1 . Our old, artificial Christmas tree was in rough shape by the time we retired it. At least a decade had passed since my wife and I bought the tree, a medium-size fake tree with built-in lights, at a Target in Brooklyn and carried it on the subway to our tiny apartment. Over the years, we dragged that tree from apartment, jammed it onto a moving truck to Los Angeles and later packed the weathered box onto another moving truck, this time to Chicago and our current home. By the end, layers of duct tape (强力胶布) held the box together, the wear and tear of a decade of delivering holiday cheer.

Our little tree looked run down, but it was the only tree our family ever knew. It stands proud and glowing in the background of photos of me and my pregnant wife during our last Christmas in Brooklyn without children. Our oldest was born a month later during a January snowstorm. The tree shows up again in the next year’s photos, this time surrounded by holiday gifts for a boy about to turn 1. Then it appears in photos of our son and his 1-month-old brother, this time with California palm trees just outside the door. And in more recent photos, our tree lights up windows overlooking shining Chicago snow. This year, after much debate, we decided to retire our dear old tree, with its bent branches and the lights that had burned out years ago. Rather than feel depressed, we used the moment to launch a new family tradition: our first real Christmas tree.

So here’s a toast to all your family’s traditions—the old and the new. I hope you enjoy this issue, which we have filled with stories of seasonal joy and holiday cheer. Happy holidays!

1. Where is the author’s present home?

A．In Chicago.

B．In Brooklyn.

C．In California.

D．In Los Angeles.

2. Why did the author keep the old tree for so long?

A．His budget was tight.	B．He was attached to it.
C．It was in good condition.	D．It was environmentally-friendly.

3. Who is probably the author?

A．An editor.

B．A salesman.

C．A delivery man.

D．A home designer.

4. What can we learn from the story?

A．The finest diamond must be cut.

B．Out with the old, in with the new.

C．Old friends and old wine are best.

D．All things in their being are good for something.

2 . Handwritten notes in class might seem outdated as digital technology involves nearly every aspect of learning. But a steady stream of research suggests that compared with typing, taking notes with pen and paper is still a better way to learn. And scientists are zeroing in on why.

In a recently published study, scientists found that those writing by hand had higher levels of electrical activity across many interconnected brain regions. They added 256 sensors into a hairnet, which helped monitor 36 students’ brains as they wrote or typed words displayed on a screen. When students wrote by hand, the sensors picked up widespread brain connectivity including visual regions, regions that receive and process sensory information, and the motor cortex (运动皮层) . Typing, however, resulted in minimal activity in these brain regions.

Across many contexts, studies have shown that students appear to learn better when they’re asked to produce letters or other visual items using their fingers and hands. The educational neuroscientist Sophia Vinci-Booher says the recent study highlights the clear tie between motor action and conceptual recognition: “As you’re drawing a letter or writing a word, you’re taking this perceptual (感知的) understanding of something and using your motor system to create it. That creation is then fed back into the visual system, where it’s processed again — strengthening the connection between an action and the images or words associated with it.”

The new findings don’t mean technology is always a disadvantage in the classroom. Laptops, smartphones, and other such devices can be more efficient for writing essays and can offer fairer access to educational resources. But people now increasingly tend to “offload” mental tasks to digital devices, such as by taking a photograph instead of committing information to memory, says Yadurshana Sivashankar at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. “If we’re not actively using these areas, then they are going to worsen over time, whether it’s memory or motor skills.”

1. What is the function of the sensors in the recent study according to Paragraph 2?

A．To record brain activity.	B．To activate brain waves.
C．To connect visual regions.	D．To process sensory information.

2. What is the finding of the recent study according to Sophia Vinci-Booher?

A．One’s motor system boosts his creativity.	B．One’s writing action enhances his perception.
C．Learning performance relies on visual memory.	D．Concrete images contributes to comprehension.

3. What does the underlined word “offload” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Owe.

B．Link.

C．Shift.

D．Bring.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Note-taking: the key to a good grade	B．Digital learning: beneficial or harmful
C．Typing vs handwriting: efficiency counts	D．Handwritten notes: conventional but effective

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。

Cinemas may be dying. But the high end is thriving.

The box office has a bad case. Worldwide takings last year were a quarter below their peak. Americans, who went to the cinema more than five times each in 2000, last year went     1     (few) than three times. As streaming services keep audiences     2     (glue) to the small screen, theatre chains including Cineworld, the world’s second-largest, have gone bankrupt.     3     the biggest of the big screens are thriving.

