1 . Celebrating Beethoven: The Genius of Symphony Exhibition

To commemorate the 254th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, the Vienna Philharmonic, renowned for its exceptional collection of classical music instruments, is presenting a special exhibition titled Beethoven: The Genius of Symphony, running from February 1 to June 30.

More than two centuries ago, on December 16, 1820, in the heart of Vienna, Ludwig van Beethoven, a musical legend, composed his Symphony No. 9 in D minor, a masterpiece that marked a milestone in the history of classical music.

The exhibition will transport visitors back to the era of Beethoven’s genius. Through a series of interactive displays and multimedia presentations, visitors will have a chance to explore Beethoven’s creative process and dive into the inspiration behind his most famous works. The highlight of the exhibition will be a copy of Beethoven’s piano, on which he composed many of his masterpieces.

“This exhibition offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing visitors to step into Beethoven’s world and appreciate the depth and breadth of his musical genius,” said Dr. Schmidt, head of the Vienna Philharmonic. “We aim to recreate the magic of Beethoven’s music and inspire a new generation of music lovers.”

Please note the following guidelines for the exhibition:

* Children under 6 years old are not recommended due to the complexity of the content.

* We advise caution for visitors with hearing impairments as some sections of the exhibition involve audio components.

* For safety reasons, large bags and photographic equipment are not permitted inside the exhibition hall. Hand-held cameras are allowed for personal use.

1. What is the central theme of the exhibition?

A．Exhibiting the changes of western musical instruments.

B．Exploring the life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven.

C．Showcasing the history of classical music in Vienna.

D．Highlighting the influence of Beethoven on music.

2. What is the special feature of the event?

A．Magic shows of Beethoven’s music.

B．A reproduced piano of Beethoven.

C．Hands-on experience of composition.

D．Digital presentation of musical works.

3. Who might find the visiting more challenging?

A．A journalist carrying mobile phones.

B．A senior citizen with poor eyesight.

C．A historian with a passion for music.

D．A preschooler fascinated by pianos.

2 . Can you tell when your friends are happy or going through a difficult time? Whether you have one or two besties or are part of a group, building and keeping friendships is a skill we all learn.     1     Research shows it might even help you fight off colds.

Friendship is a special connection you have with another person, and it comes in all shapes and sizes. You could chat for ages or giggle at things other people don’t find funny. You don’t expect the other person to be fun all the time.     2     Friends don’t always enjoy the same sports or hobbies but they encourage each other anyway. Experts say good friendship is a strong, stable connection. It makes you feel positive and it’s not one-sided.     3    

Good friends are good for your health because they make you feel happy, confident and less stressed. Sharing your feelings and ideas with someone else isn’t just fun.     4     Author Lydia Denworth says friendship is good for you because it boosts your immune system and helps your body stay healthy. Having good, strong friendships is as important as diet and exercise.

    5     Making time for your mates sounds obvious but it’s not always easy to see them when you are busy. Try sending a message or arranging a walk or bike ride to have time to chat. Talking about your feelings lets your friends know you trust them and gives them a chance to do the same. If you think a friend is feeling down, find a quiet moment to ask if everything’s OK and listen closely to their answers.

A．Making new friends takes much time and effort.

B．You both give each other support when you need it.

C．And you may know when the other has had a bad day.

D．It builds trust and helps you understand each other better.

E．Being a friend is one of the most important skills we can learn.

F．That’s good news because hanging out with your friends is fun.

G．As well as lifting up others, friendship can boost your well being too.

3 . Tips on how to be a good roommate

It can be a wonderful and satisfying experience to have roommates to share a home with. Living with others can often help you develop close relationships and learn some life skills along the way. But being a good roommate is more than just making your rent payments on time.     1    . Here are some tips on how to be a good roommate.

    2    

Any effective roommate relationship is built on respect. Just like in any other healthy relationship, roommates need to appreciate and respect one another’s boundaries and personal space. But since at least initially roommates are total strangers, it is worthwhile to spend some time talking about and deciding on ground rules for noise levels, cleaning tasks, and shared resources.

Communicate honestly

    3    . Create an open-door policy where roommates can feel free to voice their worries, expectations, and feedback. Hold house meetings on a regular basis where all important information is shared and addressed. This helps to make sure that no problem will fall between the cracks and go unattended.

Keep things clean and organized

Nothing is more important than keeping your shared spaces clean and organized. Take the time to clean up after yourself and respect each other’s standards of cleanliness. Keep shared areas like bathrooms and kitchens clean.     4    .

Be considerate of your roommate’s needs

Being considerate of your roommate’s schedule, preferences, and routines is part of living with them. It is wise to be mindful of noise levels, especially when one roommate is working or sleeping.     5    . For example, you can offer to pick up groceries or help with chores around the house.

