1 . I’ve wanted a cat for as long as I can remember. _________, my whole family, except for Dad, has wanted a cat for a long time. About a year ago, Dad finally _________. He went to the animal shelter to bring home three-month-old Larry. My two younger sisters and I jumped for joy. At first, Larry _________ constantly because of our two large pet dogs. It wasn’t long, though, before he taught us an important _________.

The day was very _________ outside. Our family of five, along with our two dogs, _________ the warm fireplace. The dogs, weighing about ninety pounds each, were sleeping in _________ together in their new dog bed after a long day of activity.

Larry had been keeping a(n) _________ eye from his cat post. All at once, he bounced off the floor, raced over to where the dogs were sleeping and _________ them sharply. Larry wanted the new dog bed for himself. The second Larry __________ them, the dogs jumped up. Both raced off their bed and out of Larry’s __________, their tails between their legs.

Seeing the funny scene, we couldn’t help but __________. What had just happened? Had our cat just kicked two ninety-pound dogs off their bed? Perfectly placed next to the warm fireplace, Larry fell asleep and had a wonderful nap(小睡). No one __________ him, not even the dogs.

We learnt something important from Larry that day, which we won’t soon forget: __________ doesn’t matter. If you want something, go to __________ it.

1.

A．Originally

B．Actually

C．Fortunately

D．Frequently

2.

A．held on

B．turned back

C．gave in

D．missed out

3.

A．rolled

B．fainted

C．appeared

D．shook

4.

A．lesson

B．trick

C．trade

D．skill

5.

A．damp

B．mild

C．dry

D．cold

6.

A．decorated

B．surrounded

C．fixed

D．measured

7.

A．condition

B．action

C．peace

D．confidence

8.

A．watchful

B．innocent

C．watery

D．curious

9.

A．guarded

B．beat

C．accused

D．tapped

10.

A．attracted

B．monitored

C．attacked

D．commanded

11.

A．mind

B．spot

C．step

D．way

12.

A．laugh

B．fear

C．scream

D．whisper

13.

A．understood

B．bothered

C．kicked

D．tested

14.

A．Speed

B．Type

C．Size

D．Shape

15.

A．assess

B．copy

C．appreciate

D．pursue

2 . Self-care is the practice of taking care of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life to promote health and wellness.     1     Reading on can help you solve your puzzle and find some self-care practices you shouldn’t skip.

Take exercise regularly.

It’s important to listen to your body and take a break.     2     It’s important to push yourself to exercise on a regular basis, as this brings with it both physical and mental benefits. If you’re feeling too tired and just don’t want to do it, remember that doing exercise can actually give you an energy boost. So do the exercise, and let the energy come after!

Manage your finance.

    3     But practicing financial self-care through planning and budgeting can help to lessen this burden. It’s not as fun as treating yourself on payday, but creating a budget and sticking to it can empower you to take control of your financial well-being.

    4    

If there are things you can do now to make life easier for yourself when things get busy, don’t put them off! Likewise, if you notice a chore that needs doing, do it straight away instead of telling yourself that you’ll get to do it later. Make a habit of doing things as and when they need doing, which will make life easier to stay on top of. There are always going to be times when you have to let yourself off certain tasks-maybe you’re ill or feeling low.     5    

A．Form a relaxing habit.

B．Take action immediately.

C．However, don’t let every day become a rest day!

D．Many people don’t fully understand what self-care means.

E．Money matters can be a significant source of stress and anxiety.

F．Building a perfect self-care plan will depend on your personal health and lifestyle.

G．But the more you do when you can, the less you’ll have to worry about when you can’t.

3 . How many species can be found in a glass of ocean water? If you’ve ever been involved in a school experiment looking at ocean or river water under a microscope, you’ll know that even a single drop is filled with life, from small insects and fish you can see with your eyes down to bacteria, fish eggs and even tiny creatures that can only be revealed under microscope.

Scientists are now looking even more closely, using the relatively recent technique of environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing (测序). This allows researchers to get some DNA from a sample of water, and then to match it against known reference sequences.

Not only can eDNA identify thousands of species in a single sample of water, but the technique can be used in the field to assess biodiversity in water and other environments faster, more comprehensively, yet also much less harmfully than traditional physical surveys.

The approach is growing so quickly that the first Australian and New Zealand Environmental DNA Conference was held in Hobart in February 2023, bringing together some of the world’s leading researchers and technology providers in the space.

