At first, Michael didn’t see the black smoke or flames shooting from the windows of his neighbors’ home. He and his wife had just parked around the corner from their own house when they got a call from one of his daughters: “The house next door is on fire!” He went to check. That’s when he saw two women and a girl helpless and heartbroken on their doorway.
“The baby’s in there!” one of the women cried. Though the fire department had been called, Michael, then 64, immediately ran inside. “The baby” was 8-year-old Tiara, the woman’s granddaughter and a playmate of Michael’s three youngest kids.
The thick smoke caused Michael to stumble blindly around, burned his eyes, and made it impossible to breathe.
After a few minutes in the smoke-filled house, he retreated outside to catch his breath. “Where is Tiara?” he asked desperately.
“The second floor,” her aunt shouted back.
Michael knew he couldn’t hold his breath for long. However, taking a deep breath, he went in a second time. The darkness was overwhelming. Yet because the house had a similar design to his, he made it to the second floor. He turned to the right and was met by intense heat. He was already out of breath.
“Baby girl, where are you?”
His throat and lungs burned as if he’d inhaled fire instead of the smoke in the air. Every blink stung his eyes. All he could hear was the crackling and popping of burning wood. Then a soft but distinct moan emerged. Still unable to see, Michael fell to his knees on the hot wood floor. He crawled toward the sound, feeling around for any sign of the girl. An unlucky thought crossed his mind: I’m probably gonna die up here.
注意：1．续写词数应为80左右；
2．每段开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph 1:
Finally, Michael touched something.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
Tiara was safe now; however, Michael fainted down to the ground, unconscious.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2 . Stella was 5 when she had a surgery that left her with casts (石膏) on both legs and a bar between them. It was impossible to wear
Like any mother, Puzzo promised to do anything to give Stella
At the post-operative appointment, Stella wore them. Her doctors were
When she
Later, they worked on the second generation, eventually making a
DiCamillo noted that
It is said that
| A．casual | B．short | C．traditional | D．loose |
| A．freedom | B．advantage | C．belief | D．inspiration |
| A．hung up | B．taken apart | C．given out | D．set aside |
| A．change | B．problem | C．choice | D．project |
| A．confused | B．impressed | C．ashamed | D．relaxed |
| A．order | B．donate | C．make | D．purchase |
| A．frequently | B．slightly | C．merely | D．basically |
| A．argued | B．compared | C．shared | D．exchanged |
| A．occurred to | B．happened to | C．cheated on | D．depended on |
| A．profit | B．switch | C．contribution | D．mistake |
| A．launched | B．linked | C．updated | D．visited |
| A．mature | B．mysterious | C．reliable | D．potential |
| A．shifting | B．recovering | C．benefiting | D．escaping |
| A．fashionable | B．expensive | C．adaptive | D．colorful |
| A．talent | B．courage | C．diligence | D．necessity |
3 . If there was an app on your phone that claimed to improve your memory, would you be willing to try it? It’s hard to resist the idea of having a better memory. After all, our memories are delicate and can be affected by various factors such as diseases, injuries, mental health conditions, and aging.
In response to this perceived need, the brain training industry has grown rapidly, offering a wide range of accessible and affordable mental exercises through smartphone and tablet apps. Many researchers have found evidence suggesting that well-designed exercises can improve mental abilities and even lead to better scores on IQ tests. They compare the brain to muscles, suggesting that targeted repetition of memory exercises can strengthen and condition our memory processes, similar to how athletes engage in strength and conditioning by repeatedly exercising specific muscle groups.
In contrast to everyday activities like reading a detailed article or solving a complex puzzle, memory training apps are specifically designed to provide a more challenging workout for the brain. These apps typically involve tasks that require tracking a large number of objects while being distracted by a secondary task, such as mental calculations or exploring a game’s landscape. If this brain training proves effective, it could be beneficial for individuals with brain-related disabilities or those recovering from conditions like cancer.
Critics, though, argue that while the concept is appealing, the overall evidence fails to demonstrate significant improvement in core brain processes. Additionally, despite the claims made by many apps and brain training companies, scientists have yet to identify the key factors that make an intervention truly effective or determine the best approaches to address the diverse needs of individuals seeking help.
While the question is still open to debate, there is evidence suggesting that short-term working memory training can benefit high-functioning individuals, such as college students. However, it’s important to note that brain training, like diet and exercise, is unlikely to have identical effects on every individual.
1. In what way is the brain similar to muscles according to many researchers?| A．In testing results. | B．In work processes. |
| C．In bodily functions. | D．In training methods. |
| A．Detailed. | B．Effective. | C．Demanding. | D．Complicated. |
| A．Legal claims. | B．Proven effects. | C．Tailored services. | D．Appealing concepts. |
| A．Can our memory be improved? |
| B．Does brain training actually work? |
| C．What have scientists found about memory? |
| D．What does the brain training industry bring? |
4 . All the Beauty in the World, Patrick Bringley’s memoir (回忆录) about his 10 years working as a guard at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met), brings new meaning to the term “art appreciation”. During 8-12 hour shifts spent among the galleries, he takes advantage of the gift of time to study the masterpieces he’s been hired to protect and to think about the role of art throughout history.
