1 . At just seven years old, Angelina Tsuboi discovered her passion for innovation. It all began with a simple game she programmed in her Los Angeles public school’s Grade 2class. Today , at18, the Grade 12 student’s initial curiosity has evolved into a deep-seated desire to use technology to decode (解码) real-world problems.

In 2021, she co-developed Megaphone, one of her first apps, to tackle unanswered post-class questions and poor communication about events and announcements. Her problem-solving ability kept building from there.

When she took online CPR classes at the start of the pandemic, she figured it couldn’t be just her who was struggling with the steps. So she created an app called CPR Buddy ― a winner in the 2022 Apple Swift Challenge ― which guides users through CPR using vibrations (震动) to regulate breath. After winning the award, Angelina presented her work to Apple CEO Tim Cook, a highlight in her young career, but one she didn’t lose her cool over. “There’s no point putting people on a pedestal (神坛),” she says.

The next year, Angelina built an app called Lilac, designed to assist nonEnglish-speaking single parents with resources for housing, job opportunities and translation support. She was inspired by her own experiences as a child of a single mother who immigrated to the US.

When Angelina decided to pursue pilot training at the age of 16, she was struck by how difficult it was to find financial support, which encouraged her to create yet another app, Pilot Fast Track, which helps those longing to be pilots find scholarships for flight training.

Looking to the future, besides applying to colleges with great labs, Angelina is exploring the field of aerospace cybersecurity and mechatronics ― combining computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

“There’s not enough optimism in the world,“ she says. “I have also been in situations in my life where I’ve lost a lot of hope. But in the end, it is a mindset, and there are ways in any situation you’re in to make it somewhat better.”

1. What is Angelina’s pursuit?

A．To design games for kids.

B．To stimulate teen’s curiosity.

C．To address problems through technology.

D．To find innovative approaches to digital challenges.

2. What can we learn about Angelina from Paragraph 3?

A．She couldn’t breathe regularly.	B．She was inspired by celebrities.
C．She replaced CPR with an app.	D．She was humble about her success.

3. What was the primary goal of developing Pilot Fast Track?

A．To direct pilots’ career paths.

B．To help to-be pilots find funds.

C．To pair future pilots with airlines.

D．To evaluate pilot training schools.

4. What might be the best title?

A．Breaking the code	B．Bearing growing pains
C．Facing life as it is	D．Following role models

2 . 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。

Summer vacation was finally coming, and Rose couldn’t wait to have a trip with her parents. She recalled the joyful experiences they shared last summer, which filled her with excitement for the upcoming holiday.

“Girls!” Rose heard her father calling. She raced to her big sister’s room, telling her that Dad was calling them, and they rushed downstairs log either. Dad put his arm around Mom and told them that they were going on a trip to the Virunga Mountains of Africa. There were three national parks that they would visit.

Rose and Gina looked at each other. “What?” they said with one voice. Mom told them it would be really exciting to go there on a trip. At 12 years old, Rose would prefer going to an amusement park or a beach. She thought it important to let her parents know she didn’t want to go there but to the beach for a week or two.

“Well,” said Dad, “I have to go for an assignment for the paper. We’re covering the mountain gorillas (大猩猩) because they’re critically endangered these years. So, I thought it’d also be a great place to take a vacation. I’m sure it’ll be very educational for you girls.”

Gina let out a sigh, unable to contain her disappointment. She wanted to say something but Mom interrupted and announced that the trip was set on the next Monday.

“Sit down, both of you.” Dad had on his severe look. “Girls, it’s important for you to know about the world around you. This is a wonderful chance for you to experience and learn an amazing place. Do you know anything about the mountain gorillas?”

The sisters shook their heads.

“Well, get your laptop computer, Gina. I want you to look them up right now,” said Dad, “Rose, there is a book on the bookshelf about the cute mountain gorillas. Find it and read it.”

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。

The girls dragged their feet upstairs.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next Monday came and the family set out excitedly.

