1 . Every tree tells a story. They hold our memories, represent belief, and witness countless moments of joy and sorrow. In our imagination, there is always a place for a tree.

For the locals in Naunde, Mozambique, a mango tree provides more than just shade from the Saharan sun. It is also a traditional setting for storytelling, ceremonies, and regulating village life. “It is a place to meet and talk, to seek agreement and settle arguments, to bridge differences and develop unity,” wrote Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the UN. “If you have a problem and can’t find a solution, you meet again tomorrow under the tree and you keep talking.”

The mango tree always stands there, witnessing and remembering everything, and at the same time becomes an inseparable part of the collective memory of the locals. “Each growth layer that trees add every year contains a bit of the air from that year. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air through tiny pores (气孔) , which helps build their tissues, so they physically hold the record of the years of their surroundings,” said Benjamin Swett, author of New York City of Trees. In this way, trees also serve as nature’s memory stick, keeping a record of a history as long as themselves.

The English language borrows a lot from trees: We turn over a new leaf and branch out, meaning we move on from the past and start something new. And there are times when we can’t see the wood for the trees. We tend to enjoy the flourishing leaves, branches, and roots of the trees. However, we pay little attention to the forests that embrace trees. The same things often happen to us in our own lives. We often dip ourselves into some bad experiences in life. As a result, we may give up at a terrible moment instead of imagining satisfying success after defeating the failure.

Trees inspire mankind, not just through language, but through ideas. Perhaps the most famous is a tree in a garden in Lincolnshire, England, where an apple fell and inspired young Isaac Newton to wonder: Why would that apple always fall directly to the ground? According to an   18th-century account, Newton was home from Cambridge when he stepped into the garden and into a reverie (沉思) . There, the idea of gravitation came into his mind, inspired by an apple.

1. What is the role of a mango tree in Naunde?

A．A spot to bind the locals together.	B．A witness to the changing weather.
C．A generous food supplier on Earth.	D．A shelter to protect villagers in disasters.

2. How do trees keep a record of their surroundings?

A．By changing the width of their growth layer.

B．By sticking out branches in different directions.

C．By absorbing carbon dioxide to build their tissues.

D．By reflecting changing climate conditions with their tiny pores.

3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．Suggestions on facing failure.	B．Famous English stories about trees.
C．The relationship between trees and forests.	D．Lessons from English expressions related to trees.

4. Why does the author mention Newton in the last paragraph?

A．To explain the necessity of observation.	B．To show how gravitation was discovered.
C．To stress the importance of trees in inspiring ideas.	D．To introduce how trees serve as a mirror of history.

2 . Harbin has witnessed a significant boom that has caused it to trend on social media this winter. By December 30, 2023, the city airport’s annual passenger throughput had gone beyond 3000 million. According to a new report, during the three-day New Year holiday, Harbin received 3.05 million tourists and made income of 5.91 billion yuan, both of which reached record highs.

Harbin, also known as China’s “ice city”, is famous for its ice and snow culture. For over 60 years, the city has had a tradition of holding an annual ice lantern exhibition, presenting the creativity and skill of its artists. Recently, the Ice and Snow World, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest ice and snow park, is just one of many attractions in the city. It features amazing ice and snow sculptures, including replicas(复制品) of famous landmarks, animals, and cartoon characters. In addition, visitors can also enjoy different kinds of snow sports, such as ice skating, ice fishing, and sledding.

Harbin spared no effort to show its sincerity and hospitality(热情好客) to tourists. At the Ice and Snow World, a lot of new experiences have been provided, such as hovercrafts and bicycles on ice, Ferris wheels, and hot air balloons. Tourists were welcomed with live performances at the airport, and dressing rooms were set up for them to change into warm clothing. Local residents supported by traveling during off-peak hours to reduce traffic and offering tourists free rides. For those unable to book hotels, the government opened the Provincial People’s Congress Service Center for low-cost stays.

“For individual travelers, a city’s infrastructure(基础设施) and public services form the foundation of tourism competitiveness. It is only when tourists feel the warmth of the city and the goodwill of its citizens that they blend into the lives of a travel destination,” said Dai Bin, president of China Tourism Academy.

1. What are the figures in the first paragraph mainly about?

A．The boom in Harbin’s tourism industry.

B．The popularity of Harbin’s new attractions.

C．The big investment in Harbin’s Ice and Snow World.

D．The local people’s great passion for the New Year holiday.

2. What do we know about the Ice and Snow World from Paragraph 2?

A．It is famous for its ice lantern exhibition.

B．It is the first ice and snow park in the world.

C．It offers various snow-centered activities for visitors.

D．It holds snow sculpture competitions for skilled artists.

3. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．New sporting events in the Ice and Snow World.

B．The measures to ensure tourists’ safety in Harbin.

C．Kind residents’ support for relieving traffic pressure.

D．Harbin’s efforts to improve tourists’ travel experiences.

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A．A diary of cultural tours.	B．A news report on tourism.
C．An advertisement for scenic spots.	D．A review of newly emerging cities.

