1 . People may typically think of memory as the recollection of the past. Memory enables people to learn from past experiences and apply that knowledge in present cases. It is an important part of our identity. So is culture, the way of life specific to a group of people.

Cultural memory is the constructed understanding of the past that is passed from one generation to the next through text, oral traditions, monuments and other symbols. Cultural memory is often amassed in objects, such as museums or historical monuments. To understand culture, humans access a mass of cultural symbols, such as books. Artifacts (历史文物) of the past provide insights into where we came from. Libraries and the Internet keep a seemingly boundless amount of data on what it means to be part of a culture. Cultural memory is the longest-lasting form of memory.

Like all forms of memory, cultural memory has important functions. For example, it makes the experiences a nation owns clear. It provides us with an understanding of the past and the values of the group to which we belong. Besides, it creates a form of shared identity and a means for communicating this identity to new members. The most powerful forms of cultural memory may involve memories of past disastrous experiences undergone by groups of victims. For example, in Russia, their role in World War II —in which tens of millions of Russians were killed — is still an important part of modern Russian identity. Because all groups have cultural memory, it can bring about a spirit of resistance or survival among threatened groups.

The main function of cultural memory is not to recall the past, whether it is good or bad. Rather, it is to use knowledge of past experiences to avoid making the same mistakes again and again. Aleida Assmann, a professor who has worked on memory theory since the 1960s, calls this “remembering forward”. Cultural memory enables people to adapt to their culture; it enables cultures to adapt to new circumstances by keeping traces (痕迹) of what worked in the past.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．Reporting a discovery of cultural memory.

B．Leading to the concept of cultural memory.

C．Introducing the importance of memory in identity.

D．Making a connection between memory and culture.

2. Which can replace the underlined word “amassed” in paragraph 2?

A．Stored.

B．Ignored.

C．Damaged.

D．Created.

3. Russia is mentioned in paragraph 3 to indicate ______.

A．the features of cultural memory	B．the formation of cultural memory
C．the role of big events in Russian identity	D．the impact of cultural memory on identity

4. What is cultural memory mainly expected to do?

A．Pass previous wisdom down.	B．Keep traces of history.
C．Get people to know about the past.	D．Remind people of their identity.

2 . In an era dominated by texting and messaging apps, phone calls seem to become a relic (遗物) of the past among younger generations, Gen Z in particular. A recent survey shows that a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds refuse to pick up the phone, and over half ignore calls from their parents. Why do we find phone calls so awkward, and is avoiding them damaging our relationships?

The avoidance of phone calls isn’t just a preference; it’s a display of anxiety. Phone conversations can be awkward due to the lack of non-verbal clues. In face-to-face interactions, we rely heavily on gestures, facial expressions, and body language to interpret messages, which are absent in phone conversations. This can lead to misunderstandings and a feeling of disconnect. Additionally, the pressure to respond immediately without enough time to think, as afforded by messaging apps, can increase the anxiety associated with phone calls.

Despite the discomfort they may cause, phone conversations are an important skill. In the professional world, the ability to communicate effectively over the phone remains a critical skill. As I emphasize in my teachings and workshops, clear, confident, and real-life communication can significantly impact personal and professional success. Therefore, it’s crucial for younger generations, including Gen Z, to learn how to communicate well with others over the phone, not just for professional success but also for developing personal relationships.

Relying merely on messaging apps can have harmful effects on Gen Z’s well-being and relationships. The survey indicates a growing discomfort with direct voice communication can lead to a lack of deeper, empathetic (共情的) connections. This can potentially impact their ability to form meaningful relationships and deal with situations where direct communication like phone calls is momentous.

Moreover, as I advocate in my approach to public speaking, including emotional elements into communication enhances memorability (值得记忆) and impact. Phone conversations, with their immediate and personal nature, can develop a deeper emotional connect ion than text-based communication.

1. What can we know from paragraph 2?

A．Why people are making fewer phone calls.

B．How young men respond to phone calls.

C．What impact can phone calls have.

D．How much further phone calls go.

2. Which statement will the author probably agree with?

A．Future success is mainly based on phone talks.

B．It's vital to acquire the art of phone conversation.

C．Learning how to communicate is the focus.

D．Much remains to be done for better personal skills.

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

A．Obvious.

B．Important.

C．Missing.

D．Temporary.

4. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．An interview.

B．A book review.

C．A lecture.

D．A diary entry.

4 . What does the woman mean?

A．She experiences a power failure every day.

B．She wants to talk about the programme.

C．She missed the TV programme.

5 . 假如你是李华，你的英国朋友Tom来信表示他对中国端午节很感兴趣。请你给他回信告诉他相关信息，内容包括：
1. 你最难忘的一次庆祝端午节的经历；
2. 邀请他来体验即将来临的端午节。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Tom,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

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。

This is the first time that I     1     (spend) the Naadam Festival with my friend Burin in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region this year. The festival,     2     (represent) by horse racing, wrestling and archery, falls on the fourth day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar,     3     usually lasts for three days.

