1 . Human faces cut into stone up to 2,000 years ago have again been found on a rocky area along the Amazon River in northern Brazil. The stone carvings (雕刻品) appeared as a result of a big drop in water levels because of dry weather in parts of northern Brazil. The water level had dropped to the lowest level in the history of the river.

“People had reported some of the stone carvings before during periods when water levels were low. But now a greater number have been identified. That will help researchers establish the history of the carvings, and more secrets of historical relics will come to light,” researcher Jaime de Santana Oliveira said recently.

One area shows smooth marks in the rock thought to be where natives once sharpened their tools such   as arrows and spears before European settlers arrived.

“The carvings are prehistoric, or precolonial (殖民地时期前的). We can’t be sure of their precise date but based on the evidence of human living places of the area, we believe they are about 1, 000 to 2, 000 years old.” Oliveira said.

The rocky area is on the north shore of the Amazon River near the place where the Rio Negro River joins it.

Oliveira said the carvings were first seen in 2010, but this year’s drought has been more serious than earlier dry periods. The Rio Negro’s levels have dropped 15 meters since July, uncovering large areas of rocks and sand where there had been no beaches.

“This time we found not just more carvings, but the statue of a human face cut into the rock,” said Oliveira, who works for the Brazilian government’s National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute. The organization watches the care of historic places in Brazil.

1. What plays a key role in finding the stone carvings?

A．People’s report.	B．Natural disaster.
C．High technology.	D．Researchers’ effort.

2. What can researchers do with more identified stone carvings?

A．Explore the history of historical sites.	B．Move the valuable carvings to safety.
C．Discover more underwater stone carvings.	D．Make the carvings popular among visitors.

3. What does the underlined word “precise” mean in paragraph 4?

A．Fixed.

B．Exact.

C．Best.

D．Future.

4. What does Oliveira stress in the last paragraph?

A．The human face stone carvings.	B．The number of stone carvings.
C．The real value of stone carvings.	D．The place where stone carvings were found.

2 . This is a story about a heart-warming rescue. A lucky cat was ______ by a team of brave firefighters in Cornwall, thanks to a clever and friendly dog.

Mowgli, a lovely cat, had been ______ for six long days, leaving his owner, Michele Rose, filled with ______ and nearly admitting the fact that she would never see her pet again. However, ______ appeared again when she noticed her dog, Daisy, “going ______ ” , running crazily in and out of the nearby woods around her home in Harrow.

Daisy guided her master along a footpath ______ the old mine. She came to a sudden stop next to a ______ well at a depth of 100 feet.

“Daisy is a hero; she’s an amazing dog,” Rose said. “Without Daisy’s behaviors, Mowgli might still be ______ down there. She was exactly leading me to that ______ ; it was truly amazing.”

Following the exciting ______ , the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(RSPCA)and Cornwall Fire and Rescue ______ a call for help. The team found Mowgli about 100 feet down and he was pulled to safety. The cat was ______ not injured.

Rose said Daisy shares a ______ tie with both of her cats, Mowgli and Baloo. “Daisy was already a year old when the little cats ______ , and they have been together ever since,” she said. “She is like their ______ , looking out for them, and they also love her.”

1.

A．raised

B．fed

C．saved

D．bought

2.

A．playing

B．missing

C．travelling

D．hunting

3.

A．determination

B．worry

C．anger

D．confusion

4.

A．hope

B．doubt

C．problems

D．signs

5.

A．hungry

B．wrong

C．quiet

D．mad

6.

A．leading to

B．cutting off

C．making up

D．breaking through

7.

A．new

B．smooth

C．deep

D．wet

8.

A．attacked

B．beaten

C．found

D．trapped

9.

A．moment

B．place

C．goal

D．level

10.

A．discovery

B．change

C．process

D．rescue

11.

A．expected

B．made

C．paid

D．received

12.

A．surprisingly

B．obviously

C．absolutely

D．actually

13.

A．limited

B．strong

C．common

D．strange

14.

A．grew

B．gathered

C．arrived

D．disappeared

15.

