1 . Family plays an important part in much fiction, of course, but sometimes the short story form has offered us an insight into family life that the longer novel does not. Here are some for you to taste.

Prelude, by Katherine Mansfield

Prelude is one of Katherine Mansfield's longest and finest short stories. Because Prelude is a modernist short story, the emphasis is on characters rather than plots. Mansfield is using the Burnells’ house-move, and the period when they are busy settling into their new home, as a situation to observe family, women and class.

He, by Katherine Anne Porter

Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980) wrote just one novel and fewer than thirty short stories, yet she is regarded as an important twentieth-century American writer, with He among her most celebrated and critically praised works. An important theme of Porter’s work is the search for meaning in a modern and increasingly materialist world.

Signs and Symbols, by Vladimir Nabokov

It is a short story by the Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977), originally published in the New Yorker in 1948. The story centers on an elderly married Russian couple who move to the United States; their son is suffering from paranoid delusions (妄想症) and has been limited to a care center. Signs and Symbols focuses on the couple’s attempt to visit their son and its result.

Down at the Dinghy, by J. D. Salinger

This short story was originally published in 1949. It involves an adult speaking to a child. It is about a young boy who runs from home and goes down to the nearby lake, where he gets into a boat and refuses to speak to his mother. The story ends with the mother bonding with her son.

1. What is special about Prelude?

A．It’s about scientific observation.	B．It’s the longest of the four.
C．It involves moving to a new place.	D．It focuses more on figures than plots.

2. What do we know about Katherine Anne Porter and Vladimir Nabokov?

A．They are contemporary writers.	B．Their works center on critical thinking.
C．They both seek for meaning in modern life.	D．Their works were published in the New Yorker.

3. Who are the target readers of the text?

A．Science fiction fans.	B．Family-based short story lovers.
C．Those who plan to be writers.	D．People trying to have a family.

2 . Growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Oliver James understands the power of words. His inability to read and write held him _________ from success for years.

In 2020, James decided to make a _________ and started to teach himself how to read. Then, in 2022, he started a TikTok account to _________ his reading journey. Along the way, James has _________ millions with his stories about success and struggles. His _________ often feature him reading aloud from the latest book off his must-read list.

Letter by letter, word by word, James’ _________ led him to speak out about the importance of literacy (识字) to a broad audience, which led to a podium (讲台) in Washington, in October 2023 to read an acceptance _________ for the Barbara Bush National Literacy Honors Award.

James talked about his _________ before the event with People Magazine, mainly about reading his speech from a teleprompter (提词器). “I was nervous,” he said. “But knowing that I was about to speak in front of all those people was _________. It was an experience that I’ll never __________.”

In a recent interview, James said that now he __________ reads bedtime stories to his 1-year-old son at night. He also hopes that as he __________ improving his reading and writing, he can grow his inspirational speaking career (事业) to encourage others to __________ their dreams, no matter how difficult it is.

“It feels like I found my __________ in life,” he said in the interview. “I’m finally __________ the world.”

1.

A．on

B．back

C．up

D．out

2.

A．living

B．wish

C．comment

D．change

3.

A．share

B．receive

C．design

D．discover

4.

A．confused

B．inspired

C．frightened

D．cured

5.

A．cartoons

B．examinations

C．videos

D．interviews

6.

A．promise

B．support

C．failure

D．effort

7.

A．speech

B．report

C．research

D．letter

8.

A．anger

B．pride

C．anxiety

D．honor

9.

A．exciting

B．natural

C．familiar

D．tough

10.

A．regret

B．forget

C．expect

D．select

11.

A．gradually

B．formally

C．regularly

D．obviously

12.

A．begins

B．avoids

C．considers

D．continues

13.

A．design

B．follow

C．check

D．prove

14.

A．power

B．method

C．purpose

D．source

15.

