1 . “He is a giant of the 20th-century art, but that doesn’t mean he only did big paintings, said Lynn Miller, director of Rochester Central Gallery, in an interview last Thursday.

Entitled “Picasso and His Drafts”, a special exhibit marking 50 years since the death of Pablo Picasso is held at the gallery this month. Instead of his paintings, the notebooks on which the Spanish legendary artist drew drafts are shown to the public for the first time.

Matchbox covers, postcards, restaurant napkins all served as drafting notes for the artist at moments of inspiration. It is important to know that each of the 14 notebooks presented reflects what was going on in his life.

For example, a tiny notebook whose size is just 3 by 5 inches stands out among the exhibits. Inside the little book was a self-portrait of the artist finished roughly in pencil, with deep and thoughtful eyes. It was done in 1918 and Picasso, then in his mid-30s, had just got married. He produced big-sized artworks but he also kept this tiny notebook around, filling it with scenes of his wife, their friends, the beach and the town, and drafts of upcoming paintings. Actually, many of the draft drawings are early versions of famed paintings like Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) and Dora Maar in an Armchair (1939).

“He is a great artist of the modern period, and we see practice and determination in his notebooks,” said Lynn Miller, referring to Picasso’s efforts in improving his skills through copious drawing. Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, a grandson of Picasso’s, remembered him always drafting until the last piece of paper available. “My grandpa was permanently drawing something,” Ruiz-Picasso said.

In a documentary film shown at the gallery, Picasso, shirtless and in shorts, was standing on a ladder to reach the top of his canvas (画布). It reminds visitors of the real size of his masterworks.

1. What are the key features of the recent exhibit at the gallery?

A．Notebooks for sale.	B．Picasso’s artworks.
C．Priceless artistic drafts.	D．Masterpieces of the 20th century.

2. What is reflected in the notebooks of Picasso?

A．His life experience.	B．The love for his country.
C．The content of his books.	D．His education background.

3. Which of the following best describes Picasso according to his grandson?

A．Creative.

B．Diligent.

C．Optimistic.

D．Humorous.

4. What can we learn from the author’s words in the last paragraph?

A．Picasso used to mind his appearance.	B．The gallery exhibits real masterworks.
C．The documentary movie is worth seeing.	D．Picasso’s artworks are actually of great size.

2 . During one conversation with Frank Morrison, he told me that when he was a child his favorite pastime was drawing on the pieces of white and tan cardboard that came with his mother’s pantyhose (连裤袜) containers. Frank’s goal was to draw, and he found ways to make that happen. This example speaks to the determination he has demonstrated throughout his life so that he could follow his dreams, make a difference, and inspire others.

I first met Frank at a conference in 2015. I was working at Little Be eBooks at the time. I went over and introduced myself. I didn’t have a project in hand for him at the time, but I gave Frank some background information about Little Be eBooks and told him that I hoped he would consider working with us someday.

Several months later, I had the perfect manuscript (手稿) for him to illustrate: The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop, written by Carole Boston Weatherford. The fabulous text was a love letter to the pioneers of hip-hop, and Frank was immediately taken with the manuscript because Carole, with whom he adored working, had written it; and Frank grew up with this culture.

The first time Frank and his brother heard rap music was in their grandmother’s backyard, via a one-speaker radio. Frank said that “the beats were impressive”. Up to this point they had been listening to what their parents listened to. They found familiar beats in hip-hop because it felt like are mix of their parents’ music. Looking through Frank’s books is like walking through an art gallery. He can transport you to another time or put you in the middle of a cultural movement, while making the connection between past and present.

1. What can be inferred about Frank from paragraph 1?

A．He dreamed of inspiring others.

B．He managed to find something to draw on.

C．He liked the pictures on pantyhose containers.

D．He was spoken highly of for his determination.

2. What did the author do in 2015?

A．He offered to join in Frank’s project.

B．He asked Frank to sign Little Bee Books.

C．He expressed his expectation to work with Frank.

D．He got some background information about Frank.

3. How did Frank like rap?

A．He liked it all the time.

B．He found its beats hard to bear.