A．master

B．partner

C．observer

D．mother

3 . Tips for Closing the Gaps in Relationships

Be curious, not angry

Ask in a spirit of real curiosity and openness. After you ask the question, be concerned only with understanding the other person’s story. Be ready to listen to the other person’s views and experiences.     1    . Try to avoid immediate reaction. If someone says something that makes you react in the moment, breathe and put that aside to listen, and hear what they have to say.

Put body language together with intentions

    2    . We also express our opinions with manner of speaking and body language. Do our voice and manner show doubt, anxiety, or anger—or concern, respect, and the willingness to have an honest conversation? We can’t pretend that fears don’t exist, but we can pass on our main purpose to express concern in order to improve our connection.

Listen for understanding

Our good intentions for asking questions are not enough.     3    . Explore real listening without fixed ideas. Try to listen not only for content but for feelings, for disagreement, as well as for chances and ways to settle problems together.

    4    

Of course, how the other person reacts will determine the conversation that follows, which may require a good deal of openness, presence, and skill. Our reaction to whatever the person says will require continued openness, trust, kindness, clarity, and honesty. As you speak, clarify the gap between your experience of the relationship and your opinion or expectations of a healthy relationship. Noticing the gaps is helpful since it defines the problem.     5    .

A．Mind the gaps

B．Ask when we care

C．And be willing to be interested

D．This is a step towards settling the problem

E．How we ask this question makes a big difference

F．We express our purposes not only with our words

G．At the moment, our most important job is to listen carefully

4 . With the arrival of winter, the world is covered in a sheet of shining snow, and it brings an invitation to take part in exciting snow sports. Beyond the great wonderland and the great joy of sliding down hills, attending winter sports offers many physical, mental, and social benefits.

Taking part in winter snow sports is an excellent way to stay physically active during the colder months. Whether you’re skiing down a mountainside, or skiing along peaceful paths, these activities provide a full-body workout. Downhill skiing, for example, is known as a way to burn a lot of calories, making it an effective cardiovascular (心血管的) exercise. The combination of cardiovascular fitness and strength training can help keep a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular health, and keep overall physical health.

The connection between outdoor activities and mental health is well-established, and winter sports are no exception. The fresh mountain air, the amazing snowy hills, and the excitement of rushing down the hill all help to improve the feelings. Snow sports also get you in natural sunlight, which helps increase vitamin D levels.

Winter sports offer more than just personal physical and mental benefits—they create chances for social interaction (交流) and community building. Whether you’re hitting the hills with friends, joining a ski club, or taking a family snowboarding trip, these activities form a sense of friendship. Shared experiences on the mountain create lasting memories and strengthen social ties, developing a sense of belonging and connection.

The benefits of winter snow sports spread far beyond the excitement of downhill drops. Winter activities not only keep you physically fit but also benefit your mental well-being and provide chances for social communication.

Winter wonderland is waiting for you, promising a season full of joy, health, and unforgettable experiences. So, when the snow arrives, consider putting on your skis and enjoying the benefits winter sports bring to your body and mind.

1. What is the benefit of downhill skiing?

A．Keeping fit.	B．Reducing stress.
C．Improving athletic ability.	D．Building friendships.

2. What can we learn from paragraph 5?

A．Attending winter sports has lots of fun.	B．Social interaction is very important.
C．Winter sports are good for relationships.	D．Outdoor activities improve mental health.

3. What is the author’s purpose in the last paragraph?

A．To give advice on winter sports.	B．To teach methods of doing winter sports.
C．To encourage people to join in winter sports.	D．To introduce different kinds of winter sports.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．The Beauty of Winter Snow Field	B．Pleasure Created by High Speed
C．Winter Snow Sports and Mental Health	D．The Benefits of Winter Snow Sports

5 . Membership Levels and Benefits of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

