1 . Lobb and Jafri were queuing up for a lunchtime workout on Pier (码头) 15, overlooking the East River, when Lobb froze. What he saw was a person ______, lifeless. Before Jafri could respond, Lobb climbed over the ______ at the edge of the pier and jumped into the cold water. Jafri then took off his shoes and swan-dived.

Approaching the ______ victim, Lobb saw that it was a middle-aged man. The ______ felt around, grasped the man and kicked ______ until they both resurfaced. Jafri was there now. They floated the man on his ______. As Jafri looped (环绕) his arms around the man’s shoulders and Lobb ______ the hips and knees, the pair undertook the slog (重担) back to Pier 15. Their lungs heaved (起伏) and ______ burned as they pushed and pulled the ______ figure through the cold water.

On the pier, a crowd had gathered. From somewhere, the onlookers ______ a rope and a life preserver and threw them to Jafri and Lobb. The friends ______ the victim’s arm and head through the life preserver ring and tied the rope around him.

With the two men pushing from below and the crowd pulling from above, the victim was pulled onto the pier. Both men, thoroughly ______ from 15-plus minutes in the water, watched as rescue workers loaded the ______ drowned man into an ambulance and ______. Lobb and Jafri never ______ who he was, what became of him or how he’d fallen into the river.

1.

A．crying

B．swimming

C．floating

D．playing

2.

A．rail

B．ship

C．gym

D．platform

3.

A．desperate

B．frightened

C．insensible

D．nervous

4.

A．life coach

B．rescuer

C．onlooker

D．emergency services

5.

A．upward

B．off

C．around

D．forward

6.

A．hand

B．back

C．head

D．stomach

7.

A．supported

B．raised

C．downgraded

D．located

8.

A．cells

B．organs

C．tissues

D．muscles

9.

A．disabled

B．uncooperative

C．immobile

D．misshapen

10.

A．tore

B．produced

C．imported

D．organized

11.

A．circled

B．fixed

C．loaded

D．worked

12.

A．exhausted

B．abstracted

C．depressed

D．satisfied

13.

A．undoubtedly

B．nearly

C．fortunately

D．obviously

14.

A．took in

B．turned over

C．pull away

D．set forth

15.

A．appreciated

B．emphasized

C．recognized

D．learned

2 . Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova is a physics professor at Texas A&M who aims to show her students, especially the young women, that there are no limits.

Only 25% of physics undergraduate students are female. Perhaps it is because boys grow up playing with machines and making drawings of fast cars and rocket explosions. But girls are just as curious about the way the world works — they just haven’t jumped into the culture of chemical reactions, energy and magnetic force with as much enthusiasm. That is, until they see one of Tatiana’s videos showing the science behind real life’s magic. Tatiana is really one of the few living female examples they could follow.

Her videos get millions of views. She is a ball of energy with a short haircut, a Russian accent and a lively personality that makes physics accessible to the younger audience. Young girls are attracted to Tatiana’s attractive demonstrations the way they flock to pop concerts. This is real. This is science they can participate in. This is an open door to endless possibilities.

“These short clips are the spark that inspires,” Tatiana says with so much excitement that it lights up the room. Everything she does involves students. She believes the magic in learning is when your peers are part of the demonstration, when you are part of the teaching process.

“She wants everything to be a celebration of science,” says one of Tatiana’s former students. And indeed, the classroom is in a party atmosphere, with students cheering when amazed by Newton’s law of motion, demonstrated by a spinning bicycle wheel held upright by the professor. It’s hard to tell who is more delighted, Tatiana or her students. She is an attraction for female students who are graduating college and working in the sciences in higher numbers than ever before.

Dr. Tatiana’s story began in Russia and her parents were both physicists. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tatiana moved to Texas with her husband, also a physicist. They both teach at Texas A&M, and when Tatiana isn’t in the classroom, she is doing outreach with schoolchildren, amazing them with spinning lights that soon form words, liquid oxygen that shrinks objects and chemical reactions that expand matter to 10 times its size. But most importantly, she is expanding the audience of female physicists.

1. According to the passage, why do girls sometimes hesitate to jump into the culture of physics?

A．Lack of interest in chemical reactions.

B．Cultural differences in curiosity.

C．Absence of female role models.

D．Fear of liquid oxygen demonstrations.