C．He thought it less popular than hip-hop.

D．He considered it helpful for personal growth.

4. What can be learned about Frank’s illustrations from the last paragraph?

A．They are shown in a gallery.	B．They connect us with history.
C．They have started a cultural movement.	D．They changed people’s ideas about the past.

3 . Taylor Swift, born on December 13,1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania, is an established American singer-songwriter whose career has made a lasting impact on the music industry. With love for music starting at a young age, Taylor’s journey to fame is an interesting story of talent, determination, and being true to herself.

At the age of 14, Taylor Swift decided to pursue a career in country music. She started by performing at local places and taking part in talent competitions, showing a talent that would soon capture the hearts of many. It was her sincere passion for telling stories through music that made her special-a quality that still defines her work today.

In 2006, Taylor Swift released her first album, named after herself, introducing the world to her unique mix of country and pop influences. The album was a huge success, earning her praise from critics and gaining a loyal fan base. Popular songs like Tim McGraw and Teardrops on My Guitar showed her skill in creating relatable, emotionally charged lyrics.

Taylor’s later albums, such as Fearless, Speak Now, and Red continued to reveal her growth as an artist. The shift from country to pop in the album 1989 was a very important moment, making her a global superstar. The attractive tunes and thoughtful lyrics of songs like Shake It Off and Blank Space resonated(共鸣)with people worldwide, bringing her numerous awards.

Besides her musical talent, Taylor Swift is known for her advocacy(提倡)and charity work. Whether speaking out on social issues or supporting good causes, she uses her influence to make a positive impact.

Taylor Swift’s ability to reinvent herself, along with a strong commitment to being true, has made her one of the most influential figures in the music industry. With each album, she continues to attract the world with her storytelling skills, proving that her journey is ongoing and that her influence will last for generations.

1. What can we learn about Taylor Swift according to the text?

A．She was born in Texas.

B．Her first album was a failure.

C．She mainly focuses on pop music.

D．Her musical journey began in 2003.

2. Which album made Taylor Swift internationally famous?

A．Fearless.

B．Speak Now.

C．Taylor Swift.

D．1989.

3. Which words can best describe Taylor Swift?

A．Patient and sensitive.	B．Gifted and caring.
C．Humorous and positive.	D．Curious and outgoing.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Taylor Swift’s path to fame.	B．Taylor Swift’s worldwide fans.
C．Taylor Swift’s talent for music.	D．Taylor Swift’s impact on music industry.

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。

Shao Lujie, a 28-year-old craftsman from Zhejiang Province, has created multiple works of art for the upcoming 19th Asian Games. His craft is known     1     quilling, an art of creating decorative designs from thin strips of curled paper.

Since Shao     2     (be) a child, he has loved painting and handicrafts. In 2016, he started to learn quilling from a master of the art and has been devoting     3     (he) entirely to it ever since.

“During this process, I found that this paper art handicraft can     4     (combine) with painting and different design elements. I hope to find breakthroughs in this handicraft,” Shao said.

In an era     5     AI-generated art and other commercial works are entering the art market, Shao still insists on     6     (stick) to this ancient craft. In recent years, Shao has begun to develop cultural and creative products with local characteristics. “One     7     (innovate) is changing the theme of a wedding celebration from flowers to ‘China-chic’ and local features,” Shao said.

    8     (attract) young people’s interest in this art form, Shao has gone online, creating accounts on social media such as Xiaohongshu. “    9     (normal), I would like to write articles about this art and post pictures of my latest works on Xiaohongshu,” he said.

Shao hopes to open     10     exhibition hall in the future so that more people can learn about his craft and, ideally, pass it down to future generations.

5 . Art is a universal language. Music is a universal language. Love is a universal language. Now, it’s the turn of sand to be mentioned in such terms. In her work, sand artist Kseniya Simonova mixes art, music and love to create her own medium which can be understood and appreciated by everyone.