IMAX,     4     screens are as large as 38 metres wide with denture-rattling (震感十足的) sound systems, had worldwide box-office takings of $1.1 bn last year and its biggest-ever haul in America. The luxury-cinema trend is not limited to America. IMAX’s share of the international box office     5     (rise) from 1.7% in 2019 to 2.1% last year. CGV,     6     South Korean chain with branches across Asia, has rebranded its multiplexes (多厅影院) as “cultureplexes”, offering music, gaming and     7     (dine) alongside films.

Theatre operators must hope audiences are     8     (hunger) for these add-ons, especially when this year’s movie menu is limited. Ever since strikes last year in Hollywood, they     9     (delay) titles, including Mission: Impossible and Avatar sequels, to 2025.

Successful cinemas will treat a trip     10     the movies as the rare luxury.

4 . Bill Gates isn’t doing much light reading this summer. For his annual list of reading recommendations for the season, he’s picked four books that you can really sink into on vacation.

Upheaval, Jared Diamond

Diamond examines how people react to the different crises in their lives. Specifically, he looks at how six countries responded to big challenges, and learned how to adapt in the face of adversity. Gates writes. “I finished the book even more optimistic about our ability to solve problems than I started.”

Nine Pints, Rose George

Gates glowingly recommends this deep dive into what you ever wanted to know about the stuff in your veins (静脉). He thinks everyone should know more about this topic. “There is nothing that more people have in common than blood,” he writes.

A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles

It’s 1922 and Alexander Rostov has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life under house arrest in a Moscow hotel. Even though this book is sure to please anyone who is interested in learning more about Russia, Towles goes beyond just politics in his best-seller. “The book is technically fiction,” Gates writes.

Presidents of War, Michael Beschloss

Beschloss studies how presidents dealt with nine different US conflicts from the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War, and makes critical connections about their decisions and power as leaders. “It is hard to read about today’s conflicts without thinking about how they might connect to the past,” Gates writes.

1. Which book would most appeal to those interested in serious politics?

A．Upheaval.	B．Nine Pints.
C．Presidents of War.	D．A Gentleman in Moscow.

2. What is Nine Pints mainly about?

A．Tricks of diving.	B．Illustrations of blood cells.
C．A thorough study of blood.	D．A glimpse of blood function.

3. What is Bill Gates’ reflection after his reading the fourth book?

A．It’s impossible to solve all the problems.	B．It’s critical to make far-sighted decisions.
C．It’s difficult to understand today’s conflicts.	D．It’s necessary to connect the present to the past.

5 . Abraham Lincoln was a typical self-made man. He obtained his license to practice law without ever having stepped foot inside a college or academy building. Books became his academy. Everywhere he went, Lincoln carried a book with him. He thumbed through page after page while his horse rested at the end of a long row of planting. Whenever he could escape work, he would lie with his head against a tree and read.

Though the young Lincoln never left America, he traveled with Byron’s Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal; accompanied Robert Burns to Edinburgh; and followed the English kings into battle with Shakespeare. As he explored the wonders of literature and the history of the country, the young Lincoln developed ambitions far beyond the expectations of his family and neighbors. It was through literature that he was able to

go beyond his surroundings and reach his destination.

The volumes to feed Lincoln’s intellectual hunger did not come cheaply. The story is often recounted of the time he borrowed Parson Weems’s The Life of George Washington from Josiah Crawford, a well-to-do farmer. Thrilled by this account of the first president’s life, he took the book to his loft at night, where he read as long as he could stay awake, placing the book on a makeshift shelf between the cabin logs so he could fetch it at daybreak. During a severe rainstorm one night, the book was badly soiled. Lincoln went to Crawford’s house, explained what had happened, and offered to work off the value of the book. Crawford calculated the value of two full days’ work pulling corn, which Lincoln considered an unfair repayment. Nevertheless, he straightway set to work and kept on until all work was done. Then, having paid his debt, Lincoln wrote poems and songs teasing Josiah’s large nose. Thus Crawford, in return for loaning Lincoln a book and then overly punishing him, won a permanent place in American history.

1. What can we learn about Lincoln from the first paragraph?

A．He wasn’t academically competent.	B．He read on horseback to escape work.
C．He failed to obtain a valid law license.	D．He is an excellent autonomous learner.

2. How did Lincoln succeed in achieving his ambition?

A．By reading extensively.	B．With his family’s support.
C．Through self-employment.	D．By traveling around the world.

3. What happened to the book he borrowed from Crawford?

A．Stolen by a farmer.	B．Burned by a candle fire.
C．Damaged in a rainstorm.	D．Lost and never recovered.

4. Which of the following best describes Lincoln according to the last paragraph?

A．Tough and helpful.	B．Diligent and generous.
C．Intelligent and humble.	D．Determined and sharp-tongued.