2. Which of the following is TRUE about the videos mentioned in the passage?

A．They were made by a female physician.

B．They feature engaging demonstrations.

C．They are meant for Tatiana’s homeland.

D．They have received millions of likes online.

3. What is the primary focus of Dr. Tatiana’s outreach activities with schoolchildren?

A．Appealing to students with fascinating demonstrations.

B．Teaching students some difficult physics concepts.

C．Explaining the history of Newton’s law of motion.

D．Encouraging girls to attend parties and pop concerts.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Female Professor Rejecting Gender Barrier

B．Russian Physicist and Female Scientists

C．Physics Professor Stimulating Girls’ Passion

D．The Significance of Online Short Videos

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How many kids were there in the research?

A．10.

B．14.

C．400.

2. How long do most kids spend on the screen every day in this study?

A．Less than 3 hours.

B．About 5 hours.

C．More than 6 hours.

3. What does the speaker suggest in the end?

A．Students should reduce their time on the screen.

B．Parents shouldn’t buy mobile phones for their children.

C．Parents should communicate with their children more frequently.

4 . P. H. Hanes, founder of HanesBrands, came up with retail price in the 1920s. That allowed him to use ads in publications across America to discourage distributors from unfairly raising the price of his knitted underwear. Even today many American shopkeepers stick to manufacturers’ recommended prices, as much as they would love to raise them to offset the inflationary (通货膨胀) pressures on their other costs. A growing number, though, resort to more complicated pricing techniques.

Getting retail price right can be tricky. Set prices too high and you risk losing customers; set them too low and you leave money on the table. Retailers have historically used rules of thumb, such as adding a fixed margin (差额) on top of costs or matching what competitors charge. As energy, labour and other inputs go through the roof, they can no longer afford to treat pricing as an afterthought. To gain an edge, shopkeepers have been turning to price-optimisation systems.

At their core are mathematical models that use deal data to estimate price flexibility—how much demand increases as the price falls and vice versa—for thousands of products. Price-sensitive items can then be discounted and price-insensitive ones marked up. Merchants can fine-tune the algorithms (算法) to prevent undesirable outcomes.

These systems are becoming cleverer thanks to advances in artificial intelligence(AI). The latest crop of AI-powered ones can spot patterns and relationships between multiple items. Makers of pricing software are incorporating new data sources into their models, from customers’ tweets to online product reviews, says Doug Fuehne of Pricefx, one such firm. In February Starbucks, a chain of coffee shops, boasted about its use of analytics and AI to model pricing “on an ongoing basis”. US Foods, a food distributor, praised its pricing system’s ability to use “over a dozen different inputs” to boost sales and profits.

What pricing systems do not do is lead unavoidably to higher prices. Matt Pavich of Revionics, another pricing-software firm, calls this misconception “one of the biggest misunderstanding” about products like his. Sysco, a big food distributor which rolled out new pricing software last year, is a case in point. The firm says the system allows it to lower prices on “key value items”—as price-sensitive bestsellers are known in the trade—and raise them on other products. It can thus increase profits by expanding sales while maintaining margins.

1. What does the expression “leave money on the table” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Do not match the competitor’s prices.	B．Do not maintain a reasonable sales and profits.
C．Do not address the pressure on extra expenses.	D．Do not reach an agreement in price negotiation.

2. How do the price-optimisation systems work?

A．Setting fixed prices for all products.	B．Adjusting prices based on demands.
C．Constructing discount models by AI.	D．Capitalizing on customers’ social media data.

3. What does Matt Pavich think of the price-optimisation system?

A．It hits the sweet point.	B．It cuts a long story short.
C．It runs counter to its target.	D．It compares apples and oranges.

4. What’s the best title for this text?

A．Fair or Unfair Price: Not a Question for AI

B．Price Setting AI: Maintaining Great Balance

C．Retail Price Evolves: From Experience to Science

D．Technological Business: Companies Use AI to Set Prices

5 . 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。

Susie Smith came home from school one day, and had no sooner entered the sitting room than she burst into tears.

“What is the matter, my dear child?” said her mother, drawing her daughter to her side and smiling.

“All our class must bring in compositions tomorrow morning, and I never, never can write one. We must write twelve lines at least, and I have written only a few words after trying nearly all the afternoon. See what work I have made of it!” sobbed Susie.

