1 . Air temperature as low as 34℃ can lead to a steady increase in heart rate under damp conditions, a study says. This rise, also known as cardiovascular strain (心血管压力), occurs even before a person’s inner temperature starts to increase.

The findings are among a series of recent results about the heart’s struggles when exposed to heat. Scientists say this work is becoming more relevant as extreme heat events become more frequent. Just this year, the average temperature worldwide hit a record high three days in a row.

“More people are going to be exposed to heat waves and potentially be at risk,” says Rachel Cottle, a researcher in exercise physiology at the Pennsylvania State University in State College, but work to identify the combination of temperature and humidity that endangers the heart could inform strategies to protect human health, she says.

To find the threshold (阙值) for heart risk exactly, Cottle and her colleagues got 51 young, healthy participants to engage in light physical activity inside a room, where the temperature or humidity rose every 5 minutes. The researchers monitored each individual’s core temperature — the temperature of their inner organs — using sensors inside capsules that the participants had swallowed. The team also measured participants’ heart rates.

As the room got hotter, participants’ heart rates increased and then steadied. But, as the room continued to heat up, the volunteers’ heart rates started to rise again, and were still rising when the experiment ended — indicating cardiovascular strain. In humid conditions, participants who were walking slowly experienced cardiovascular strain when the temperature was around 34℃. When the air was dry, that threshold was around 41℃. Cardiovascular strain always began about 20 minutes before the participants’ core temperatures started to rise.

Because heart rate is so easy to measure, it could be a useful warning sign. “If all of a sudden you notice your heart rate going up quickly and progressively, then that might mean that your core temperature will start to rise,” Cottle says. “That’s when you need to take preventive measures.”

1. What can we learn from the study?

A．Air temperature is higher than before.	B．Air temperature influences heart health.
C．Human heart rates rise in wet conditions.	D．Heat events are endangering more seniors.

2. Why is the outcome of the study crucial?

A．Heatwaves are more common.	B．Man is at the risk of extinction.
C．Global warming broke a record.	D．Humans care for their hearts more.

3. What does Paragraph 4 focus on?

A．Humans’ core temperature.	B．Humans’ heart risks.
C．How the experiment was conducted.	D．Why young people have better hearts.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Heat Strains the Human Heart	B．Heat Maintains a Healthy Balance
C．Worsening Conditions in Heart Beat	D．A Progressive Increase in Heart Rate

2 . Pullman is a superb writer and Seagull is a brilliant communicator. They had a debate after Seagull posted a question on his social media platform: “When you were trying to create an environment for learning, what were your best pieces of classical music to listen to?” He received hundreds of suggestions — and one negative reply, from Pullman: “That’s not what classical music is for. Treat it with respect.”

That did it! Everyone — professional musicians, students, teachers — weighed into the argument, and the majority supported Seagull and were criticizing Pullman.

It’s easy to see why people are annoyed. We all want classical music to be as accessible as possible, especially to the young. If some of them are using Bach or Schubert as a tool to help them study, what’s the problem? They may also develop an attachment to classical music.

So is Pullman ridiculous and supercilious by objecting to classical music being used as background music? At first sight, his idea seems stuffy and extreme. By suggesting that classical music should be “treated with respect” and not used as background music, Pullman seems to be closing classical music of to millions of people.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that he isn’t the first to express concerns about classical music being devalued by becoming too commonplace in today’s technologically shaped world. In Benjamin Britten’s 1964 speech, the composer expressed exactly the same worries as Pullman. Britten suggested, “The true musical experience demands some preparation, some effort, a journey to a special place, saving up for a ticket, some homework perhaps”. In short, it demands as much effort from listeners as from composers and performers.

I don’t agree with such an extreme viewpoint, but I do think it touches on a reality. You will never fully grasp the beauty of classical music if you half-hear it only in the background. That doesn’t necessarily matter. Music can be enjoyed on many levels. What Pullman and Britten are really saying is that, in a drive for “accessibility”, we shouldn’t deny the emotional and intellectual complexity underpinning (构成) much classical music.

