1 . I have discovered that I have a second shadow these days as I go outside. This one, however, has four legs instead of two. It is my daughter’s adopted, black cat: Miss Alice. Every time I go out the door she is waiting on my front porch, meowing to be petted. Then she follows me down the hill to my car sometimes running in front so she can get in my way for even more petting. And when I finally return home she is there asking for attention again.
It wasn’t always this way. The very first time I saw Miss Alice she was hiding under my house just having had a family of kittens. When I looked under there I got an angry hiss (嘘声) from her, warning me I was in for a clawing if I got near her kittens. It took a lot of time, patience, kindness, love, and cat food from my daughter to tame her. At first she didn’t want to be touched at all. Then she would only allow an occasional petting. Now my daughter can pick her up and carry her up the road to her house like a little baby. It still makes me smile to see how my daughter’s loving, caring and sympathetic spirit tamed this wild cat and made her as lovable as the most affectionate dog.
I guess that is the power of love. It can heal a hurting heart. It can save a broken spirit. It can uplift a sunken soul. It can free you from fear. It can transform your life. It can even take a violent, wild cat and turn her into a puppy dog in a cat suit.
Embrace (拥抱) the love in your own life then. Welcome the love of your family and friends into your life. And let your own love flow through everything you think, everything you say, and everything you do.
1. What do we know about the cat from the first paragraph?| A．It enjoys staying with the author. | B．It tends to be in the author’s road. |
| C．It is often ignored by the daughter. | D．It gets well along with the daughter. |
| A．Feed her up. | B．Make her mild. | C．Arrange for her. | D．Dress her up. |
| A．The lovely dog. | B．The daughter’s love. | C．The cat’s babies. | D．The harmonious family. |
| A．Where there is life, there is hope. |
| B．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
| C．Love is life in its fullness like the cup with its wine. |
| D．Do what you fear, and fear that nature will fade away. |
2 . A mere four months ago, a black cat named Bounty had no idea just how adventurous his life was about to become. Although the cat was
One of their first adventures included a
Since that first cycling tour, Bounty and Doina have
The two of them have cycled the entire length of the Italian peninsula! If you’d like to
| A．originally | B．temporarily | C．eventually | D．actually |
| A．gave out | B．broke out | C．turned out | D．found out |
| A．Shocked | B．Frightened | C．Embarrassed | D．Excited |
| A．necessities | B．products | C．presents | D．fruits |
| A．generous | B．creative | C．efficient | D．ambitious |
| A．hotels | B．journeys | C．problems | D．vehicles |
| A．skiing | B．hiking | C．flying | D．cycling |
| A．accustomed | B．opposed | C．blind | D．sensitive |
| A．cure | B．enjoy | C．protect | D．feed |
| A．cried | B．ran | C．sang | D．slept |
| A．offered | B．expected | C．finished | D．discovered |
| A．bicycle | B．cat | C．tour | D．carrier |
| A．protest | B．agreement | C．challenge | D．trust |
| A．have fun with | B．put up with | C．keep up with | D．get along with |
| A．helps | B．plans | C．orders | D．documents |
Katie had always longed for a pet dog, but growing up in a family of diplomats, her parents had to move around the world frequently, so having a pet didn’t fit their lifestyle. Even during her university years, the university’s rules didn’t allow it. It was only after she graduated and started living independently that the opportunity arose.
One day, Katie talked to her housemate and best friend from university, Rachel, about her desire for a pet dog. Rachel suggested, “why don’t you consider fostering a dog? There are so many stray dogs in need of temporary homes before they find their forever families. ”
The idea fascinated Katie as it allowed her to experience the joys of pet ownership without the lifelong commitment. However, she had some concerns, “What if I become too attached?”
Rachel reassured her, “Well, if you form a strong bond, you can always choose to adopt it yourself. ”
Without telling Katie beforehand, Rachel took the initiative and visited a local animal rescue organization to register for a foster dog. One sunny afternoon, when Katie came home from work, she was greeted by a small black-and-white dog. Her eyes lit up with joy and surprise. “Is this for real?”
“Here is Freda, ” Rachel said, beaming with pride. “She’s going to be our foster dog while she waits for her forever home.”
As the days passed, Katie experienced the joys and challenges of being a pet parent. Waking up to Freda’s sweet morning kisses became the best way to start her day. The daily walks with Freda turned into cherished moments of bonding, as they explored the nearby parks and strolled along the serene lakeside together.
However, amid the excitement and cuddles, Katie also learned the responsibilities that came with pet ownership. Juggling her demanding work schedule with Freda’s needs required careful planning and dedication. Katie came to understand why her parents never got one when she was a child. She also felt bad always asking her friends to dog-sit when she was too busy to care for Freda.
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。
Paragraph 1:
Eventually, the right family was found for Freda, but saying goodbye was bittersweet.