A．Practice respect

B．Establish some basic rules

C．A supportive living environment is created by small things

D．Living with other people is bound to lead to disagreements

E．To resolve any concerns that may develop, effective communication is essential

F．It means creating a peaceful living environment with respect and understanding

G．And have clear definitions as to where the boundaries are for your personal and shared space

4 . 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。

Jili silk is a type of silk produced in Jili Village, Huzhou City Zhejiang Province. Jili Village has produced silk     1     the village was established in the late Yuan Dynasty. Jili silk is soft and fine with     2     even thickness and shiny white color. With these features, Jili silk is widely recognized in China and across the world.

In the mid-Ming Dynasty this silk became well-known for     3     (be) one of the materials used to make the emperor’s robes. In the Qing Dynasty, the government used to purchase a large amount of Jili silk each year. In 1851, Shanghai merchant Xu Rongcun took Jili silk to the first World Expo held in London,     4     the fabric won two top awards. In 2011, Jili silk     5     (include) in the list of China’s national intangible cultural heritage items.

The silkworm (蚕)     6     (raise) for Jili silk is called the Lianxin, literally meaning lotus seed. In Jili Village, wooden reeling tools were designed     7     (specific) for Jili silk. The silk making technique was traditionally passed down by female members of a family. In addition to being used for clothes, quality Jili silk can also be made into strings for Chinese guqin, or used as materials     8     (restore) ancient silk scrolls (卷轴).

Today, through genetic screening technology, inheritors of Jili silk making can make silk with natural colors. The step of dyeing (染色) thus becomes     9     (necessary) in some cases. The efforts of combining the     10     (wise) of Jili silk making with modern technology are giving a new life to the ancient Chinese handicraft in the modern era.

5 . At the Nelson Street Pub in Pembroke, they’re prepared for customers who dine and dash. In fact, they ________ it.

On a wall inside the front door are meal ________ that have been paid for by customers, staff, other businesses or residents. Above them is a ________ that reads: “If you are hungry and have no money, these meals have been paid for ________.” All anyone has to do is ________ the ticket they want and give it to a server. The meal appears — no questions asked, no ________ cast.

I drove to the restaurant on a Friday to check it out. There I met Sharon Gribbons, who lives in Waltham, Que. She had ________ to put a couple of meals up on the wall, one on behalf of a friend. She planned to ________ a meal every month. “Everyone needs a hot meal,” she explained.

Over the few hours I spent at the restaurant, six people ________ themselves of the pub’s generosity, while customers ________ eight meals to the pantry (食品贮藏柜), including the “Fishy and Chippy” meal I put on my own bill.

It’s ________ that the service plays an important role: offering free hot meals at a pub where people are ________, not avoided; where they can interact with others, watch TV or listen to music; and, with luck, forget their ________ for an hour or so. I hope its success isn’t dependent ________ on that small-town neighborly atmosphere, because this is a ________ that needs to travel beyond Pembroke — into Ottawa, and elsewhere. Everywhere.

1.

A．encourage

B．avoid

C．reward

D．ignore

2.

A．receipts

B．menus

C．bills

D．tickets

3.

A．paper

B．sign

C．letter

D．warning

4.

A．on time

B．with care

C．by accident

D．in advance

5.

A．pick

B．compare

C．book

D．buy

6.

A．smile

B．judgment

C．shadow

D．vote

7.

A．longed

B．remembered

C．paid

D．struggled

8.

A．save

B．consume

C．donate

D．share

9.

A．availed

B．reminded

C．convinced

D．relieved

10.

A．exposed

B．added

C．applied

D．introduced

11.

A．interesting

B．strange

C．surprising

D．obvious

12.

A．appreciated

B．welcomed

C．attracted

D．identified

13.

A．stories

B．existence

C．troubles

D．dignity

14.

A．merely

B．ultimately

C．barely

D．deeply

15.

A．service

B．routine

C．tradition

D．kindness

6 . In an era of digital technology, the art of writing by hand has slowly been downgraded to a past entertainment. However, recent research suggests that this physical act is essential to brain health and development, having multiple cognitive (认知的) benefits. It is time we should reevaluate the potential benefits it may have on our mental capacities.

According to numerous studies, writing by hand stimulates more complex and diverse brain connections essential for encoding new information and forming memories. For instance, a recent investigation found that brain connectivity patterns were far more complicated and widespread for participants who wrote by hand compared to those who typed. Thus, it is clear that handwriting has a distinct and significant impact on our brain health.