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3 . Some people today might be early risers because of DNA they take after Neanderthals tens of thousands of years ago, suggests new research.

When early humans migrated from Africa to Eurasia roughly 70,000 years ago, some of them mated with Neanderthals, who had already adapted to the colder, darker climates of the north. The ripple (涟漪) effects of that intermating still exist today: Modern humans of non-African ancestry (血统) have between 1 and 4 percent Neanderthal DNA. Some of that DNA relates to sleep more specifically, the internal body clock known as the circadian rhythm.

For the new study, researchers compared DNA from today’s humans and DNA from Neanderthal fossils (化石). In both groups, they found some of the same genetic variants involved with the circadian rhythm. And they found that modern humans who carry these variants also reported being early risers.

For Neanderthals, being “morning people” might not have been the real benefit of carrying these genes. Instead, scientists suggest, Neanderthals’ DNA gave them faster, more flexible internal body clocks, which allowed them to adjust more easily to annual changes in daylight. This connection makes sense in the context of human history. When early humans moved north out of Africa, they would have experienced variable daylight hours — shorter days in the winter and longer days in the summer-for the first time. The Neanderthals’ circadian rhythm genes likely helped early humans’ offspring (后代) adapt to this new environment.

Notably, the findings do not prove that Neanderthal genes are responsible for the sleep habits of all early risers. Lots of different factors beyond genetics can contribute, including social and environmental influences. The study also only included DNA from a database called the U.K. Biobank—so the findings may not necessarily apply to all modern humans. Next, the research team hopes to study other genetic databases to see if the same link holds true for people of other ancestries. If the findings do apply more broadly, they may one day be useful for improving sleep in the modern world, where circadian rhythms are disturbed by night shifts and glowing smartphones.

1. What does the new research focus on?

A．DNA’s dramatic changes.	B．Genes’ influence on early risers.
C．Neanderthals’ sleeping patterns.	D．Ancestors’ environmental adaptability.

2. What is paragraph 2 intended to show concerning the new research?

A．Historical context.	B．Additional proof.
C．Sample analysis.	D．Studying process.

3. What is the real benefit of carrying Neanderthal’s DNA for modern humans?

A．Getting up earlier.	B．Having healthier daily routines.
C．Being more flexible in their work.	D．Possessing a better circadian rhythm.

4. What can be inferred about the findings from the last paragraph?

A．They get proof from other studies.	B．They are confirmed by early risers.
C．They suggest potential applications.	D．They reveal factors in sleeping disorders.

4 . Pet Hotels

Where to Board Your Pet During the Holiday? Here are a few comfortable pet hotels for you. Search for Pet Hotels in our app to find these listings on a map that have spaces available for the upcoming holidays. Remember to show your vaccination records in case pets are rejected.

B&M Pet Hotel

Price per day: A cat, 15 dollars. Dog boarding rooms, from 28 to 68 dollars.

Booking: Contact Golden Chen via call or WeChat (GoldenChen68)

Animals allowed: Also welcomes rabbits, turtles, guinea pigs and more.

Services: Dog training, and four daily walks for dogs.

Someone’s Pet

Price per day: A dog, from 23 to 60 dollars according to size. It is 18 dollars per cat, with an additional charge of 10 dollars for each additional cat.

Booking: Call 15000386785/18917471594.

Animals allowed: Both cats and dogs are welcome.

Services: washing, grooming and pet beauty.

Pet Bamboo Mansion

Price per day: A cat, 20 dollars. For dogs, 56 dollars.

Booking: Call 13524761908 or contact Buddy Dog via WeChat.

Animals-allowed: Accommodate both cats and dogs.

Services: For dogs, there are three walks per day, and swimming facilities.

Offer a 20-40% discount for reserving them, in advance.

Cozy pet Town

Price per day: A cat, 14 dollars. A dog, ranging from 20 to 34 dollars depending on size.

