1 . When he flagged me down, I thought he was an elder collecting a “customs fee”, the few dollars it costs to use village roads that lead to many of Samoa’s sights. He’d been sitting lazily in a greying roadside shack (棚子) built for such occasions. Normally I wouldn’t pick up a free rider. But I tried to live out a dream.

I’d wanted to go to Pulemelei Mound since I’d heard it mentioned in an archaeology class years ago. The “mound” is actually a pyramid 40 feet high and roughly 200 feet across at its base. So, I asked, “Do you know how to get to Pulemelei Mound?”

“Mmm,” he said, raising his eyebrows in the classic Polynesian gesture for “yes”. “I need to pick up my car at the mechanic but no hurry, I’ll take you there first if you want.”

You’d think that a giant pyramid would be a major sight, or at least something many people had heard of, but it isn’t. My accidental friend’s raise of the eyebrows was the most promising prospect I’d had in a week.

We drove along the road in silence for a few minutes. Then my new friend broke the silence and, meanwhile, my hopes. “I’ve never been to Pulemelei,” he said. “I’ve lived here but I never thought of going.” My heart sank. But we pressed on, crossing a stream, walking through waist-high grass, and then another mile of hot walk until we found a sign. There, barely visible, were the words: “Pulemelei Mound 150m”. The sign marked a dark tunnel of jungle. Then the path opened to rays of sunshine. We climbed. And then, magic. We were standing on top of a Polynesian pyramid.

Just then, my friend, obviously awed by what he saw, turned toward me, and placed his big Samoan hands on my shoulders. In the most natural way, he bent down and kissed me gently on the cheek.

“Thank you,” he said.

1. What’s the purpose of the Samoan man flagging me down?

A．To thumb a ride.	B．To ask for directions.
C．To collect a customs fee.	D．To warn of a road accident.

2. Which of the following words can best describe the author?

A．Informed but rigid.	B．Hesitant but agreeable.
C．Skeptical and reserved.	D．Curious and adventurous.

3. Why did the Samoan man thank the author in the end?

A．He had lived out his dream.	B．He was taken to the mechanic.
C．He enjoyed the author’s company.	D．He experienced the thrill of discovery.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．A Polynesian village.	B．A famous Samoan sight.
C．A chance encounter.	D．An elder protecting local roads.

2 . 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。

The newfound team, now officially known as the Wildcats, started their basketball journey with a mix of eagerness and anxiety. The community center’s basketball court became their arena (竞技场), a place where failures were just stepping stones to success, and every dribble (运球), pass, and shot was a lesson in disguise.

Under Mr. Jordan’s guidance, practices became more than just learning how to play basketball; they were about discovering the strengths within and the power of unity. He had an approach to seeing the potential in every player.

One afternoon, as the team gathered around Mr. Jordan, he introduced a new drill that focused on passing and communication. “Basketball is a language,” he explained. “If you can’t communicate, you can’t win. This drill will help you understand each other without words. ”

The drill was a disaster at first. Passes went wrong, and frustration mounted. Jasmine’s quick passes were too swift for Mia, and Lucas’s attempts at humor during the drill only led to more confusion. Eli, ever the observer, noticed the tension and suggested a simple system of hand signals they had discussed in a previous practice. Gradually, the team began to find their rhythm, learning to anticipate each other’s moves and communicate more effectively.

It wasn’t just basketball skills that the Wildcats were developing; it was a sense of belonging and trust in one another. Each practice ended with a team gathering, where Mr. Jordan shared stories from his coaching days, emphasizing the lessons learned from losses more than wins.

注意：(1)续写词数应为150左右；(2)开头已给出。
Paragraph 1: Soon came their first real game against a more experienced team.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: The second half saw a different Wildcats team.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 . About eight years ago, Li Jinglong and Guan Dian visited the Palace Museum in Beijing. The cloisonne (景泰蓝瓷器) objects on display attracted them in particular. They spent hours looking at those beautiful objects. They just couldn’t take their eyes off them.

Born and raised in Beijing, 35-year-old Li is no stranger to cloisonne, since there were a pair of cloisonne vases in his grandparents’ home. His wife, 34-year-old Guan, who learned to paint as a child and later became a designer after graduating from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, is also familiar with cloisonne, as it appears in her art books. As a result of their visit, the couple made the daring decision to open a workshop.