1. What did Seagull’s posting result in?

A．Great admiration for Seagull.

B．Public criticism of classical music.

C．A discussion about learning environments.

D．An argument over the role of classical music.

2. What does the underlined word “supercilious” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Self-important.

B．Open-minded.

C．Impatient.

D．Considerate.

3. Why is the Benjamin Britten’s 1964 speech mentioned?

A．To show his affection for classical music.

B．To introduce young people to classical music.

C．To demonstrate classical music is demanding.

D．To support Pullman’s idea over classical music.

4. Which word best describes the author’s attitude to Pullman’s idea?

A．Favorable.

B．Doubtful.

C．Objective.

D．Uninterested.

3 . 假定你是李华。你的美国笔友Frank发来邮件说他和父母最近发生了争执。他想专心做乐队，而父母坚持让他上大学。他想听听你的建议并询问你的职业选择。请你用英语给他回封邮件。
注意: 写作词数应为80左右。
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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。

More than 2.5 million Americans have a chronic(慢性的) condition     1    (arise) in early childhood that can     2    (negative) influence their education, job performance, and employ ability well into adulthood.

There is no known cure, and existing treatments are rarely     3    (help). Yet for those with developmental stuttering(口吃), there is new hope, thanks to groundbreaking research led by scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville     4    Wayne State University in Detroit.

In two papers, which     5    (publish) last week, Jennifer “Piper” Below and Shelly Jo Kraft describe a “genetic(遗传的) architecture” for developmental stuttering and report the discovery of new genetic variations associated     6    the condition. The researchers said that these findings and studies like them have the potential     7    (identify) treatment directions that could improve outcomes for people who stutter.

The new findings will have     8    huge impact on people who stutter and on the parents of children     9    (affect) by the condition, predicted Kraft, an associate professor at Wayne State University. “It’s a piece of themselves that they can then understand,” she said, “instead of living a lifetime of experiencing this     10    (differ) in their speech and never knowing why.”

5 . 假定你是李华，你的美国笔友Sam看到你在社交媒体上发布的“Just applied to be a volunteer at the 9th Asian Winter Games (HARBIN 2025). Feeling excited!”，他很感兴趣，发邮件询问志愿者申请事宜。请你给他回封邮件，内容包括：
1.志愿活动要求；
2.活动意义。
注意：
1.写作词数应为80个左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Sam,

I hope this email finds you in great spirits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

6 . 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。

For as long as I can remember. I have spent every Sunday afternoon until I was a teen, around the table at Grandma’s house. As soon as Grandma and I would return from Sunday Morning Mass at St Joseph’s Parish. Grandma got started on the meatball.

Ever since I was just two years old, Grandma would always allow me, her only granddaughter at the time, to sneak a meatball before dinner was served. There was something about that snuck meatball. For some reason, it tasted so much better than the one she placed beside my macaroni, once we all sat down. My Italian Gamma had a way of keeping an eye on all of her meatballs, to make sure no one snuck a meatball but me, who she gave that special VIP sneak. How did she do it? Well, she would make my “before dinner meatball” slightly bigger than the rest.

The meatball stealing games was all fun until Jeanine came along. Allow me to introduce you to my sister Jeanine, my Gramma’s second granddaughter born five years after me, just three years after I fell in love with Gramma’s yummy meatballs.

My younger sister Jeanine was quite the fussy eater. She did not care that her gramma made the world’s best meatballs, or that our mama made almost as yummy meatballs as her mother did. All Jeanine cared about was being done with dinner as fast as possible so she can go back to playing, and so she can get her evening snack, cocoa and popcorn. Jeanine knew the rules. She knew no snack unless you finish your dinner at least 90 percent. Jeanine was not giving up her favourite snack. She knew she had to develop a plan! She did indeed!