Handwriting isn’t just good for our brains health—it also has clear, practical benefits. Research has shown that students who take handwritten notes score significantly higher on quizzes, demonstrating improved learning. This extends beyond the classroom too. People who recorded information on paper calendars demonstrated more brain activity and recalled information faster than those who used smartphones. The act of handwriting, therefore, could be a valuable tool for students preparing for exams and adults managing daily tasks.

Despite its clear benefits, handwriting has been on the decline. However, 25states in the US have reintroduced writing back into school curriculums. This is a step in the right direction, as previous research has also indicated that handwriting is essential in children’s brain development. Preliterate (未识字的) children who wrote by hand demonstrated brain activity in a circuit of the brain used in learning to read, further strengthening the link between handwriting and cognitive development.

It is clear that handwriting is a valuable activity that has the potential to enhance our brain health, learning, memory, and problem-solving skills. As we continue to navigate the digital age, it is important not to overlook the value of this seemingly simple activity. So, the next time you reach for your keyboard, remember the benefits of picking up a pen instead.

1. What do people usually think of handwriting at present?

A．It has become an old-fashioned skill.	B．It has many cognitive benefits in life.
C．It has been replaced by digital devices.	D．It has been a popular entertainment.

2. What does the author mainly show about handwriting in paragraph 3?

A．It is beneficial to brain health.	B．It helps students score higher on quizzes.
C．It stimulates diverse brain connection.	D．It has good effects on learning and memory.

3. Why is previous research mentioned in paragraph 4?

A．To make a comparison.	B．To add further evidence.
C．To show different opinions.	D．To explain the brain activity.

4. What’s the purpose of the passage?

A．To illustrate a finding on handwriting.	B．To emphasize the importance of handwriting.
C．To show the wide application of handwriting.	D．To introduce the artistic value of handwriting.

7 . Imagine suddenly waking up at midnight, ______ for air, heart pounding, feeling tense and experiencing this night after night. The ______ of the lack of sleep was the ______ need to lie down and fall asleep for 2-3 hours. This was my experience throughout the summer of 2021.

I guess it may have been in part the ______ the pandemic had on my mental health as well as other worries. During the daylight hours, I ______ myself in various ways but at night during sleep my fear and ______ would come to the surface. I ______ I needed to find ways to deal with my worries.

After much ______, I began to seek the assistance of medicine, which was a tough decision to make. But it ______ well. I made sure to walk in nature as much as possible and continued my yoga practice. Slowly, I found my way back to myself.

However, life ______ another curve ball into my life. In December 2023, those nighttime feelings that ______ me flowed into my days again. I turned to friends and family, who encouraged me to seek professional help. I ______ to a therapist specialized in this field, and together, we analyzed the problems and applied the related ______ to coping with them. While the process didn’t go ______, my symptoms gradually disappeared with my efforts at last.

In conclusion, this is what I would like to say —when in trouble, reach out for help, talk to family and friends, your doctor or a counsellor. Take time to take care of yourself, you are worth the ______.

1.

A．struggling

B．searching

C．begging

D．waiting

2.

A．cause

B．result

C．price

D．condition

3.

A．anxious

B．practical

C．temporary

D．urgent

4.

A．pressure

B．emphasis

C．effect

D．limit

5.

A．found

B．displayed

C．occupied

D．enjoyed

6.

A．concern

B．surprise

C．puzzle

D．guilt

7.

A．suggested

B．recognized

C．claimed

D．guaranteed

8.

A．complaint

B．debate

C．preparation

D．resistance

9.

A．went

B．worked

C．behaved

D．reacted

10.

A．slid

B．threw

C．rolled

D．sank

11.

A．ignored

B．ensured

C．robbed

D．disturbed

12.

A．left out

B．pointed out

C．reached out

D．passed out

13.

A．approaches

B．disciplines

C．assumptions

D．patterns

14.

A．permanently

B．potentially

C．smoothly

D．thoroughly

15.

A．passion

B．freedom

C．strength

D．effort

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。

There are many folk stories in China. A more generally     1     (accept) legend goes that humans were created by a goddess named Nüwa,     2     had a human head but the body of a snake. As she traveled     3     earth, Nüwa began to feel lonely. So she took some yellow earth,     4     (mix) it with water and formed a human. This new person immediately began dancing about and shouting in     5     (happy). Nüwa was pleased so she continued to form other people     6     the world was full of humans.

Later, GongGong, the god of water, and Zhu Rong, the god of fire, had a great fight,     7     (create) a mess in the heavens and on the earth. In the end, Gong Gong lost. He was so angry that he hit his head     8     Buzhou Mountain, which was holding up the sky, and the mountain fell. As the sky began to fall, all the planets and the stars started to move to the northwest, leaving a hole in the sky. Worried that her humans would be killed, Nuwa took stones of five different colors, melted them and then used them to cover up the hole in the sky.     9     (keep) the sky from falling, she put a turtle’s leg at each corner to hold it up. In this way, humans     10     (save).

