1 . I was having coffee with a friend recently when she leaned across the table and said, “No matter what I do as a parent, I feel like I’m being taken for granted. All my child seems to do is shout at me,
Let’s face it — parenting is often a
It’s not easy to set
| A．adjust | B．explore | C．ignore | D．puzzle |
| A．general | B．unappreciated | C．slight | D．literary |
| A．thankless | B．mechanic | C．original | D．voluntary |
| A．responses | B．trusts | C．potentials | D．expectations |
| A．affecting | B．changing | C．understanding | D．raising |
| A．giving out | B．acting out | C．sticking out | D．working out |
| A．reality | B．job | C．process | D．suggestion |
| A．simply | B．definitely | C．obviously | D．sincerely |
| A．performances | B．limits | C．shows | D．difficulties |
| A．However | B．Moreover | C．Therefore | D．Otherwise |
| A．treatments | B．tips | C．goals | D．solutions |
| A．constant | B．noisy | C．peaceful | D．practical |
| A．admit | B．warn | C．inform | D．guide |
| A．decision | B．position | C．situation | D．demand |
| A．deliver | B．calculate | C．need | D．deny |
2 . The debate over whether video games should be considered a sport has been ongoing for decades. While some argue that e-sports require skill, there is disagreement over whether they meet the criteria of a traditional sport. According to the dictionary, a sport is a physical activity engaged in for pleasure. While playing video games requires skill and coordination, it lacks the physicality associated with traditional sports. Strategy is also present in board games like chess or card games like solitaire, but these activities are not classified as sports. Similarly, playing a musical instrument requires practice and training, yet it is not considered a sport.
Sports require full-body movements and coordination while video games primarily involve finger and hand movements. Although it is possible to include physical movement while playing, it is not a requirement for success. Many e-sports enthusiasts sit in front of their screens, filling themselves with snacks while controlling the game. This lack of physicality not only sets video games apart from sports but can also have negative effects on health. Unlike traditional sports, which have been shown to improve well-being, excessive video gaming can lead to headaches and anger.
While e-sports and competitive gaming may be comparable to activities like chess in terms of competition, they do not possess the physical effort and health benefits associated with traditional sports. However, as the industry continues to develop, the idea of e-sports is evolving. Studies have highlighted the demanding motor skills and reaction times required in e-sports. Professor Ingo Frobose conducted a study that demonstrated the impressive motor skills of e-sports “athletes”, with up to 400 movements per minute on the keyboard and mouse. The strategic aspect of e-sports, including team planning and analysis, is also often ignored. Games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Honor of Kings have attracted large audiences and showed the strategic skills of players.
While some argue against the classification of e-sports as real sports, evidence suggests that they possess unique skills and abilities. As the industry grows, the understanding and recognition of e-sports as a reasonable competitive activity are gradually changing.
1. Why do some people think of video games not as a sport?| A．They lack total physical activity. | B．They merely highlight cooperation. |
| C．They have little effects on health. | D．They require no strategy or training. |
| A．Suffering from bodily pain. |
| B．Performing physical exercises. |
| C．Snacking and playing at the same time. |
| D．Experiencing positive effects on well-being. |
| A．The benefits on health brought by video gaming. |
| B．The comparison of e-sports to chess and card games. |
| C．The strategic aspect and motor skills involved in e-sports. |
| D．The physical labor and health benefits of playing e-sports. |
| A．Health. | B．Entertainment. |
| C．Education. | D．Science. |
3 . Paul Durietz is a 76-year-old social studies teacher from Illinois. On September 1, he set a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest teaching career. Mr. Durietz has been teaching for 53 years—since he was 23 years old.
Mr. Durietz has known since he was young that he wanted to be a social studies teacher. Social studies is the study of history, and how people, countries, and cultures are connected. He became interested in history after hearing stories from his father, who fought in World War Ⅱ.
In 1970 Mr. Durietz got his first teaching job at Woodland Middle School in Gurnee. Ever since then, he’s been teaching social studies at the same school. He says he loves sharing his knowledge of history with students. “Teaching is never boring,” he says. “Every day is different.”
