1 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

I heard the door open and knew it wouldn’t be long before my husband Paul would come through the door. I feared his arrival. Don’t get me wrong —I love him dearly, but recently he had started to ask too many questions. He was really getting on my nerves.

“Hi baby, I’m home,” came his voice. “Where are you?”

“In here,” I replied. I was lying on our bed watching the five o’clock news in my pajamas（睡衣）.

“You’re still in your pajamas, again? You would feel better if you got dressed.”

“Why? I’m not going any place,” I replied testily. He just sighed and started changing his clothes.

We weren’t fighting but we weren’t exactly getting along famously either. My early retirement had come unexpectedly and although it was due to health issues, they weren’t severe enough to “allow” me stay in pajamas all day.

Everyone kept telling me it took time to adjust, that I would be very busy if I gave myself a chance. I didn’t want to be just busy; I wanted a purpose. Meanwhile, as I searched for meaning in my life again, my husband stepped in and suggested we get a dog.

The next Wednesday morning he said, “Hey, get dressed. Today we’re going to the dog-shelter.” “Oh, no…I can’t.”

“Why not? You going, somewhere?” he asked.

“Well, um; I’m not ready for that commitment,” I replied.

“Sallie, we’re getting a dog, not adopting a baby!”

We went to the shelter and returned with a Beagle-Doxie mix. I named her Mollie, spelled with an “ie” just like my name.

I bounded out of bed the next morning, eager to take care of Mollie. I was greeted by doggie kisses and unconditional love. Mollie didn’t care that I didn’t have a career or that I have health issues. She just needed me. I fed her, bathed her, and started our daily routine of walks. Mollie and I were two needy souls who had found each other.

A funny thing happened: my energy returned.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One recent winter evening, Mollie and I took our usual walk.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2 . 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。

Walking into the Suzhou Art Museum in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, the eyes of visitors are immediately drawn to an artwork hanging high on the wall     1     describes a vivid and lifelike cat,     2    (give)the surface impression of a contemporary art piece.

“Viewers mistake it     3     an oil painting at    4    (one)sight. We hope to fill the traditional craft with contemporary expressions,” says Zhang Fan, 48, one of the creators of the piece.

Next to the artwork     5    (be)two Su embroidery(苏绣)works coping with abstract photos taken by US photographer Michael Yamashita. All of these works are produced by Zhang and his mother, Zhang Meifang, 78,     6     master embroiderer who created the collision piece in cooperation with     7    (establish)physicist Tsung-dao Lee. In 2005, the Zhangs set up an embroidery innovative center, applying the ancient techniques of silk thread to modern art forms, including oil paintings, wall paintings, sculpted     8    (relief)and photos.

Su embroidery, known for its complicated techniques, elegant style and bright colors,     9    (typical)features birds, flowers, cats, landscapes, and figures. Most embroiderers in Jiangsu concentrate on Su embroidery, making     10     popular among both the upper class and the public for its delicate needlework.

3 . “Jen, do you hike?” Karen asked.

Was she talking to me? “Me? Yes, yeah, I ________”, I told her, whose sun-kissed checks suggested she was a ________.

“Great, do you want to come with us tomorrow morning? We meet in front of Bobbie’s house at 6:30, before it’s too ________, so we won’t sweat heavily. It’s about three miles total. Does that sound okay?”

Three miles. I wasn’t sure how ________ that was, partly because I didn’t hike. I ________ if hiking could be much different from walking. Being new to the town, and excited about an invitation from persons I wanted to befriend, I ________.

The next day, I got up early, showered, washed and ________ my hair. I left it a little messy, so it didn’t look like I had tried too ________. I took time to ________ comfortable “hiking clothes” and I ________ a bottle of water. When I arrived at Bobbie’s house, Karen and other three women was standing there, ________.

“Hey, Jen, I’m glad you came to hike,” she said ________ and hugged me. Then we started walking to the park. We walked rapidly along the sidewalk to the base of the Thunderbird Mountain.

