I had all the usual child fears. I couldn’t go to sleep unless the light in my bedroom was on. I dreaded that someday when my mother was distracted, Crazy Betty (our local small-town oddball) would grab me in the grocery store. On the hottest summer nights, my feet had to be wrapped tightly in my bed sheets; if one of them hung bare over the side of the bed, who knew what might grab it in its cold, slimy claw.
But all other frights paled in comparison with the Great Fear, the Titanic of my childhood terrors. That fear — and I admit, I feel a tightening in stomach typing the words even today — was that something would happen to Monk-Monk, my beloved toy monkey. That was the deepest fear of my childhood and I learned from it the lesson of cherishing what’s important in my life.
Looking at Monk-Monk today, you wouldn’t see what I see. You’d see a torn, discolored sock monkey, very much past his prime, stuffing leaking from his stumpy tail, holes on his sock-body inexpertly stitched up with thread that doesn’t match. I see my dearest childhood friend, my companion of a thousand nights. When I was only two and very ill, an aunt made him for me and delivered him to the hospital. I bonded with him fiercely and rarely let him out of my sight. When no one else was around, Monk-Monk played endless games with me, soaked up my tears, and listened to my secrets.
And then Uncle Ken came to visit. He lived in Ohio and occasionally he would come and stay with us for a couple of days. I didn’t know Uncle Ken well, and I didn’t like him very much. I had the feeling that he didn’t really like me, either. He clearly thought it was pretty silly that a big first-grader was dragging a sock monkey around, and he teased me by saying he thought he’d take Monk-Monk home to Ohio with him. His words almost scared me to death. I clutched Monk-Monk more tightly.
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。
I was at school a few days later when Uncle Ken left.
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Finally Monk-Monk was found jammed behind the sofa.
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Several days ago, local News Channel reported a story between a mother and her son. The mother was a single woman who had been feeling a great deal of anger and bitterness due to her financial and psychological problem, causing her emotions to be unpredictable. Occasionally, she may not pay enough attention to her son or couldn’t respond to his requirements timely. Sometimes, she would even pour her negative emotions onto her child, which made him feel helpless. In fact, this child is a very outstanding and caring boy.
That day, the mother directed her anger towards her child again because of some small matter. Although the child did not resist, the mother still drove the child out of the house, slammed the door shut and left the child outside to reflect (反省).
It was when the mother became calm and a little regretful that she opened her door and found her child missing. Anxious and scared, she searched everywhere, but the child was nowhere to be found. Her anxiety was gradually increasing.
The worried mother thought of seeking help from the police. Quickly, she went to the police station and explained the situation to the officer on duty. The police officer explained that, as a general rule, they couldn’t file a case for a missing child within the first 24 hours. However, they could provide assistance in other ways, such as posting the child’s photo on social media platforms to expand the search area.
After expressing gratitude for the police officer’s kindness, the mother continued searching for her child. Despite trying various methods, the mother still couldn’t find the child. Unexpectedly, the child was wandering in the streets, he felt lost and alone, not knowing where to go or what to do. He felt the tears forming in his eyes but refused to let them down. He didn’t want to show weakness in front of anyone, and it made him feel even more alone.
注意：
1. 写作词数应为150词左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Exhausted and hungry, the child kept walking aimlessly until he finally came across a bench along the street.
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Soon after, the mother arrived hurriedly.
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3 . The United States you may not know
The United States is the only superpower in the world, and it is far more advanced than any other country. However, we can’t simply owe its
The most obvious features of the American spirit are
Americans are always
High salary is not the only
However, the American character is full of paradoxes (矛盾). The American people are both extremely romantic and pragmatic. The American is a(n)
| A．powerfulness | B．ability | C．energy | D．resource |
| A．reflect on | B．deal with | C．agree to | D．carry out |
| A．preservation | B．perseverance | C．curiosity | D．creativity |
| A．dissatisfied | B．concerned | C．engaged | D．pleased |
| A．nature | B．competition | C．ease | D．innovation |
| A．goes against | B．sticks to | C．exposes to | D．gives up |
| A．After all | B．As a result | C．In other words | D．Above all |
| A．potential | B．passion | C．attraction | D．recommendation |
| A．considered | B．mentioned | C．ignored | D．defined |
| A．staff | B．assemble | C．private | D．individual |
| A．pleasure-seeking | B．outgoing | C．self-disciplined | D．well-educated |
| A．maintained | B．changed | C．adopted | D．compared |
| A．oppose | B．rebel | C．care | D．value |
| A．show | B．admire | C．challenge | D．establish |
| A．efficiency | B．spirits | C．honour | D．status |
On the day when my mother let me choose a pet dog from the kennel(养狗场),Diana came over and started biting my shoelaces. She was playfully jumping around and licking me. I knew from the moment I set my eyes on her that she was the perfect dog for me. And, for some reason, her great energy was everything that I needed in my life.