There is still much to be learned. Because of the DNA copy technique, the slightest pollution can deliver false results. Scientists are also still learning about how eDNA is distributed in the environment, how far it travels from its “point of release”, and how different water qualities affect how well mixed it is in the water column. There are also many things that can affect results when sampling. eDNA degrades (分解) faster in warmer water because of increased microbial (微生物的) activity, a strong driver of eDNA degradation. Yet this effect can be reduced by an increased production of eDNA under these conditions.

So there is no specific answer to the question. But with the new techniques and others in development, the answer is far higher than you would have counted through your school microscope. California-based Illumina is a leader in eDNA sequencing and it was also a gold sponsor of the Hobart event. Its “next-generation sequencing” workflow involves a three-stage process after sample collection.

1. Why is the school experiment mentioned in paragraph 1?

A．To offer some evidence.	B．To introduce the topic.
C．To raise awareness of biodiversity.	D．To stress the importance of experiments.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly tell us about eDNA?

A．Its advantages.	B．Its classifications.
C．Its popularity.	D．Its development.

3. What is the main factor that affects the results of the study?

A．The travel distance of eDNA.	B．The size of the water sample.
C．The instability of the water sample.	D．The degradation of eDNA in water.

4. What may be talked about next?

A．The process of new sequencing.	B．The introduction to Illumina.
C．The new way of collecting samples.	D．The cooperation of leading researchers.

4 . Abby grew up loving all animals, especially her cats, fish and two rescue dogs. When she decided to get a smaller trainable pet, research led her to rats. Few people have thought of training rats to be therapy (疗愈) animals. Since rats live only two or three years and the training takes at least six months, “it’s kind of a race against time to get them ready,” Abby says.

She got a one-month-old rat, Oliver, and started to train him immediately, exposing him to the world and all its distractions. “I’d take him to any animal-friendly place,” Abby says. Since rats have poor eyesight, they won’t run away from a comfortable, familiar spot. “He stayed in his tiny basket, taking it all in.”

Then it was time for their therapy team evaluation. Oliver had to react calmly to loud noises, other animals, strangers and getting wrapped in a towel. Abby needed to show she knew how to care for Oliver and how to correct someone who wasn’t handling him well. They passed.

For more than a year, Oliver provided therapy for seniors and stressed-out college students. He also sat with elementary-age children who found that reading to a rat was the best way to practice. His successor, Vincent, has a gift for listening to kids read. Abby has witnessed students with autism (自闭症) improve their reading skills dramatically, thanks to sessions with Vincent.

Though Abby gets the occasional request to keep her pets at a distance, for the most part the reaction is positive. “People point, and there are whispers: ‘Is that a rat?’ Then everyone crowds around and their faces light up. Even seniors think they’re cute,” says Abby, whose third therapy rat, Franklin, passed his test a few months ago.

Right now, there are less than 10 registered therapy rats with Pet Partners in the US, largely due to their short lifetime. Perhaps that number will grow, thanks to Abby, who loves seeing how these underestimated creatures improve others’ lives. “My goal has always been just to make people happy,” she says. “If I can do it with a rat in my hand, it will be even better.”

1. What do we know about the rat training?

A．It must be done on baby rats.	B．It’s about training rats to race.
C．It’s a two-or three-year session.	D．It must be done as quickly as possible.

2. What did Oliver have to do to pass the evaluation?

A．Do tricks in front of the crowd.	B．Get used to living in a towel.
C．Stay calm when wrapped in a towel.	D．Communicate with other animals.

3. What is the probable meaning of the underlined part in paragraph 5?

A．The trained rats are in great need.	B．Some people dislike the trained rats.
C．The trained rats are afraid of the crowd.	D．Seniors will stay away from the trained rats.

4. Which words can best describe Abby?

A．Innovative and caring.	B．Brave and ambitious.
C．Patient and responsible.	D．Talented and optimistic.

5 . How to Make Smoked Salmon（鲑鱼）＆ Bread Wheel

Ingredients	Tools
500g bread flour, plus extra for dusting 7g dried fast action yeast（酵母） 140ml olive oil 240ml warm water 50ml garlic oil 300g smoked salmon sea salt and black pepper	a large mixing bowl airtight wrap an oven with a large baking dish a small serving bowl baking paper

Place the bread flour in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle of the flour and fill it with the yeast and some sea salt and black pepper. Add 50ml of the olive oil, followed by all the warm water. Mix the ingredients together in a figure of eight motion until a dough forms. Then cover it with an airtight wrap and leave it to stand in a warm place for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 200℃/180℃. Dust a clean kitchen surface with flour. Shape the dough into a ball, and then roll the dough into a circle, approximately 14 inches in size. Transfer the dough to the prepared dish. Place the small serving bowl upside down in the middle of the dough and cut a circle lcm out from around the bowl. Remove the middle piece of dough.