$70 Individual/ $40 Student
·Free year-round ALL ACCESS admission
·Invitation to members-only hours
·Free access to members-only lectures, programs and Saturday Members Tours
·Discounted tickets to MFAH Films
·Discounted parking at an MFAH garage (车库)
·12% discount when eating at Le Jardinier
·15% discount at Cafe Leonelli
·10% discount at the MFA Shop
$95 Double
All the Individual/Student benefits for two adults, plus:
·Invitation to the annual Members’ Holiday Party
$115 Family
·Benefits extended to all children 18 and under living in the member’s household
·Discount on children’s art classes at the Museum’s Glassell School of Art
·Invitation to family art-making programs just for members
$350 Supporting—Best Value
·Ten free ALL ACCESS admission passes for guests
·Invitation to special ArtSmart programs
·Free admission to 12 art museums throughout Texas, including the Blanton Museum of Art, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Chinati Foundation
·Two single-use guest passes for daytime previews
$800 Sponsor (赞助商)
All the Supporting benefits, plus:
·Unlimited ALL ACCESS admission for accompanying guests
·One free exhibition list of your choice
·Four single-use guest passes for daytime members’ previews
·Two free passes to MFAH Films
$1, 500 Benefactor (捐款人)
All the Sponsor benefits, plus:
·Invitation to Leadership Circle reception with private exhibition viewing
·Three free “staff-pick” lists
·Four free parking passes for the MFAH parking garages
·Six single-use guest passes for daytime members’ previews
·Invitation to special Behind-the-Scenes experiences
1. What can you do as a student member?

A．Eat at Le Jardinier at a discount.	B．Attend ArtSmart programs.
C．See MFAH films for free.	D．Experience Behind-the-Scenes.

2. How much should parents pay so that their kids can attend art classes at a discount?

A．$40.

B．$70.

C．$115.

D．$350.

3. Which membership can enjoy free parking?

A．$115 Family.	B．$800 Sponsor.
C．$1, 500 Benefactor.	D．$350 Supporting—Best Value.

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。

Hanfu has experienced large     1     (grow) during the Spring Festival. The horse face skirt is     2     (particular) popular for its combination (结合) of traditional and modern beauty, especially among young Chinese.

During the Spring Festival, many performers and tourists in Luoyang, Henan province,     3     (wear) the horse face skirts. Impressive hanfu shows in Caoxian county, Shandong province, highlighted (凸显) the elegance of the long tradition of Chinese clothing. Consumers (消费者)     4     were interviewed expressed their wish     5     (promote) traditional Chinese culture.

The sales of horse face skirts are rising. Caoxian county is one of the major hanfu production     6     (base) in China, with sales of hanfu reaching over 7 billion yuan every year. The sales of new year’s clothes for the Year of the Dragon, mainly horse face skirts, were more than 300 million yuan in Caoxian county.

Data from e-commerce platforms (电商平台) show a great increase in the search for hanfu since January. Among the various hanfu styles, the horse face skirt has become     7     most popular one.

Zhang Mingqiang, the general manager of a factory, expressed both happiness and concern due     8     the growing daily orders (订单). So far more than 30,000 orders for horse face skirts     9     (put) off by the factory, which is taking measures to improve production     10     to meet the high demand. The new trend of Chinese-style fashion, led by horse face skirts, is gaining popularity among overseas consumers as well.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is an effect of lack of sleep on teenagers according to the new study?

A．Lower spirits.

B．Bad health.

C．The poor academic performance.

2. What is to blame for teenagers lacking sleep?

A．Too much screen time.

B．Lack of exercise.

C．Too much homework.

3. How can teenagers fall asleep more easily?

A．By reading a book before sleeping.

B．By listening to music before sleeping.

C．By drinking hot chocolate before sleeping.

4. What does the speaker suggest schools do?

A．Offer sports classes.

B．Shorten the school day.

C．Delay school start time.

8 . 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。

The basketball court was filled with eager students and cheerleaders were waving their pompoms at the stands. Excited cheers could be heard from all sides of the court. My teammates and I got fully prepared for our basketball competition. Our hearts were pounding in expectation of the competition ahead.

“And let’s all welcome the Blue Team!” the emcee (主持人) announced through the microphone. All of us marched in proudly as everyone cheered at the top of their lungs. “And welcome the Red Team!” the emcee announced, and the Red Team came in. We were astonished to see that the Red Team was filled with tall and strong members! We were trembling with fear as we walked slowly towards the centre of the court. As we were short of teammates, our confidence in winning wavered (减弱).

The judge threw the ball and the other team quickly caught it! The ball danced between their hands. Our defence seemed to be in slow motion compared to the Red Team’s swiftness. Soon, the other team scored!