A．contributing to

B．looking into

C．benefiting from

D．meeting with

3 . International ShakeOut Day This Year

This year’s International ShakeOut Day is October 17, when millions of people worldwide will take part in earthquake drills (演习) at work, school, or home! It is a great way for your family or organization to become better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.

At 10:17 am (local time) on 10/17, you can join millions of people across the world in practicing earthquake safety. While we encourage everyone to take part, you can sign up for your ShakeOut drill for any day of the year, and drill at a time of your choice. You can also include people in different locations through videos.

FIND YOUR REGION

· Most participants (参与者) are in one of the official ShakeOut Regions listed below the page (with current sign-up totals). People and organizations in other countries can also sign up.

· All regions take part in it on October 17, 2024, unless specified.

(As of Today)	Global Totals	US Totals
Oct.17, 2024 Drills	Over 270,000	Over 260,000
All 2024 Drills	Over 1.10 million	Over 950,000
All 2023 Drills	Over 57.3 million	Over 19.3 million

ShakeOut began in California and has also been organized in many other states and countries. Official ShakeOut Regions require special local or regional cooperation, typically by an emergency (紧急情况) management agency or a union of many organizations. If you are interested in establishing ShakeOut for your region, please contact us at https://www.shakeout.org. If your state, province, or country is not yet taking part, you can sign up for yourself or your organization as part of the global participation total.

1. What is the purpose of the activity?

A．To raise people’s safety awareness.

B．To stress the challenges of earthquakes.

C．To help people get ready for an earthquake.

D．To warn people of the danger of earthquakes.

2. How many people worldwide took part in the drills in 2023?

A．Over 270,000.	B．Over 950,000.
C．Over 57.3 million.	D．Over 19.3 million.

3. Where is the text from?

A．A website.	B．A book review.
C．A guidebook.	D．A diary entry.

4 . If you were to lift up the keys of your keyboard, and take a look below, you’d probably be met with a terrible scene. “We clean our homes but most of us never think to clean our keyboards,” Rebecca Park, an advanced practice nurse, says.

“Our keyboards can actually hold high levels of bacteria (细菌),” Park says. “The most common bacteria that are found on our keyboards tend to live on our skin, mouth, and nose. These are then carried to our keyboards, usually by our hands.”

And according to one study, this is more likely when many people use the same keyboard, and each brings their own bacteria to the table. That said, touching bacteria-covered surfaces all day long, and then touching your face, can impact your skin. “Dirty electronic devices are a common cause of more acne (粉刺) breakouts,” Dr Yoram Harth explains.

In another study, researchers collected samples (样本) from 300 keyboards and found that all of them had bacteria. “The authors concluded that the presence of infective (感染性的) bacteria on these objects indicates that they might be a cause for the spread of skin infections,” Harth says. “Similar overloads of bacteria were also found on smartphone touch screens and computer mice and headphones.”

It’s not something you necessarily have to think too much about, but it never hurts to be aware of surfaces with bacteria, and take a few extra prevention steps. “A good way to prevent the spread of infection from your keyboards is to wash your hands before and after using the computer,” Park says. “Soapy water is effective enough to kill most bacteria.”

Do this, and you won’t carry as much bacteria to your keyboard, and then back to your face, and so is the opposite. It can also ensure you won’t be clogging your keys with bits from food, especially if you get right back to typing after eating lunch.

1. What do the two studies find?

A．Most people never clean their keyboards.

B．Most of the bacteria on the keyboards are harmless.

C．Most acne breakouts are related to the keyboard use.

D．Most electronic devices have bacteria on their surfaces.

2. Which way is suggested in the text to avoid the spread of bacteria?

A．Clean the keyboard with soapy water.

B．Wash hands after using the computer.

C．Wear gloves when using the computer.

D．Avoid eating before using the computer.

3. What does the underlined word “clogging” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Blocking.

B．Improving.

C．Destroying.