According to Simonova, she fell in love with sand art “absolutely accidentally.” Her husband, a theatre director, advised her to give it a try. “I never thought I could perform; I was always a classical artist,” reveals Simonova. “I just started it as a hobby and I never thought it would turn out to be what it is now.” In 2009, Simonova won the “Ukraine’s Got Talent” TV contest. Since then her fame has skyrocketed, and she has become a real sensation (引起轰动的人).

The art Simonova creates is magical; however, the medium she uses is quite common. “It is ordinary river sand. There was a time when I did use the volcanic one, but actually it makes no difference,” says Simonova. “In sand art it is an idea and its visualisation that matters. What I do is create a theatre in my mind. The sand is a very convenient medium that is very flexible and responds to speed well. It can show what is going on in my head.”

The images created by the artist live only for a few seconds. However, Simonova is not in any way alarmed by the momentary aspect of sand art. “I know that my creations exist only for a while, but I believe that to be absolutely normal because art mirrors life. We live every moment of our life, but it’s not possible to repeat those. The same is the case with what I do,” Simonova concludes.

Sand art helps the artist to see the world in a new way, painting ever-changing life in every grain of sand.

1. How does Simonova feel about her achievements in sand art initially?

A．Confident.

B．Amused.

C．Confused.

D．Surprised.

2. What is important in sand art performance according to Simonova?

A．The medium.

B．The story.

C．The theatre.

D．The audience’s response.

3. What does Simonova say about the momentary nature of sand art?

A．It reflects our life.	B．It is a kind of regret.
C．It encourages repetition.	D．It alarms many sand artists.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Love: a universal language

B．Sand art: a new form of performance

C．Kseniya Simonova: painting the world with sand

D．Sand artists: impressing the world with awesome work

6 . The Artistic Marvel: Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, a troubled but immensely talented Dutch painter, left a profound mark on the world of art with his iconic work “Starry Night.” Painted in 1889, during a period of emotional turmoil and personal struggle, this masterpiece reflects both the artist’s inner turmoil and his deep connection to nature.

“Starry Night” is an oil painting that measures 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm and is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The painting features a small village with steeples and houses nestled beneath a sweeping, swirling night sky filled with stars. The sky itself seems to come alive, as the stars twinkle and the crescent moon shines brightly. Van Gogh’s use of bold, swirling brushstrokes creates a sense of movement and turbulence in the sky, as if it is in constant motion.

The village below is bathed in a peaceful, calming light, in stark contrast to the dynamic sky above. The cypress tree in the foreground reaches up towards the heavens, almost as if it is trying to touch the stars. This painting is a testament to van Gogh’s ability to convey emotion through color and form. It is said that he painted “Starry Night” from his room in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he sought treatment for his mental health issues.

What makes “Starry Night” truly remarkable is the emotional depth it carries. Van Gogh’s use of vibrant blues and yellows, combined with the swirling patterns of the sky, evoke a sense of both wonder and melancholy. It is as if the painting captures the artist’s inner turmoil and his profound connection to the universe.

1. What is the medium used in the creation of “Starry Night”?

A．Watercolor	B．Acrylic
C．Oil painting	D．Pencil sketch

2. Where is the painting “Starry Night” currently housed?

A．The Louvre Museum, Paris

B．The Tate Modern, London

C．The Museum of Modern Art, New York City

D．The Vatican Museums, Rome

3. What is the dominant theme of “Starry Night”?

A．Tranquility	B．Melancholy
C．Joy	D．Fear

4. What did van Gogh’s use of bold, swirling brushstrokes create in “Starry Night”?

A．A sense of calm

B．A sense of movement and turbulence

C．A realistic landscape

D．A static, unchanging scene

7 . 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。

George Gershwin was one of America’s greatest composers. He was born in 1898. In 1916, when he was eighteen years old, he published his first song. During the next twenty years he    1    (write) more than five hundred songs.

Many of Gershwin’s songs were first written for musical plays     2     (perform) in theatres in New York City. These plays were a popular form of entertainment during the 1920s and 1930s. Many of his songs have remained popular as ever,     3    have been sung and played in every possible way over the years-from jazz to country.

