3 . Starting a new book can feel like a bit of a commitment (承诺), but it doesn’t have to be! Here are four books you can read in a single day.

The House on Mango Street

Released in 1984 and written by Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street is only 103 pages long. It’s a rapid read for those looking to dip their toes into the water, but it still deals with complex themes and important subject matters, including language, race, ageing, and troubles.

The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library from the English author Matt Haig was released in 2020. It has 288 pages, which makes it a little more challenging but still absolutely doable (可做的) in a single day. The novel is all about storytelling, with Nora Seed exploring the “what ifs” of her life.

The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo

Released in 2012 and written by the fantastic Malaysian-English author Zen Cho, the page count is an extremely manageable 76 pages, which makes this another effective first read in one day. The novel is set in London in the 1920s and follows the life of another writer, Jade Yeo. There is even enough time for readers to appreciate a film adaptation of the book after reading it.

Stardust

The 1999 novel by English author Neil Gaiman is a perfect presentation of the writer’s fantasy styles at their best. Stardust, which became a major motion picture, sits at 256 pages, It’s epic (史诗般的) in its scale, but the reader can fit the novel into a single day, giving them a true sense of absolute escapism to the fantasyland of Stormhold.

1. Which book can make you feel like escaping from reality and being in a kind of dreamland?

A．The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo.	B．The Midnight: Library.
C．The House on Mango Street.	D．Stardust.

2. What fact can we get, from The Perilous s Life of Jade Yeo?

A．It’s supposed to be made into a film soon.

B．The book tells the life of its author, Zen Cho.

C．Its background is in London about a century ago.

D．It is a bit more challenging to finish reading it in two days.

3. Why may readers be fond of The House on Mango Street?

A．It is a perfect presentation of the writer’s own experiences.

B．It involves complex themes and important subject matters.

C．It was written by a well-known Malaysian-English author.

D．It is all about storytelling, with Nora Seed exploring the“what ifs”of her life；

4 . People are often surprised by my fear of blood and needles. Working in a public health unit, I probably have more daily interaction with syringes (注射器) than the average person. But the truth is, having my blood drawn scares me.

When I was 9, I had an extremely high temperature. A nurse rudely stuck the needle into my arm, causing a sharp pain. I avoided having blood taken from my body for the next years. A few months before I turned 30, my doctor ordered a blood test as part of my physical exam. I panicked. Sensing my fear, she gently suggested I see a psychiatrist (精神科医生). “Dr. M helped my other patients with the same fear,” she said.

When Dr. M called to set up an appointment, I hesitated. Talking about personal problems to a medically licensed stranger was uncommon in my family. “A psychiatrist?” Mother asked. “He’ll just put you on drugs. Can’t you get over this yourself?” I almost listened. But I went to Dr. M’s clinic finally. “Phobias (恐惧症) are pretty easy to treat,” he said. I wasn’t convinced of his words. But despite my doubts, I was running out of options.

We started with basic exposure treatment. I watched videos of blood being drawn every day. As I started to feel more at ease with needles, Dr. M suggested drawing blood. As he gently pressed the needle into my flesh, I felt dizzy and breathed deeply. After a few minutes, I looked at the needle. It wasn’t so bad. I didn’t pass out. “You’re doing well,” Dr. M said.

I still find it unpleasant getting blood drawn, but thanks to several months of treatment, I’m less scared. I hate to admit it, but Dr. M is right — phobias can be treated. Sometimes, we have to leave our comfort zone and face our fears. And this can lead to freedom in the end.

1. What caused the author’s phobia?

A．Her sensitivity to pains.

B．Her awful performance in study.

C．Her bad medical experience.

D．Her regular contact with syringes.

2. What was the author’s mother’s attitude toward her appointment with Dr. M?

A．Conservative.	B．Disapproving.
C．Supportive.	D．Optimistic.

3. What can we know about the author’s treatment?

A．It cost the author a great deal of money.

B．It eased the author’s pain totally.

C．It centered on watching videos.