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Paragraph 2:
Several months later, Katie discovered a small package on her front door.
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Chengdu, a city with a permanent population of more than 21 million and an area of more than 14, 300 square kilometers, is home
When
The charm of Chengdu goes far beyond pandas and Sichuan cuisine. For visitors interested in experiencing the folk customs and scenes of old Chengdu, my
5 . Best friends Anna and Betty were at camp. Suddenly Anna let out a scream,
“I bet it is
Anna grasped Betty’s sweaty palm,
“Will it bite us?” Betty asked hesitantly.
Clare answered confidently, “No, it won’t. It’s probably here because of the weather. Look outside! It’s
Suddenly, Anna screamed again, “There it is! I see it!” She
Out of
The girls nodded in agreement as they observed Clare in
| A．terrified | B．amazed | C．fascinated | D．impressed |
| A．Struggling | B．Bending | C．Trembling | D．Smiling |
| A．fond | B．scared | C．tired | D．shy |
| A．Unfortunately | B．Particularly | C．Similarly | D．Generally |
| A．thinking | B．pushing | C．beating | D．breathing |
| A．pouring | B．brightening | C．clearing | D．clouding |
| A．fear | B．relief | C．regret | D．contentment |
| A．lined | B．jumped | C．sped | D．backed |
| A．instructor | B．reward | C．visitor | D．result |
| A．something | B．nowhere | C．nobody | D．everywhere |
| A．led | B．held | C．paid | D．sent |
| A．persuaded | B．bothered | C．signaled | D．informed |
| A．return | B．trap | C．attract | D．release |
| A．admiration | B．alarm | C．disbelief | D．haste |
| A．typical | B．temporary | C．uncertain | D．initial |
6 . A genetic change known as the Himalayan gene has made this breed’s fur extra sensitive to temperature — but also leaves them easy to get certain diseases.
With 73 cat breeds recognized by the International Cat Association, it can be difficult to discern a Ragdoll from a Ragamuffin. Most of us, though, can pick out a Siamese cat. Known for their dark eye masks, nose, and tail — called “points” that stand out against their cream-colored bodies and sparkling blue eyes, the Siamese is one of the world’s easily recognized breeds.
Those trademark points stem from a genetic change known as the Himalayan gene, which was discovered in the breed in 2005. This hidden gene; passed down from both parents, also gives the felines (猫科动物) temperature-sensitive fur that can change color.
In the mother’s body, Siamese kittens develop at temperatures of about 101 Fahrenheit, a cat’s normal temperature. Once born, all-white kittens eventually begin to cool at their extremities (端点), such as their tail, legs, ears , and face. These lower temperatures cause the Himalayan gene to activate the body’s melanin (黑色素), also found in people. That’s why a Siamese cat’s warmer bodies stay light, but their cooler parts become darker as they mature.
“You can see them change,” says Betsy Arnold, a vet who runs a cats-only practice in Rochester, New York, and started breeding Siamese when she was in her teens.
At about two weeks old, Arnold says, dark color begins to spread to their limbs. By about a month old, their final color emerges, which may be one of several varieties, among them blue point, lilac point, chocolate point, and seal point, which has a light, cream-colored coat with dark brown color on its paws, tail, nose, and ears.
1. What may the underlined part in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Take care of those sick cats. | B．Tell the difference between them. |
| C．Take them back to the rescuer center. | D．Evaluate their health conditions. |
| A．It stands out against other cream-colored cats. | B．Its fur is sensitive to the temperature outside. |
| C．It has a genetic change — the Himalayan gene. | D．Its extremities are all dark-colored with blue eyes. |
| A．The color change of a Siamese is a gradual process. | B．An elderly Siamese can change its color. |
| C．A Siamese can only change its color to black. | D．Siamese cats are sensitive to climate change. |
| A．How Siamese Cats Change Their Colors | B．How a Mysterious Gene was Found in Nature |
| C．What Scientists Found in Himalaya | D．Why a Siamese Cat Looks Strange |
7 . Bred to be more sweeter, today’s cherries, bananas and apples taste different than they used — to but not necessarily better. Among fruit farmers, the word “quality” is now routinely used as a standard for “high in sugar”, though firmness, color and size are also considerations. In a recent study about ways to enhance the sweetness of fruit using “molecular (分子的) approaches”, a group of plant scientists wrote that, in general, the sugar content of many fruits are now higher than before owing to continuous selection and breeding. Modern apple varieties, the scientists stressed, were on average sweeter than older ones.
The sweetness of fruit depends not just on how it is bred but also on growing conditions, yield and harvest. The lead researcher, Sugiura, said, “If you could taste an apple harvested 30 years ago, you would feel the difference.” He believed that modern apples are picked so early that even if they are bred for sweetness, they often don’t develop their full character. The fragrance (香味) never develops in fruit that is harvested too early.