Cut strips（条）, starting from the outside edge of the circle to approximately 2cm away from the edge of the inner circle. Twist the lengths of dough coming away from the circle until they cannot be twisted any more. Brush the strips with two thirds of the garlic oil mixture.

Bake for 20 minutes until golden, then brush again with the remaining garlic oil. Place the seasoning bowl in the center. Put the salmon rolls between the serving bowl and the bread.

1. What is added to the flour last?

A．Salt.

B．Water.

C．Olive oil.

D．Pepper.

2. What is the small serving bowl used for?

A．Covering the dough.	B．Putting the bread in.
C．Mixing the ingredients.	D．Cutting an inner circle.

3. How long does it take to make the bread?

A．Nearly one hour.	B．More than two hours.
C．Twenty minutes or so.	D．At least eighty minutes.

6 . 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。

Millions of bus passengers will enjoy cleaner, safer     1     more comfortable journeys as the government invests (投资) a further £143 million to roll out almost a thousand new zero emission (排放) buses in England. The new     2     (serve) is expected to have a marked impact on the future of the country.

The funding comes from the     3     (two) round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, which will see new electric buses in towns, villages and     4     (city) across England, including the most rural parts of the country, many of which will get zero emission buses for the first time. Thanks to the ZEBRA programme, no other European country     5     (record) as many electric buses in 2023 as the UK, with zero emission buses accounting     6     almost half of all new large buses introduced last year.

Today’s investment follows over £270 million to 16 local transport authorities (LTAs)     7     (lead) the total government support to cover 41 LTAs.     8     (make) sure more parts of England benefit from better buses and green technology, particularly rural areas     9     the journey towards decarbonising (碳减排) buses is in     10     (it) early stages, the government has put the first £40 million into rural communities.

7 . A few years ago, Ben Gomes received a worrying call at work. The caller told him that his 92-year-old mother, Thomasinha, was being _______ to the hospital after she had been dragged (拖拽) by a car in the street. He raced to the _______ to see her.

“I was _______ at the time, I couldn’t picture what it would be like,” Gomes recalls. Gomes soon learned the _______ of what, had happened. Thomasinha sometimes received _______ from volunteer drivers to her local senior center. On that day, when she got out of the car, one of the long drawstring cords (拉带) on her jacket got _______ in the door as she closed it. The driver didn’t see her, and began to _______ , dragging Thomasinha along.

She _______ alongside the car, _______ the window of the car to get the driver’s ________ . That’s when a passer-by saw her from across the street and got in front of the car to ________ the driver. At that point, Thomasinha ________ , and she had a serious injury.

“I’m so grateful that I was not greeted by the sight that I feared when I went to the hospital,” Gomes says. Today, when Gomes reflects back on the kindness of this ________ , he says it’s hard to express his ________ . “I don’t know if I’d have ________ words to say than ‘Thank you’ for what you did for my mother and for what you did for me,” he adds.

1.

A．rushed

B．trained

C．applied

D．referred

2.

A．school

B．hospital

C．station

D．house

3.

A．honored

B．generous

C．frightened

D．faithful

4.

A．details

B．effects

C．costs

D．views

5.

A．prizes

B．rides

C．letters

D．tickets

6.

A．burned

B．stolen

C．lost

D．caught

7.

A．blow away

B．drive away

C．drop out

D．hang out

8.

A．sang

B．pushed

C．ran

D．nodded

9.

A．smiling at

B．turning on

C．pointing at

D．knocking on

10.

A．attention

B．memory

C．advice

D．money

11.

A．call

B．see

C．stop

D．beat

12.

A．joked

B．arrived

C．stood

D．fell

13.

A．passenger

B．stranger

C．student

D．doctor

14.

A．concern

B．sadness

C．interest

D．appreciation

15.

A．kinder

B．shorter

C．better

D．fewer

8 . 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。

“And that’s ‘The Ray of Hope’ for you!” Asta said as she ended her book review. She took a deep bow and was given thundering applause. I, too, gave applause. I was happy for my friend. Well, I was pretending to be happy for her. Deep down inside, I was rather feeling envious of Asta. She was always the one who makes speeches, debates and tells stories to others. Me? No! I had stage fright and was always the shy, quiet one who was never courageous to speak in front of others. I had never managed to do a presentation without stammering(结巴). Every time I saw someone making a speech, I would imagine myself in his or her place, receiving the applause and praise.

