1 . Once home to kings and queens, palaces were built not only to act as royal residences (皇家官邸), but to project power. Due to their artistic, cultural and historical value, palaces now make for some of the most popular tourist attractions and museums around. Let’s get close to the most famous four.

Forbidden City

Since it was built in 1406, the Forbidden City has been the center of Beijing, as well as China. Protected by a high wall, the palace holds some 980 different buildings. These show lots of amazing Chinese palatial (宫殿式的) architecture, of which the Hall of Supreme Harmony and Palace of Heavenly Purity are must-see sights. Now it has become the Palace Museum and visitors can enjoy various artworks there.

Winter Palace

Once the living place of the Russian tsars (沙皇), the Winter Palace now houses the world-famous Hermitage Museum. Built in an Elizabethan Baroque style, its seemingly never-ending green and white walls are said to house over 1.500 rooms, with each of them beautifully decorated. The size of the palace, not to mention the beautiful art and architecture on show, perfectly shows the power of Imperial Russia.

Alhambra

Located on the top of a mountain, Alhambra has long been one of the best-known and recognizable palaces on Earth. Built by the Nasrid sultans in the 13th century, the palace proudly exhibits lots of delicate(精美的) Andalusian architecture, with unique designs and patterns wherever you look. Walking around its gardens is enjoyable, and it will leave you a deep impression.

Palace of Versailles

Although Versailles started out as a hunting shelter, it was turned into one of the grandest palaces under Louis XIV. The Sun King decorated and enlarged it, eventually turning it into his royal residence and these at of his government. Many precious artworks were removed and placed in the Louvre following the French Revolution. Now, many repairs have seen the palace returned to its former glory.

1. Which is on the mountaintop?

A．The Forbidden City.	B．The Winter Palace.
C．Alhambra.	D．The Palace of Versailles.

2. In what way is the Palace of Versailles different from the other palaces?

A．It has always been well protected since the very beginning.

B．It was not designed to serve as a royal residence.

C．It has the largest number of rooms of the four.

D．It was built in an Elizabethan Baroque style.

3. From which part of a website can we read this text?

A．News.

B．Education.

C．Culture.

D．Fashion.

2 . Growing up. Mychal Threets fell in love with reading at Fairfield Civic Center Library (FCCL) in California. Now, at age 33, he is the supervising librarian of FCC Land has gained a following of more than 740,000 people who enjoy watching the video she posts about libraries on social media.

Threets was mostly homeschooled by his mother. They spent hours at FCCL and it became a home lo him, he said. But he didn’t see many people who looked like him cm ploy cd there and didn’t consider becoming a librarian until age 23, when he was hired to shelve books at a different Fair field library. That’s when “my librarian journey began,” he said. Threets took librarian education courses and worked his way up to the position he now holds.

About two years ago, he began sharing what he calls his “library joy” on TikTok and Instagram. He posts videos about being a librarian as well as tips on using a library card, book recommendations, and stories about children who have discovered their love of reading at the library. And with hundreds of thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok, he spreads awareness far and wide about the numerous positive impacts libraries have on their communities.

Last year, he was among 10 librarians chosen by the American Library Association to win the I Love My Librarian Award for outstanding public service. “He has touched many people in a positive way and has created a place for all to know they are cared about and loved.” one of his nominators (提名人) wrote. “His devotion, innovation, and impact have improved our library to new heights, strengthening its role as a center for growth and learning.”

It seems clear that Threets will continue to inspire the next generation of librarians. The message he has for young people is to remember to visit their own local library. “When life gets tough.” Threets said, “you can always find a library card.”

1. What can we infer from the figure 740,000 in Paragraph l?

A．FCCL in California has a variety of books.

B．The number of librarians is becoming larger.

C．Threets has posted over seven million videos.

D．Threets is very popular on TikTok and Instagram.

2. When did Threets start this librarian career?

A．After he took up courses on library.

B．After he was employed to shelve books.

C．After he found nobody wanted to be librarians.

D．After he became the supervising librarian of FCCL.

3. What do Threets’ words in the last paragraph mean?

A．It’s hard to find a local library.

B．Being a librarian is a tiring job.

C．Life is always filled with difficulties.

D．You can have fun when reading books.

4. Which may best describe Threets?

A．Curious.

B．Inspiring.

C．Generous.

D．Easy-going.

3 . The New Year Honors list was published at the end of December 2023, rewarding more than 1,200 people for their outstanding achievements and helping others. Prime Minister Sunak said those honored are “an inspiration to us all”.

The list included well-known figures and ordinary people who have help cd their communities. Everyone is awarded one of a number of honors depending on what they have done, from a Knighthood or a Damehood to a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). These awards are given twice a year by the King.

Tony Hudgell, aged nine, became the youngest person to be awarded a New Year Honor. He was given a British Empire Medal(BEM) for his charity work to protect vulnerable (易受伤害的) children. Tony has raised £1.8 million for charity and successfully campaigned to update laws protecting children.