Jim Cooper, an apple farmer in England, is regretful to admit the fact that many people will never taste the “strawberry hint” in a really ripe Pearmain, a type of heritage apple. In a way, the rise of consistently sweeter fruit in our lifetimes has been a victory of plant breeding. After all, it’s a rare person who would seek out bitter grapes if they could have sweet ones instead.
But the sweetness of modern fruit is not without its problems, especially for people with diabetes (糖尿病), who have to reduce their intake of higher-sugar fruits. Fruit that is bred sweeter also tends to be lower in the chemicals that make it healthy. Considering health, maybe the real problem with modern fruit is that it has become yet another sweet thing in a world with sugar. Even grapefruits, which used to be quite bitter, are sometimes now as sweet as oranges. If you’ve never tasted a sour cherry, how can you fully appreciate a sweet one?
1. In what aspect is many fruits different from before?| A．Sugar content. | B．Soft skin. | C．Bright color. | D．High yield. |
| A．They are bred too early. | B．They taste so sweet. |
| C．They are losing a good flavor. | D．They need a higher yield. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Critical. | C．Ambiguous. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．It’s a wise choice to breed fruits for sweetness. |
| B．Breeding sweet fruits improves the quality of fruits. |
| C．Some fruits like grapes and cherries taste the same. |
| D．The sweetness of fruits will cause health issues. |
8 . Wild turkeys are a familiar sight throughout New Hampshire, where flocks wander along roadsides and through backyards.
In 1975, Ted Walski, the biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game, released 25 turkeys from the back of his truck in Walpole, a town in the western part of the state. It was part of a reintroduction effort to bring back a species that had been wiped out in New England before the Civil War, where it used to suffer heavy blows — forests vanished for unknown reasons and people got their own way to hunt.
“Originally, I never thought it would get beyond a few thousand turkeys,” says Walski, who spent nearly 50 years working with the birds before retiring in 2019.
Instead, New Hampshire’s turkey population has exploded beyond all expectations, now around 45,000 animals — the highest since the reintroduction, and probably the most the state can approach. Reintroduction efforts in neighboring states and around the country have created a similar story — there are 70,000 wild turkeys in Maine, up to 50,000 in Vermont, and more than 30,000 in Massachusetts — all of which total up to about six million animals reproducing in all states but Alaska.
So what made the wild turkey one of the most successful wildlife reintroduction programs in American history? Most likely, it’s due to the bird’s surprising and unexpected ability to live among humans. In the suburbs, turkeys can take advantage of edge habitat, like woods and open spaces, and dine on a never-ending buffet of food provided by people — particularly birdseed. Besides, it doesn’t hurt that native predators, such as wolves and cougars, have largely disappeared from most parts of the turkey’s range.
But everyone is not thankful for the New England turkey boom. The infamously bold birds are troublesome, disturbing traffic and pecking at front doors, as well as potentially dangerous. In 2019, a 35-year-old pregnant woman was attacked by turkeys on the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts — twice. As conflicts between these 20-pound birds and people are on the rise, particularly during the spring breeding season, wildlife officials are trying to cope with the reality that the turkey is here to stay.
1. What had made turkeys extinct in New England before the Civil War?| A．Disappearing forests and unrestricted hunting. |
| B．Ted Walski’s reintroduction policy and its effects. |
| C．Turkeys’ inability to reproduce and coexist with humans. |
| D．Native predators’ occupation of most parts of turkeys’ range. |
| A．Their explosive population is completely out of the control of New Hampshire. |
| B．The number of wild turkeys amounts to around six million in Alaska. |
| C．Their abilities to reproduce fall short of people’s expectations. |
| D．They feed on adequate food from human beings. |
| A．It is urgent to protect wild turkeys from being attacked. |
| B．Turkeys are posing a potential threat to natural environment. |
| C．Nobody appreciates the increase in turkeys due to their evil deeds. |
| D．Measures will be taken to tackle conflicts between turkeys and humans. |
| A．New England witnesses a turkey boom but not all appreciate it. |
| B．The wildlife reintroduction program of wild turkeys is quite successful. |
| C．Wild turkeys’ sharp increase does harm to human beings and environment. |
| D．There is a contradictory relationship between wild turkeys and human beings. |
9 . On Christmas Eve, a team of reindeer (驯鹿) will help Santa Claus deliver gifts to children all around the world. The reindeer, led by their fearless leader Rudolph, won’t be the only ones doing something special. Back in the highest Arctic, their cousins have a remarkable ability changing their eye color.
During the summer months, when the days are long and the sun is bright, reindeer’s tapetum lucidum (荧光膜), a mirror-like layer at the back of their eye, appears golden, which helps bounce the majority of light off the eyes, effectively acting like a pair of natural sunglasses. As winter comes, and the days become shorter and darker, the tapetum lucidum turns blue to absorb more light, allowing reindeer to improve their night vision and see clear in low light conditions.