D．Replacing.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Useful Tips on Choosing a Proper Keyboard

B．Practical Ways to Protect Yourself from Bacteria

C．What You Should Keep in Mind About Infection

D．What Happens When You Don’t Clean Your Keyboard

5 . In 2017, I developed an unusual illness that had almost destroyed my life. But one of the things that _________ me in the following year was an online Qi Gong course.

Qi Gong looks like Tai Chi, but it’s _________ energy medicine for healing. My daily _________ of Qi Gong that year made such a _________ to me that I decided to head to the retreat (静修) organized by Sifu Anthony, a Qi Gong master, the following February.

It was my first trip out of the country for more than a decade. I booked a trip to San Jose where I _________ a dozen strangers and Sifu Anthony. We all _________ a tiny bus. Moments later, we rode up around _________ mountain roads into a magical cloud forest jungle where we finally reached our _________ — the Blue Mountain for Qi Gong practice.

There was no Internet or other entertainments there — just _________ organic meals made with love. I’d felt a little energy movement during my year of online learning, but right there my body __________ to really feel Qi when I __________ Qi Gong exercises. I felt joyful.

That was when everything changed. I __________ a remarkable transformation and recovered fully. I had a successful career as a writer, but still wanted to __________ the beauty, diversity, nature and culture in every corner of the __________. And I wanted to share this __________ feeling of life with anyone. So, I set up my travel blog.

1.

A．annoyed

B．inspired

C．equipped

D．frightened

2.

A．actually

B．randomly

C．gradually

D．originally

3.

A．conclusion

B．reservation

C．practice

D．battle

4.

A．breakthrough

B．difference

C．reward

D．suggestion

5.

A．came across

B．knocked over

C．brought up

D．brushed off

6.

A．piloted

B．operated

C．boarded

D．fixed

7.

A．winding

B．smooth

C．deserted

D．incredible

8.

A．space

B．state

C．destination

D．position

9.

A．meaningful

B．processed

C．delicious

D．smelly

10.

A．shook

B．lowered

C．forced

D．began

11.

A．recalled

B．performed

C．guaranteed

D．assessed

12.

A．cast

B．underwent

C．organized

D．identified

13.

A．explore

B．showcase

C．stress

D．adjust

14.

A．business

B．profession

C．outline

D．globe

15.

A．peaceful

B．definite

C．objective

D．joyful

6 . You know that short walk to the shops and back? It’s about 10 minutes each way and you don’t know if you can be glad to make the trip, but that one short walk could save you from an early death, a new research by Cambridge University shows. In fact, as many as one in 10 early deaths could be prevented if everyone managed at least half the recommended level of physical activity.

Risks of diseases such as heart disease, strokes (中风) — which were responsible for 17.9 million deaths per year in 2019 — and various cancers are all reduced with this simple short walk. This easy lifestyle change was also noted in an earlier study in January, 2023, so you really should give it a go.

By carrying out studies among a total of over 30 million participants, the latest Cambridge research found that just 75 minutes of exercise a week can reduce the risk of cancer by 7%. It was also enough to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular (心血管的) disease by 17%.

Professor James Woodcock from the MRC Epidemiology Unit said, “We know that physical activity, such as walking or cycling, is good for you, especially if you feel it raises your heart rate. But what we’ve found is that there are many benefits to heart health and reducing your risk of cancer even if you can only manage 10 minutes every day.”

It goes without saying that doing the recommended 150 minutes per week is more beneficial than just 75 minutes. Around one in six early deaths would be prevented with the two plus hours of exercise, while 11% of cases of cardiovascular disease and 5% of cases of cancer would be avoided.

So what are you waiting for? Boots were made for walking.

1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The simplicity of a short walk.

B．The reason for people’s   death.

C．The benefits of doing exercise.

D．The change in people’s lifestyle.

2. What do Professor James Woodcock’s words mean?

A．Walking can always raise people’s heart rate.

B．People need at least 75 minutes’ exercise a day.

C．Physical activity is not that necessary for people.

D．10 minutes’ exercise a day can make a difference.