6 . Do you feel like you’re always dealing with problems when it comes to work, relationships, health, or finances? Are you tired of feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and like your problems never seem to go away?     1     With the world developing faster than ever, finding the right mix of habits can keep you on your toes and ahead of your game.

Manage Your Time Wisely

Make the most of your 24 hours without feeling like you’re in a never-ending race against the clock. In order to take control of your time and use it wisely, you need to start prioritizing your tasks. Determine what needs your immediate attention and what can wait.     2     Minimize distractions like social media, unnecessary meetings, and pointless busy work.

Develop a Solution-focused Mindset

    3     But don’t let it take center stage. Focus on taking action and being constructive. For example, if you have a conflict with a friend, instead of stewing in hurt feelings, reflect on how you can communicate better.

Practice Assertiveness (果断)

Being assertive means having the courage to speak your truth, share your opinions, and defend your needs while equally valuing the perspectives and needs of others.     4     It’s essential for resolving misunderstandings and building strong, transparent relationships. Don’t be afraid to say “no” when something isn’t in line with your priorities or values.

Adopt a Comprehensive Approach to Wellness

Look at your well-being from a 360 perspective: mind, body, and spirit.     5     Each one plays a vital role in your overall health. Nourish your body with foods that energize you. Exercise regularly in a way that you enjoy. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep to recharge.

A．Acknowledge the problem.

B．Lengthen your working hours.

C．Life throws challenges as well as opportunities to you.

D．It’s recognized that these elements are interconnected.

E．This habit encourages open and honest communication.

F．Identify activities that consume time but deliver low value.

G．Most people underestimate how much power they have to fix problems.

7 . Knowledge is power, and the more you learn about mental health, the better the position you may be in to help those facing mental health battles. Consider doing the following things to support those closest to you.

Attend a training course

    1    . In fact, anyone can benefit from depression awareness training that focuses on supporting those at risk. You might be a teacher that manages youth or a sports coach wanting to pick up on depression risk signs in your players. You may even be a worried parent who wants to make sure your children can tell you anything. Depression awareness and prevention courses teach you both theoretical and practical skills to recognize warning signs and behaviors.     2    .

Listen

If someone approaches you in their time of need, it’s not always easy to know what you’re supposed to do, and it may be more beneficial for you to just listen.     3    . They may just need to get what they are feeling off their chest and to feel valid at that moment. Try your best not to interrupt, but ask questions if you require clarification. The more listening you do, the better your position in deciding what to do next.

    4    

While being a listening ear is sometimes all someone needs to feel better, you can also become an ongoing source of support. Check in with the person experiencing a mental health problem like depression so that they know you are always there for them. Make contact with them regularly to see how they are feeling. Just knowing someone cares can make a world of difference.

Call emergency services

Your support, guidance, and listening ear can be of great value to anyone going through a tough time.     5    . If someone you know is experiencing self-abuse thoughts or tendencies, don’t delay in seeking emergency help. The faster you act, the safer your friend or family member may be.

A．Check in with them

B．Suggest support services

C．However, it’s essential to know your limits

D．Such a course may just help you to prevent someone’s depression

E．They may not need you to offer solutions or even give them a hug

F．Sometimes, the best thing you can do is encourage them to seek professional help

G．You don’t have to be in a professional health role to attend depression prevention training

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。

The newfound team, now officially known as the Wildcats, started their basketball journey with a mix of eagerness and anxiety. The community center’s basketball court became their arena (竞技场), a place where failures were just stepping stones to success, and every dribble (运球), pass, and shot was a lesson in disguise.

Under Mr. Jordan’s guidance, practices became more than just learning how to play basketball; they were about discovering the strengths within and the power of unity. He had an approach to seeing the potential in every player.

One afternoon, as the team gathered around Mr. Jordan, he introduced a new drill that focused on passing and communication. “Basketball is a language,” he explained. “If you can’t communicate, you can’t win. This drill will help you understand each other without words. ”

The drill was a disaster at first. Passes went wrong, and frustration mounted. Jasmine’s quick passes were too swift for Mia, and Lucas’s attempts at humor during the drill only led to more confusion. Eli, ever the observer, noticed the tension and suggested a simple system of hand signals they had discussed in a previous practice. Gradually, the team began to find their rhythm, learning to anticipate each other’s moves and communicate more effectively.

It wasn’t just basketball skills that the Wildcats were developing; it was a sense of belonging and trust in one another. Each practice ended with a team gathering, where Mr. Jordan shared stories from his coaching days, emphasizing the lessons learned from losses more than wins.