9 . Strategically adding weak points along microscopic chains called polymers (高分子聚合物) actually makes them harder to tear, researchers report in the June 23 Science. Polymers are used in car tires, and therefore the findings could help reduce plastic pollution as tires wear down over time.

When tires rub against the road, they drop microplastics of rubber and plastic polymers, which pollute waterways and air. Every year, tires release an estimated 6 million metric tons of these microplastics into environment. Stronger polymers that break apart less easily could limit the amount of particles shed annually.

To make such tough materials, Stephen Craig, a chemist at Duke University, and colleagues added molecules called cross-linkers to the polymers. These cross-linkers connected these polymer chains to their many neighbors, and they were specifically designed to break apart easily. At the microscopic scale, the polymers act like a tangle (乱团) of spaghetti with the cross-linkers holding them all together and helping them keep their shape, says Craig’s collaborator Shu Wang, a chemist at MIT. When the team stretched the polymer spaghetti, the individual cross-linkers broke easily, as expected. But the larger tangle material required more force to break than they expected.

The secret to the increased toughness lies in the path the tear has to take, Craig says. The tear goes through the easy-to-break cross-linkers rather than through the tougher polymer chains. Each broken connection follows the path of least resistance but avoiding the long polymer chains means breaking many cross-linkers, which requires more stretching force overall.

This isn’t the first time researchers have used weak connectors to make polymers stronger. But unlike in similar materials, the increased toughness doesn’t come at the expense of other beneficial properties like stiffness (风度). Craig says he hopes the findings will help extend the lifetimes of car tires and plastics, potentially limiting annual microplastic pollution.

1. What benefit does the new material bring?

A．It meets the road standard.	B．It weakens plastic polymers.
C．It releases less microplastics.	D．It reduces the cost of car tires.

2. What can we know about the tangle material?

A．It follows the pattern of spaghetti.	B．It is designed to fall apart easily.
C．The polymers help keep its shape.	D．The larger tangle is harder to break.

3. What is the primary factor that contributes to the increased toughness?

A．The weakness of the cross-linker.	B．The strength of the polymer chains.
C．The number of the cross-linkers used.	D．The path the tear takes through the material.

4. What can we learn about the finding?

A．It initially uses weak connectors.	B．It sacrifices stiffness for toughness.
C．It lengthens the lifespan of car tires.	D．It removes annual microplastic pollution.

10 . Ever feel disconnected during a stressful event? That could be your brain protecting you. During traumatic (痛苦的) situations, people might experience an unexpected wave of emotional indifference or feel like they’ve separated from reality and are having an out-of-body experience. These symptoms of disconnect describe dissociation, a defense mechanism that separates threatening feelings and ideas from the rest of someone’s mind. But why do our minds sometimes dissociate when we’re experiencing stressful events?

Typically, the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our “fight or flight” response, activates when a person is in upcoming physical danger. Mammals, including humans, evolved to have this response, as it pushes them to survive by fighting or escaping from danger. Dissociation is another way the nervous system is ready to respond to trauma when fight or flight appears to be too dangerous or impossible.

Dissociation can protect someone in the moment so that they are mentally separated from a situation causing physical pain, emotional pain or both. Oftentimes, victims of abuse report dissociation during the event or having foggy memories of an event after the fact due to dissociation.

Nevertheless, problems can arise if people continue to dissociate even once they’re separated from the intense trauma, as opposed to relying on other coping mechanisms, for example, help from a professional. Many people who continue to dissociate often struggle with daily stress, like meeting work deadlines or speaking with peers. Many feel disconnected in their relationships and may find themselves unconcentrated during what used to be usual interactions or tasks.

But the goal of addressing long-term dissociation isn’t to do away with it. After all, it can be a useful strategy to help survive a dangerous situation. But memories of the traumatic event are often disruptive and painful, so having some distance from that could mean a better quality of life after the trauma.

1. What is the main idea of Paragraph 1?

A．It defines what dissociation is.

B．It emphasizes the value of dissociation.

C．It lists different symptoms of disconnect.

D．It explains why we experience stressful events.

2. How does dissociation work on victims of abuse?

A．By erasing their memories.

B．By getting rid of their emotional pain.

C．By protecting victims from physical pain.

D．By distancing the victims mentally from the reality.

3. What might happen if people continue to dissociate?

A．Failing to focus on tasks.

B．Meeting work deadlines.

C．Having a better quality of life.

D．Relying on other coping mechanisms.

4. Which of the following might the author agree with?

A．Traumatic events are avoidable.

B．Dissociation needs to be handled properly.

C．People’s well-being is based on the distance.

D．There’re enough coping strategies for traumas.