1 . Growing up in Saudi Arabia, 44-year-old photographer Jody MacDonald has always had a strong interest in the desert. “I have always wanted to spend some time in the Sahara, ” MacDonald said. “There are still so many unexplored areas in the Sahara Desert. These relatively unexplored places are so rare these days and hold the very fundamentals of exploration, which attract me. So finally I made the journey. “MacDonald started her journey in Mauritania’s capital city Nouakchott, and headed inland where she and her team jumped on the world’s longest cargo train (货运列车) for a 435-mile journey on the Mauritania Railway. ”The train was dirty and uncomfortable but it was such an interesting and unique way to travel through the vast desert by train, ”said MacDonald.
MacDonald and her group had to face many challenges on their journey. Except for the dirt and discomfort, the travellers also had to deal with the intense heat, violent winds and even dangerous sandstorms. “I was out taking photographs and within minutes, the wind increased to more than 100 miles an hour, ”MacDonald said. “I thought my skin was going to be torn off because of the rain and blowing sand. It felt like sandpaper on my skin. I have never experienced winds that strong before. There was once a time when I wanted to give up. ”
She dealt with the harsh (恶劣的) conditions by trying not to travel in the middle of the day and wore headscarves to protect herself from the sun and blowing sand. “The weather definitely dictates when and where you travel, “said MacDonald. Even with all the challenges, the photographer managed to record amazing images of the beautiful but harsh landscapes of Mauritania, and its fascinating cultures and communities.
1. Why did MacDonald tour the Sahara Desert?| A．She grew up in Saudi Arabia. |
| B．She intended to be a famous woman. |
| C．She had a strong interest in travelling alone. |
| D．She was attracted by the unexplored places in it. |
| A．Unclean and painful. | B．Unique and relaxed. |
| C．Comfortable and interested. | D．Excited and unforgettable. |
| A．The sandpaper on her skin. | B．The difficult weather conditions. |
| C．The dangerous animals. | D．The harsh criticism. |
| A．Determines. | B．Allows. | C．Multiplies. | D．Postpones. |
A SPECIAL DAY
When the 6 a. m. alarm went off on Father’s Day, Helen’s parents were awakened with a loud bang as she smashed (打碎) the piggy bank with hammer. “What’s wrong?” exclaimed by Helen’s mother, but Helen said it was a secret. She picked up the money on the ground, and rushed to the shoe cabinet to find father’s shoes secretly. Ten minutes later, Helen came out of the door with a piece of paper in her hand without telling anyone.
Helen hurried to a shoe shop and said to the salesman, “I want to buy a pair of shoes for adults. Can you recommend one for me?” The salesman said, “What size do you want?” Helen immediately took a piece of paper out of her bag and gave it to the assistant. “Why are there shoes prints on the paper?” asked by the clerk curiously. Helen said, “It was my little idea. I drew a picture of my dad’s shoes with a pen, and it was a great way to get the right shoes for him without letting him know.” At the salesman’s recommendation, Helen chose a pair of shoes, because her father had not bought a pair of good shoes for a long time, and his shoes were worn out and always wet on rainy days. The salesman took different sizes of shoes to make a comparison with the shoes on the paper, and finally decided on the right size. Then he smiled and handed it to Helen.
Helen took out a pile of one-dollar coins from her bag, and said to the clerk, “Here is all the pocket money I have saved.” The salesman was amazed by this 6-year-old girl when counting the coins. He said to Helen, “Your money is just enough, you are a good girl and your father will be very happy for that.”
注意：
1、所续写短文的词数应为150词左右;
2、续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph 1:
When Helen returned home, she found her father standing at the door, angry but worried.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:
Helen took out the new shoes for her father from her bag.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In 1989, just out of high school, I was faced with the tough job of deciding my own course of study, which was only three months away from university. In those days in Pakistan, there were limited choices: becoming a doctor or an engineer or entering the financial world after obtaining a business degree. I didn’t have any interest in engineering, so all I had to do was either medical or commercial work. I couldn’t decide.
My uncle, an influential member of the family, recommended that I spend a month in an international company and then a month at a hospital. Then I could make a decision. I thought it was a great idea.
I was accepted for a month’s placement (实习工作) at a foreign bank in Karachi. I had some insight into how the financial world worked, met new acquaintances, and enjoyed the general relaxed atmosphere of the office.