Booking: Add the owner on WeChat (CozyPetTown)

Animals allowed: Only cats and dogs

Services: Swimming, training, grooming.

1. Which hotel offers the lowest price for three cats per day?

A．B&M Pet Hotel.	B．Someone’s Pet.
C．Pet Bamboo Mansion.	D．Cozy Pet Town.

2. What is special about Pet Bamboo Mansion?

A．It requires contact via call and WeChat.

B．It has various rooms for dogs based on size.

C．It offers dog walking and swimming facilities.

D．It provides a preferential price for early booking.

3. What do pet owners do to book a room at Cozy Pet Town?

A．Call the owner directly.	B．Visit the hotel in person.
C．Contact the owner via WeChat.	D．Book through the Pet Hotels app.

5 . My life is full and active taking care of my grandson. But weeks ago, he headed for an overseas holiday, I was left feeling _______ and lost. I needed something extraordinary to lift my _______.

Then one day, I entered the Coffee Club near my home and _______ a cup of coffee. I settled into a comfortable sofa, _______ tasting the delicious drink. After a while, I approached the waitress and handed her my _______. She smiled and said, “That’s already been paid for.”

I looked at her in _______. “Really?” Then she said the words I’ll never forget. “It was a _______ of kindness, and it happens a lot.”

I was shocked. I never really _______ these things though I had heard about them. Today, I _______ it firsthand. Good, kind people are out there in the world. And they ________ when you need them most. I left home this morning feeling, somewhat lost. I returned with a ________ in my step, excited about sharing my story and ________ the kindness.

Two weeks later, I paid for a girl in the Coffee Club. The only thing is, this time, the Coffee Club did it ________. The waiter pointed me out. She couldn’t believe it and ________ me. I simply smiled, explaining that I was passing on the ________ I’d received not long ago.

1.

A．embarrassed

B．flat

C．patient

D．content

2.

A．sights

B．fortunes

C．spirits

D．voices

3.

A．mixed

B．ordered

C．prepared

D．served

4.

A．awkwardly

B．confidently

C．restlessly

D．leisurely

5.

A．bill

B．receipt

C．drink

D．license

6.

A．desperation

B．relief

C．surprise

D．shame

7.

A．test

B．gesture

C．feeling

D．power

8.

A．believed

B．enjoyed

C．refused

D．inquired

9.

A．pursued

B．avoided

C．confirmed

D．experienced

10.

A．hang around

B．break in

C．show up

D．move on

11.

A．pain

B．load

C．drag

D．spring

12.

A．repaying

B．evaluating

C．shaping

D．delaying

13.

A．secretly

B．regularly

C．differently

D．casually

14.

A．puzzled

B．rejected

C．comforted

D．thanked

15.

A．courage

B．kindness

C．respect

D．honor

6 . Retirees are always working on a 1,000-piece puzzle or two at Utah’s Springville Senior Center. The tradition goes back more than six decades, when the community gathering spot for seniors opened in 1962.

About a year and a half ago, a dozen regulars stepped things up and completed a 5,000-piece Disney puzzle, which is when senior center director Tori Eaton decided to buy the biggest puzzle—a 60,000-piece puzzle called “What a Wonderful World”, and immediately she ordered it. Over the next four months, about 50 seniors spent four hours a day piecing together 60 different 1,000-piece puzzle sections featuring a world map and 187 images of artwork. After the 60 puzzles were combined into one piece of art spread across 16 tables, the senior center put it on display for the public.

Numerous studies have shown that puzzle-building helps with mental health, particularly in seniors, according to the National Institutes of Health. Bending over a table for 300 hours helped to build a sense of achievement and everyone felt enormous pride in finishing it, Eaton said. “Another great thing was that we can get people out of their houses to enjoy some fun companionship. Loneliness is a terrible thing for older people. Getting together to work for a couple of hours on a puzzle can make a huge difference.”