With these adaptations, reindeer can adapt and thrive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Unlike humans, reindeer can see well into the shorter Ultra Violet (UV) range. This UV vision enables them to spot food and predators more effectively in the snowy landscape. Lichens, a key part of their winter diet, absorb UV, so they show up dark against UV-reflecting white snow. Wolf and polar bear fur also absorb UV, so instead of disappearing against snow they pop out in high contrast, allowing reindeer to spot potential threats from a distance.
Reindeer change their eyes by adjusting their tapetum lucidum, which is made of collagen fibers. In winter, the collagen fibers become packed tighter, causing the tapetum lucidum to mainly reflect blue light. This change happens when reindeer dilate their pupils (瞳孔). In summer, the reindeer’s pupils return to a smaller size, which helps reindeer reduce the amount of light entering the eye.
But their unique adaptation may hurt them. Today, the increasing use of artificial lighting, especially during the winter months, poses a potential threat to their sensitive eyes. It can make reindeer lose their way, affecting their ability to survive in their challenging environment. So it is crucial for us to be mindful of our use of electricity and make efforts to minimize light pollution to ensure the well-being and survival of these magnificent creatures.
1. What do we know from paragraph 2?| A．The shape of reindeer’s eyes varies with seasons. |
| B．It is difficult for reindeer to live in low light conditions. |
| C．The tapetum lucidum helps reindeer adapt to seasonal changes. |
| D．Reindeer’s eyes appear golden in winter while blue in summer. |
| A．To help them see clear in dark nights. |
| B．To distinguish food of different colors quickly. |
| C．To protect their eyes from harsh sunlight in summer. |
| D．To better locate food and enemies during snowy days. |
| A．Relax. | B．Expand. | C．Narrow. | D．Hide. |
| A．To call on people to protect reindeer from light pollution. |
| B．To show the reasons for the decline in reindeer population. |
| C．To present humans’ great efforts to reduce artificial lighting. |
| D．To prove reindeer’s strong adaptability to harsh environments. |
10 . It turns out our plants are just like us in some ways. We turn to medicines to relieve a minor flu or headache, and plants too have their ways of self-medicating. They protect themselves from environmental hazards like insects, drought and heat by producing salicylic acid (水杨酸). It is responsible for the anti-inflammatory action of aspirin, a drug which has been used by humans for centuries to counter pain and inflammation.
Researchers have found that plants’ salicylic acid, which is produced in chloroplasts (叶绿体), is usually generated in response to the stress caused by climate change. “It’s like plants use a painkiller for aches and pains, just like we do,” said plant biologist Wilhelmina van de ven from the University of California, River-side (U. C. R)
“We’d like to be able to use the finding to improve crop resistance (作物抗性),” said U. C. R.plant geneticist Jin-Zheng Wang. “That will be crucial for the food supply in our increasingly hot, bright world.”
Human skin produces ROS (Reactive oxygen species) (活性氧) in the absence of sunscreen. This causes freckles and burns. Similarly, environmental stresses result in the formation of ROS in plants which, at high levels, can cause death.
At low levels, however, ROS serves an essential function in plant cells. “ROS is a double-edged sword,” said Wang. “At non-lethal levels, ROS are like an emergency call to action, enabling the production of protective hormones ( 激素) such as salicylic acid.” The acid then acts to protect the plants’ chloroplasts, known to be the site of photosynthesis.
“With climate change, things like salicylic acid: helping plants stand up to stresses have become more common. So, being able to increase plants’ ability to produce it represents a step forward in challenging the impacts of climate change on everyday life,” said Katayoon Dehesh, UCR professor of molecular biochemistry.
“Those impacts go beyond our food. Plants being in trouble are a sign of what the future holds for us,” she continued. “Plants clean our air by removing the carbon dioxide from it while also offering us shade, and providing habitats for numerous animals. For humankind, the benefits of boosting plants’ ability to survive are becoming increasingly essential.”
1. What is the main function of salicylic acid in plants?| A．To secure plants. | B．To produce chloroplasts. |
| C．To relieve pain and inflammation. | D．To generate hormones. |
| A．Lack of sunscreen. | B．Chloroplastic acid. |
| C．Environmental stresses. | D．Use of Photosynthesis. |
| A．To explore the history and significance of aspirin in human medicine. |
| B．To invent a device that can make plants do self-medicating. |
| C．To compare the differences between plants and humans in self-medicating. |
| D．To improve crop resistance by increasing plants’ ability to produce salicylic acid. |
| A．Plants can be improved to resist environmental hazards. |
| B．Plants produce their own aspirin to cope with stress. |
| C．Plants and humans share some common features and needs. |
| D．Plants contribute to the well-being of humans and animals. |