3 . 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 water system from more than 3,600 years ago has     1     (discover) in Central China’s Henan province. This find will improve people’s     2     (understand) of the city layout back then.

Three ditch     3     (section) were found in the ruins of a city from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan. Together these sections form the     4     (large) water system from the early period of the Shang Dynasty to be discovered thus far.

According     5     local archaeologists, one of the sections was built on a     6     (nature) river channel, while the remaining two were     7     (entire) artificial. About 540 meters of ditches were unearthed, with a     8     (wide) of about 12 meters at the widest point, and a depth of roughly four meters at its deepest point.

“    9     (base) on our study of spatial positions and cultural relics recovered from the ditches, we believe that they were interconnected and belonged to a large water system,     10     demonstrated the grandeur of a Shang capital,” said Yang Wensheng, vice director of the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology.

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the speaker live with the old lady?

A．To learn Polish.

B．To take care of her.

C．To get the feeling of family.

2. What did the old lady do for the speaker?

A．She washed her clothes.

B．She did cooking for her.

C．She cleaned her bathroom.

3. Who is Kathy?

A．The speaker’s roommate.

B．The speaker’s friend.

C．The speaker’s teacher.

4. What did the speaker think of the translating work?

A．Useless.

B．Easy.

C．Challenging.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How much is the first computer?

A．$600.

B．$700.

C．$900.

2. What does the woman care most about the computer?

A．The weight.

B．The price.

C．The color.

3. What color computer will the woman buy?

A．Black.

B．Red.

C．Blue.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How do the speakers find the math homework?

A．Very easy.

B．Just so-so.

C．Quite hard.

2. What does the woman say about the study group?

A．Everyone is serious and helpful.

B．It was started by a physics teacher.

C．All of the members are her classmates.

3. When will the speakers get to the library?

A．At 6:00 pm.

B．At 6:30 pm.

C．At 7:00 pm.

7 . Four Art Study Abroad Programs in 2024

Whether you love art history, dance, photography, writing, or beyond, here are the top art programs to attend in 2024.

The 6-week Gap Year Course in Italy | Art History Abroad
Program length: 6 weeks in summer
Price: $10,000

If you’re interested in studying artists, criticism, and painting techniques during periods like the Renaissance and styles like baroque, Romanesque, and modern art, then this program is for you. It prides itself on not simply teaching art but also culture and an appreciation of beauty.

Creative Internships (实习) in Australia with ABI | ArtBound Initiative
Program length: 1 month
Price: $3,250

If you’ve ever had an interest in pursuing a career in the creative industry, consider an internship opportunity with ArtBound Initiative. Interns can work in exciting overseas locations while getting one-on-one career coaching from professionals.

The Irish Arts and Culture Program | Irish Gap Year
Program length: 1 semester
Price: $17,000

Explore your own areas of interest as you work side by side with local Irish artists, photographers, writers, and musicians, learning about Ireland’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. Your hands-on experience goes hand in hand with day trips to galleries, museums, and castles, and at the end, you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your works at the Le Cheile Art Expo.

Creative Semester in France | Berridge Programs
Program length: 1 semester
Price: $16,500

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced performer or artist, your interests and talents will be nurtured by industry professionals. During your time here, you will work on improving your skills which will end with a feature film or creative performance.

1. Where should you go to obtain career guidance according to the text?

A．France.

B．Australia.

C．Italy.

D．Ireland.

2. Which program enables participants to display their works?

A．The 6-week Gap Year Course in Italy.

B．Creative Internships in Australia with ABI.

C．The Irish Arts and Culture Program.

D．Creative Semester in France.

3. How much should an artist pay to improve his performing skills?

A．$3,250.

B．$10,000.

C．$16,500.

D．$17,000.

8 . In the northernmost edge of Colombia sits the coastal town of Acandí. Access to the town is only by water or air; there is no road that leads there. The residents there are faced with the struggles of balancing livelihoods while protecting biodiversity.

In the past, traditional community fishing methods, passed down by the elders, focused on the reasonable fishing and management of resources. However, the introduction of large-scale trawling vessels(拖网渔船) decades ago gradually depleted the area’s fishing resources, leading to damage to marine(海洋的) life seriously.

Jesús Antonio Julio Cuestas, who serves in the region’s conservation and management of marine resources, stresses the bad impact of these developments and calls for new fishing techniques. “Fishing and conservation co-exist as long as we have good management practices and reasonable use of our fishing resources,” says Cuestas. He and other officials actively monitor fishing activities in Acandí. Each morning, they visit the fish markets to gather data on fishery resources—including prices and sizes—to monitor the state of the local fishing industry.

Along with Cuestas, the fishers work to reduce their impact on the marine ecosystem. By changing fishing methods and adopting new practices, they aim for a more balanced approach to fishing. “This year the local fishermen have not used the trawl net s that were causing the death of the leatherback sea turtles,” explains Cuestas proudly. Changes include the efforts of boats to protect the seagrass that serves as feeding grounds for marine life and an end to fishers throwing net s where turtles lay their eggs.