A transport worker called Rizwan Javed, who works at Ealing Broadway station in London,was awarded an MBE for helping people who are in difficult situations. Following special training with the Samaritans charity, Javed lea med to spot people who are struggling with mental health problems and have conversations with them to help them feel better. After learning of his award. Javed said, “I feel like this MBE award has given me the confidence to take it a step further to help people talk about mental health.”

Space scientist Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who is also the head of the University of Leicester, received a Damehood for services to science education and diversity. Goalkeeper Mary Earps was honored with an MBE and is one of three of the England women’s national football team to be recognized for their services to football. James Martin, an actor from Nor them Ireland, was awarded an M BE for his services to drama. When he found out about the honor. Martin said. “I couldn’t believe it — I was really happy.”

1. What do we know about the New Year Honors list according to the text?

A．It was released on December 12.	B．It rewards people who inspire us.
C．The awards are given by PM Sunak.	D．Children have no right to be honored.

2. What did Tony do?

A．He got some laws renewed.	B．He set up his own charity.
C．He had a big New Year celebration.	D．He wrote lots of laws about children.

3. Who devoted a lot to soccer?

A．Rizwan Javed.	B．Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
C．Mary Earps.	D．James Martin.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．High-achieving people.	B．Ordinary people’s lives.
C．Community-focused charities.	D．Well-known campaigns in England.

4 . 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.

Lijiang Old Town, also known as Day an Old Town, was a former trading town and as top for traders carrying goods on the Ancient Tea and Horse Road. It    1    (list) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

In Lijiang Old Town, you’ll find a mix of architectural style influenced by several    2    (culture) — Naxi, Bai, Yi, Tibetan, and Han. The town also possesses    3    ancient water supply system of great creativity. Every year, millions of tourists visit Lijiang Old Town, which features ancient street sandstone bridges    4    (decorate) with flowers. In addition, there    5    (be) many ancient buildings, beautiful parks, and museums.

The Mufu is one of Lijiang’s famous attractions. It was the residence of the Naxi People’s Mu clan (宗族) who were in charge     6     Lijiang during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It was     7    (actual) the heart of Lijiang Old Town for 800 years. Another    8    (attract) is the Black Dragon Pool. The water is as beautiful as jade and reflects Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, so it is also called Jade Spring Park. It is a wonderful place    9    (take) pictures of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Nobody will miss the Lion Hill, on the top of which there is Wangu Tower     10    you can lookout to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the surrounding crop fields and villages.

What are you waiting for? Come to explore Lijiang right now!

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。

Mary had always been a lover of tales. Her imagination was rich, and she often found herself making up stories in her head. Yet, she never dared to share them with anyone, confined (受限) by her shy nature and a fear of public speaking. Life passed her by in a routine that left little room for self-expression, and her stories remained locked within the walls of her mind.

One day, an old friend invited Mary to attend a local storytelling workshop. Hesitantly, she agreed, hoping to find a way to break free from her shell. As she entered the place, she felt a mix of expectation and fear. What if she stumbled(磕绊) over her words? What if people laughed at her? Despite her anxiety, Mary took her seat among the other participants, each there for their own reason—some seeking a new hobby, others looking for personal growth.

The workshop facilitator(主持人), a charming woman named Evelyn, greeted them warmly. She spoke of the power of stories and the beauty of sharing one’s voice. As the hours went by, Mary learned techniques to build suspense(悬念), create lifelike characters, and tell a fascinating story. The other participants listened carefully, offering ideas and encouragement. For the first time in a long while, Mary felt seen and heard.

As the day drew to a close, Evelyn announced an upcoming storytelling competition. It would be held in a few weeks at, a local bookstore. To Mary’s surprise, she found herself volunteering to participate. The thought of standing onstage frightened her, but something within her longed for the challenge.

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:

From that day on. Mary practiced day and night.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:

The big day came.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . Grace Cogan’s favorite quote comes from American founding father Thomas Jefferson: “I cannot live without books”. The 14-year-old from Weston, Missouri thinks the same thing.

Grace was born with a disease that affected her skin and eyes, and caused kidney (肾) problems. Doctors told her parents she might not live.___________, she made it. However, she was often sick. During these 14 years, she had 22 operations and a lot of doctor’s ___________.It was reading that_________her in doctors’ waiting rooms or during long drives to appointments. “I always make sure to have a___________with me,” she said.

When Grace was little, her mother, Kelly, read Little House on the Prairie to her. Her dad, Brian,___________her more difficult historical novels like The Red Badge of Courage. Then Grace, though she had serious eye problems, started reading on her own, with her nose usually___________in a book. That’s where she sees most___________. “She wanted to know how things worked. She was so curious,” said Joyce Burch, Grace’s aunt. Maybe because of those early books, or maybe because of where she lives—a farmhouse that’s been home to five_________of her father’s family — Grace came to love history.

She asked her parents to take her to different historical places. She read historical novels, from Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to 1776. She even wrote a book, The Historical House, to _________the history of the farmhouse. Because of her disease, Grace can’t go to a public school. But her____________for history meant she came in fifth in the country for the National History Day competition this summer. Grace’s grandmother said that she was not really____________when Grace called to tell her the news. “That girl does not__________.We knew she would do something great,” she said. Apart from reading, Grace also plays the piano and loves musical theater. She would like to work in theater someday. If she can’t, she wants to be an author, ____________writing about history. Grace’s bravery has____________others. “The time with Grace has been an____________journey and adventure,” said Lennie Medcalf, Grace’s private teacher. “I look forward to seeing this world with Grace Cogan in it.”

