1 . Flaco the owl (猫头鹰) is gone, but his life had all the elements of a classic hero’s story, not soon forgotten. Flaco lived a dozen years in a comfortable cage in the Central Park Zoo where little happened and less was needed. His life was a safe existence without freedom. Then, a year ago, someone released him.
On Friday, when he died of injury, perhaps from a collision (碰撞) with a Manhattan apartment building’s glass windows, his death offered us a chance to reckon with the question at the heart of many a hero’s journey: Can we put a price on freedom?
Flaco’s liberation from his cage came at a cost — he spent the final year of his life free, but threatened from all sides by a booming city. Was it worth it?
Almost from the moment he was released, Flaco became a symbol of hope for many of the people who followed his story and recognized parts of themselves in him. Some saw him as the symbol of the American dream, an outsider who had come to Manhattan and made a life for himself here, like millions of others who arrived penniless and unconnected in search of freedom.
As a result, he flew around the city. We were terrified that he’d succumb to (屈服于) the dangers of city life. Flaco had no experience living outside a cage, and New Yorkers initially doubted his chances of survival. We worried that he’d eat a rat with enough poison in its system to kill him. But Flaco never looked back. Perhaps freedom itself was the home he’d discovered.
And though we feared for him, his new life excited us. How many of us, our circumstances familiar and sale, are too frightened to seek our more fully realized selves?
How many of us, viewing our confinements as nothing out of the ordinary, have long stopped wondering what our wings are for?
Have we not all desired a life beyond the range of the one we lead? Flaco showed that our desire is not misplaced. His choice proved a truth that given a chance, living things choose freedom of movement.
1. What do the underlined words “reckon with” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Bring up. | B．Deal with. | C．Reflect on. | D．Look into. |
| A．He died a natural death. |
| B．He was caught and returned to the zoo. |
| C．He died from a collision with a building. |
| D．He lived a free life but faced many threats. |
| A．They were excited and supportive. |
| B．They were worried about his survival. |
| C．They were indifferent and unconcerned. |
| D．They were angry and opposed to his release. |
| A．The importance of protecting wildlife. |
| B．The risks and rewards of seeking freedom. |
| C．The value of overcoming challenges in life. |
| D．The need for more awareness about animal rights. |
Three fish lived in the sea when they were young. Their parents died. They had to look after each other. Finally, they grew up and decided to swim deeper and further. One morning the three fish were taken to shallow water by a big wave.
Never had the three fish been to such a place. Everything was so different. They had great fun swimming around. Then, with another big wave, a small boat was taken there too. Now it was hard for the fish to go back to the sea, because the boat was right in front of them.
The largest fish realized that they were in danger and said, “We have to find a way to leave here as fast as possible, or it will be dangerous.” The second largest fish agreed with his elder brother and decided to go with him. However, the youngest one decided not to leave at all, saying “It’s not dangerous at all. Look! There is much water for our activities.” No matter how hard his brothers tried to persuade him to leave, the youngest fish wouldn’t listen.
At last, the largest fish managed to find a way to return to the sea. He found the lowest part of the boat and jumped over it. Challenging as it was, he made it. The second largest fish also succeeded in joining his elder brother in the other side of the water, but the youngest one didn’t follow them, still swimming around joyfully.
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。
As the sun rose higher, the water in the small shallow corner continued to disappear.
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Upon their return, the two fish made a plan to rescue their younger brother.
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3 . In the vast ocean, nature wonders never stop to amaze us. On October 18th, in Australia, some beach goers
Malcolm Smith and his rescue team
The amazing
The remarkable sight reminds us of the unbelievable
| A．harmed | B．hunted | C．noticed | D．touched |
| A．bored | B．lost | C．hungry | D．tired |
| A．finally | B．suddenly | C．violently | D．immediately |
| A．agreed | B．arrived | C．ran | D．left |
| A．artificial | B．shallow | C．natural | D．deep |
| A．provides | B．needs | C．lacks | D．invents |
| A．rest | B．research | C．travel | D．call |
| A．rare | B．little | C．different | D．abundant |
| A．sliding | B．wandering | C．running | D．flying |
| A．fix | B．disturb | C．understand | D．watch |
| A．wave | B．rescue | C．circus | D．scenery |
| A．joining | B．doubting | C．checking | D．admiring |
| A．fall behind | B．take the lead | C．swim away | D．catch up |
| A．home | B．water | C．path | D．group |
| A．bonds | B．pictures | C．sounds | D．gifts |
| A．best | B．shortest | C．longest | D．busiest |
| A．hope | B．concern | C．gratitude | D．regret |
| A．dangerous | B．troubled | C．huge | D．devoted |
| A．defense | B．payment | C．video | D．act |
| A．protecting | B．exploring | C．recording | D．testing |
4 . Ricochet, San Diego’s favourite surfing therapy (治疗) dog, has caught her final wave. The 15-year-old golden retriever — a pioneer of canine-assisted (犬只辅助的) surf therapy who helped countless veterans (老兵) and kids — died on Friday, owner Judy Fridono said Saturday.