Of the three events, two have left a deep impression     4     me: wrestling and horse racing. Mongolian wrestling is different from     5     in the Olympic Games. There are no     6     (round) and wrestlers are not separated by weight. The wrestler loses if any part of his body above his knee touches the ground. As for horse racing, it was     7     (amaze) to see that the riders were boys and girls. That is because children are much     8     (light) and the horses can run faster and farther. There is no need to worry about their safety, for they have been riding horses all their lives. It is no wonder that people say “Horses are at     9     heart of Mongolian culture”.

Though I am tired now, celebrating Naadam with my friend was     10     (total) worth it.

7 . About 15 years ago, I packed my suitcase and traveled to a town a few hours away. I would have an important ______ the next day, so I arrived ______. When I woke up the next morning in the hotel and started to get ______, something came to my notice —I had ______ to pack a white shirt.

This discovery made me get into ______. There was only about an hour left. Without thinking, I ______ went down to the lobby (大厅) immediately and flew to the attendant at the front desk. I explained my ______ situation and asked if he could suggest a nearby store where I could get a new shirt. I received a response before I finished speaking. “Sir, I have got a ______,”The attendant replied. How excited I was when I heard that! But instead of ______ me to a nearby shop, the man did something ______. Without saying a word, he ______ his own white shirt and handed it to me.

I finally arrived on time. Things ______ in the end—I got my dream job. I expressed my ______ when giving back the shirt.

That nice ______ has stuck with me over the years and that man’s behavior has ______ me ever since. And so now, when I see someone who needs anything, I’m willing to share.

1.

A．speech

B．lecture

C．interview

D．conference

2.

A．as usual

B．on schedule

C．under pressure

D．in advance

3.

A．dressed

B．washed

C．shaved

D．occupied

4.

A．applied

B．learnt

C．forgotten

D．attempted

5.

A．panic

B．bitterness

C．disbelief

D．disappointment

6.

A．firmly

B．hurriedly

C．effortlessly

D．hopelessly

7.

A．sensitive

B．awkward

C．dangerous

D．financial

8.

A．secret

B．question

C．solution

D．discovery

9.

A．driving

B．directing

C．introducing

D．sending

10.

A．cheerful

B．unmatched

C．confusing

D．surprising

11.

A．removed

B．obtained

C．recommended

D．decorated

12.

A．got across

B．turned around

C．worked out

D．stood up

13.

A．support

B．interest

C．curiosity

D．gratitude

14.

A．connection

B．gesture

C．comfort

D．personality

15.

A．revised

B．challenged

C．assisted

D．impressed

9 . What is Western art? It is hard to give a precise definition. So let’s look at the development of Western painting over the centuries.

The Middle Ages (from the 5th to the 15th century)

During the Middle Ages, the purpose of Western art was to teach people about Christianity. Thus, artists were not interested in painting realistic scenes. Their works were often primitive and two-dimensional, and the main characters were often made much larger than everyone else to show their importance. This began to change in the 13th century with Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337). While his paintings still had religious themes, they showed real people in a real environment. In particular, his paintings are set apart from other paintings by their realistic human faces and deep emotional impact.

The Renaissance (from the 14th to the 17th century)

New ideas and values gradually replaced old ones from the Middle Ages. As a result, painters concentrated less on religious themes. They began to adopt a more humanistic attitude to life. An important breakthrough during this period was the use of perspective by Masaccio (1401-1428). Another innovation was the use of oil paints. With their deep colours and realism, some of the best oil paintings look like photographs. In subject matter, the emphasis increasingly shifted from religious themes to people and the world around us.

Impressionism (late 19th to early 20th century)

The development of Western art slowed until the invention of photography in the mid- 19th century. After that, paintings were no longer needed to preserve what people and the world looked like. Hence, painters had to find a new way of looking at their art. From this, Impressionism emerged in France. The name of this new movement came from the painting by Claude Monet (1840-1926) called Impression, Sunrise.

Modern Art (from the 20th century to today)

After Impressionism, subsequent artists began to ask, “What do we do next?” Painters such as Picasso (1881-1973) tried to analyse the shapes which existed in the natural world but in a new way, with Cubism. Others gave their paintings a realistic but dream-like quality. Still others turned to abstract art. What they attempted to do was no longer show reality, but instead to ask the question, “What is art? ”

1. What set Giotto di Bondone’s paintings apart from other paintings?

A．His paintings mainly showed religious themes.

B．His paintings showed real people in a real environment.

C．His paintings were to convey the light and movement in the scene.

D．His paintings concentrated less on daily life.

2. Which wasn’t the change in paintings during the Renaissance?

A．The use of perspective

B．The use of oil paints.

C．The subjects focused more on people and the world.

D．The subjects focused more on religious themes.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The painters were interested in painting something indoors all the time.

B．The painting named Sunrise was a masterpiece of Impressionism.

C．The paintings of all the impressionists were cold.

D．All artists were well aware what they would do next after Impressionism.