We lived in a remote area, and my mother didn’t like me walking Diana too late after school. But I was a teenager and loved going against the rules, so I ignored her warnings and set out later than usual that day.
As the sun set, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. Thoughts flooded my head about losing my way. Or, worse still, some frightening creature came out of the dark unexpectedly. The hairs on the back of my arms stood on end.
I took a deep breath to try to calm my nerves. I looked around and could just make out the open surface of a dried-up lake. I knew that my home wasn’t far away. I had never walked across the lake before, and my mother had warned against it, but I just wanted to get home quickly. So, rather than going all the way around the lake, I decided I’d feel safer taking the shortcut across the lake.
Diana went first. In the dark light, I could see that the mud directly below her paws(爪)was dry. Following her, I stepped out onto the lake, but my foot went in a little deeper than expected. Cautiously, I took a second step. Diana pulled me forward. Suddenly I lost my balance. Below the hard-looking surface was wet-mud soup. I was sinking deeper.
Diana started to bark. She knew something was wrong. She jumped back to the side of the lake and landed on the hard ground. I saw her reach the safety of the shore.
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。
To my amazement, Diana grabbed the leash(牵狗的皮带)in her mouth and started to pull me.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“What on earth has happened?” my mother asked.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5 . Top Summer Festivals in Australia
Splendid mornings and glorious sunshine may not always make summer exciting, but the Aussie summer is always a nice option. The country finds its fortune, the artists find their patrons, and pleasure-seekers get that kick to enjoy good things in life under the southern sun.
1. Margaret River Gourmet Escape
When: November 17-19
This outstanding food & wine festival at Leeuwin Estate Winery by the Margaret River is an experience for travelers who have arrived at the start of summer. From enjoying barbeque on the famous Castle Bay Beach to dining on the longest wooden jetty (栈桥) in the Southern Hemisphere, the true devotees of food and wine choose entertainment for these three days.
2. Tropfest Film Festival
When: February 7-11
Filmmakers from across the globe use the world’s largest short film festival as a platform to showcase their work. This free-to-attend festival doesn’t have the air of Cannes(戛纳) but the audience is assured of some really experimental movies. If you happen to be in Sydney this summer. head to the Centennial Park and see for yourselfhow heartwarming this festival can turn out to be.
3. Womadelaide Music Festival
When: February 17-March5
During the Womadelaide festival, you can attend this biggest world music festival in southern hemisphere. The Botanic Park turns into a Mecca (麦加) for music lovers as live concerts by artists from all over the world make you enjoy different cultures and genres. To make your summer weekend in South Australia memorable, hit the festival on the first day.
4. Perth International Arts Festival
When: February 10-March5
The Perth international arts festival in Australia is a wonderful experience. Even the “mad” summer of Perth would feel sweet when you join a noble gathering of people at this premier cultural even. This 24-day festival is an occasion to meet greatest living artists and get exposed to new works.
1. What is the feature of Margaret River Gourmet Escape?| A．It contains different water activities. |
| B．It is famed for food, wines and beaches |
| C．It is the first summer festival in the world. |
| D．It holds an exhibition of world-class wines |
| A．In the Botanic Park. | B．By the Margaret River |
| C．In the Centennial Park. | D．On the Castle Bay Beach. |
| A．Tropfest Film Festivals. | B．Womadelaide Music Festival. |
| C．Margaret River Gourmet Escape. | D．Perth Intemational Arts Festival |
I’d made the drive to visit my sister, Mandi, so many times that I could practically do it on autopilot. That gave me plenty of time to think about all she was going through. Mandi was 34, with two young children, and had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
I turned at the edge of town, barely glancing at the landscape around me. There wasn’t much to see at this time of year. The once colorful leaves had all fallen from the trees, leaving them black and bare. It was a troubling reflection of what Mandi was going through, the joyful things in her life dropping away one by one.
“Are we almost there, Grandma?”