Ricochet was raised to be a service dog, but the energetic pup was more fond of chasing birds than assisting with household chores. In 2009, the dog found her career. That was the year Ricochet got on a surfboard with local quadriplegic (四肢瘫痪的) surfer Patrick Ivison. A viral video of the encounter got more than 6 million views on YouTube. “That day she hopped on the board with Patrick, she was reborn,” Fridono said in a 2012 interview.
Throughout her life, the beloved dog touched the lives of kids with special needs, wounded service members and families of fallen veterans. Ricochet was known as an affectionate companion and a shameless belly-rub beggar and had a feeling for people who needed a hug.
Notably, the furry do-gooder helped raise $ 1 million for charity and the donation of more than 1 million bowls of food for homeless animals.
Her work brought numerous awards, media attention and a loyal fan base on social media. The dog had more than 141,000 followers on Instagram and more than 270,000 on Facebook.
Ricochet’s legacy (遗产) will live on through the sponsorship of Jose Martinez, an Army veteran and parasurfer, and through donations to adaptive surfing organizations. “People believe in Ricochet’s mission… she didn’t do it alone,” Fridon o said. “Her supporters are an extension of her legacy and her roots in helping others heal through dog intervention and therapy. Now that she’s gone, I don’t want people to be sad. I want them to celebrate and continue supporting what she started.”
1. What was Ricochet’s career?| A．Canine-assisted surf therapy. | B．Assisting with household chores. |
| C．Bird catching. | D．Working as a service dog. |
| A．Brave but lazy. | B．Naughty but caring. |
| C．Cute and handsome. | D．Fierce and strong. |
| A．The contribution of Ricochet. | B．Social media’s influence on Ricochet. |
| C．Recochet’s popularity. | D．Donations to the homeless animals. |
| A．In a diary. | B．In a textbook. |
| C．In a newspaper. | D．In a guidebook. |
5 . Szczecin, an ancient city in northwestern Poland, has plenty to offer to visitors. Without doubt, the Pomeranian Duke’s Castle and Kasprowicza Park are two of its most popular tourist attractions, but when it comes to online reviews, both pale in comparison to a fat cat named Gacek.
Gacek, whose name means “long-eared bat” in Polish, has nearly 2,600 reviews, more than any other attraction in Szczecin. According to a local woman, Gacek first appeared on Kaszubska Street in downtown Szczecin about 10 years ago. He stuck around and people started feeding him, so from a skinny feline (猫科动物), he soon turned into a thick-fleshed boy, which only made him more adorable. The cat rose to fame in 2020, after a local news site featured it in a video that then went viral on social media, and people have been showering him with positive reviews ever since.
Also known as the “King of Kaszubska Street”, Gacek, the city’s online influencer, now lives in a roofed wooden box outside a shop on Kaszubska Street, and even though he doesn’t technically have an owner, the people who run the shop act as his caretakers. There is a sign outside his house that tells passers-by to leave whatever treats they have for the cat in a sealed (密封的) container and not to pet him when he’s sleeping. Most people who posted a review awarded the feline the maximum 5 stars, making him the top-rated tourist attraction in the city. Most of those who have interacted with Gacek claim that he is a “fantastically handsome and superb fellow”.
But Gacek does have a few one-star reviews, mostly from people who criticize his caretaker or express worry about his weight. Some even complained that he scratched (抓伤) their hands or stole a sausage. “Gacek seems to have become their envy now,” a citizen jokingly commented.
1. Why are the two tourist attractions mentioned?| A．To illustrate the city’s history. |
| B．To present an online influencer. |
| C．To display comments on the city. |
| D．To show their rising popularity. |
| A．His Polish name. | B．His past experiences. |
| C．A featured video. | D．A local woman’s care. |
| A．Szczecin citizens are considerate to it. |
| B．He now lives in a well-furnished room. |
| C．Many people are envious of his fame. |
| D．Tourists are not allowed to disturb him. |
| A．Sympathetic. | B．Worried. | C．Objective. | D．Favorable. |
6 . The Enduring Appeal of Peter Rabbit
“I don’t know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits, whose names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter,” wrote Beatrix Potter, an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist in 1893, in a letter to a little boy who was suffering from a serious infectious disease.
Like many children-story authors, Potter was not a writer by profession. Her chief enthusiasm was natural history. Childhood family holidays in Perthshire and the Lake District had given her the freedom to experience the natural world first-hand.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne in 1902.
| A．Potter surely had a business mind. |
| B．A decade later, with slight adjustments, the lines formed the opening to what became the bestselling. |
| C．It was this experience that gave Peter Rabbit its unique atmosphere of believable wonder. |
| D．Potter was determined that the book should be small enough to fit into a child’s hands and inexpensive. |
| E．She spent holidays in the Lake District, developing a love of landscape, which she closely observed and painted. |
| F．Though her later stories would contain more strikingly detailed illustrations, The Tale of Peter Rabbit has charming pictures of its naughty hero. |
7 . Simba was our first dog. When we saw him at the shelter, he was about three months old,
When Simba was sixteen, he developed hyperthyroidism (甲亢). He was slowly growing weaker.