3. How does the author mainly support his idea in the text?

A．By telling stories.	B．By listing numbers.
C．By describing the processes.	D．By referring to previous researches.

4. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To advise people to exercise.	B．To uncover the secrets of health.
C．To remind people of some diseases.	D．To compare different ways of exercise.

7 . “Leave no track” is popular among many campers who are concerned about our environment and favor sustainable (可持续的) travel. Its goal is simple; to minimize human-created impacts on the natural world.     1    

Reject plastic and paper. First and foremost, one of the easiest ways to reduce the impact of camping on the planet is to go plastic and paper-free. Instead of single-use plastics and paper plates, choose bamboo or other recyclable camping dinnerware and food packages.       2    

Rent or buy a used tent. Instead of brand-new equipment, consider renting camping equipment instead. Outdoor retail (零售) brands like REI offer a wide variety of camping products to rent, including tents.     3     For those keen on purchasing something new, try brands like Patagonia that put sustainability first to reduce waste and support eco-friendly practices.

    4     In addition to eco-friendly tents, it’s good to ensure that other camping essentials, from hiking shoes and sleeping bags to clothing and blankets, are also gentle on the environment. And remember, whatever is packed in should also be packed out.

Only camp in designated (指定的) camping areas.     5     However, developed campgrounds, which are specifically designated for camping, are usually available by reservation and don’t require campers to walk wearily into the wilderness to clear space to set up a tent. Designated camping spots usually have other advantages like bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, and more.

A．Pack with the planet in mind.

B．Sort out what you really need when camping.

C．They even carry other outdoor essentials for rent.

D．Learn how to sustainably upgrade the summer camping here.

E．Campers can also buy reusable paper towels in order to genuinely leave no track.

F．Eco-friendly campers can learn how to update their skills with these simple tips.

G．Although backpacking off the beaten path sounds fascinating, it may not be eco-friendly.

8 . Robots are now not merely the favorite image of science fiction. They are already widely used to perform simple repetitive tasks and in industries where work must be performed in environments hazardous to humans, because it can prevent people from suffering harm or loss. Robots may be equipped with the equivalent (对应物) of human senses such as vision, touch and the ability to sense temperature. Some are even capable of simple decision-making and current robotics research is aimed at inventing robots with a degree of self-sufficiency.

Modern robots are like very young children who are just learning to walk. It’s fun to watch them fall over, but deep down we know that if we laugh too hard, they might develop a complex emotion and grow up to start World War II. None of humanity’s creations inspires such a confusing mix of amazement, admiration and fear. We want robots to make our lives easier and safer, yet we can’t quite bring ourselves to trust them. We're crafting them in our own image, yet we are terrified that they’ll replace us.

But that fear is no barrier to the field of robotics. Robots have finally grown smart enough and capable enough to make their way out of factories and labs to walk and roll and even leap among us. You may be worried that a robot is going to steal your job. But you may be more likely to work alongside a robot in the near future than have one replace you. The rapidly developing relationship between humans and robots is so complex that it has started its own field, known as human-robot interaction. The challenge is that it’s easy to adapt robots to get along with humans — but it’s another issue to train humans to get along with machines.

The machines promise to change virtually every aspect of human life, from health care to transportation to work. One thing is clear: The machines have arrived. Now we have to figure out how to handle the responsibility of having invented a new species.

1. What does the underlined word “hazardous” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Helpful.

B．Dangerous.

C．Beneficial.

D．Acceptable.

2. What are people worried about concerning robots?

A．They are not safe to use.	B．They may take away their jobs.
C．They fail to think themselves.	D．They are unable to do the required work.

3. What is the challenge in dealing with the relationship between humans and robots?

A．How to make robots obey humans.	B．How to have robots live in peace.
C．How to get humans to live with robots.	D．How to train robots to cooperate effectively.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards robots?

A．Doubtful.

B．Indifferent.

C．Pessimistic.