D．It was smoother than expected.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Bravery brings us a happier life

B．Walk toward what scares us

C．Ups and downs make one strong

D．Nurse our physical health carefully

5 . How to Overcome Your Fears

Here are five practical strategies that will help you overcome your fears and face a brighter future.

Identify your fears

Take a moment to explore inward and identify the specific sources of your fears. Recognize what it is that is holding you back. Ask yourself, “What are you genuinely afraid of?” Spend a few quiet moments observing your thoughts and emotions.     1    .

Understand the root cause

Spend some time exploring the nature of your fears. Begin reflective thinking by asking yourself, “Why am I experiencing fear?” and “What is causing me to feel anxious?”     2    , you will gain an understanding of the factors behind your fears. When you deeply understand the sources of your fears, you are in a better position to overcome them.

Practice acceptance

The journey of overcoming fear requires acceptance.     3    . Instead, it is a catalyst（催化剂） that guides you on the path of personal development. By recognizing that fear is a universal human emotion that everyone faces at certain times, you can employ its energy for positive purposes.

    4    

To overcome your fears effectively, you need to set clear and achievable goals. That’s because you can use a sense of purpose to drive you forward on your journey. In addition, breaking down your broader goals into smaller ones is important.

Take action

    5    . Start small by dealing with the least frightening aspect of your fear and gradually work your way up to more challenging steps. As you go through this journey of action, unexpected opportunities for personal growth will arise. Ultimately, you’ll strengthen your self-confidence as you reconsider your beliefs about life and yourself.

A．Establish clear goals

B．Remember all your goals

C．If you take action at once

D．When you answer these questions

E．Then write down in detail what comes up for you

F．Accepting fear is not a barrier to self-improvement

G．At this point on your journey to overcome fear, it’s time to take action

6 . In the dining room of my grandfather’s house stood a large clock. When I was a child, the old clock interested me very much. I was surprised at how the clock would chime (敲响) three times, six times or more, with a wonderful _______sound. I often _______ it instead of the _______ when I had meals. And always the clock stood like an old family _______, watching the family. I found the clock comforting and _________. Year after year, the clock became a part of my _______.

It was even more wonderful to me when my grandfather carefully wound that clock with a special key each day. The key was magic to me. It kept the clock running. It kept the clock chiming. How did it do that? I watched as my grandfather took the key from his pocket and opened the door in the old clock and used the key to wind it. He never let that clock wind down and stop. When I got a little older, he _______me how to open the door, and let me wind the clock myself. I remember the first time I did, I felt so _______.

After my grandfather passed away, every time I saw the clock, I couldn’t help _______. Never could I see ________again. The hands on the clock were ________. It stopped. I took the key with my shaking hand and opened the door. All of a sudden, I was a child again, ________my grandfather. He was there,________me. I stood there, lost in the memories. Then ________ and carefully, I wound the clock. Tick-tock, tick-tock… The dining room and the ________ seemed to be filled with life. In the image of the clock, my grandfather also lived again.

1.

A．weak

B．noisy

C．clear

D．sharp

2.

A．paid attention to

B．crashed into

C．fought for

D．kept up with

3.

A．pictures

B．bowls

C．foods

D．spoons

4.

A．business

B．tree

C．doctor

D．friend

5.

A．dusty

B．scary

C．messy

D．familiar

6.

A．personality

B．memory

C．belief

D．evidence

7.

A．taught

B．ordered

C．warned

D．forbade

8.

A．shy

B．excited

C．confused

D．upset

9.

A．crying

B．reading

C．joking

D．wandering

10.

A．it

B．them

C．her

D．him

11.

A．passive

B．frozen

C．calm

D．alive

12.

A．watching

B．shaking

C．avoiding

D．blaming

13.

A．arguing with

B．working through

C．falling behind

D．smiling at

14.

A．desperately

B．slowly

C．unwillingly

D．nervously

15.

