1 . As fall approaches, like many of us who either follow an academic calendar for our work or have children in school, I’m preparing for a significant change in my schedule. As I anticipate more demands on my time, I reflect on how to maintain some sense of balance in my life.     1    

First of all, it is sensible to think small. We often feel like our values-based actions need to take a significant amount of time.     2     Look over the areas that you are having trouble fitting into your life. Is there a way to engage in a small part daily or weekly? Maybe instead of 90 minutes of yoga, you can do a few poses in the morning or stretch during work break.

    3     A good friend of mine often sets up calls with me while she is taking her daily walks. She still gets her exercise and her time outside, and we also get to connect. Doing housework as a family can help parents have valued family time while still keeping their homes running smoothly.

As we know, life is messy and ever-changing. It’s also important to pay attention while we are doing the actions that matter to us. It can be easy to think of the areas we aren’t engaged in.     4     Bringing mindfulness to our actions makes them more rewarding.

One more thing that needs to be added is the fact that no matter how much attention we bring to balancing our lives, we will unavoidably fall out of balance again.     5     Please be gentle with ourselves. And it may be helpful to think of the saying, “Fall down seven times; get up eight.”

A．Don’t take it too much to heart

B．We may put meaningful actions together.

C．However, we don’t notice what we are doing.

D．Balancing our lives requires planning and action.

E．I often underestimate how long it takes me to do a task.

F．Hence, I can do what matters to me across many areas of my life.

G．Even small numbers of values-based actions can be meaningful, though.

2 . After Yang Qian claimed the first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the government extended warm c__________ (祝贺) to Yang Qian, praising her calm performance and great skills. (根据中英文提示填空)

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What’s the woman’s major?

A．Management.

B．French.

C．Italian.

2. How did the woman get to know about the job?

A．By listening to the morning news.

B．By reading the newspaper.

C．By calling an employment service.

3. What had the woman been doing in Geneva?

A．Teaching at a university.

B．Studying foreign languages.

C．Working as a secretary.

4. What was the woman asked to do?

A．Prepare for an interview.

B．Call again in a day or two.

C．Send a written application.

4 . Humans can make do with scarves, coats and gloves in cold weather. Some animals can hibernate (冬眠) for the winter. A new study finds that reptiles (爬行动物) and birds do something that is similar to hibernation, but a little different. In very cold weather, their body temperatures greatly drop into an energy-saving state in order to survive. The ability to thermoregulation (体温调节) for reptiles and birds is possible.

In Texas, where the city of Beaumont reached a low of 18 degrees Fahrenheit last month, it looked as if alligators (短吻鳄) had died of cold — yet alive in iced-over water. By ensuring their long noses stayed above the water line, the cold-blooded creatures were able to lower their body temperatures to survive the sudden short period of very cold weather. The process, in the case of cold-blooded animals like reptiles, is called brumation — it’s like a short state of hibernating. While in this state, reptiles become sleepy and they can go for a long time without eating or drinking. For example, alligators can be in brumation from just a few hours to months.

Like reptiles and mammals, birds can go into a state called torpor in order to save energy under very cold conditions. “Torpor is somewhere between a short sleep and hibernation,” said Justin Baldwin, a PhD candidate in biology at Washington University in St. Louis. Baldwin studied 29 species of hummingbirds living in Colombia. Researchers found that hummingbirds can enter into deep or shallow torpor, depending on several factors, including their size and weather conditions. In deep torpor, the birds are much more likely to be affected by disease. And what’s more, they would be easily harmed by their enemies.

Some bird lovers want to help the birds when they are in torpor. For example, the Bird Alliance of Oregon offers a few tips on how to keep the birds from danger.

1. What does the new study show?

A．Body temperature is important for animals.

B．Thermoregulation exists in reptiles and birds.

C．Reptiles and birds’ thermoregulation is unusual.

D．Body temperature drops greatly during reptiles and birds’ sleep.

2. What can we learn about alligators in paragraph 2?

A．They are active in brumation.	B．They are dead in cold weather.
C．They face extinction in cold weather.	D．They eat and drink nothing in brumation.

3. What does the author want to say about the birds in deep torpor?

A．They can get enough sleep.	B．They may harm other birds.
C．They may waste plenty of energy.	D．They may be under threat.

4. What might the author continue talking about?

A．Risks of animal hibernation.

B．His opinions of the study about birds.

C．Some detailed measures to protect the birds in torpor.

D．Other problems raised by cold weather.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How much will the man need to pay?

A．About $ 15.

B．About $20.

C．About $30.

2. When can the man pick up his shoes?

A．At 5:00 this afternoon.

B．At 2:00 tomorrow afternoon.

C．At 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.

3. What is the man satisfied with?

A．The quick service.

B．The quality.

C．The price.

6 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Where is the talk given?

A．In the Teaching Building.

B．In the Student Center.

C．In the library.

2. Who should students turn to if they need a part-time job?

A．Mary.

B．Gina.

C．Ruth.

3. What is Daniel’s duty?

A．To keep the books in order.

B．To solve the computer problems.

C．To help students find information.

4. What does the speaker remind students to do at last?

A．Keep quiet in the library.

B．Return books on time.

C．Apply for family week.

7 . Justin Horner was driving down a freeway in Portland, when his tire blew out. He _________ to the side of the road and made a sign that said he needed _________.