Ruth Nielsen is among those who stopped by the center to help put the large puzzle together. “I really liked the feeling of commitment and there was a feeling of community spirit in putting all those tiny pieces together into something beautiful,” said Nielsen, 73.

After the last piece was eased into place, everyone took photos-and admired the puzzle for about three weeks, and then it was time for the next project: taking it apart. Eaton said they decided to lend the puzzle to another Utah senior center, so its members could enjoy the same feelings of achievement and togetherness. “I didn’t want to have to glue it all together and hang it up,” she said. “That would definitely be too much of a project.”

1. What motivated Eaton to buy the biggest puzzle?

A．The advice of center visitors.	B．The success of a huge puzzle.
C．The creation of a larger puzzle.	D．The increase of senior members.

2. What advantage does puzzle-building have according to Paragraph 3?

A．It promotes independence.	B．It encourages competition.
C．It improves seniors’ memory.	D．It relieves seniors’ loneliness.

3. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning Ruth Nielsen?

A．To present a problem.	B．To support a finding.
C．To introduce a method.	D．To make a comparison.

4. What can we learn about the puzzle from the last paragraph?

A．It was well received.	B．It was urgently needed.
C．It cost an arm and a leg.	D．It required to be replaced.

7 . I had never picked up a camera before my freshman year in 2012, when my journey to an artist began. For four years, I ________ G-Star School of The Arts, where my ________ for photography and filmmaking were awaken.

Having seen my first short film, my teacher came over, saying: “You got a good ________. Why not consider doing this as your profession. I think you’ve got a ________ in it”. Then, it clicked. I, therefore, ________ my bank account and bought my first camera.

Since then, I was amazed by the ________ the world has to offer. I have to ________, though: I, shy and chicken-hearted, tended to capture nature-related scenes, ________ anything to do with people.

As I was ________ my way, I started photographing myself, the only one I felt ________ with. The camera soon became my strongest ________, serving as the tool for how I expressed myself. Gradually, I gained enough ________ to start taking photos of other people, greatly touched by how I was able to ________ the best in them through the lens (镜头).

Each year, I would look back on all of the shots I did that year and would ________ them to the first one I ever took in my career. Although the progress seemed substantial, I realized the key to growth as an artist is to never be ________. This allows me to create progressively better work year after year.

1.

A．designed

B．attended

C．assessed

D．arranged

2.

A．duties

B．requests

C．passions

D．needs

3.

A．heart

B．hand

C．eye

D．nerve

4.

A．future

B．memory

C．schedule

D．certificate

5.

A．opened

B．closed

C．monitored

D．emptied

6.

A．beauty

B．sound

C．lesson

D．chance

7.

A．admit

B．judge

C．conclude

D．negotiate

8.

A．envying

B．avoiding

C．prioritizing

D．recording

9.

A．winding

B．losing

C．shooting

D．clearing

10.

A．familiar

B．comfortable

C．generous

D．patient

11.

A．resolve

B．voice

C．shoulder

D．vision

12.

A．knowledge

B．integrity

C．confidence

D．insight

13.

A．bring out

B．comment on

C．call for

D．take over

14.

A．refer

B．relate

C．apply

D．compare

15.

A．self-conscious

B．self-reliant

C．self-centered

D．self-content

8 . 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。

“Cold the iron chains spanning over the Dadu River,” Chairman Mao Zedong wrote in a poem, describing the do-or-die battle which took place on the Luding Bridge. The Bridge,     1     (measure) 103.67 meters in length and 3 meters in width, is located in Sichuan Province, which was     2     (original) built in 1705 during the Qing Dynasty. Near the Luding Bridge considered a historical landmark    3     (stand) a museum, in front of which there is a bronze statue of the soldiers whose spirit makes the bridge a household name.