A．library

B．classroom

C．house

D．office

7 . 读后续写

My son David was injured in his forehead so I had to take him to a hospital. I looked around the crowded waiting room in the hospital and sighed. I thought, “Will the doctor be able to see my eight-year-old son soon?” I tried steadying the ice pack (冰袋) over his forehead, but it was no use. I couldn’t stop shaking. The injury in his forehead was deep, but at least blood wasn’t pouring from it anymore.

His face was full of tears, but he seemed really brave for his age. I handed him the ice pack, and he covered his forehead with it. He was doing a much better job than I had. We were at the hospital because another child had thrown a rock at David during a break between classes as he was running around the corner. His teacher called me, and when I arrived, I found him sitting in front of her. His teacher was caring for his injury, trying to keep him calm. She felt terrible about what had happened, but I knew none of it was her fault.

David received four stitches (缝线) and didn’t cry once throughout the whole treatment. For the next two days, his forehead was swollen and black and blue. I felt like I’d had a mini nervous breakdown. Every time I tried to sleep or tend to housework, horrible thoughts crept into my mind. Fear had taken over, and then the fear turned to anger. I was angry with the child who’d thrown the rock. I just couldn’t shake it. What was she thinking? She should have known about that better.

David’s headmaster and teacher called me that evening to see how David was feeling and told me Cherry, the girl, felt terrible. I wanted to stand up for my son, do the right thing and protect him.

The next day, David’s teacher stopped by to see how David was feeling and dropped off a get-well card that Cherry had made. David and I read it several times, and I couldn’t help but feel a little choked up. It was a sincere apology.

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。

This card mattered a lot to us.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We wondered how Cherry would make a response after reading the letter.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . There’s a small brick house I visit from time to time. It’s not the house that is, special, but rather the person who lives inside,

I met Jenny about 45 years ago when she was my sister’s kindergarten teacher. I remember looking into her classroom, wishing I were her student. Jenny created a safe place where we could be whatever we wanted to be during the time. My parents told me I could start school when I was 4. However, when I turned 4iin the spring, I couldn’t understand why I had to wait until: September. For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher. When I graduated, I couldn’t wait to invite Jenny to my classroom. She arrived one day, and I saw joy on my students’ faces when they sang the same songs I sang with her as a child. As a new teacher, I was amazed at how she connected with children. For years, Jenny volunteered in my classroom.

Over the years we have shared each other’s ups and downs. She asks me for updates about my family and friends, and she tells me about hers.

I am here for her no was the time to sell her house is near. I bring up boxes from her basement. We go through every painting a student has given to her, every thank-you note a parent has written and her teaching aids. I find papers featuring the letters of the alphabet. I find my own name printed in a green card. Suddenly, my mind goes back to Room 3. More than 40 years ago, Jenny sat on the carpet at her feet. We learned about the letters and their sounds.

Now, Jenny sits on her rocking chair, and I find myself sitting at her feet. Over tea, we talk for hours. I listen carefully because I know I still have more to learn from her.

Our friendship is one that neither one of us expected. Educators know teaching is a profession devoted to the development of young individuals. The lucky ones get to see what their students have done with their lives. The exceptional ones never leave their students’ hearts.

1. How can we best describe Jenny?

A．Skilled in her teaching but impatient with her students sometimes.

B．Considerate and often paying a visit to the parents of her students.

C．Easy-going and good at communicating with her students.

D．Generous and ready to help poor students.

2. What can we infer about the author and her teacher from the text？

A．They are unwilling to visit each other.

B．They usually have nothing new to share.

C．They are always concerned with each other.

D．They have lost contact with each other by now.

3. Why does the author take boxes from Jenny’s basement?

A．Jenny’s house is to be sold.

B．Jenny wants to find her teaching aids.

C．Jenny expects to show her achievements in education.

D．Jenny intends to offer the papers with the letters to the author.

4. What kinds of educators can be called fortunate ones?

A．Those who can be devoted to the development of young individuals.

B．Those who can see how their students experience their lives.

C．Those who can be appreciated for their hard work.

D．Those who can get in touch with their students.