I’d nearly forgotten my young granddaughter was in the car with me. She’d been quietly watching the scenery go by. I needed to focus on something more positive, at least for her sake. “Thank you, God, for this beautiful day,” I said, trying to sound cheerful.
“I see a pretty blue sky,” Jocelyn said. “And the chocolate trees!”
“Chocolate trees?” I was confused.
“Yes,” Jocelyn said. “When the trees don’t have their leaves on them, they look like chocolate.”
Well, she was not wrong. They were deep brown, like dark chocolate. More importantly, when I thought about them that way, the trees no longer looked so sad and hopeless.
I was still thinking about those trees when we got to Mandi’s, so I told her about the chocolate tree story as soon as Jocelyn and I walked in the door.
“I love that!”Mandi said. Jocelyn bounced on Mandi’s bed, and Mandi gave her a weak smile. I listened as Mandi and Jocelyn made up a story about a princess who lived in a forest made of chocolate trees. Jocelyn’s laughter warmed my heart, but I could tell Mandi needed to rest. When Jocelyn left the room, Mandi continued looking out of the window.
“Looking at the trees?” I guessed.
“I was,” she admitted. “I was thinking about how some people see something bare and ugly out there, but our Jocelyn sees chocolate trees. We should all be like that. We should learn to look for the chocolate.”
“It would certainly make the world a lot sweeter,” I laughed.
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。
A few months later, I drove Mandi home from her chemotherapy (化疗) treatment.
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I sensed movement beside me.
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7 . The Mandela Effect refers to the situation in which many people thought that an event occurred when it did not. We all have experienced the Mandela Effect one way or another.
The term “Mandela Effect” was coined in 2009. It all started when Fiona Broome went to a conference and began talking to other conference-goers about the tragedy of previous South African president Nelson Mandela and his death in the South African prison in the 1980s. However, with further research, you know that he passed away in his own home in 2013. Broome talked to other people about her faulty memories, but she also learned that she was not alone. The people she spoke to also remembered seeing news coverage of Mandela’s death, as well as a speech made by his widow. There was quite a shock to Broome when she realized that a large group of people could remember an identical event in such detail, but it never really happened. Fiona then began her website to discuss what she called the “Mandela Effect” and other incidents similar to this occurrence.
The popular belief to explain the effect is that the timeline has been changed as we shift between these different realities. The idea itself remains unproven and highly controversial, however, the excitement of a bit of mystery in everyday life probably comes into play for many people.
Psychologically, the concept of false memories provides a potential explanation for the Mandela Effect. False memories are defined as untrue or odd recollections of an event.
Studies have revealed a variety of factors that cause false remembering. The phenomenon of suggestibility(暗示感受性) can affect a person’s memory. Emotional and personal prejudice can also both influence memories. Telling stories by word-of-mouth is often misleading. The role of the internet in impacting the memories of the masses should not be ignored, either. It is probably no coincidence that consideration of the Mandela Effect has grown in this digital age.
1. According to the text, the term “Mandela Effect” was created________.| A．in the 1980s | B．during a conference |
| C．after Nelson Mandela passed away | D．when Fiona Broome began her website |
| A．The changed timeline. | B．Different realities. |
| C．False memories. | D．The excitement of everyday life. |
| A．The misunderstandings of memory. |
| B．The factors that cause false memories. |
| C．Different opinions about “Mandela Effect”. |
| D．The effect of the internet on people’s memory. |
| A．Future development. | B．Possible causes. |
| C．Definition. | D．Origin. |
8 . With its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich and creamy flavor, it’s easy to understand why so many people adore chocolate. Read on to find out which bars stand out.
Best for Dark Chocolate Lovers: HuKitchen Simple Milk Chocolate Bar
Dark chocolate lovers—this one’s for you. The Hu Simple Milk Bar is perfect for people who tend to like their chocolate a bit more bitter, but it still has a rich, slightly cocoa flavor that’s sweetened with coconut sugar. Basically, it’s the perfect combination of flavors for those who love an intense and complex chocolate experience but with some added creaminess.
Price at time of publish:$5.5 per 2.1-ounce bar
Best for Gifting: Tony’s Chocolonely Milk Chocolate 32%
While any chocolate bar is a giftable chocolate bar, Tony’s Chocolonely has the fantastic atmosphere of Willy Wonka’s chocolate, making it the perfect present for a chocolate lover. The creamy, smooth milk chocolate made with ethically sourced cocoa melts in your mouth for an overall dreamy experience. And just a heads up, it’s a thick one at six ounces.