Bringley is not the only Met staffer to write about the institution. But Bringley’s “guard’s-eye view” is unique, and he presents his personal story with sincerity. After his brother Tom’s death from cancer in 2008, Bringley gave up his job as a journalist for a job in which “I was happy to be going nowhere”. He explains, “I had lost someone. I did not wish to move on from that. In a sense, I didn’t wish to move at all.” Bringley doesn’t say when he decided to channel his experience of finding peace into art, but this story about jumping off the career ladder in order to find the space for quiet reflection is surprisingly suited to our times.
All the Beauty in the World offers well-chosen facts about the museum to support Bringley’s personal tale. As interesting as these facts are, it’s Bringley’s reflections on dozens of individual paintings, photographs, sculptures and ancient artifacts that turn this book into a tribute (致敬) to the power of art. Discussing Alfred Stieglitz’s photographs of his wife, he writes, “I think that sometimes we need permission to stop and adore things, and a work of art gives us that.” In a Vermeer port rait of a dozing maidservant, he is moved to see that the artist caught “that feeling we sometimes have that a private setting possesses a holiness (神圣) of its own. It was my constant feeling in Tom’s hospital room”.
As rich in moving insights as the Met is in treasures, All the Beauty in the World reminds us of the importance of learning not about art, but from it. This is art appreciation at a high level.
1. What makes All the Beauty in the World different from other books by Met staffers?| A．Its author’s personal sad story. |
| B．Its author’s unique point of view. |
| C．Its well-chosen facts about the museum. |
| D．Its detailed introduction to the artworks. |
| A．To remember his dead brother. |
| B．To enrich his journalism career. |
| C．To find some peace and quiet in art. |
| D．To study the artworks more closely. |
| A．By relating museum facts to his personal life. |
| B．By interviewing retired museum staff members. |
| C．By presenting the background of each masterpiece. |
| D．By engaging visitors in the discussion of the artworks. |
| A．It reveals the inner world of the author. |
| B．It offers new insights into art appreciation. |
| C．It tells little-known facts about the museum. |
| D．It deserves to be read for some peace and quiet. |
5 . In the old-fashioned town of Willowbrook, two friends named Emma and Liam shared an intimate bond. They were inseparable and spent every moment together, laughing, exploring, and creating unforgettable memories.
One cold winter morning, as the first snowflakes gently fell from the sky, Emma woke up with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. She tried to brave it and get ready for school, but her body felt weak and achy. Unwillingly, she called Liam to let him know she couldn’t make it to school that day.
Liam was concerned when he heard the tiredness in Emma’s voice. “Don’t worry, Em. I’ll take care of everything at school for you,” he assured her. Feeling grateful for Liam’s understanding, Emma forced a smile and replied, “Thank you, Liam. You’re the best friend anyone could ask for.”
After school, Liam hurried to Emma’s house, carrying a meal he had prepared for her. He knocked on the door, and Emma’s mother welcomed him with a warm smile. “Oh, Liam, you’re such a thoughtful friend,” she said.
“I brought some soup and tea for Emma. I hope it will make her feel better,” Liam replied, some concern in his eyes. Entering Emma’s room, Liam found her curled up under a blanket, looking pale but relieved to see him. “Hey, I brought some comfort food to cheer you up,” he said, setting the food on her bedside table.
Emma’s eyes lit up, and she smiled weakly. “You didn’t have to, but thank you. This means the world to me,” she whispered. Sitting by her side, Liam kept her company, chatting softly and making her laugh despite her illness. The warmth of their friendship enveloped the room, bringing a feeling of comfort to Emma’s tired soul.
As Emma regained her strength, she realized just how lucky she was to have a friend like Liam. His unwavering presence and kindness had made her recovery easier and brighter. Their friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and from that moment on, they knew they would be there for each other through thick and thin.
1. What does the underlined word “intimate” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Satisfactory. | B．Informal. | C．Close. | D．Temporary. |
| A．It was too cold to go outside. | B．Liam failed to pick her up. |
| C．She was in a bad condition. | D．School was closed for the heavy snow. |
| A．Considerate and caring. | B．Brave but lazy. |
| C．Selfless and active. | D．Independent but stubborn. |
| A．Emma’s illness. | B．A precious friendship. |
| C．Liam’s company. | D．How to help a friend. |
6 . Small children are easy to throw up in the air and catch — and they
I hope Jacky will always trust me fully, but I know that, as he gets older, it will need more effort and sound judgment
| A．deserve | B．love | C．miss | D．know |
| A．in case | B．even though | C．so that | D．as if |
| A．fear | B．doubt | C．excitement | D．astonishment |
| A．reasonable | B．absolute | C．limited | D．important |
| A．responsibility | B．satisfaction | C．achievement | D．relief |
| A．on my part | B．on my behalf | C．in my honor | D．in my name |
| A．wait | B．choose | C．expect | D．afford |
| A．attach | B．compare | C．introduce | D．adjust |
| A．grateful | B．happy | C．proud | D．safe |
| A．For instance | B．Above all | C．At first | D．In addition |
| A．However | B．Therefore | C．Similarly | D．Fortunately |
| A．affection | B．leadership | C．friendship | D．determination |
| A．assess | B．understand | C．organize | D．develop |
| A．gesture | B．lack | C．bond | D．measure |
| A．communication | B．personality | C．management | D．education |
7 . I’d gone snowboarding with excitement in France with my little brother. That day, fresh snow had been falling, and we were in a good
I began to
I tried to stand but fell down and almost
It took about two hours
The recovery road was tough, but I was lucky.