D．Objective.

9 . Temperatures above 30 degrees have been forecast for Sydney on the eve of autumn, while western Sydney is expected to experience temperatures above 40 degrees. The government department has issued severe heatwave warnings for much of New South Wales and high fire ratings have also been issued. In Queensland, Brisbane has been predicted to break an all-time record for the longest stretch of hot nights, with overnight temperatures not yet dropping below 20 degrees in 2024.

Scientists have come up with an unusual idea for how to deal with global warming — cool the Earth by injecting (注入) ice into the upper atmosphere to make it drier.

Water vapour — water in its gas form — is a natural greenhouse gas that traps heat, just like carbon dioxide from burning coal, oil and gas. Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA believe that if they can just inject ice up high in the air, it could dry out the upper atmosphere and reduce its ability to trap human-caused warmth.

“So far it’s just an early idea that scientists could add to their toolbox against climate change,” said NOAA physicist Dr Joshua Schwarz, lead author of the study published in scientific journal Science Advances. “This is about exploring what might be possible in the future and identifying research directions,” he said, explaining that there is no workable technique for scientists to put the idea into practice at present.

The approach is one of a few proposed by scientists that aim to reduce the impact of climate change by fixing the world's atmosphere or oceans. The way it could possibly work is that hi-tech planes could inject ice about 17km high, where the air slowly rises. The researchers believe that the ice and cold air would rise to where it’s coldest and gets the water vapour to turn to ice and fall, drying out the stratosphere (平流层) in the process.

Injecting two tons of ice per week could reduce global heating by about five percent of the warming created by carbon from the burning of fossil fuel (化石燃料). But researchers are unsure how they will inject ice and whether the practice will cause side effects.

1. Why are so many places mentioned in paragraph 1?

A．To present some natural phenomena.

B．To clarify the ignored reason for climate change.

C．To highlight the severe condition of global warming.

D．To predict the potential threats to the survival of humans.

2. What discourages scientists from carrying out the idea?

A．Fund.

B．Policy.

C．Climate.

D．Technology.

3. What are the researchers uncertain about?

A．How to send up the ice.	B．The quantity of the needed ice.
C．Whether to promote the idea.	D．The scientific foundation of the idea.

4. Where is the text most likely from?

A．A government report.	B．A personal diary.
C．A science magazine.	D．A travel guide.

10 . 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。

A boy named Stevens was addicted to the Internet at a secondary boarding school. The online games were so interesting and attracted him so much that he had no interest in his study and life. He even often slipped out of the school dormitory in the middle of the night to go online.

After slipping out at midnight several times, he was caught by the school guards who were on duty. So his problem was exposed to the school and his parents. He was called to the head teacher’s office for a serious face-to-face chat. He surely knew as a student, he should give priority to learning, but he just couldn’t control himself. After several attempts, the teacher shook his head in disappointment. His father, a construction worker, had to leave work and took several buses to the school and had several chats with him. But the attraction of the games was still there, making him hard to sleep at night, so he just kept slipping out of the school as before. His classmates who knew this would always shook their heads and sighed (叹气).

One cold day, Stevens’ father came to the school again to pay his school fees. The father tried to find some words with the son, but only “Take care of yourself”. On the same night, Stevens still couldn’t resist the games and slipped out of the dormitory secretly. He climbed over the wall as usual, but rushed to climb back immediately. He looked frightened when he came back, but he didn’t say anything.

After that, he studied hard and stopped leaving school to go online. There was even a rumor (传闻) at the time that he saw a ghost. Everyone was curious to know what had happened that night, but Stevens always kept silent. He simply devoted himself to his study. Surely, hard work paid off. Later, he was admitted to a key university.

At the farewell(告别) party, his former classmates kept asking him about that night. He kept silent for a long time and eventually told everyone what had happened.

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。

He said there was a man sleeping at the foot of the wall.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

He felt deeply sorry and guilty, and made up his mind to study hard.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________