“We learned cloisonne after seeing the pieces displayed in the Palace Museum. We wanted to turn our hobby into a career, so that people could enjoy and learn to make the craft themselves,” said Li, who worked in a finance company before quitting his job to launch Handcraft Addicted, a DIY workshop where participants can make cloisonne. Since 2018, they have opened three workshops in Beijing. They are happy to give people a glimpse of the traditional techniques of cloisonne as part of a DIY experience.

Instead of focusing on making traditional cloisonne objects , such as plates and vases, the workshop allows participants to create the designs they want on surface of glass, resin (树脂) or wood. Although the process has been simplified, it is still not easy for people trying cloisonne for the first time to succeed. Participants spend months making one piece, which they take home or give friends as presents. It’s a luxury for people to spend time alone and fully focus on one thing nowadays because of the fast pace of life. Participants come to the workshop not only to create art, but also to take a break from their busy lives.

1. What can we learn about the couple?

A．They both grew up in Beijing.	B．They both majored in cloisonne art.
C．They both quit their previous jobs.	D．They are both familiar with cloisonne.

2. What inspired the couple to open Handcraft Addicted?

A．Their grandparents’ cloisonne vases.	B．Their hobby in handcraft techniques.
C．Cloisonne objects in Guan’s art books.	D．Cloisonne on exhibition in the Palace Museum.

3. In Handcraft Addicted, ______.

A．the first attempt is often simple

B．participants relax themselves while creating art

C．the couple make cloisonne objects by themselves

D．it is a luxury to make traditional cloisonne objects

4. Which of the following can best describe the couple?

A．Modest.

B．Generous.

C．Creative.

D．Outgoing.

4 . “Wanted: Violin. Can’t pay much. Call me at...”

Why did I notice that? I wondered, since I seldom look at such ads. I put the newspaper on my lap and closed my eyes, _______ what had happened many years before, when my family _______ to make a living on our farm. I, too, had wanted a violin, but we didn’t have the money.

When my arms grew long enough, how I wanted one! But I knew it was impossible. It was not a good year. At harvest the crops did not bring as much as we had hoped. Yet _______ times were hard, I couldn’t wait any longer to ask, “Daddy, may I have a violin of my own?”

Daddy looked _______ . That night, I heard him pray, “…Mary wants her own violin.” One evening we all sat around the table. Daddy wrote a letter to his friend, Mr Finkle, a violinist. When Daddy received a letter from Columbus several weeks later, he announced, “We’ll be driving to Columbus.”

The day finally _______ . After we got there, Mr Finkle, a tall man, opened the door. “Come in!” he and Daddy heartily shook hands at once.

He _______ a case, opened it and lifted out a violin. He said, “Carl, I found it in a shop for _______ dollars. It’s a good violin.” Then he handed the violin to me. I noticed the _______ in Daddy’s eyes. It was mine! I stroked (抚摸) the violin gently. The wood was a golden brown that seemed to warm in the light. “It’s beautiful.” I said, barely breathing.

The day I carried my violin to school for my first lesson no one could imagine the bursting feeling in my heart. Over the months I _______ every day. When I was ready to join the school orchestra (管弦乐队), I shook with ________ . I sat in the third row of violins and wore my white jacket. My heart beat ________ at my first public performance. I felt sure everyone in the audience was watching me. Daddy and Mother smiled ________ at their little girl.

I thought of Daddy, who did all he could to ________ my needs when I was a little girl. I wonder if I had ever thanked him.

At last I walked to the ________ and dialed the number. Later in the day, a man in his 30s knocked on the door. “My daughter wants a violin so badly,” he said. “ ________ are you asking?” Any music store, I knew, would offer me a nice sum. But now I heard my voice answer, “Seven dollars.”

1.

A．updating

B．remembering

C．defining

D．reflecting

2.

A．struggled

B．intended

C．planned

D．agreed

3.

A．now that

B．in case

C．as though

D．even though

4.

A．sad

B．joyful

C．pleased

D．satisfied

5.

A．gathered

B．went

C．stuck

D．arrived

6.

A．made up

B．brought up

C．picked up

D．cleaned up

7.

A．three

B．five

C．seven

D．nine

8.

A．riddles

B．tears

C．pressure

D．energy

9.

A．functioned

B．aimed

C．practised

D．adapted

10.

A．excitement

B．sadness

C．fear

D．confusion

11.