注意：(1)续写词数应为150左右；(2)开头已给出。
Paragraph 1: Soon came their first real game against a more experienced team.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: The second half saw a different Wildcats team.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . During my teens, I was the champion of the sports day every single year, and my mother won the moms’ trophy (奖杯) every single year. Why? Because she was always chasing me to _______ me for various “crimes” I had committed, and I was running _______ not to get my ass kicked.

We had a very Tom and Jerry relationship. She was the strict disciplinarian; I was the _______ boy in the whole neighborhood. She would send me out to buy _______ , and I wouldn’t come right home because I’d be using the _______ from milk to play video games at the supermarket. Lost in the games, time would _______ away until a sudden jolt (震惊) of reality arrived in the form of my mother’s belt-wielding (挥舞) presence. Thus began our _______ race.

When I was little, she always caught me, but as I got older and faster, and when speed _______ her she’d use her wits. If I was about to get _______ , she would turn to the ________ weapon, the two magical words “Stop! Thief!”. In my birthplace, nobody gets ________ in other people’s business-unless it’s public safety incident, and then everybody ________ . So with her yelling “thief”, even strangers would instantly join the ________ , mistaking me for a genuine thief.

Reflecting on those exciting days two decades later, I’ve come to understand that amid the ________ of our wild chases, amid laughter and shouts, my mother and I were deeply ________ by our unique, unforgettable game.

1.

A．discipline

B．defend

C．abuse

D．battle

2.

A．occasionally

B．slowly

C．constantly

D．awkwardly

3.

A．smartest

B．cutest

C．naughtiest

D．youngest

4.

A．games

B．groceries

C．belts

D．books

5.

A．change

B．protein

C．bonus

D．benefit

6.

A．fade

B．slip

C．turn

D．back

7.

A．magical

B．annual

C．unusual

D．typical

8.

A．dominated

B．disturbed

C．failed

D．seized

9.

A．out of place

B．out of breath

C．out of sight

D．out of balance

10.

A．ultimate

B．casual

C．military

D．offensive

11.

A．motivated

B．stuck

C．buried

D．involved

12.

A．holds on

B．stands by

C．turns back

D．steps in

13.

A．purchase

B．pursuit

C．crime

D．commitment

14.

A．chaos

B．ruins

C．emergencies

D．comedies

15.

A．touched

B．bound

C．hurt

D．enhanced

10 . Animal-like robots, such as quadrupedal (四足的) robot dogs, continue to be popular. However, Italian roboticist Barbara Mazzolai argues that the robotics field has proved less keen to investigate another category of living things—plants. She owes this to a misconception that plants are capable of neither motion nor perception. “It’s not true at all,” she says.

Mazzolai and her team at the Bioinspired Soft Robotics Laboratory recently introduced “FiloBot”, a robot based on climbing plants, which is capable of growing, attaching to supports, and journeying through environments in response to external stimuli (刺激) .

To survive in forests, a climbing plant must grow out of the soil and travel along the ground searching a support to attach to. This requires a structure capable of bearing its own weight. Once a support is located, though, the plant must switch strategy-securing itself around the object and then growing towards light as quickly as possible to outcompete other plants. To choose the best growing angle, it uses information from light and gravity receptors distributed along each shoot.

FiloBot imitates these behaviours using sensors on its main shoot, which is also equipped with a spool (卷轴) of plastic and a heating element. By melting and forcing out the plastic, it can 3D-print itself. Depending on brightness and direction, it changes the heat the plastic is exposed to—lower temperatures result in a more breakable body that increases in size more rapidly, while higher temperatures make a stronger body that grow more slowly.

The researchers found that these functionalities enable FiloBot to move through complex environments flexibly, making it suitable for potential applications including environmental monitoring in hard-to-reach locations or unstable disaster sites.

FiloBot is not the only plant-like robot the team is developing. Mazzolai hopes that our robots will motivate other roboticists to take clues from plants. The plant kingdom is another world, she says, with a completely different approach to the animal one. “We can develop completely new technologies and artificial solutions, because it is so different.”

1. Why are roboticists less interested in plant-like robots according to Barbara Mazzolai?

A．They are misled by some new concepts.

B．They underestimate the competence of plants.

C．They see little economic value in plant-like robots.

D．They misunderstand the motion of plant-like robots.

2. What is the purpose of Paragraph 3?

A．To explain a model.	B．To give an example.
C．To develop a formula.	D．To introduce a rule.

3. How does FiloBot control its growth speed according to Paragraph 4?

A．By setting the direction.	B．By producing the plastic.
C．By adjusting the brightness.	D．By varying the temperature.

4. What is Mazzolai’s expectation of their plant-like robots?

A．They will encourage research on plants.	B．They will outperform animal-like robots.
C．They will provide universal artificial solutions.	D．They will inspire innovative robotic technologies.