Mrs. Smith took the rumpled (皱巴巴的) and tear-stained paper which Susie held in her hand, and glanced at what she had written. In a careful hand she had tried to write upon three themes: Time, Temperance, and Industry.

Time is short. We should all improve our time.

Temperance is a very useful thing.

We should all be industrious if we wish to do anything in the world.

These sentences were all she had written. Susie continued, “I can’t think of another word to say upon any of these subjects, and I know I shall have to go to school without a composition, for I won’t be so mean as to copy one from a book, or to ask you or papa to write one for me.”

“That is right, my dear,” said her mother. “You will be far happier with a poor composition, if it is all your own, than with a fine one written by somebody else. But cheer up. You have not begun right—you have been trying to write upon subjects that you know nothing about. Run into the garden and play. I will call you in half an hour.” “But my composition,” began Susie. “Don’t think about your composition while you are gone,” said Mrs. Smith, “but have as pleasant a time as you can.”

It seemed but a few minutes to Susie before she heard her mother’s voice calling her. She went into the house at once—her hands full of sweet flowers, and her cheeks rosy with exercise. “Now, Susie,” said her mother, “I want you to sit by the window with this nice sheet of paper and a pencil, and write something about what you can see.”

“But my composition, mother,” said Susie, “when shall I begin that?” “Never mind your composition, my dear. Do this to please me, and we will talk about that by and by.” replied Mrs. Smith.

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。

Susie thought her mother’s request was a strange one.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“A composition!” exclaimed Susie. “Is that a composition?”

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6 . 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。

Everybody likes watching acrobats (杂技演员). The acts sometimes seem scary and dangerous, and there is thrill and wonder.     1     Chinese acrobatics troupes (表演团) travel internationally, they are not commonly seen by audiences outside the country. While in China you might want to see the     2     (amaze) feats of balance and skill.

The acrobats developed their styles     3     (base) on traditional ancient arts such as dance, theater, martial arts, and magic shows and they are distinctive and incorporate traditional skills and physical exercises. Chinese acrobats tend to emphasize balance and extreme     4     (flexible) more than the troupes do in Russia or the West. This might be due to the influence of martial arts styles. Chinese acrobats     5     (intensive) practice timing and coordination. The individual performers practice to cooperate precisely. They use martial arts skills in     6     thrilling and sometimes comedic fashion. The Beijing Red Theater’s “Legend of Kungfu” show is an example. Many of the shows will have traditional Chinese music that is recorded or performed live by musicians     7     (play) traditional instruments. The costumes or the themes may     8     (draw) from a familiar opera. The acrobats may perform scenes from popular legends, stories,     9     novels of the ancient past such as The Monkey King. You might not recognize the story or the music, but you’ll still enjoy the sound, color, and     10     (usual) costumes.

7 . 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。

In our family, we have a beloved pet named Max, a golden retriever (寻回犬) with a heart of gold. Max has been an integral part of our family for the past five years, bringing joy, laughter, and countless precious memories into our lives. His intelligence and adorable personality never fail to bring joy and laughter into our lives. Every day, when I come home from school, Max greets me at the door with his tail wagging and his eyes sparkling with excitement. He always seems to know when I need a comforting presence, and his playful bahavior never fails to cheer me up.

Max’s intelligence is truly remarkable. He has learned numerous tricks and commands over the years, and he never ceases to amaze us with his problem-solving skills. One time, I accidentally dropped his favorite toy behind the couch, and without any prompting (提示), Max fetched a stick and used it to fish the toy out. His creativity and resourcefulness never fail to impress us.

Max’s playful personality brings endless joy and laughter into our family. Whether we are flying disc in the backyard or going for walks in the park, Max is always ready for a good time. His boundless energy and enthusiasm are contagious (有感染力的), and he has a way of making even the simplest activity feel like an adventure. His playful barks and exaggerated jumps when he’s trying to catch a ball never fail to make us laugh.

Max’s ability to sense our emotions and respond with love and affection is truly remarkable. He seems to know when we are feeling down or stressed and always finds a way to comfort us. One warm summer evening, as the sun was beginning to set, I was sitting comfortably in my living room, buried in a captivating book. Max, my loyal golden retriever, was lying peacefully beside me, enjoying a well-deserved nap. However, as the day drew to a close, Max suddenly sprang to his feet, his ears got a lift, and his eyes fixed intently on something outside the window. Without warning, he let out a series of loud, urgent barks, as if trying to alert me to a potential threat or disturbance. Alarmed by his sudden outburst, I set my book aside and joined Max at the window, curious to see what had caught his attention.