A．eagerly

B．wildly

C．seriously

D．suddenly

12.

A．generously

B．frankly

C．falsely

D．proudly

13.

A．decorate

B．confirm

C．meet

D．learn

14.

A．target

B．snack

C．costume

D．phone

15.

A．How soon

B．How much

C．How often

D．How long

5 . I’ve always been the sort of person who hated being asked to answer questions in class, not because I didn’t know the answer (in fact I’m pretty clever, and usually do have the right answers), but because I didn’t like attention drawn to me. Besides, I don’t have a lot of friends. I get joked about a lot since I’ve always been a fat kid.

I’ve found a way to change all that.

It began when a teacher suggested I try out for the basketball team. At first I thought it was an absolutely crazy idea. Being fat, I just knew that I’d only embarrass myself. But because the teacher — a favorite with me — kept insisting I “go for it,” I decided to give it a try.

When I first started attending the practice sessions, I really didn’t have a good handle on the game of basketball. To be honest, I didn’t even know the rules of the game. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one “new” to the game, so I decided to do my best at each practice session. I was learning, and I was getting better — even if it was little by little.

And then it became more fun. And more inspiring. I practiced and practiced. Pretty soon the competitive part of me was winning over my fat-kid challenge. I began to forget that I was fat. I even discovered that my “size” wasn’t such a disadvantage at all; I could make a basket from right under the net and block at the same time! I never had so much fun!

Gaining self-confidence in playing inspired me to try out other things. I have gone from “hiding” myself to raising my hand. With my new and improved self-confidence comes more praise, some from teachers, and some from teammates and classmates. But these days, they also come from the face in the mirror — which is the person whose comments I value most. Best of all, I’m learning to really believe in myself.

1. Why did the author dislike being called on in class?

A．He hated most subjects.	B．He didn't know the answers.
C．He was too shy to speak in class.	D．He was not comfortable with being noticed.

2. What does the underlined word “embarrass” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．To make sb feel pleased or interested.	B．To make sb feel surprised.
C．To make sb feel shy or ashamed.	D．To invite sb to enter a competition.

3. How did playing basketball benefit the author?

A．He became sure of himself.	B．He lost a lot of weight.
C．He learned to cooperate.	D．He developed a funny personality.

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

A．An overweight Kid’s Basketball Journey	B．The Best Way to Gain Confidence
C．The Power of Competitive Sports	D．A Teacher’s Impact on a Student’s Life

6 . As I walked to the market this morning, I saw an old man with a dirty scarf covering his face seated in front of a shop. His clothes were _________ and his hair under an ill-fitting cap was long and messy. I decided he was a beggar. I made a mental _________ that I should give him whatever change I had after _________. A few feet away was a young man lying on the pavement obviously _________ and no one who passed by _________. I thought it was some good-for-nothing drunkard who had _________ all his money on alcohol.

Back to the beggar, I handed over all the _________ change to him. He hardly _________ my eyes, but shook his head. I _________ and pushed it into his hand. As I stood there satisfied over my great act of __________, the old man slowly got up, walked to the tea shop nearby, and __________ a sandwich and a cup of hot tea with the money I gave. He then went back to the young man, helped him to __________ and eat. Noticing I was still there watching, he explained that boy had not eaten for two days, which was why he __________ on the pavement.

Suddenly I felt so small and admired the non-judgemental __________ of a man who has so little compared to me. He was truly charitable even in a far less __________ state than me.

1.

A．ironed

B．wrinkled

C．folded

D．abandoned

2.

A．picture

B．effort

C．note

D．calculation

3.

A．work

B．exercise

C．meeting

D．shopping

4.

A．frustrated

B．frozen

C．drunken

D．exhausted

5.

A．took notice

B．took control

C．took pains

D．took risks

6.

A．invested

B．bet

C．fixed

D．wasted

7.

A．useless

B．loose

C．extra

D．unnecessary

8.

A．focused on

B．looked into

C．turned to

D．stared at

9.

A．insisted

B．rejected

C．ignored

D．regretted

10.

A．charity

B．courage

C．devotion

D．random

11.

A．collected

B．harvested

C．purchased

D．enjoyed

12.

A．stay up

B．straighten up

C．bounce up

D．sit up

13.

A．wandered

B．collapsed

C．begged

D．slipped

14.

A．responsibility

B．superiority

C．generosity

D．dignity

15.