In the 1920s Gershwin agreed to compose something for the concert of Paul Whiteman, who was a jazz musician and orchestra     4    (lead). Gershwin did this because he wanted     5     (support) his idea that jazz was serious music. In a short time, he composed     6     piece of music which he called Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin himself played the piano at the concert. The audience were     7     (excite) when they heard his music. It made him world-famous and showed that jazz music could be both serious and popular.

In 1928, he wrote An American in Paris, which still     8     (remain) one of his most famous works. George Gershwin died in 1937     9    a very young age, with newspapers all over the world     10    (report) his death on their front pages.

8 . 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式。

Wei Chunrong has built a reputation as a leading actress of Kunqu Opera,     1     oldest traditional Chinese opera with a history of about 600 years, which, performed in the Suzhou dialect,     2     (know) for graceful body movements, rhythmic singing and exquisite costumes.

She started learning at 10 and     3     (perform) with the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre since she was 16. Wei performed at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 2001     4     the organization listed it as one of the masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity (人类口头和非物质遗产). Now in her 50s, Wei has found a new role. In the     5     (origin) Kunqu Opera production, titled Guo Feng, Wei plays the role of Lady Xu Mu,who was the first female poet     6     (record) in Chinese history.

“I played different roles during the past four decades. For Lady Xu Mu, I have to put aside all my experiences and start afresh     7     (comprehend) and perform the role,” said Wei,     8     (sit) in the dressing room of Tianqiao Theatre a day before the show started on June 19.

“The role, Lady Xu Mu, was written for Wei Chunrong     9     particular. Though she has played many classic roles, she needs one which could represent her     10     (specific) and take her career to the next level,” says Luo, the playwright (剧作家).

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. When did Albert Bierstadt move to America?

A．In 1830.

B．In 1831.

C．In 1832.

2. What did Albert Bierstadt do in 1854?

A．He focused on improving his drawing skills.

B．He held exhibitions in different countries.

C．He started to work as an art teacher.

3. Why did Albert Bierstadt go to the Bahamas yearly in his old age?

A．To visit his sick family member.

B．To get inspiration for his paintings.

C．To engage in environmental protection.

10 . Selom Sunu is a successful illustrator (插画家), but his path of becoming an illustrator was a long one.

When he was young, Sunu went to school for a while in Ghana. a country in the west Africa. He remembered that there were not many books with Ghanaian children in them, so he wanted to create his own book and illustrate it. “It is important to draw everyone, so everyone feels included.” Sunu says. Then, he moved to America with his family. To start a new and stable life, everyone in the family had to work hard, leaving him little time to paint. After college, Sunu gave up drawing and didn’t draw for eight years.

Then, one day, he came up with an idea for a book and the wish of his youth reoccurred to him. To sharpen his drawing skill, Sunu applied for a course at university but did not get it. The staff told him to draw every day for a year and reapply. So he drew every day, improved, and got accepted onto the course. Through this experience, he realized that one could learn how to draw by coping other drawings that one liked.

“Sometimes it might look like nothing is happening but, if you keep going, you could get opportunities unexpectedly,” Selom Sunu tells The Week Junior. “So don’t give up.”

Recently, Sunu has worked with Disney and illustrated a book called Christmas Carrolls, which he describes as very funny and warm. Sunu is judging this year’s Christmas cover competition. His advice is, “Stay on the brief, but put your own understanding on it. I’m keen to see that people enjoyed drawing the covers, because enjoyment shines through.”

1. Why did Sunu want to create his own book?

A．Because he desired to work with Disney.

B．Because he dreamt to become a great illustrator.

C．Because he felt like making his enjoyment shine.

D．Because he wanted to illustrate Ghanaian children.

2. How did Sunu improve his drawing skills?

A．By teaching himself only.	B．By copying other staff’s drawings.
C．By depending on his solid foundation.	D．By combining internal effort and external help.

3. Which words can best describe Selom Sunu?

A．Selfless and friendly.	B．Talented and stubborn.
C．Ambitious and devoted.	D．Strong- willed and humorous.

4. What kind of works may appeal to Sunu?

A．Fancy and funny works.	B．Abstract and pleasing works.
C．Simple and personalized works.	D．Serious and educational works.