1.| A．state | B．shape | C．passion | D．mood |
| A．fields | B．forests | C．suburbs | D．plants |
| A．figuring | B．advising | C．wondering | D．screaming |
| A．take up | B．make up | C．pick up | D．end up |
| A．hitting | B．encountering | C．surrounding | D．attracting |
| A．head | B．arm | C．neck | D．back |
| A．slight | B．mild | C．severe | D．typical |
| A．permanently | B．precisely | C．possibly | D．exactly |
| A．starving | B．bleeding | C．choking | D．freezing |
| A．gave | B．blacked | C．cried | D．blew |
| A．push | B．slide | C．lift | D．bend |
| A．after | B．since | C．as | D．before |
| A．immediately | B．shortly | C．suddenly | D．instantly |
| A．relieved | B．shocked | C．frightened | D．refreshed |
| A．off | B．forward | C．through | D．away |
8 . Anna was cleaning when she spotted a hidden door leading to part of her attic (阁楼).And in the secret room she
Once realizing the
Finally she
Dalton was close with his grandparents.
| A．recovered | B．unearthed | C．packed | D．polished |
| A．addressed | B．returned | C．explained | D．read |
| A．sounding | B．starting | C．concluding | D．writing |
| A．box | B．cards | C．door | D．pages |
| A．dynamic | B．complicated | C．personal | D．conventional |
| A．figured | B．ignored | C．recalled | D．doubted |
| A．collector | B．family | C．postman | D．audience |
| A．promising | B．refreshed | C．contemporary | D．romantic |
| A．came across | B．showed off | C．reached out | D．called on |
| A．reunited | B．separated | C．promoted | D．engaged |
| A．admitted | B．declared | C．knew | D．wanted |
| A．Besides | B．Therefore | C．Still | D．Instead |
| A．correspondence | B．career | C．wedding | D．relationship |
| A．add | B．apply | C．match | D．attach |
| A．wisdom | B．significance | C．virtue | D．faith |
9 . There’s a useful concept from psychology that helps explain why good people do things that harm the environment: the false consensus (共识) effect. That’s where we overvalue how acceptable and widespread our own behavior is in society. Put simply, if you’re doing something (even if you secretly know you probably shouldn’t), you’re more likely to think plenty of other people do it too. What’s more, you likely overestimate how much other people think that behavior is broadly OK.
This bias (偏见) allows people to justify socially unacceptable or illegal behaviors. Researchers have observed the false consensus effect in drug use and illegal hunting. More recently, conservationists are beginning to reveal how this effect contributes to environmental damage.
In Australia, people who admitted poaching (偷猎) thought it was much more widespread in society than it really was, and had higher estimates than fishers who obeyed the law. They also believed others viewed poaching as socially tolerable; however, in reality, more than 90% of fishers took the opposite stand on this. The false consensus effect has also shown up in studies examining support for nuclear energy and offshore wind farms.
Just as concepts from psychology can help explain some forms of environmental damage, so too can they help solve it. For example, research shows people are more likely to litter in areas where there’s already a lot of trash thrown around; so making sure the ground around a bin is not covered in rubbish may help.
Factual information on how other people think and behave can be very powerful. Energy companies have substantially reduced energy consumption simply by showing people their difference in electricity use compared to their neighbors. Encouragingly, stimulating people’s natural desire for social position has also been successful in getting people to “go green to be seen”, or to publicly purchase eco-friendly products.
As the research evidence shows, social standards can be a powerful force in encouraging and popularizing environmentally friendly behaviors. Perhaps you can do your bit by sharing this article!
1. Which example best illustrates the false consensus effect?| A．A student spends long hours surfing the Internet. |
| B．A blogger assumes many people dislike his posts. |
| C．A smoker believes people generally approve of smoking. |
| D．A driver frequently parks illegally in public places. |
| A．It is contradictory. | B．It is impractical. |
| C．It is widespread. | D．It is unacceptable. |
| A．Develop green habits for better health. |
| B．Choose green items that are easy to spot in stores. |
| C．Join green movements for personal fulfillment. |
| D．Make green choices that others can perceive. |
| A．Justify social standards. | B．Publicize sustainable practices. |
| C．Encourage technological innovations. | D．Highlight personal responsibilities. |
1．活动时间;
2．展览主题、内容。
注意：
1．词数100左右;
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Alex,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sincerely yours,
Li Hua