That day, I became a hiker. By accepting the ________ to hike, I stretched myself, and made amazing new ________. I still enjoy hiking with them, and I imagine I will always remain ________ to these lovely women who enveloped me in their circle.

The great thing about new friends is that they bring new energy to my soul.

1.

A．check

B．hike

C．chat

D．answer

2.

A．farmer

B．teacher

C．regular

D．scholar

3.

A．hot

B．cold

C．wet

D．dry

4.

A．high

B．deep

C．wide

D．long

5.

A．suggested

B．wondered

C．promised

D．believed

6.

A．abandoned

B．hesitated

C．accepted

D．refused

7.

A．styled

B．touched

C．hid

D．sold

8.

A．little

B．hard

C．easily

D．gladly

9.

A．donate

B．produce

C．exhibit

D．select

10.

A．turned in

B．brought up

C．held on

D．took along

11.

A．hiking

B．jumping

C．waiting

D．arguing

12.

A．cheerfully

B．Curiously

C．officially

D．angrily

13.

A．message

B．invitation

C．experiment

D．exploration

14.

A．friends

B．neighbors

C．stories

D．theories

15.

A．useful

B．important

C．relaxed

D．connected

4 . Bing, also known as a Chinese pancake, is a traditional Chinese recipe, similar to pancakes. It is commonly made of dough (面团).     1    , be prepared to learn how to make these yummy recipes!

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

Combine the ingredients for the dough (flour, salt, and cooking oil). Knead (揉) the dough until it has a soft consistency that isn’t too wet. During this time, you can adjust the consistency, for example, by adding more oil or flour.     2    .

Step 2: Separate the dough

Separate the do ugh into different pieces, the size that you want.     3    , don’t separate it too much, and vice versa. You can use a rolling pin to help with making a circle. Chinese Pancake is commonly made in a circle shape, but can be any shape you want!

Step 3: Add spring onions

Add spring onions to the dough.     4     and sprinkle them on the bing. This gives the flavor for the cong you bing. The name “cong” in cong you bing actually refers to the spring onions. These can also be called scallions. green onions, and onions. You can also knead the dough again to mix the onion in.

Step 4: Fry both sides

Fry both sides of the pancake on low-medium heat until the sides are golden brown. It takes 3-5 minutes per side. Remember to take it out before the sides get dark brown. Fry for a short time if you want a soft pancake, and fry it for a longer time to make it crispier.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy!

    5    , but can be served in formal meals as well.

A．Divide it into ten equal pieces

B．Cut the onions into tiny pieces

C．It can be eaten as a casual food

D．Make sure you have enough dough

E．If this is already mouthwatering to you

F．If you want to make the pancake bigger

G．Heat up the pan while still working on the dough

5 . While conquering the world’s swimming pools in the late 1990s and the 2000s. Amanda Beard had already included breathing exercises in her training. Several years after the end of her athletic career, she discovered walking meditation. Today the seven-time US Olympic medalist practices walking meditation in nature, around the house, or while walking the dog. It’s a daily practice with the focused mindfulness of meditation that contributes positively to every aspect of her life, she says.

You don’t need equipment or a designated space to start. The idea of a walking meditation is to pay attention to the way your body feels, noticing things like the sky, trees, tuning into all of your senses. This means you can meditate “on the go” in the countryside, in the city, in your backyard, and virtually anywhere. A simple, 10-minute walking meditation for beginners requires that you just start at ease. Consider what you hear, smell and see. Think about how your feet touch the ground. Fully focus on these feelings.

A report in Health Promotion Perspectives also found that walking meditation can improve your balance, adjust your heart rate, boost your mental focus, and help you battle anxiety and depression. “The benefits of meditation are many,” says Dr. Schramm, a board-certified family physician and meditation teacher. “When we do this over and over again, we train the brain to focus on only one thing at a time and this increases both our blood flow and actual neuronal (神经元) changes within our brains.”