The month passed quickly, and I was soon employed at one of Karachi’s premier hospitals. The experience could not have been more different. There was a tense atmosphere at the hospital. Days began sooner(at seven as opposed to nine in the morning at the bank), and they were full of interminable (无止境的) chores and late-night visits! It was insane (疯狂的), working all day, all night, and then another.
I was starting to think about both of my experiences. The bank had offered a more relaxing environment, better working hours and less pressure. It was exciting and unpredictable in the hospital, but it was hard to learn and practice. It looked like the business choice would win.
Near the end of my month in the hospital, I was on my way back from a particularly hectic (紧张忙碌的) evening call, and there was a public bus in front of me, and there were some kids in it. While the driver threaded his way through the cars, I saw that the boys were swaying left and right.
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。
All of a sudden, a boy fell from the back of the bus.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When I visited him at the hospital the following morning, all his family members stood up with grateful smiles on their faces.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When I was little, I lived in a house with a beautiful garden full of all kinds of Bowers. There was nothing I enjoyed more than sitting in the garden with my mother reading stories to me. When I was old enough to read, I enjoyed reading stories aloud to her.
I would never forget one day when I was in the third grade. I bad been picked to be the princess in the school play, and for weeks my mother had rehearsed (排练) my lines so hard with me. But however easily I acted at home, the moment I stepped on stage, every word disappeared from my head. Finally, my teacher took me aside, explaining that she had written a narrator’s (解说员) part to the play, and asked me to change roles. Her word, kindly expressed, still hurt, especially when I saw my part go to another girl.
I didn’t tell my mother what had happened when I went home after school that day. But she sensed my pain. Instead of suggesting we practice my lines, she asked if I wanted to take a walk in the garden.
It was May and roses were blossoming and, under the trees, we could also see yellow dandelions (蒲公英) in the grass, as if a painter had painted our garden with red, yellow and green. I watched my mother casually bend down by one dandelion. ”I think I’m going to dig up all these weeds,” she said, pulling it up by its roots. ”From now on, we’ll have only roses in this garden. ”
“But I like dandelions,” I protested, “All flowers are beautiful-even dandelions.” “Yes, every flower is beautiful in its own way, isn’t it?” she asked thoughtfully. I nodded, pleased that I had won her over. “And that is true of people too,” she added. “Not everyone can be a princess, but there is no shame in that.” Relieved that she had guessed my pain, I started to cry as I told her what had happened. She listened and smiled to me gently.
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。
Para 1: “But you will be a beautiful narrator,” she said.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Para 2: After the play, I took home the flower.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Howie! You can’t go in! Mom told us to avoid Mrs. Carrigan’s house at all costs! We can’t go in there,” Howie’s big brother, Archie, yelled at the boy who had entered the older woman’s yard upon seeing her Halloween decorations.
The little kid turned and looked at his two big brothers angrily. “But she put up decorations. She wants us to come in,” Howie said, pointing at the pumpkins in the yard and the trick-or-treat sign on her doorway.
“Come out, Howie! Let’s go! I think Mom thinks she’s a ... a witch,” his other big brother, Bobby, whispered the last part. “What? Are you afraid of her?” Howie laughed, knowing that his brothers would not like that. He saw their frowns, but his words were true. They were afraid. No one in the neighborhood went into Mrs. Carrigan’s house or even stayed close.
The old woman was strange. She only dressed in black and never brushed her hair. She couldn’t walk straight and never smiled at anyone, so people avoided her the few times she was seen outside. But Howie was not afraid. He was going to knock. The worst that could happen was being ignored or told to go away. Despite his big brothers’ words, he went up the tiny steps and rang the doorbell.
“Howie! Howie! No!” his big brothers whisper-yelled at him from the sidewalk, and Howie turned and put his finger to his mouth, signaling for them to shut up. But he saw their eyes widen and their faces pale even beneath the Halloween makeup they were all wearing. Howie felt something behind him and turned slowly, not knowing what to expect. He felt the cold air; he felt like ringing the bell was not a good idea.
The old woman was there, staring at him surprisedly. He saw her black clothes, and he knew precisely why everyone thought she was a witch. She looked like the ones in cartoons. But Howie squared his shoulders, raised his plastic pumpkin bucket, and said, “Trick or Treat!”