This marine reserve in Acandí, Cuestas believes, is their greatest treasure. He attaches great importance to working together with local residents to improve the quality of life while preserving the marine ecosystem. By doing so, he imagines a picture where individuals from the fishing community can pursue various careers, such as engineers or lawyers, proudly stating that they are the products of the fishing tradition in Acandí.

1. What does the underlined word “depleted” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Reused.	B．Restored.
C．Explored.	D．Reduced.

2. Why does Julio Cuestas call for new fishing techniques?

A．To cut down on the costs of fishing.

B．To improve the income of local residents.

C．To promote the well-being of marine wildlife.

D．To spread traditional community fishing methods.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The aim of the changes to fishing methods.

B．The efforts to preserve marine ecosystem.

C．The results the trawl net s have brought about.

D．The impact of fishers on the local environment.

4. What is Julio Cuestas’s attitude towards Acandí’s future?

A．Confident.	B．Uncaring.
C．Concerned.	D．Doubtful.

9 . Our dog Bree is a Staffy cross. She ________ more like a cat than a dog. Unlike other dogs, she will very happily eat up her dinner ________ what is being offered. She does not hang around us waiting for pieces to fall her way.

That is, of course, unless I am making toast (烤面包) for my breakfast. She always makes her way to the ________ and sits very straight and tall at my feet as though to say “Look at what a good girl I am!” as soon as she catches a ________ of bread toasting. I ________ her, broke off a little bit of crust (面包皮) and fed it to her before ________ some spread to my toast. This became our “thing” — if I was having toast she’d join me for breakfast. She seemed ________ and I didn’t think a little crust would ________ her. Unfortunately, the day came when I fed her a piece of toast with a generous ________ of butter and jam. Clearly, she thought it was ________ as she now turns her ________ up at dry crusts and will only eat toast topped with a tasty spread.

This incident ________ me of a smart Chinese proverb: It is ________ to pass from a poor life to a rich one, but difficult to go back in the other direction. When it comes to ________ children, we should watch out for this. ________, they might be spoiled (宠坏) easily.

1.

A．changes

B．behaves

C．works

D．looks

2.

A．regardless of

B．in case of

C．because of

D．in search of

3.

A．bedroom

B．yard

C．study

D．kitchen

4.

A．sound

B．moment

C．smell

D．word

5.

A．forgave

B．praised

C．ignored

D．trapped

6.

A．applying

B．adapting

C．sticking

D．pressing

7.

A．injured

B．annoyed

C．satisfied

D．confused

8.

A．touch

B．please

C．impress

D．ruin

9.

A．spread

B．offer

C．act

D．meal

10.

A．strong

B．delicious

C．small

D．hot

11.

A．ears

B．eyes

C．nose

D．neck

12.

A．reminds

B．frees

C．clears

D．warns

13.

A．usual

B．possible

C．great

D．easy

14.

A．training

B．raising

C．helping

D．moving

15.

A．Therefore

B．Anyway

C．Otherwise

D．Instead

10 .

Chile (智利) is famous for its many attractions, including Torres del Paine National Park and Easter Island . If you’re planning a visit, be sure to add “Mano del Desierto” or “Hand of the Desert”to your must-see list.

Standing 11 meters tall and made of iron and cement (混凝土), this sculpture (雕像) of a hand emerges (出现) from the sand in the Atacama Desert , which is known as the driest desert in the world outside of polar regions. The sculpture was created by Mario Irarr á zabal in the early 1980s and was financed by a local nonprofit organization called Corporaci ó n Pro Antofagasta. The sculpture is not only famous for its size and design but also for the message it expresses. Many people believe that the hand represents the weakness and helplessness of human beings, as well as their strength and determination to overcome hardships.

If you’re interested in visiting the Hand of the Desert, take Route 26 or 28 from Antofagasta, a port city in northern Chile. The sculpture is located between mile markers 1309 and 1310. The desert’s flatness (平坦) makes it easy to spot the sculpture from far away. But some people mistake it for a mirage (海市蜃楼) caused by tiredness from driving a long way to the sculpture.

Visitors should take precautions (预防措施) before leaving , such as filling their gas tanks , taking plenty of water, and wearing sunscreen. They should also avoid driving too quickly, as many car accidents happen in the desert each year.

For those who are worried about driving alone, working with an agency (机构) like Plan South America is a good option. The founder of the agency, Harry Hastings, said that he always tries to join a visit to the sculpture with guests traveling to the desert.

1. What makes the Hand of the Desert a famous attraction?

A．Its material.

B．Its location.

C．Its designer.

D．Its size and design.

2. What can we infer from the third paragraph?

A．The sculpture attracts millions of visitors every year.

B．Tired travelers often see mirages in the desert.

C．The sculpture can be reached very easily.

D．The sculpture can be seen from far away.

3. What can we know about Harry Hastings from the passage?

A．He built the sculpture “Hand of the Desert”.

B．He gave the financial support to the sculpture.

C．His agency can help lonely travelers travel to the desert.

D．He can avoid driving accidents in the desert.

4. Which column does this passage belong to in a newspaper?

A．Travel.

B．Environment.

C．Culture.

D．Entertainment.