“The magic of meditation is to be able to help you connect with yourself; meditation shouldn’t feel a certain way,” says Tara Stiles, a yoga and wellness expert. It’s a common mistake in meditation: People fear a wandering mind. “A wandering mind is completely normal,” Stiles says. “Even experienced meditators aren’t sitting there never having a thought, but when they have the thought they choose to guide themselves back to their breath instead of getting frustrated.

1. What is walking meditation?

A．Plain walking.	B．Mindful walking.
C．A competitive sport.	D．Deep thought while stationary.

2. Which of the following is recommended to a beginner starting walking meditation?

A．A familiar environment.	B．A 10-minute walking time.
C．A relaxed but observant state.	D．A piece of special equipment.

3. What is the brain’s reaction to walking meditation according to Dr. Schramm?

A．Enhancing the blood flow.	B．Undergoing balance training.
C．Having more active thoughts.	D．Decreasing neuronal changes.

4. What is Tara Stiles’ attitude towards distractions?

A．Carefree.	B．Frustrated.
C．Concerned.	D．Positive.

6 . Working in an industry that’s constantly evolving is no small feat for musicians. Giving fans a memorable show is crucial, and some artists are looking to virtual reality to do just that. Travis Scott for example, partnered with Fortnite to bring his virtual-reality concert. Astronomical, to a global audience. The event drew in 12 million viewers. But interest in VR concerts came earlier. In 2019, the entertainment-technology company Wave launched a multichannel virtual platform for live concerts through various digital means: video games, live streaming channels, social networks, and more. Wave has since teamed up with the likes of The Weekend, Justin Bieber, and John Legend.

The appeal of such immersive concerts, by placing the audience in a digital world that stimulates both sight and sound to create an experience that makes one feel like they are truly part of the event, lies heavily in their experimental mature. Artists can try new ways to connect with listeners in digital environments. For fans skirting painful concert-ticket prices avoiding large crowds at venues, and experiencing their favorite musicians in an alternate world are convincing benefits.

VR has its downside. Only about 13% of households in the US own a VR headset so the technology isn’t common. In a survey, 67% of respondents who didn’t own a VR headset said its price tag kept them from purchasing one. Some people who paid a pretty penny have returned the headset because they simply didn’t know how to set it up or didn’t think the image quality was worth the cost. Discomfort is another issue: long-term use of a headset could cause discomfort in the neck and eyes, and according to the Food and Drug Administration, motion sickness is the most commonly reported negative side effect of VR. There’s also the possibility of VR separating users too far from reality, which could rewire their brains if they don’t moderate headset use. However, looking ahead. Amy Dorsey, the managing director of Dorsey Pictures, said that developments in advanced digital reality would pave the way for the next version of entertainment.

1. Which artist cooperated with Fortnite to deliver a virtual-reality concert?

A．Justin Bieber.	B．Wave.
C．Travis Scott.	D．Astronomical.

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

A．Cost-effective.	B．Environmentally friendly.
C．Quick and efficient.	D．Engaging and surrounding.

3. Which could be a potential drawback of VR concerts as suggested by the text?

A．VR concerts could cause a decrease in video image quality.

B．They may prevent people from attending live concerts altogether.

C．Long-time standing with VR headsets may lead to motion disability.

D．The high cost of VR headsets could limit accessibility for some fans.

4. What will the text discuss next?

A．The historical development of VR technology.

B．Future directions and innovations in VR.

C．Present market trends in VR headset sales.

D．Comparisons between VR and traditional concerts.

7 . As a big country, China’s economic and political influence is felt around the world. And its influence in education and culture has been growing too. The Confucius Institute offering free language classes has gained increasing popularity in both Hungary and Serbia. By offering opportunities to learn Chinese language and traditional arts, Confucius Institutes bring Chinese culture closer to interested learners serving as bridges between nations.