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。

So, one day when she was given a meatball on her plate, she stole that meatball.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One day my mother noticed that something smelt funny in our closet.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . 27-year-old Matt Shaha grew out his hair for over two years to make a wig (假发) for his mother, Melanie Shaha. She has been _______ a serious disease. Melanie Shaha permanently _______ her hair four years ago. She has _______ surgery twice until now.

Melanie Shaha was very sad when seeing herself without _______ in the mirror. “Some well-meaning friends come and _______ me,” Melanie said. “But I _______ feel sad inside. I don’t mind being sick but I mind looking sick. I’d rather stay in my _______ and not stand out in public places.” Her son, Matt Shaha, was determined to make his mom feel like herself again when he saw his mother’s _______.

Starting in early 2020, Matt grew out his hair 12 inches before _______ the hair and paying for a company to make a wig. It cost him $2,000. The day Matt cut his hair, everyone ________ tears of joy. Melanie said she felt ________ that she could feel like herself again. “The kindness, care and ________ from Matt have really been spectacular,” Melanie said. “You know I’ve lost my eyebrows, lost my eyelashes and lost my hair, so it’s just been such a wonderful ________ . I am able to have a more ________ appearance with it and go to places without standing out because I ________ unusual.”

1.

A．discussing

B．battling

C．preventing

D．studying

2.

A．damaged

B．quit

C．changed

D．lost

3.

A．had

B．missed

C．prepared

D．performed

4.

A．money

B．spirit

C．hair

D．patience

5.

A．comfort

B．follow

C．question

D．teach

6.

A．even

B．again

C．never

D．still

7.

A．school

B．house

C．company

D．office

8.

A．direction

B．site

C．situation

D．atmosphere

9.

A．turning down

B．drying up

C．taking back

D．cutting off

10.

A．cried

B．wiped

C．spared

D．reported

11.

A．interested

B．doubtful

C．relieved

D．worried

12.

A．trust

B．sacrifice

C．praise

D．honor

13.

A．plan

B．task

C．suggestion

D．gift

14.

A．normal

B．beautiful

C．realistic

D．different

15.

A．taste

B．smell

C．look

D．sound

8 . Develop your investment strategies in as little as one hour!

Thursday, August 18 at 7:00 PM

Carlton Hotel, St. Morton, LA

We would like to invite you to join well-known investment expert Sandra Gellert for a free seminar(研讨会).

Sandra Gellert is the chief investment officer and manager of ALC Investments. She recognizes the strong economic environment in Louisiana right now and would like to help you with your investment strategy.

Three-time recipient of the national Fund Manager of the Year award, Sandra brings vision as well as everyday good sense to strategic financial planning. She holds a bachelor(学士) of commerce degree, a master of business administration degree, and a doctorate in finance and is a qualified financial analyst. This education, combined with a wealth of successful experience in managing financial investment, means this seminar is an exciting opportunity for disciplined investment planning.

Topics to be covered:

•Wealth Creation

•Global Investment

•Financial Services

•Oil And Gas

•Retirement Funds

•Foreign Exchange Markets

•Specific Company Suggestions

Registration:

Seating at this event is limited. Please register for this free session online or fill out the registration form on the back of this flyer and fax(传真) it to the number given Register Online: www.alcinvestments.com/seminar/registration. html.

Register by Fax: (456)223-1232

This seminar with Sandra Gellert, one of the nation’s most sought-after speakers on investment, is sponsored by Synergy Financial, St. Morton City Bank, and Integrated Wealth Services Inc.

1. What can be learned about Sandra Gellert?

A．She taught at several universities.

B．She has several business-related degrees.

C．She won an award for her latest seminar.

D．She has over 20 years’ experience in the financial field.

2. Which of the following goes beyond Sandra Gellert’s topics?

A．House pricing.	B．Retirement income.
C．International investment.	D．Foreign exchange trading.

3. What should you do to make a booking for the seminar?

A．Register online.	B．Call (456)223-1232.
C．Visit St. Morton City Bank.	D．Contact Sandra Gellert.