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。
Mrs. Carrigan stared at him for a few seconds.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Guys! Come here! There are lots of candies!” Howie shouted at the top of his lungs, waving his hands.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was the first week of Lily’s middle school. The bell’s ringing brought her out of her daydreaming. She nervously gathered her books, preparing to reach another classroom for the next new class.
Lily followed the other kids and rushed into the hallway. Others walked in groups, chatted, and laughed, using the break to socialize. Lily, instead, walked alone along the wall of the hallway, with her head down. She was a shy girl, afraid to speak in front of other kids, and didn’t think others would like her.
Lily finally sat in Mr. Johnson’s Language Arts class nervously. “Welcome to Language Arts,” said Mr. Johnson. He told jokes as he talked about English. Lily forgot to daydream and laughed along with the rest of the class. “We’ll have some fun with language,” he said. “Just wait and see.”
Fun was far beyond what Lily desired. She just wanted to be like other kids—running with friends in the hallway, laughing and joking between classes. Reminded of her pimply (长粉刺的) face, she felt hopeless and disappointed.
“Take out a piece of paper,” the teacher continued, when pointing at words on the blackboard. “Write for the next thirty minutes on this topic.” Lily began writing crazily as idea after idea fought for recognition in her head. The final result was a short story about a beautiful beach house. As she wrote, she could smell the salty air, hear the crashing waves and feel the pull of the sand beneath her feet. For just a moment, she forgot where she was. She was lost in the story.
“OK, pass your papers forward,” said the teacher. “Let’s see what we have.” For the rest of the class time, the teacher read each individual work aloud. Lily originally thought it would be awkward. However, she was gradually attracted by the excitement in the teacher’s voice. “He’s actually enjoying this,” she thought. When the class would be soon over, there were still fifteen students’ papers not read, including Lily’s paper. Then, Mr. Johnson announced his decision, asking these students to read their work themselves in front of the class next class.
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。
Paragraph 1:
A week later, the bell rang and the Language Arts class began again.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
After Lily finished her reading, the clapping from her classmates continued for a long time.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________There’s a park close to my house, with a small lake in one corner that’s home to many creatures. Every Sunday morning, I go jogging in this park. As I circle the lake, I notice an elderly woman sitting by the water with a metal cage beside her.
Today, my curiosity made me stop and approach her.
As I took a closer look, I saw that the cage was actually a small metal trap, and there were a few turtles walking around the trap, unharmed. The lady took one of the turtles in her hands and gently rubbed the shell (壳) with a sponge (海绵) brush.
I came over to say hello to her politely. “Good morning,” I said. “I come here for jogging every Sunday morning and I see you sitting here by the lake. Please don’t mind my curiosity and innocence, but I really want to know what you’re doing to the turtles.”
The lady smiled and said, “I am cleaning the turtle’s shell. Turtles gradually get more and more algae (水藻) and other dirt on their shells, which weighs them down and prevents their swimming abilities. It also reduces their ability to absorb heat. Over time, their shells become weak and rot (腐烂) away.”
“Oh wow! That’s really thoughtful of you!” I shouted in shock.
She continued, “Every Sunday morning, I spend a couple of hours by the lake to relax and help out these little guys stay clean. Strange as it sounds, this is my little way to make a difference in the world.”
I thought for a while and said, “But all freshwater turtles have algae and other dirt on their shells. They live with that their whole lives, don’t they?”
“Yes, sadly, they can’t help it,” she replied.
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。
However, I wasn’t completely sure whether it was worthwhile.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“Can I help you clean the turtles?” I asked the lady.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8 . In August, Jason M. Allen’s piece “Theatre D’opéra Spatial” — which he created with Al image generator Midjourney — won first place in the emerging artist division’s “digital arts photography” category at the Colorado State Fair Fine Arts Competition. The definition for the category states that digital art refers to works that use “digital technology as part of the creative process”.
Allen’s award-winning image has led to debates about what, exactly, it means to be an artist and whether AI can truly make art. “It felt bad for the exact same reason we don’t let robots participate in the Olympics,” one Twitter user wrote. “This is the literal definition of ‘pressed a few buttons to make a digital art piece’,” another tweeted.
Yet while Allen didn’t use a paintbrush, there was plenty of work involved, he said. First, he played around with phrasing that led Midjourney to generate images of women in elegant dresses and space helmets, in an attempt to mix Victorian-style costuming with space themes. Over time, with many slight changes to his written prompt (提示符), he created 900 different versions of what led to his final image. Then he improved its resolution through Gigapixel AI and finally had the images printed.