During my childhood, I held an unspoken fascination for Asian culture a passion cultivated through watching dramas such as the Monkey King. At the time, the idea of studying this captivating region didn’t occupy my mind. My turning point came when the desire to challenge myself led me to choose China for further education. It was a decision—not only for academic growth, but also to experience the responsibility of looking after myself. Taking the road that is less traveled means less company, less comfort. But it also means forging a life with an entirely different perspective I am seeking.

Undertaking Chinese language training presented a remarkable opportunity for many reasons. I firmly believe that acquiring proficiency in the language of the culture is not merely useful, but is also an effective means to truly understand that culture. The combination of learning the language in a classroom setting and applying it in everyday life offers an enriching experience. I participated in the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations held by my local Confucius Institute, such as trying my hand at Chinese crafts providing me with a first-hand experience of the culture.

If given another chance, I would explore even deeper into the rich cultural tapestry that surrounds me. Exploring renowned landmarks like the oriental Pearl Tower previously unvisited, felt like embarking on a new journey of discovery. I can say that along this path, I am gradually learning that valuable lessons unfold step by step.

1. What is the main function of the Confucius Institute in global cultural exchanges?

A．Offering language courses with a very small fee.

B．Fostering international understanding of Chinese culture.

C．Promoting Chinese tourism and business opportunities abroad.

D．Serving as a platform for economic cooperation between countries.

2. What makes the author decide on further education in China?

A．The TV drama the Monkey King.

B．The Asian cultural fascination.

C．The desire for whole-person growth.

D．The dream to study in a foreign place.

3. Why does the author share her experience with Mid-Autumn Festival?

A．To highlight the challenges of living abroad.

B．To encourage others to participate in local festivals.

C．To criticize the traditional classroom language learning.

D．To emphasize interactive learning in cultural understanding.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．The Path Less Traveled

B．Language as a Bridge to Culture

C．Guide to Studying Abroad in China

D．Embracing Art: Beyond the Classroom

8 . Take a food tour along Italian shores from Tuscany to Northern Sicily with Amber Guinness. The food writer mixes stories from her travels with memories and cooking insights, sharing 60 easy-to-make recipes that offer a taste-of-specific Italian seaside regions — and the stories behind them including potato and ca per salad from the island of Salina and the delicious Amalfi lemon cream cake. Thames & Hudson, £29.99.

Professor of food studies and history, David E Bender shows how tourism has shaped our fascination with world cuisines through an examination of travel, from the age of the sailboat to the rise of the jet plane. He looks at how we eat on the road, covering subjects such as Tahitian roast pig in the 1840s, the occupational “discoveries” of fruit like the mangosteen (山竹), and 1970s hotel restaurants. Reaktion Books, £ 20.

Travel writer Sarah Baxter and illustrator Amy Grimes serve up a guide to 25 food destinations, uncovering local specialties like pastries handmade by religious sisters in Portugal, vegan curries (咖喱) in Southern India — where plant-based dishes have been offered to gods and travelers for centuries — and traditional Spanish seafood r ice from its Spanish birthplace in Valencia. Plus, visits to contemporary food capitals Montreal, Osaka and Melbourne, famed for global dishes and fusion food. White Lion Publishing. £14.99.

Try out the recipes served in Paris’s best small restaurants, cafes and restaurants in this taste-focused tour that takes in classic spots along the Seine as well as more local hangouts in hip hoods like Belleville. Divided into meals of the day, it includes 40 recipes enjoyed in France, including, wine braised chicken, and burnt cream dessert, plus plenty of practical tips on food shops, markets and more. Hardie Grant. £20.

1. Who would most likely be the target audience for Italian Coastal?

A．Students studying Italian history.

B．Collectors of traditional Italian travel souvenirs.

C．Tourists planning a visit to Italian seaside districts.

D．Professional Italian chefs interested in religious cuisine.

2. Which destination is known for its vegetable dishes?

A．Southern India.	B．Portugal.
C．Valencia.	D．Melbourne.

3. What do the four books have in common?

A．They all focus on historical cuisines.

B．They combine cooking content with travel.

C．Each book is priced at more than 20 pounds.

D．All books are published by the same published be.

