1 . So many things can keep you from seeing your loved ones in person, from busy schedules to long distances. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, the people you miss are often only a phone call or a text message away. According to science, if you want to feel more connected to the people you’re talking to, you should call them instead of texting.

In a study, researchers did various experiments. In one, they asked 200 people to imagine what it would be like to reconnect with an old friend by email or by phone, and they asked people to do one or the other at random. Although people thought that a phone call would be more mortifying, it actually made the experience better. “People reported they did form a stronger bond with their old friends on the phone versus email, and they did not feel uncomfortable,” co-author Amit Kumar said.

In another experiment, researchers had strangers connect by texting, talking over video chat, or talking using only audio (音频). They found that both forms of voice communication — whether video or audio only — made the strangers feel more connected than when they communicated via text.

Sabrina Romanoff, a psychologist, says people tend to text instead of calling because of convenience, as they can organize information exactly in the way they intend without unexpected additions by the other person.

Romanoff says that in reality, texting can make it hard to determine the true meaning behind a conversation. “A phone call is actually more convenient considering the effects of the message,” she explains. “Each part is more present, and therefore, it is able to figure out the meaning behind the conversation quickly without thinking on the endless possible meanings behind words.”

1. What does the underlined word “mortifying” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Puzzling.

B．Exciting.

C．Embarrassing.

D．Satisfying.

2. What advantage does a phone call have over an email according to the study?

A．It takes more patience.	B．It brings people closer.
C．It proves more relaxing.	D．It makes people more friendly.

3. Why do people consider texting convenient?

A．They can make themselves clear without being disturbed.

B．They would easily keep the messages for future use.

C．They can freely express their good or bad feelings.

D．They would avoid some unpleasant topics.

4. What can we infer from Romanoff’s words in the last paragraph?

A．It is easy to express one’s meaning through texting.

B．It is necessary to guess the meaning behind words.

C．People can understand each other more easily by phone calls.

D．People should use simple words to express themselves in emails.

3 . We were sitting in the doctor’s waiting room when my father said something that ________ me. “Are you my daughter or my sister?” My heart broke as I stared at him.

The doctor told us my father had Alzheimers (阿尔茨海默病). It was a big ________ for me. I was facing a battle on two fronts, emotional and physical, and I was ________for it. The disease didn’t take him away suddenly. Instead, it slowly ________him. It made me sad to watch my father hide his _______ to read the clock.

As the disease continued to progress, his behaviors became ________. We had to face another painful truth — we could no longer provide my father with the level of ________to keep him safe at home. He ________ to move to a skilled nursing facility.

Babies are born helpless; parents keep on ________. Children grow up and learn that relationships are reciprocal (相互的). However, the parent-child relationship isn’t ________. The parents remain the giver, and the children remain the taker. That is the natural order of the world — ________the child becomes the parents’ caregiver.

When a(n)________appears, we can do something to change the fact.________my father is alive and taken good care of in the nursing home. If he can ________ the illness, then I can make it. I will give him everything he deserves to have as a great father. And we will be _______with a bright future by doing our best.

1.

A．disappointed

B．shocked

C．delighted

D．satisfied

2.

A．chance

B．goal

C．challenge

D．plan

3.

A．ready

B．brave

C．unsuitable

D．unprepared

4.

A．took hold of

B．got rid of

C．paid attention to

D．got used to

5.

A．unhappiness

B．inability

C．courage

D．power

6.

A．normal

B．regular

C．strange

D．patient

7.

A．care

B．advice.

C．intention.

D．trust

8.

A．expected

B．refused

C．feared

D．needed

9.

A．complaining

B．wondering

C．explaining

D．giving

10.

A．following

B．connecting

C．changing

D．spreading

11.

A．since

B．if

C．although

D．until

12.

A．mistake

B．problem

C．mission

D．object

13.

A．Obviously

B．Universally

C．Fortunately

D．Generally

14.

A．get through

B．learn from

C．turn down

D．make out

15.