I was walking to the canteen with Asta. She, as usual, was looking at the script. She had been chosen to be the presenter for the National Day Celebration. I sighed to myself. Why could I not be like her, always loud and brave? If only there was a way to prove myself...

Just then, I caught a glimpse of a poster on the noticeboard.

“Minute to say it?” I read the poster out loud.

It was a competition where one has to prepare a speech about a particular topic and summarize it on the stage within one minute. This could be my big chance to overcome my stage fright! And the best part was, if I won the competition, I would receive a mini-trophy (小奖杯).

Without thinking twice, I grabbed a form and filled in it. I took a seat in the canteen with Asta and told her what I had done, after which she said that she had also signed up for the competition. Suddenly, regret hit me like a 20-pound hammer. I was competing against Asta who was the best speaker in the school! I was bound to lose! Why was I so ill-fated? I just wanted a chance to prove myself that I could overcome my stage fright.

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。

The big day finally arrived.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next, it was Asta’s turn.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . Dave Hall led Surprise Squad, an organization to bring surprise to those in need, on a mission to spread joy at a local Albertsons store. Their _________ was simple yet influential: to pay for the groceries of _________ customers. Among the customers was Stephanie, a disabled veteran(退伍军人)who relied on her wheelchair.

She _________ to Dave that she was shopping for food for herself and her dogs. She was down to her last $50,_________ of how she would manage after that. Dave, thrilled to help, paid for all her groceries, a _________ that left Stephanie extremely grateful.

Dave _________ a man standing beside Stephanie. _________ mistaken for her husband, Larry turned out to be a friend of Stephanie’s husband and a fellow veteran. Despite his own financial _________, Larry was determined to support Stephanie.

He stood in the checkout _________ with just a bottle of dish soap and a piece of candy—all he could afford. Dave, moved by Larry’s situation, __________ buying him groceries. Larry’s eyes were filled with tears as Dave accompanied Larry back into the shelves, filling a __________ with food and toiletries(洗漱用品), far more than Larry had __________that day. As they finished checking out, Larry __________ that he had never spent so much on groceries before. The gratitude and emotion on his face were __________.

He thanked Dave wholeheartedly and left the store, carrying not just groceries but a moment of __________ that would never fade.

1.

A．plan

B．experience

C．style

D．movement

2.

A．regular

B．unique

C．random

D．specific

3.

A．suggested

B．revealed

C．insisted

D．referred

4.

A．afraid

B．confident

C．full

D．uncertain

5.

A．schedule

B．solution

C．gesture

D．strategy

6.

A．felt

B．noticed

C．kept

D．left

7.

A．Initially

B．Hurriedly

C．Excitedly

D．Absolutely

8.

A．adventures

B．investments

C．hesitations

D．struggles

9.

A．path

B．point

C．line

D．corner

10.

A．cared for

B．insisted on

C．thought of

D．gave up

11.

A．basket

B．store

C．vehicle

D．hand

12.

A．needed

B．provided

C．expected

D．ignored

13.

A．remarked

B．regretted

C．judged

D．required

14.

A．creative

B．calm

C．positive

D．evident

15.

A．curiosity

B．kindness

C．generosity

D．ambition

10 . 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 pair of scissors, a piece of paper, and a pair of dexterous (灵巧的) hands. That’s     1     is needed to create delicate works of paper-cuttings.

    2    (originate) in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, this ancient form of art has not only survived through generations but has also become     3     important part of Chinese culture. It is often associated with the     4     (celebrate) of the Spring Festival, where complex patterns of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals     5     (create) to bring good luck and fortune for the new year.

The art of paper-cuttings goes beyond mere craftsmanship. It is a form of expression deeply     6    (root) in Chinese history and tradition. Artists, without the need for any drawn draft, use their imagination to create     7    (variety) patterns and images with scissors and burins. Animals, flowers, mythological and historical figures are meticulously (细致地) cut and carved, each carrying its own symbolism and meanings.

Today, paper-cuttings continue to decorate Chinese homes,     8    (especial) during the Spring Festival. The windows and walls come alive with vibrant patterns and scenes of family reunions and temple fairs. It serves     9     a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that the Chinese people cherish     10     pass down from one generation to another.