9 . Down comforters (羽绒被) are frightening pieces to wash. They’re huge, expensive and filled with delicate material.     1    .

Start with a spot treatment. If you’re washing your comforter because it’s dirty, spot-treat it first. Most food and dirt spots should respond to regular washing agent. But for old or tough spots, soak the area and leave it overnight. Whichever remover (去污剂) you choose, please remember: “    2    ”. Usually, this will involve spraying them, twisting and rubbing to push the spot treatment into the fabric.

Wash it at least twice.     3    . Then load your comforter into the washing machine, and run it through a delicate cycle with cold or warm water. Wash it a second time on a quick cycle to clean from the down inside. If your comforter seems a little tight in your washing machine, and you’re not positive it had enough room to move around and expose every gap to the second wash cycle, an additional wash could help.

Dry it well. Thoroughly drying your comforter helps ensure the down inside stays fluffy (蓬松的). You don’t want to cook the down with high heat and damage it, though.     4     and remove it from the dryer throughout the cycle (every 20 minutes or so) to redistribute and fluff the down fill.

    5    . A good cleaning every few years will help your comforter last a long time, but you’ll still want to refresh a deflated comforter between washes. Use the dryer for about an hour every three to four weeks to kill dust mites and dry out any moisture. Low heat is ideal. To address dust mites, use high heat for 20 minutes and then lower the heat for the rest of the cycle.

A．Run it through the dryer

B．Keep your comforter fresh

C．Follow the directions on the bottle strictly

D．But you can wash your comforter yourself

E．Dry your comforter on low or medium heat

F．Washing it many times may actually help you

G．Confirm your comforter is machine washable first

10 . Quite often my mother would _________ me to set the family table with the “good china.” Because this _________ with such frequency, I never _________ these occasions. I assumed it was just my mother’s desire.

One evening as I was setting the table, Marge, a neighbor woman, _________ unexpectedly. She _________ on the door, and mother, busy at the stove, invited her to come in. Marge entered the kitchen and, _________ at the beautifully set table, remarked, “Oh, I see you’re expecting _________. I’ll come back another time.”

“No, it’s all right,” replied my mother. “We’re not expecting company.”

“Well then,” said Marge with a(n) _________ look on her face, “why would you have the good china out?”

“Because,” my mom answered, “I’ve prepared my family’s favorite meal. If you _________ your best table for special guests when you prepare a meal, why not for your own __________?”

“Well yes, but your beautiful china will get chips,” responded Marge.

“Oh well,” said Mom __________, “a few chips in the china is a small __________ to pay for the way we always feel as we gather as a family at the dinner table. Besides, all these chips have a story to tell, now don’t they?”

Mom walked to the cupboard and __________ a plate. Holding it up she said, “See this chip? This plate was broken the day we brought our newborn son home. Trying to be __________, my six-year-old daughter dropped that plate as she carried it to the sink. I’ll never forget that day.”

We all laughed. At that moment, I knew for sure that the china held for mother a number of love __________ about our family.

1.

A．beg

B．request

C．push

D．stop

2.

A．occurred

B．started

C．covered

D．exchanged

3.

A．remembered

B．admitted

C．questioned

D．observed

4.

A．settled down

B．came across

C．dropped by

D．passed on

5.

A．knocked

B．beat

C．lay

D．hit

6.

A．aiming

B．laughing

C．glaring

D．glancing

7.

A．company

B．delivery

C．cooks

D．strangers

8.

A．annoyed

B．puzzled

C．exhausted

D．depressed

9.

A．buy

B．set

C．polish

D．repair

10.

A．guest

B．neighbor

C．family

D．boss

11.

A．coolly

B．calmly

C．cautiously

D．casually

12.

A．mistake

B．trouble

C．debt

D．price

13.

A．turned in

B．tidied up

C．took down

D．threw away

14.

A．helpful

B．harmful

C．grateful

D．graceful

15.

A．accidents

B．stories

C．explanations

D．dishes