A．provided

B．presented

C．rewarded

D．responded

5 . 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。

Every year during the Spring Festival, a small village east of Beijing puts on a special show. It’s about -15°CS and a man dressed in a straw hat and sheepskin coat who     1    (throw) spoon after spoon of heavy molten iron (铁水)at a massive, icy wall. The collision (碰撞)between the l,600°C liquid metal and the frozen brick creates a waterfall of sparks (火花)     2    (fall) over him, equally beautiful and dangerous.

This is a very performance     3     requires extraordinary courage, skill and strength. Known as Da Shuhua, it has a history of 500 years in Nuanquan, a highly-developed steel town. Da Shuhua translates literally into “beating down the tree flowers,”     4     agricultural activity of hitting fruit trees to increase growth.

In ancient times, fireworks weren’t always     5    (wide) affordable. So people in Nuanquan made use of scrap iron and developed Da Shuhua as a way     6    (celebrate) festivals. As a result, they brought firework displays     7     a whole new level.

Today, Da Shuhua has become more popular than ever, because of     8    (rule) of banning on fireworks to reduce air pollution in some parts of China. Every year, this unique firework display attracts tons of people in spite of the freezing cold weather     9     draws attention for its protection. Since 2021, it     10    (list) as an intangible cultural heritage of China.

6 . 根据课文内容，在空白处填入所缺的单词。

A     1     was     2     to     3     damage to the Egyptian buildings and     4     the     5     of cultural relics. The group asked for     6     from different     7     and raised     8    within the international community.

7 . 根据课文内容，在空白处填入所缺的单词。

At the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-    1     language. It dates back several thousand years to the use of longgu-animal     2     and shells on which     3     were     4     by ancient Chinese people.

8 . From the modern London Eye to the historic Tower of London, below are London’s most visited tourist attractions. Many of London’s top attractions are free, making them affordable places to learn about some culture. Whether you prefer history or modern art, you’ll find it at one of these must-visit spots.

British Museum

The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times, from around the world. The most interesting and exciting parts include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Some exhibitions require tickets.

National Gallery

The greatest and most beautiful building of Trafalgar Square, London’s National Gallery is a vast space filled with Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. In this impressive art gallery you can find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Some exhibitions require tickets.

Coca-Cola London Eye

The Coca-Cola London Eye is a major feature of London’s skyline. It has some of London’s best views from its 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tons and holding up to 25 people. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with an unforgettable view of more than 55 of London’s most famous landmarks — all in just 30 minutes!

Madame Tussauds

At Madame Tussauds, you’ll come face-to-face with some of the world’s most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Lady Gaga you’ll meet influential figures from show business, sport, politics and even royalty. Strike a pose with Usain Bolt, get close to One Direction or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen.

1. What do the British Museum and the National Gallery have in common?

A．Both exhibit modern and contemporary art.

B．Both are on the banks of the Thames.

C．Both have vast spaces and special shapes.

D．Both have chargeable exhibitions.

2. If visitors want to get a better view of London’s famous landmarks, they should visit ______.

A．the Coca-Cola London Eye	B．the British Museum
C．the National Gallery	D．the Tate Modern

3. In Madame Tussauds, visitors can ______.

A．enjoy Shakespeare’s works	B．see figures of many influential people
C．watch Lady Gaga’s performance	D．talk to some famous people

9 . 根据课文内容，在空白处填入所缺的单词。

【课本改编题】

In 2009, Whitacre received a video of a girl who was singing one of his works.     1    , he asked his fans to make videos, which he then joined together into one     2    . His first virtual choir, “Lux Aurumque”, had 185 singers from 12 different countries. It has received millions of views on the Internet. Since then, the virtual choir has become a worldwide     3    .

10 . 根据课文内容，在空白处填入所缺的单词。

The virtual choir was the idea of     1     -winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre.     2     in the USA on 2 January 1970, Whitacre began studying music at the University of Nevada in 1988. …Moved by this music, he said, “It was like seeing color for the first time.” He     3     from university in 1995, and then     4     a master’s degree. …. This     5     to the creation of the virtual choir.