Price at time of publish:$6 per 6.35-ounce bar
Most Candy Bar-Like: Côte D’Or Connoisseur Belgian Milk Chocolate Bar
In a group of people with wildly diverse tastes, one thing that we all agree on is that this is a chocolate bar for people who prioritize sweetness. This bar is made from not only Belgian cocoa but also Belgian milk to create a smooth and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Even with its complex and rich flavors, the note that comes through the most is sweet.
Price at time of publish:$6 per 6.29-ounce bar
Most Enjoyable: Lindt Milk Chocolate Classic Recipe Bar
Some folks love the richness, others are just okay with it, but we all agree that it has that classic chocolatey taste we all look for in a bar. The creamy texture is like a dream —it has a luscious mouth feel and leaves behind a velvety smooth aftertaste. Made with Swiss milk and cocoa, this bar gets top marks for being the richest milk chocolate bar we’ve tried.
Price at time of publish:$4.59 per 4.4-ounce bar
1. How is Tony’s Chocolonely Milk Chocolate 32%different from the other three?| A．It is the best-selling one. |
| B．It weighs more than 6 ounces. |
| C．It is a creamy and smooth milk chocolate. |
| D．It may be the best gift choice for a chocolate lover. |
| A．who likes bitter food | B．who prefers thick chocolate |
| C．who has a sweet tooth | D．who favors the richness of milk |
| A．HuKitchen Simple Milk Chocolate Bar. |
| B．Tony’s Chocolonely Milk Chocolate 32%. |
| C．Côte D’Or Connoisseur Belgian Milk Chocolate Bar. |
| D．Lindt Milk Chocolate Classic Recipe Bar. |
The Brief Introduction of Xinjiang | |
| 位置：中国西北 面积：160多万平方公里(sq. km.) 首府：乌鲁木齐(Urumqi) | 人口：约23000000 天气：各地区不同，昼夜温差大 必看的名胜：…… |
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯;
3. 标题已为你写好。
参考词：新疆国际大巴扎(Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar)，吐鲁番(Turpan)的坎儿井(Karez Well System)，阿勒泰(Altay)的喀纳斯湖(Kanas Lake)和可可托海国家地质公园(Keketuohai National Geological Park)，伊犁(Yili)的那拉提草原(Nalati Grassland in Yili)等。
The Brief Introduction of Xinjiang
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10 . Jumbo squid (乌贼) are one of the fastest growing animals with long soft bodies in the ocean. They are fierce predators and will attack almost anything that moves. They can eat almost anything. Sometimes, they even eat each other. These squid have tentacles with rows of sharp barbs-tooth-like of anything for catching. They grab their prey in their tentacles and pull it to their mouths. Then they use their sharp beaks to tear it into pieces.
Shanda Magill was diving, when suddenly she was hit by a jumbo squid. The squid grabbed her hose. Shanda knew that jumbo squid taste things with their tentacles and that it was trying to see if she would be good to eat. The jumbo squid jerked Shanda around in the water. She didn’t know which direction was up. Shanda kicked as hard as she could. Lucky for her, she kicked herself free from this dangerous creature.
Shanda was one of the luckiest survivors. However, animals don’t usually attack people for no reason. A very hungry animal might attack something that looks like food. Most animals are very protective of their young. If anything comes close, they will attack to defend their family. Many animals attack to protect their territory. It is very important for people to know why animals can be dangerous. People also need to know how they can keep themselves safe while in danger, or in case of emergency and urgency.
1. Which of the following is not the description of jumbo squid?| A．They are a kind of sea creature with long soft bodies and tentacles. |
| B．They eat by grabbing the prey and pulling it into their mouths. |
| C．They have sharp tooth-like barbs for catching their prey. |
| D．They hide at the edge of the water, waiting for prey. |
| A．She was making greatest efforts to swim away from the squid. |
| B．She hit the squid with her feet, exerting all her strength. |
| C．She was struggling to dive deep into the sea. |
| D．She swam to the opposite direction. |
| A．Understanding Animals | B．Dangerous Jumbo Squid |
| C．In Jumbo Squid Territory | D．An Unexpected Experience |
| A．To explain why jumbo squid are very dangerous. |
| B．To describe how and where jumbo squid are now living. |
| C．To tell people to learn how to protect themselves facing danger. |
| D．To encourage people to try their best to do something to protect animals. |