Things have changed a lot since he began all those years ago. When he started, the only way to make copies was with a “ditto machine”, which used a purple ink. Mr. Durietz wrote on a blackboard with chalk, and the students used paper textbooks. These days, he and the students use computers and digital whiteboards.
With or without technology, Mr. Durietz has used creative activities to help his students learn. For example, he has organized virtual field trips, geography contests, and special days about the US Civil War. He has even organized fake elections at school to help his students learn about politics. He says these activities are the ones that he and his students enjoyed most.
Mr. Durietz isn’t really trying to set a record. He is just doing what he loved. Mr. Durietz has no plans to retire any time soon. Mr. Durietz says people who want to be teachers should make sure they are patient with their students. He also encourages them to choose subjects they care deeply about. “Keep working on what you love to do in life,” he says.
1. What inspired Mr. Durietz to be a social studies teacher as a boy?| A．His love of history. | B．His dream to set a record. |
| C．His father’s encouragement. | D．His responsibility to help others. |
| A．Mr. Durietz’s teaching features. | B．The life in an eventful world. |
| C．Changes in Mr. Durietz’s teaching career. | D．The invention of teaching devices. |
| A．Informal and flexible. | B．Interesting and effective. |
| C．Demanding and serious. | D．Surprising and unimaginable. |
| A．Pursue your dream for a lifetime. | B．Discipline yourself all the time. |
| C．Broaden your eyesight by reading. | D．Set ambitious goals when young. |
4 . Like working out or eating healthily, being happy is something you have to work on.
One of the hardest aspects of your job is perhaps making dozens of decisions daily, often with little or incomplete information. So how can you make fewer decisions? Put some parts of your day on autopilot. For example, have the same thing for lunch or breakfast for a week. Then you can change it up the following work.
Helping others makes you happier. Helping your co-workers seems to create a virtuous cycle. Another study says happier workers are 33% more likely to help their colleagues than those who aren’t happy.
| A．It’s a skill that takes practice. |
| B．How you feel in the morning really matters a lot. |
| C．You don’t have to do anything huge or heroic to help. |
| D．You’ve just removed a bunch of decisions from your day. |
| E．You can write down three small things you will get done. |
| F．So do something in the morning that makes you feel good. |
| G．One simple way to do this is to put a reminder on your calendar. |
1. 你对自然的热爱和关注;
2. 描述一个让你难忘的自然体验和感受。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右;
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Exploring the Beauty of Nature
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Dunhuang, located in Northwest China’s Gansu province, was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, with profound history and rich culture.
From December 5 to 8, the micro-variety show titled “The Dunhuang You Don’t Know”,
The show, produced by the art program center of the China Media Group,
Dunhuang is renowned for its numerous natural and cultural heritages. From the Mogao Grottoes—
In recent years, with the rise in
My 16-year-old son, Jacob, is the center of my universe. He’s always been a kind, bright, and generally well-behaved child. So, you can imagine my shock and heartbreak when, a few weeks ago, I faced every parent’s nightmare.
It started when I received a call from Jacob’s school. His teacher, Mrs. Henderson, who’s been teaching for over 25 years, sounded upset. She informed me that Jacob was involved in an incident—he had been laughing at a classmate, Andy, for his poor background and worn-out clothes. I was shocked. This behavior was so unlike the son I thought I knew.
I spent that night thinking of how to address this. I knew I had to teach Jacob a lesson, one that he wouldn’t easily forget, one that would help him develop empathy and understanding towards others, regardless of their financial status.
The next morning, I sat Jacob down for a serious talk. I explained how-his actions were hurtful and unacceptable. He seemed regretful, but I knew words alone wouldn’t be enough. So, I decided to take a severe step.
I took away all of his prized possessions: his laptop, designer clothes, and other luxuries. I explained to him that if he wanted them back, he’d have to earn them. My intention was not just to punish him but to teach him the value of hard work, money, and, most importantly, to understand the struggles of his classmate.
