ruth’s house with his toolbox in hand. Everything in Ruth’s home looking perfect, Jolene didn’t see why she needed a handyman five days a week.

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。

Ruth smiled and explained she was actually helping Jackson.

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Jolene was moved by Ruth’s kindness and thoughtfulness and spread her deeds.

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10 . There is much conversation about boundaries these days, but what exactly are boundaries? Simply put, boundaries are limits we personally set in order to protect our physical, emotional, and mental health, and they can be set with ourselves, with others, or with both.     1     — physical boundaries, emotional boundaries, and time or effort boundaries.

    2    . They help us to protect ourselves from harm - keep us safe. They also help us to maintain our sense of self and feeling of control over our lives.     3    . The most common reason is that your boundary may mean someone else’s disappointment. Here are some tips when you are setting boundaries.

Initially, be clear and direct. The more clear and direct you are, the more others will be able to respect the boundaries you set. “I’m heading home today at 5 pm” will be understood more clearly than “I need to head home sometime around 5 or 5: 30 pm.”     4    . We can’t expect people to respect our boundaries if we don’t respect theirs. Further more, be willing for others not to like the boundaries you set. At first, this can feel difficult. But ultimately other people will respect you more for having clear boundaries and know what to expect from the relationship, which will become healthier and stronger.     5    .

Once you set boundaries, it’s important to maintain them. At the beginning, it may feel challenging to set and maintain them, but eventually, they can become second nature and we find ourselves in relationships built on mutual respect and care-the kind of relationships we all want to be in.

A．Or it will need to end

B．Boundaries have cons and pros

C．Then be respectful of others’ boundaries

D．Naturally, they may be met with resistance

E．There are many different types of boundaries

F．Boundaries are important part of a healthy life

G．However, people often have a difficult time setting them