A．privileged

B．stable

C．powerful

D．independent

7 . After ending a mining season in Colorado in 2018, Todd was ready to get back in the game. Gold mining runs in his ________. Jack, Todd’s father, mined for gold in the 1980s, but never struck it ________. Now, Todd is more determined than ever to make good on his father’s dreams.

This time around Todd is ________ his life savings into a run-down mine located nearly 100 miles north of Nome, Alaska. ________, after years of greenhorn crews, worn-out equipment, and little to no results, Todd can’t afford any ________.

Hit by the recession (经济衰退), Todd Hoffman decided to take the biggest ________ of his life and headed north in search of gold. ________ with little more than a dream and devoted crew, Todd learns gold mining in a ________ way. Conditions are dangerous, pay dirt (矿石) are never ________, and disaster hides around every corner.

In order to make his dream a reality, he’s ________ his closest family and friends. Joining Todd in Alaska will be his father Jack and his son Hunter along with an experienced crew of ________. For Todd, it’s more than just finding gold — this could be Todd’s last ________ to set up his family for generations to come and share the wealth with his friends who’ve ________ by his side over the years. This is Todd’s time to prove he has what it ________ to hit the ultimate mother-lode (终极矿脉). One thing is for sure… the ________ is on.

1.

A．blood

B．head

C．eye

D．skin

2.

A．important

B．valuable

C．strong

D．big

3.

A．depositing

B．expanding

C．emptying

D．narrowing

4.

A．Besides

B．However

C．Moreover

D．Otherwise

5.

A．mistakes

B．savings

C．crews

D．dreams

6.

A．fortune

B．risk

C．discovery

D．promise

7.

A．Impressed

B．Satisfied

C．Armed

D．Compared

8.

A．skilful

B．different

C．new

D．hard

9.

A．guaranteed

B．reflected

C．suspended

D．updated

10.

A．agreeing with

B．picking up

C．working out

D．bringing in

11.

A．instructors

B．miners

C．competitors

D．owners

12.

A．dream

B．game

C．chance

D．success

13.

A．stuck

B．passed

C．got

D．fixed

14.

A．means

B．decides

C．takes

D．seems

15.

A．future

B．gold

C．friendship

D．pressure

8 . Every Christmas, my mom would fill our stockings with small toys and candies. At the very tip of the stocking, the very _________ thing that we would pull out was an orange. For years, I hated the tradition. It was _________ to pull an orange out of my _________ after uncovering so many fun and delicious treats. An orange wasn’t special. I could eat one any time of the year, and it was just _________ room that could have been filled with more candy.

When I was thirteen, I _________ asked my mother why she put oranges in our stockings. She _________ my grand-father had grown up very poor. His father had a brain tumor that left him blind and _________ to work, so his mother relied on _________ from the church to take care of her seven children. Every Christmas, a local church donated a basket of fruit to their family. This was my grandfather’s favorite day of the year because it was the only day when he could eat fresh fruit. The oranges were his favorite because they _________ like sunshine. When he grew up, he always __________ to have a bowl of oranges around at Christmastime so he could __________ his favorite Christmas memory with his children.

When my mom finished telling the story, I felt __________. In my rush to collect as much candy as possible, I had __________ to be grateful. Now the orange at the bottom of my stocking is a __________ to be grateful for the beautiful Christmases that my parents gave me and for the hard work they did that ensured I could have a（n）__________ any day of the year.

1.

A．best

B．last

C．first

D．fast

2.

A．disappointing

B．amazing

C．appealing

D．frightening

3.

A．room

B．bag

C．stocking

D．pocket

4.

A．blowing up

B．building up

C．taking up

D．holding up

5.

A．initially

B．joyfully

C．casually

D．eventually

6.

A．commented

B．described

C．explained

D．imagined

7.

A．unwilling

B．unable

C．qualified

D．ambitious

8.

A．contributions

B．inventions

C．pensions

D．donations

9.

A．tasted

B．looked

C．touched

D．felt

10.

A．settled down

B．spoke up

C．made sure

D．turned up

11.

A．share

B．exchange

C．appreciate

D．discuss

12.

A．anxious

B．ashamed

C．delighted

D．excited

13.

A．forgotten

B．expected

C．continued

D．agreed

14.

A．ceremony

B．tradition

C．reminder

D．memory

15.