1.

A．Thus

B．Moreover

C．Also

D．Yet

2.

A．appointments

B．orders

C．requirements

D．suggestions

3.

A．upset

B．touched

C．calmed

D．disappointed

4.

A．toy

B．lesson

C．phone

D．book

5.

A．offered

B．sold

C．threw

D．lent

6.

A．locked

B．buried

C．discovered

D．covered

7.

A．differently

B．bravely

C．clearly

D．quickly

8.

A．friends

B．generations

C．relations

D．farmers

9.

A．explore

B．complete

C．compare

D．defend

10.

A．demand

B．support

C．love

D．need

11.

A．excited

B．worried

C．pleased

D．surprised

12.

A．warm up

B．give up

C．sit up

D．show up

13.

A．actually

B．completely

C．probably

D．gradually

14.

A．confused

B．moved

C．annoyed

D．inspired

15.

A．amazing

B．embarrassing

C．efficient

D．obvious

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。

My family was poor so I was pleasantly surprised when my mother came up with the money to purchase my fourth-grade class picture. Twenty-two students lined up in three rows and faced the camera with smiles. My teacher, Mrs. Cornell, stood to the side. She kept strict rules, but I loved her. I held my one-and-only class picture like a new teddy bear. I wanted to be a person like her.

As the years passed, I’d run across that fourth-grade picture. It always reminded me that I’d wanted to become a teacher. Even after getting married, I would still long for the teaching career I never got to have.

Once my children were all in school, I had some time to myself. The eagerness to teach was still there, but I was now forty-two. I hadn’t been a student for over twenty years. Having only my husband’s income made money an issue as well.

Anyway, I managed to come up with enough money for my first term. With a step of faith, I moved forward. College proved to be a blessing and a challenge. I attended lessons and challenged myself to learn new things. My days and nights were spent on difficult textbooks. I would look at the picture when I was tired. Gradually, I found myself enjoying the classes.

One day, a professor mentioned a grant (补助金) was available to those going into education upon their graduation. Would they even consider giving the money to someone of my age? I had a few good years left in me, but I couldn’t compete with the youngsters who had a lifetime of teaching ahead of them. Feeling I had nothing to lose, I began the lengthy application process followed by an interview. All I could do was wait and hope.

Several weeks later, I received a call from my professor telling me I’d been selected as a candidate for the program. I’d have to invest some volunteer hours as required, but my college expenses would be covered. I hung up the phone with teary eyes. I couldn’t believe my dream of teaching was becoming a reality. I continued studying hard through the next three years.

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。

The graduation day finally came.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For the next eighteen years, I taught fourth grade.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . April Florie, a 57-year-old mother of two, became the first female football coach in the history of New Jersey’s 42-team Shore Conference. This ______ story of determination unfolded in Toms River, where Florie entered the world of coaching—she considered ______ the coaching staff of the Toms River East football team.

She shared, “I ______ thought everyone would say no. Who knew the first person I asked would say yes?” The person who said yes was none other than head coach, Kyle Sandberg, known for his ______ attitude to the game. Sandberg had previously welcomed two female players onto the team.

Florie’s journey to football wasn’t a calculated career move but was born out of a desire to ______ her community and school on a deeper level. She ______ to be part of the town and the school where her children attended classes and played sports. She realized football could help her reach that ______.

Florie described her first ______ in August as “frightening”. She had to ask a thousand questions and felt like she was in another world with coaches speaking a ______ language. The sensory overload was real, but her ______ to personal growth was evident to her players and colleagues. The football players and coaching staff ______ her presence and recognized her wisdom and motivation.

Florie sees her journey as an inspiration for other women who may want to step into the male-dominated world of football. She says, “I hope a nice young lady, who’s more knowledgeable in football than I am, takes a ______. I hope my own children ______ that. I hope they will be fearless and try things that they’re ______ with. If you fail, you fail. But ______ you tried.”

1.

A．extraordinary

B．imaginary

C．conventional

D．serious

2.

A．joining

B．following

C．supporting

D．admiring

3.

A．occasionally

B．particularly

C．literally

D．finally

4.

A．strong-willed

B．open-minded

C．science-based

D．life-focused

5.

A．deal with

B．agree with

C．meet with

D．connect with

6.

A．managed

B．struggled

C．afforded

D．intended

7.

A．conclusion

B．height

C．goal

D．position

8.

A．trip

B．lecture

C．dream

D．practice

9.

A．body

B．different

C．bad

D．standard

10.

A．approach

B．right

C．commitment

D．exposure

11.

A．ignored

B．accepted

C．predicted

D．assessed

12.

A．chance

B．look

C．measure

D．jump

13.

A．sense

B．use

C．see

D．trust

14.

A．unsatisfied

B．uncomfortable

C．familiar

D．careful

15.

A．in fact

B．at last

C．in turn

D．at least