One morning, a white dove (鸽子) landed on the wall next to the house. The dove walked back and forth along the wall and
Then, the day came when Simba
| A．nervous | B．guilty | C．embarrassed | D．confused |
| A．determination | B．curiosity | C．patience | D．courage |
| A．Generally | B．Accidentally | C．Frequently | D．Eventually |
| A．playing | B．standing | C．sleeping | D．lying |
| A．fed | B．watched | C．taught | D．comforted |
| A．nested | B．visited | C．left | D．wandered |
| A．attracted | B．amused | C．changed | D．supported |
| A．guiding | B．taking | C．forcing | D．hiding |
| A．recording | B．creating | C．learning | D．singing |
| A．proved | B．assumed | C．pretended | D．suspected |
| A．decades | B．years | C．months | D．days |
| A．died | B．rose | C．survived | D．disappeared |
| A．passed by | B．flew off | C．hung above | D．moved away |
| A．responsibility | B．kindness | C．friendship | D．sympathy |
| A．peace | B．honor | C．faith | D．life |
8 . My parents’ new dog Mercy would rush out of bed and go-go-go all day long. So when they brought home a Christmas tree, they expected
A few days before Christmas, Polly, my step mom, awoke early as usual. As she
Nature took
Mercy presented the problem, so Mercy provided the
| A．risk | B．chaos | C．fun | D．change |
| A．suddenly | B．naturally | C．gradually | D．immediately |
| A．used to | B．adapt to | C．react to | D．appeal to |
| A．left | B．found | C．heard | D．approached |
| A．dust | B．leaf | C．decoration | D．present |
| A．switch | B．tree | C．pet | D．alarm |
| A．waited | B．lay | C．appeared | D．moved |
| A．cleaned-up | B．fixed-up | C．chewed-up | D．used-up |
| A．failed | B．worked | C．counted | D．improved |
| A．discovered | B．wasted | C．gone | D．rescued |
| A．punishment | B．respect | C．comfort | D．pity |
| A．changed | B．remained | C．ended | D．repeated |
| A．love | B．answer | C．luck | D．food |
| A．guiltily | B．hopefully | C．regretfully | D．regularly |
| A．created | B．offered | C．explained | D．announced |
Two fast friends were Willie and his little dog Bounce. Willie could never think of taking a walk without Bounce. Cake and play were equally shared between them. Willie taught his dog many cunning tricks, and often said that Bounce could do almost anything in the world but talk. Then on a bright summer afternoon, Willie had strolled with Bounce down to the river, which was not more than two blocks from his father’s store—Mr. Brown’s store.
Willie began to throw stones into the water, and to watch ripples as they made one circle after another. Bounce lay on the grass, watching the flies buzzing around his nose, and catching any that came too near.
There were some logs floating in the river near the bank. Willie jumped upon one of them to see if he could throw a stone across the river. He drew back, sent the stone with all strength, just as it left his hand, the log turned and he fell into the water. He was frightened, for he did not know how to swim, and there was no one to hear, though he called as loud as he could for help.
If he had been a big water dog, he could have jumped in and brought his master out.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；
He ran up and down the bank two or three times, barking, looking first at Willie and then around.
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Finally, the father came to the river.
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Katie had always felt like she never connected with anyone. There was no one she considered a friend. So, when her parents decided to move, she was okay with it. She didn't feel sad because she wasn't leaving anyone behind.
She was eight when they moved to a new town. It wasn't that different from where they had lived before. There were a lot of trees and kids running around outside, riding bikes, and playing. One day her mother caught her staring out the window at some kids playing. Her mom told her to go out and play with those kids. So Katie went out. She could see that they were all having fun and she wanted to join in but she was afraid. She tried to muster up the courage to ask them if she could join them but she just couldn't do it.
She decided to go for a walk instead. She liked how peaceful the town was. The people seemed nice and polite. Her stroll finally led her to the town's lake. She felt the rush of cold air hitting her face. The beauty of the lake was something to behold. She sat there admiring it and decided that this would be her place. She would come here every day and maybe one day, she would bring her friends here.
After school, she always stopped by the lake before going home. She swore she could stay there for hours, maybe even live there. If she ever got hungry, she always had food ready in her bag.
One day when she was writing a poem about the lake, she heard her stomach growl. She put down her notebook and her pen and got her sandwich out. She was about to take a bite when she heard a noise. This alarmed her. She hadn't heard or seen anything strange before. She looked around and suddenly she noticed that there was something black moving toward the bank.
注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右；
2 .请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
“A swimming black dog!” Katie cried out in surprise.
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Every day, Katie brought five extra sandwiches for her friend.
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