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 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why does George seem to be in trouble?

A．He has missed a good opportunity.

B．He is in a dilemma of a job decision.

C．He is unwilling to work as an engineer.

2. What is George now?

A．A company manager.

B．A college teacher.

C．A computer engineer.

3. What does the woman mean?

A．George should accept the job offer.

B．George should spend time with the family.

C．George should continue his work in college.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Where will the exhibition be held?

A．In the library.

B．In the Queen’s park.

C．In the Royal Gallery.

2. How long will the exhibition run?

A．About 2 months.

B．About 4 months.

C．About 5 months.

3. What will Cynthia Course talk about in the exhibition?

A．Her colored stones.

B．Her silver jewelry.

C．Her paper sculpture.

4. What can visitors do at the exhibition?

A．Learn to make various sculptures.

B．Try on amazing Susan Cup’s shoes.

C．Purchase the artworks they admire.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How does the mother feel about the boy’s red spots over the neck?

A．Surprised.

B．Relieved.

C．Anxious.

2. How does the boy want his mom to help him?

A．By lying to the nurse.

B．By asking the school for a sick leave.

C．By covering the red spots with makeup.

3. What advice did the mother give?

A．Go to see the doctor first.

B．Get a note from the school nurse.

C．Make an appointment with the coach.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the agent wish Lily to do?

A．Act in an advertisement.

B．Seek for a child actress.

C．Perform in a furniture store.

2. Why did the woman refuse the invitation of the agent?

A．She had no trust in the agent.

B．She hated Lily’s life being disturbed.

C．She could afford the college expenses.