We were losing the match as time passed. To make matters worse, our star player, Tom, even tripped and fell, hurting his ankle! We were losing hope as our best player was gone. Just then, our captain called for a time-out. On the bench, our captain announced that this would be his last match. “Come on! Don’t give up! I want to win one last trophy (奖杯) before I quit. Let’s do it!” he insisted, giving us a wide smile. Hearing this, our team held our fists tightly. We were focused on winning this match and making our captain proud! The judge threw the ball once more. I jumped as high as I could and caught the ball. I ran as fast as lightning and scored. Our opponents were nervous but they still scored a few goals to catch up. A few minutes later, we were neck to neck, locked in a tie.

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。

Whoever scored this one goal would win the competition!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The crowd erupted into deafening applause.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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，并将答案填写在答题卡上。

Any visitor to the Chinese Culture Week at the University of Tehran would be amazed by the tea, food, Chinese knots (中国结) and traditional paper-cutting artworks     1    display, all produced by Iranian students of Chinese language.

“Chinese knots     2     (believe) to bring good luck and act as charms (护身符) that protect people against evil spirits,” said Zeinab Ghafourian, a 19-year-old student     3     (study) Chinese at the Confucius Institute of the University of Tehran, on Nov. 28.

Chinese Culture Week,     4     was held at the hall of the institute from Nov. 25 to 29, seeks     5    (introduce) Chinese culture to more Iranians. Ghafourian said that one of the reasons why she chose to study Chinese was that she had been interested in East Asian cultures since childhood. “In     6    (add), Chinese films have become more popular. The people of both countries enjoy many cultural commonalities, as they were culturally and     7     (economic) connected via the Silk Road in the past,” she said.

More importantly, given Iran’s good ties with China, mastering Chinese offers relatively competitive employment prospects on the Iranian job market     8     (compare) with other languages.

“Each of the students here is     9    window onto China, helping the Iranians have a more realistic picture of the country     10    improving relations between the two countries,” said Hamed Vafaei, the Iranian director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Tehran.

10 . Biar Kon, a 17-year-old student, whose parents were working in neighboring Sudan, moved to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to attend school. Once he _______, he needed to get some documents from the Sudanese embassy(大使馆). But when he went to look for the embassy, he couldn’t find it. He asked a few people for _______, and no one knew where it was. Then an older woman tapped him on the back.

The woman told Kon that she had seen him asking questions of multiple people as they _______, and she wondered if he needed money for food, or a place to stay. Then Kon realized that the woman thought he was _______.

They cleared up the _______, and the woman was able to offer her help. The woman’s _______ left a deep impression on Kon. And it inspired him to _______ five years later, when he moved to Boston, Massachusetts. One day, outside a coffee shop, he _______ a man who was begging for change. Kon _______ that moment five years earlier, when the woman in Nairobi had ________ him for a homeless person. So he went up to the man to see what he could do. “He told me why he was on the street—because he made a（n） ________ mistake when he was in high school, and he couldn’t get a ________ now,” Kon recalled. Kon bought the man some breakfast, and gave him a little bit of money.

Today, it’s an encounter he ________. For him, it is a ________ that you never know what people are going through unless you talk to them ________ — the way the woman in Nairobi made an effort to talk to him.

1.

A．worked

B．arrived

C．changed

D．graduated

2.

A．permission

B．comments

C．explanation

D．directions

3.

A．passed

B．watched

C．struggled

D．hesitated

4.

A．awkward

B．homeless

C．careful

D．shy

5.

A．evidence

B．difficulty

C．confusion

D．conflict

6.

A．generosity

B．wisdom

C．responsibility

D．confidence

7.

A．put it aside

B．take it easy

C．kick it off

D．pay it forward

8.

A．persuaded

B．spotted

C．questioned

D．inspired

9.

A．witnessed

B．reported

C．recalled

D．shared

10.

A．praised

B．thanked

C．blamed

D．mistaken

11.

A．common

B．unintended

C．serious

D．similar

12.

A．clue

B．rise

C．job

D．solution

13.

A．creates

B．expects

C．deserves

D．values

14.

A．reminder

B．protector

C．challenge

D．practice

15.

A．secretly

B．actively

C．loudly

D．anxiously