Allen is glad the debate over whether AI can be used to make art is attracting so much attention. “Rather than hating on the technology, we need to recognize that it’s a powerful tool and use it for good so we can all move forward,” Allen said.
Cal Duran, one of the judges for the competition, said that while Allen’s piece included a mention of AI, he didn’t realize that when judging it. Still, he sticks by his decision to award it first place. “I think the AI technology may give more opportunities to people who may not find themselves artists in the conventional way,” he said.
1. Why has Jason’s work led to debates?| A．It was a copy of a photograph. |
| B．He challenged the older artists. |
| C．It was created with the help of AI. |
| D．He broke the rule of the competition. |
| A．Cooperative. |
| B．Energy-consuming. |
| C．Straightforward. |
| D．Imagination-lacking. |
| A．It is a double-edged sword. |
| B．It attracts conventional artists. |
| C．It strikes art judges as no surprise. |
| D．It may open a new world to artists. |
| A．A trend to be AI artists. |
| B．An AI-generated art contest. |
| C．Responses to a winning AI artwork. |
| D．Curiosity about an image generator. |
The spot of red was what first caught Randy Heiss’s attention on December 16, 2018.
He was hiking behind his ranch (牧场) in Patagonia, Arizona, a town near the US-Mexico border, when he found a balloon on the grass. Heiss walked towards it with his dog, thinking he would pick up something useless and throw it away.
That’s when he noticed the balloon was connected to a piece of paper. ‘Dayami’, it read on one side, in a child’s writing. Turning the paper over, he saw a numbered list, all in Spanish. “My Spanish isn’t very good, but I could see it was a Christmas,” he said.
Heiss was attracted. He thought that maybe a child had tried to send Santa Claus a Christmas wish list by balloon, something he used to do himself when he was a kid. Nobody had ever returned the letters Heiss had sent, but he wondered whether he could find the kid who had sent this one.
It would be difficult, but he believed he could work it out. About 32 kilometers to the southwest, just across the border, was the city of Nogales, Mexico. “Based on the prevailing wind (盛行风), I was pretty sure that’s where it came from,” he said.
Heiss brought the note home to his wife, who is good at Spanish and helped him translate the list. The elderly couple figured out that Dayami, probably a girl, had asked for a doll, a dollhouse, clothes and some art supplies.
Heiss then posted on social media along with some photos, hoping some of his friends in Nogales might know the girl’s family. A few days passed with no useful information provided; Heiss worried that time was running out before Christmas. On December 19, 2018, he decided to send a message to Radio XENY, a radio station based in Nogales.
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 his surprise, someone from the station called him back right away.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Arriving at the Radio XENY offices with presents, the elderly couple finally met the excited little girl.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________During my sixth-grade year, I was nervous about many things. I was afraid of being a role model on campus. I was afraid of going to a middle school the following year. But nothing compared to my biggest fear of all… puberty (青春期). I was getting to the age where my voice would start changing. At first, I was excited for my voice to get deeper. But then I learned that before your voice gets deeper, it can sometimes crack(嘶哑).
The first time it happened to me I was so embarrassed, but to my surprise, my friends didn’t make fun of me. In fact, they didn’t even mention it. That was reality. But in my self- conscious sixth-grade mind I was certain they were going to spend all day making fun of me behind my back. They were not having the same problem controlling their voices.
After my first voice crack experience, I was determined to make sure it wouldn’t happen again. At least not in public. So, I began clearing my throat before I spoke. Limiting how much I spoke and clearing my voice before I spoke made my break and lunch experiences much less stressful. This was great but there was a larger problem. I was more scared about having a voice crack during class.
There were reasons why having a voice crack in class was scarier. One of these reasons was that our class had a group of popular girls. Having a voice crack in front of them was a fear. Unfortunately, one day my worst frightening dream came true. It was about halfway through the year, when I was happy to have made it so long without a bad voice crack incident.
That day, when I walked through the door, the first thing I noticed was that we had a substitute(代课)teacher. I immediately started thinking about how the sub would need to take attendance. My permanent (长期的)teacher never had to. Since he already knew each student and where they sat, he just had everyone sit down in their assigned seat, and marked “absent” the students whose seats were empty.
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 started to feel frightened.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The whole class turned to look at me.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