Over 80 years ago, the bridge was crucial to the survival of the CPC-led Red Army during the Long March because if the soldiers had failed to dash through the Luding Bridge then, the Red Army might have been wiped out. Upon their     4     (arrive), the Red Army found only thirteen heavy iron chains    5     (leave) across the river. With no time to waste, one by one the Red soldiers ventured forward to risk their lives and of those who offered    6     (they), thirty were chosen. Though several soldiers fell into     7    fast-flowing river,the others crawled along the wood boards they had laid until they finally took control of the east bank .

Probably never before had people seen fighters like these-men for whom soldiering was not just a rice bowl,     8    a mission. They astonishingly accomplished    9     seemed like a task impossible and their    10    (courage) spirit will always stick in our mind.

9 . The backpack you take can make or break your trip when you go traveling. Here are the four best travel backpacks on the market.

Amazon Basics 70L

It’s much cheaper than many travel bags on the market and does not sacrifice any of the practical uses or space that comes with more expensive bags. The bag may not be as luxury as some of the more high-end bags, but its simple style lets you focus on the main thing you need to focus on when traveling: the moment.

Eurohike Nepal 65L

The Eurohike Backpack is a great choice because of how adaptable it is. Besides having a great amount of storage, it comes with an internal security pocket. It weighs just 1.38kg as opposed to other backpacks, which can weigh up to nearly 2kg. If you’re going to go hiking when you travel, then it is perfect.

Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L

First, its brand is one of the most trusted in the industry, so quality is guaranteed. Second, the backpack’s adjustable back allows you to change how the bag fits according to your needs. Available in both blue and green, this is a great choice if you want a bag that you can depend on.

Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L

Osprey is one of the best brands for backpacks. Its frame (框架) suspension, which can be adjusted to different needs, allows you to travel more comfortably. Whether you’re visiting Switzerland in a thick, wool coat or the south of France in shorts and a T-shirt, the bag will match your look. This bag does say it is marketed for men, but, of course, it can be unisex.

1. What is the selling point of the Amazon Basics?

A．Its luxury style.	B．Its fashionable design.
C．Its huge space for use.	D．Its good value for money.

2. What do Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L and Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L have in common?

A．They are rich in color.	B．They have the same capacity.
C．They can be adjusted as needed.	D．They are targeted for male customers.

3. Which will you choose if anti-theft function is a concern?

A．Amazon Basics 70L.	B．Eurohike Nepal 65L.
C．Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L.	D．Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L.

10 . Short-form videos, also known as Shorts, have gained great popularity, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.     1     However, there’s a growing concern that watching too many Shorts can affect children’s brains.

The phenomenon known as “TikTok Brain” arises from the app’s short and addictive videos. Similar to candy, these videos generate rapid dopamine (多巴胺) releases, stimulating the brain’s pleasure center. A study was conducted to investigate the impact of Shorts on the teenage brains.     2     They stimulated the brain’s reward centers more intensely than random videos.

Our brains process visual information faster than text, which explains why videos tend to outperform text-based content online. Due to their underdeveloped reading skills, children are more easily to become addicted to visual stimuli. Remarkably, social media platforms can do a lot harm to the development of reading habits among younger users.     3    

According to Jessica Griffin, a professor of child psychology, Shorts affect the developing brains of children and teenagers. The prefrontal cortex (前额叶皮质) is responsible for attention, self-control, memory, and learning flexibility.     4     This delayed development makes young individuals more easily influenced by Shorts.

In conclusion, the constant exposure to fast-paced and stimulating content in Shorts can impact children’s attention. To address this issue, parents can have open conversations with their children about the potential risks.     5     Furthermore, encouraging physical activities and outdoor experiences is also crucial to develop a balance d lifestyle.

A．Some even do not include text at all.

B．TikTok’s feed is created addictive by design.

C．But it does not fully mature until around the age of 25.

D．It is helpful to use screen time management tools for Shorts.

E．Short-term memory and the ability to concentrate are affected.

F．It revealed that these videos are personalized, selected and fed to users.

G．They’re brief attention-grabbing videos that can be entertaining and addictive.