A．party

B．festival

C．gift

D．orange

9 . As an artist, I am constantly struck by the profound impact that art can have on people’s lives. Recently, I have had an experience that _________ the great power of human connection.

One day, as I was _________ my stand at an outdoor show, a young mother and her daughter caught my attention. The young girl was _________ fascinated by one of my earlier works, “The Children’s Spirit.” The piece _________ a young girl holding both of her hands up, _________ a butterfly. The work was mostly red in color, with one side dark and sad, and the other bright and _________.

As they explored my artwork, the mother began to tell me the little girl’s story. The child used to be an orphan who had experienced a lot of _________ during childhood, but had finally found a new _________ who cherished and raised her. The mother was moved by the piece and decided to buy a _________ of it. However, as she was leaving, she turned back and said, “I really want the original painting. But I need to __________ on it tonight.”

Finally she came the next morning and quickly paid for the original and take it home with a huge smile.

As an artist, I drew inspiration from my own experiences, emotions, and observations, creating pieces that are very __________ to me. But I am never quite sure how they will be __________ by others. This encounter reminds me of the __________ bond art fosters. Each of the __________ emphasizes its ability to touch hearts, bridge gaps, and bring comfort. It showcases the timeless impact of art to unite and __________ us all.

1.

A．denied

B．highlighted

C．decreased

D．transformed

2.

A．adjusting to

B．appealing to

C．setting up

D．wiping out

3.

A．mildly

B．barely

C．apparently

D．potentially

4.

A．represented

B．exposed

C．predicted

D．clarified

5.

A．comforting

B．bothering

C．releasing

D．casting

6.

A．vivid

B．cheerful

C．exceptional

D．abstract

7.

A．growth

B．hardships

C．changes

D．adventures

8.

A．organization

B．school

C．team

D．family

9.

A．copy

B．part

C．photograph

D．draft

10.

A．sleep

B．insist

C．depend

D．thunder

11.

A．dramatic

B．logical

C．personal

D．practical

12.

A．crafted

B．grasped

C．processed

D．interpreted

13.

A．spiritual

B．ideal

C．fundamental

D．conventional

14.

A．perception

B．interaction

C．application

D．interruption

15.

A．separate

B．devote

C．uplift

D．defend

10 . Two elderly best friends have finally been reunited in the same care home.

Nora Boardman, 91, _________ to a new care home, Crispin Court Care Home in Stafford, last August and was _________ when her long lost pal, Eileen Gill, 89, arrived in January after her husband’s death. The pair, childhood best friends, _________ each other straight away despite having spent seven decades apart. Nora laughed, her eyes shining with _________, saying, “I never thought I’d see Eileen again after we went our separate ways as children — so I am _________ with joy.”

The childhood friends both _________ in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, but Eileen moved 20 miles away to the village of Brewood at the age of 12 — leaving the pair out of _________. But 70 years later, the once _________ schoolgirls now spend their days cheerfully together in their care home. And they couldn’t be happier they’re living a few _________ down from one another. At that time Eileen said to Nora, “I had a happy __________. My husband was so good to me and I miss him so __________ much.” Eileen has three children. As Nora doesn’t have any family, Eileen’s family have taken her under their __________. Nora said, “They have all been very nice to me — I feel like a(n) __________ part of their family.”

Both Eileen and Nora decided to move into the care home. Sadly, both had several falls. But they stuck to their __________.

Two childhood best friends __________ their relationship in care home after 70 years apart.

1.

A．removed

B．referred

C．moved

D．related

2.

A．concerned

B．astonished

C．confused

D．scared

3.

A．recognized

B．classified

C．inspired

D．surrounded

4.

A．disappointment

B．expectation

C．embarrassment

D．excitement

5.

A．wild

B．enthusiastic

C．busy

D．familiar

6.

A．broke up

B．grew up

C．set off

D．hurried off

7.

A．breath

B．condition

C．favor

D．touch

8.

A．incomparable

B．inseparable

C．independent

D．inaccessible

9.

A．doors

B．streets

C．blocks

D．churches

10.

A．childhood

B．vacation

C．marriage

D．adventure

11.

A．narrowly

B．terribly

C．casually

D．slightly

12.

A．leather

B．guidance

C．wing

D．direction

13.

A．convinced

B．motivated

C．extended

D．committed

14.

A．custom

B．argument

C．principle

D．decision

15.

A．enjoy

B．establish

C．renew

D．obtain