Jacob’s reaction was as expected. My action angered him. He couldn’t believe I would do something like this. But as days passed, his anger gave way to understanding. He started a part-time job at a local grocery store. The work was hard and tiring. During this period, Jacob began to change. He learned how challenging it can be to earn money and the effort it takes to afford even the basic luxuries of life.
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。
After a few weeks of this, I realized it was time for another heartfelt conversation.
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Jacob did eventually earn back his belongings.
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Globe-making is a long tradition, which dates back to the middle of the
The Bellerby & Co. artisans spend months, even years,
Once the map is ready, it’s printed, cut into shapes and painted by hand with watercolour. It’s a very delicate procedure, but once all of the pieces are
The company makes globes in many sizes, from small orbs that will fit on a desk
Due to my unhealthy eating habits, I became fatter and fatter after college. My good friend Anoush was a running enthusiast. So he advised me to lose weight by running. I didn’t agree at first until he promised to accompany me to run although he was busy with his work.
Seven years later, I got more serious about running. And I dreamed to participate in Boston Marathon. Anoush encouraged me to realize my dream. He also said he enjoyed running too and wanted to attend the same marathon with me. Every day we spared our time to practise hard and did about 2 marathons a year, during which time Anoush gave me much professional guidance and encouragement. And then one day, both of us qualified for the 2017 Boston Marathon. We were excited but unfortunately, several weeks before the marathon, we had a serious quarrel. Even I swore never to talk with him in the future.
The day came. Anoush and I stood at the starting line. He said, “Good luck! You will certainly finish the marathon.” Hearing his words, I looked at him, saying, “It’s none of your business.”
Then we started running. I had strong mental confidence by using positive self-talk when running distances, which has helped me finish 18 marathons. Soon, I passed Anoush.
But I struggled in the heat starting at mile 16. I felt most of my oxygen went to the muscle in my legs and less in my brain, which made me feel a bit lightheaded and fuzzy (迷迷糊糊的). I continually encouraged myself. “Just get to the finish, run bold, and you will win,” all phrases that I say to myself didn’t work any more.
Gradually I felt out of breath and had to slow down my pace. As I ran down the famous last stretch of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street, I fell down on the ground with my legs moving like jello (果冻).
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。
Just then, I felt that someone picked me up.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________When Anoush and I crossed the finish line, the audience at present applauded.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________When John was in Grade 9, his class went on a canoeing (划独木舟) trip. Canoeing is a water sport practiced in a light narrow boat with a paddle. It can be very dangerous, especially if the river has rapids, a fast-flowing part of a river. Since it requires strength, balance and a lot of skills, all the students are trained hard.
To qualify for the trip, the whole class had to be able to swim. However, John had a problem. He weighed over 180 pounds. He had never learned to swim before, so he took swimming lessons and worked hard for many weeks. He eventually graduated with a certificate saying that he could swim.
John’s classmates were all glad to have him along—all except one person, Nicky. She didn’t like him. In fact, she seemed not to like many. She was on the school water polo team. She was a swimming star and extremely proud of herself too.
The trip went well and everyone enjoyed the day. That is, until the end of the trip when they were heading down some rapids. Nicky had been warned over and over to wear her life jacket, but she did not listen to others.
When they arrived at a steep valley, the speed of the water picked up. They entered some dangerous rapids. All of a sudden, their canoes turned over. They were all thrown into the water—all except John! He was heavy enough and somehow was not thrown into the water.
They all swam back to the canoe where John quickly pulled them in. Then, they saw Nicky’s life jacket floating on the water. She was not wearing it when the accident happened. When they spotted her floating on the water, she was barely conscious. She was in serious danger. It seemed like she had hit her head on a rock. As they were approaching her, their canoes broke loose from the tree branches they were stuck to and sent them farther away from Nicky. Everyone in the canoes looked in horror as the current dragged Nicky away from them.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Someone exclaimed, “we’ve got to help her!”
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Finding Nicky opening her eyes, everyone sighed with relief.
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