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。

As I approached the window, I witnessed my elderly neighbor, Mr. Thompson, lying motionless in his backyard.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the days following Mr. Thompson’s accident, Max and I visited him at the hospital as often as we could.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . 假定你是李华，你的留学生朋友 Mason要参加“中国古诗词朗读大赛”。请你给他写信推荐一首古诗，可用唐朝诗人李白的《静夜思》或其他你喜欢的古诗进行推荐。
附：《静夜思》(Thoughts on a Tranquil Night)
李白(Li Bai)
床前明月光，(Before my bed a pool of light—)
疑是地上霜。(Can it be hoar-frost on the ground?)
举头望明月， (Looking up, I find the moon bright;)
低头思故乡。(Bowing, in homesickness I’m drowned.)

(许渊冲译)

注意：
1.写作词数应为 80左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Mason,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

9 . 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。

Among the Han people, which make up a vast majority of     1     (China) total population, the passage into adulthood is no longer celebrated,     2     in those very traditional families. In ancient times, this ceremony marked a person’s transition to adulthood and     3     (refer) to as the capping or hair-pinning ceremony.

This ceremony started from the clan society (氏族社会) and continued to be held until the Qing Dynasty. The Manchu rulers then felt that this ceremony was     4     (meaning) and thus abolished this ceremony which     5     (last) for thousands of years. From then on the Han people have to enter the stage of adulthood without knowing it. Nowadays, it is mainly in those minor ethnic groups that this life passage is still celebrated. In some parts of China, this ceremony is experiencing a     6     (revive).

When a young man reached 18 or 20 years old, the capping ceremony,    7     (consist) of several procedures, would be held. The hair of the young man should be done up and pinned, and after     8     three caps of different materials should be placed on the youth’s head. The hair-pinning ceremony,    9     the mother or another senior pinned the girl’s hair, would be held when a girl was 15 years old.

There are other interesting customs concerned. For example, boys of the Yao nationality have to pass about ten dangerous tests and take oaths (宣誓)     10     (conduct) bad deeds.

10 . 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。

As Valentine’s Day, a time for expressing affection through the exchange of presents, drew near, Kendra found herself seated at the kitchen table, carefully penning her name on Valentine’s cards for her classmates. She recognized her own hesitation; words didn’t come easily to her. While she envied the ease with which her peers talked and laughed, her shyness often kept her quiet.

Kendra grabbed another card. . Her eyes lit up at the phrase “You’re dynamite (引起轰动的人或物)!”—a term that would undoubtedly delight her Grammy, who frequently used the expression to praise their festive decorations. “Well, that looks dynamite!” Grammy would exclaim, her approval filling Kendra with warmth.

Just as Kendra was signing the cards, her mother came in, sharing the sad news of Elise, their neighbor, and her recent accident that led to a broken leg, restricting her to home schooling for the coming weeks. Kendra felt sorry for Elise, and quickly picked the most splendid valentine, hurrying to Elise’s home.

Upon arrival, Kendra’s look fell upon the life-sized deer statue decorating the front yard. She studied it, saying to herself, “Wouldn’t this deer look cool with a big heart around his neck? Elise could look out of the window and see it decorated for Valentine’s day.”

With this idea, Kendra got the sizable red heart her Grammy had given her, tied it with string, and hung it around the statue’s neck like a festive chain. The next day, she decorated the antlers (鹿角) with a variety of smaller hearts. It was during this act of kindness that Colin and Amy, Elise’s fellow classmates, happened upon the scene. “Are you decorating Elise’s deer for Valentine’s Day?” they asked. Kendra confirmed with a nod, explaining her intention to cheer up Elise. Despite her uncertainty about what to add next, Colin proposed adding some color, while Amy suggested putting decorations on the deer’s back and forehead. United by a shared purpose, they agreed to meet later.

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。

That afternoon, they met to decorate the deer with the materials they had sourced.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Just then, Elise’s front door opened, and Elise stuck her head out.

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