Three hours later, a truck _________ pulled up. Out came a family of four. They were Latino, and their young daughter acted as the _________ between her parents’ Spanish and Horner’s English, so that they could work together to _________ the car. They spent about an hour on the repair.

“I just _________ them,” Horner recalled. “And I tried to give the daughter a $20 bill. And she just wouldn’t _________ it.”

But Horner was stubborn, and he put the money in her _________, and walked away. Then Horner heard their daughter asking him if he was _________. Indeed he was, and she came over with a tamale (玉米粉蒸肉). They exchanged thanks and the family __________ to drive away.

“I __________ the tamale and my money was in it,” Horner said. Horner immediately ran over to the truck to get the father’s __________.

The father saw Horner __________, rolled down his window, gave him a wave, rolled up the window and drove off. Horner also saw the young girl __________ goodbye through the window.

A few months later, Horner posted his story on social media, which drew thousands of likes and hundreds of __________.

1.

A．set off

B．gave in

C．checked in

D．pulled over

2.

A．direction

B．help

C．shelter

D．success

3.

A．secretly

B．desperately

C．finally

D．unexpectedly

4.

A．translator

B．editor

C．author

D．operator

5.

A．fix

B．find

C．start

D．drag

6.

A．defended

B．inspired

C．interviewed

D．thanked

7.

A．select

B．use

C．take

D．hide

8.

A．mouth

B．hand

C．leg

D．back

9.

A．thirsty

B．tired

C．hungry

D．stressed

10.

A．forced

B．refused

C．dared

D．started

11.

A．made

B．decorated

C．unwrapped

D．cleaned

12.

A．support

B．attention

C．love

D．understanding

13.

A．coming

B．fighting

C．operating

D．escaping

14.

A．waiting

B．seeking

C．kissing

D．waving

15.

A．comments

B．decisions

C．warns

D．offers

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形式。

A hanfu parade (游行) was held in Valletta, the capital of Malta, on February 17, 2024     1     celebration of Chinese New Year. The parade,     2     (organize) by China Cultural Centre in Malta, featured 23 volunteer models coming from different cultural backgrounds coming together     3     (tell) the traditional Chinese costumes to both local residents and visiting tourists.

Against the backdrop of Valletta’s     4     (history) landmarks and festival decorations, the parade made audience surprised with its display of ancient Chinese elegance (优雅). Each model wore beautiful hanfu in different     5     (style), symbolizing the richness and diversity of Chinese cultural heritage. From silk clothes to accessories (配饰), the hanfu parade     6     (show) the centuries-old traditions passed down through generations.

The event drew participation from both local residents and tourists,     7     were surprised at the craftsmanship and cultural importance of hanfu. Many engaged with the models, eager to learn more about the history and symbolism behind each clothes, further     8     (improve) cross-cultural exchange and understanding.

The hanfu parade held in Valletta served as     9     evidence of the lasting appeal of Chinese traditions, uniting people from diverse backgrounds in celebration and     10     (appreciate).

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Where did Maxine get the idea to start a dog shelter?

A．From a book.

B．From a neighbor.

C．From a dog lover.

2. What happened to the dog after Maxine washed and fed it?

A．It ran to the next door.

B．It looked lovely and happy.

C．It started being close to her.

3. How does Maxine pay for the shelter?

A．The city government and dog lovers support her.

B．Her family gives her money.

C．She collects fees from neighbors.

4. How old might Maxine be?

A．Around 8 years old.

B．Below 10 years old.

C．Around 17 years old.

10 . Traditions are customs and beliefs that form a part of our culture. They are practiced to remind us of our history and are passed down from generation to generation. Some traditions are interesting and widespread, while others are quite strange and practiced only by a small group of people. Continue reading to dig more into some interesting traditions from around the world.

Smigus Dyngus in Poland

Also known as “Wet Monday”, Smigus Dyngus is a unique tradition practiced in Poland, where people throw water at each other. It is celebrated annually on Easter Monday. The traditional way to do it is for boys to throw water at girls, and it is believed that the girl who receives the most water has the greatest chance of getting married.

Hanging coffins (棺椁) in Sagada, the Philippines

There is an old tradition in Sagada where people hang their coffins in stone caves. It was carried out by the Igorot tribe (部落) of Mountain Province. The people there believe this custom prevents large animals from taking the dead bodies, and also purifies or blesses the departed soul.

The Polterabend custom in Germany

Family members and friends of future married couples meet at dinner, and break a lot of porcelain (瓷器). The couple is then asked to clean up the entire mess. This is supposedly to teach them the importance of unity and hard work, and bring good luck. Germans think this tradition is essential in making marriages last a lifetime.

Boryeong Mud Festival in the ROK

The Boryeong Mud Festival in the ROK is a fascinating and unique celebration that draws crowds from around the world. It is a major cultural event, attracting over a million visitors annually. People participate in various mud-related activities, including mud baths, mud wrestling and even a mud marathon. The festival features live music, food stalls, and wonderful street performances.

1. Why are the coffins hung in caves in Sagada?

A．To pray for good luck.

B．To protect the dead bodies.

C．To ensure a future reunion.

D．To conserve more land resources.

2. Which tradition contributes to a lasting marriage?

A．Smigus Dyngus.

B．Hanging coffins in Sagada.

C．The Polterabend custom.

D．Boryeong Mud Festival.

3. What can visitors do during the Boryeong Mud Festival?

A．Throw water at girls.

B．Learn about Igorot culture.

C．Meet famous people.

D．Enjoy mud baths.