9 . Friendship is one of the most important things in life and a universal value. Here are five ways to be a better friend.

    1    . Plans are important in friendship. You should learn to make plans for better friendship. Instead of just saying something like “we should get together some time”, make specific plans with a time, date and place. In addition, stick to get-together plans, and let friends know that they are valued.

Be an empathetic (有同理心的) listener. Attentive and empathetic listening is validating (认可的) to others.     2    . To develop them, listen to your friends without judgment or interruption, and try to see the world from their perspective.

Be honest. People value honesty.     3    . If a friend makes a decision that may lead to negative consequences, let them know how you feel about it in a direct way.

Celebrate differences. Not being a yes-man means that friends don’t have to agree on all interests. Friends can have different hobbies and different things that they like and dislike. Take some time to explore your friends’ interests, but don’t worry if they don’t interest you as well. Different interests sometimes need celebrations.     4    .

Remember dates. When it comes to friendship, the details make the difference. Remembering friends’ birthdays or other important events in their lives shows friends that they are valued.     5    . Then, when they near, send a text or call to wish your friends congratulations or good luck.

Being a good friend requires effort and practice, but it’s worth it.

A．Get together with friends

B．Make plans and stick to them

C．Good listeners are badly needed in the world

D．They are usually attracted to people who are genuine

E．Fortunately, empathetic listening skills can be available

F．Celebrating differences is an important component of friendship

G．Keep these dates in a calendar and even set an alarm as a reminder

10 . Spending roughly a decade preparing for her 2023 book Alive: Like Light and Salt, writer Liao Zhi has taken a creative journey with her memories of surviving the disastrous Wenchuan earthquake. The then 23-year-old dance teacher was rescued from a collapsed building, but suffered the loss of her legs and her child.

Selected from Liao’s diary entries, the six-chapter book touches upon topics like “finding one’s true self” and “relationships”, revealing how the writer dealt with pain to set career goals and find the courage to become a parent once again.

The writer said her desire for life seemed to have been strengthened by the near-death experience and that may be why she took only less than a year to get back on track again. Swimming, running marathon and taking part in charity dance performances were only a part of Liao’s daily agenda that helped her see the light again.

Alive: Like Light and Salt is not all about dealing with difficulties. Liao has devoted several chapters to topics like “becoming a communication expert in close relationships” and sharing her thoughts on love.

Liao met Charles Wang, a prosthesis(假肢) engineer, when she was getting her new artificial legs. Although she was hesitant about getting remarried, Wang assured her that she was the one, even telling his parents that “I’ll never again meet such a good girl.”

“Her life-loving nature, her health y mind-set toward her disability and also her willingness to speak up for people with the same experiences as herself, such things let me see a different side of life. I’ve been deeply touched by her,” said Liao’s mother-in-law.

Liao set up the Home of Chenxing, a rehabilitation(康复) studio in Chongqing for disabled people in 2019, and has now helped over 100 people walk again with artificial limbs(肢). She’s also a leader of a charity group called “Seeing and Change”. “Society needs to be educated to see this particular group of people. We represent a part of society’s value,” Liao noted.

1. What do we know about the book Alive: Like Light and Salt?

A．It’s mainly intended for earthquake survivors.	B．It’s inspired by her husband encouragement.
C．It’s focused on ways to handle difficulties.	D．It’s based on the author’s life experiences.

2. How did the busy life affect Liao Zhi after the earthquake?

A．It helped her see the hope of life.	B．It pushed her to start a studio.
C．It urged her to write many books.	D．It enabled her to walk again.

3. Why are Liao’s mother-in-law’s words mentioned?

A．To introduce Liao’s achievements.	B．To confirm Liao’s good qualities.
C．To think highly of Liao’s marriage.	D．To ask people to experience life.

4. What can be learned from the last paragraph?

A．Charity should be made international.

B．The disabled create more social values.

C．Liao is devoted to helping the physically disabled.

D．Society owes an apology to the particular group.