1 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What do we know about Mr. Hudson’s mother?

A．She was ill.

B．She was a schoolmaster.

C．She went to see her son last night.

2. Who is Mr. Hudson worried about today according to the woman?

A．His mother.

B．His son.

C．His son’s schoolmaster.

2 . Inside Baiduren, which looks by outward appearances like a cafe, relatives of the dead can tell the staff stories that they may not be able to share with friends and family for any number of reasons.

“Our job initially was funeral planning and handling related affairs for customers,” said Shi Xiaolin, leader of what Badiruen calls the “life experiencing project”. “After a few years, we felt that we wanted to make a breakthrough in the industry because there are still so many prejudices about funeral homes,” he explained.

That was obvious from the start. Shi and his team had difficulty finding a landlord willing to rent to a funeral parlor (殡仪馆) . In the end, the site they found was in Hongkou District, a me re 10- minute walk from Baoxing Funeral Parlor, one of the largest undertakers in Shanghai.

The Baiduren salon is decorated in a modern style, with soft lighting that contrasts with traditional funeral homes.

“Apart from those who want to pour their hearts out, we also receive families who want to discuss funeral affairs in a more relaxed, comforting environment,” Shi told Shanghai Daily.

The Baiduren salon looks like a common cafe, but many people come here to pour out their hearts about their perceptions of life and death. The salon has been more popular than the team expected since its soft opening in late February. In the past month, the team has listened to a lot of stories — from survivors who can’t seem to accept the loss of a loved one, to survivors still in shock over a death that occurred by accident. In turn, staff often relate their own stories of sorrow.

The salon, from the standpoint of both staff and customers, points to a change in how people — especially the young — view death and funerals. And Baiduren is not the only example of young people determined to make a difference in the funeral business.

1. What difficulty did Shi Xiaolin meet at first?

A．He couldn’t find employees.	B．No one would rent sites to him.
C．The relatives of the dead doubted him.	D．He lacked money to decorate the parlor.

2. What is people’s attitude toward the Baiduren salon?

A．They accept the new trend.	B．They show no interest in it.
C．They hold a wait- and- see attitude.	D．They feel it shows no respect to the dead.

3. Which words can be used to describe Shi Xiaolin?

A．Honest and reliable.	B．Warm- hearted and humble.
C．Considerate and creative.	D．Diligent and responsible.

4. What will be talked about next?

A．The future of the Baiduren salon.	B．Other people engaging in funeral business.
C．The diverse services the Baiduren salon offers.	D．Young people’s view on funeral business.

3 . The meeting continues, and you feel your eyes getting heavy, your mind drowsy (昏昏欲睡). Suddenly you wake up and get a very attentive wakefulness — did anyone see me doze off (打盹) ? You’ve fallen into a microsleep, a very brief sleep that ends almost as soon as it begins. When you’re trying to be awake and active, these may make you feel anxious or, if they happen behind the wheel, justifiably terrified.

Microsleeps don’t make us feel rested or restored, like longer periods of uninterrupted sleep would. Yet a new study shows that nesting chinstrap penguins (帽带企鹅) sleep just this way more than 10, 000 times a day. Incredibly, our experiments prove that this strange sleep cycle seems to do the birds no obvious harm.

“What is really weird is that the penguin can sustain this in-between wake and sleep state constantly,” explains co-author Paul-Antoine Libourel, who studies the biology of sleep. Simply watching the penguins nod and blink gave the appearance that they were drowsy, he adds, but the extent of their sleeping was a surprise.

To study these penguins, for two weeks, the scientists used some sensors to record data to measure the birds’ sleep-related brain activity. Other sensors recorded the birds’ positions (standing, lying, diving), tracked their location via GPS, and collected environmental data like temperature. The authors also did continuous video monitoring of the same nesting birds so that their observable behaviors could be matched with simultaneous data on their brain activity.

Researchers discovered that the birds nodded off thousands of times per day, engaging in microsleeps that averaged just four seconds each but added up to more than 11 hours of sleep per day.

Why would the birds adopt this fascinating sleep cycle? The need to sleep briefly could simply be a consequence of living in a noisy group where sleep is constantly interrupted. The constant guard also help keep the nests safe from the brown skua bird, which feeds on penguin eggs and chicks. Having only seconds of sleep at a time would allow the birds to react to any possible dangers.

1. How does the author introduce the topic in the first paragraph?

A．By describing a familiar scene.	B．By introducing a sleep pattern.
C．By reminding you of a bad habit.	D．By showing the boredom of meetings.

2. What does the underlined word “weird” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Inspiring.

B．Strange.

C．Worrying.

D．Meaningful.

3. What might contribute to chinstrap penguins' sleep pattern?

A．Their unique brain structure.	B．Their years’ of hard training.
C．Their tough living environment.	D．Their special standing position.

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

A．Seconds of Sleep, Lifelong Benefits	B．Awake or Asleep? No One Knows for Sure
C．Falling into Sleep? You Are Completely Wrong	D．Sleeping for Seconds, Thousands of Times a Day

4 . As we drove along the country road, a herd of deer emerged as if by magic, surrounding us from all sides. I shouted at my husband to slow down and avoid hitting them. We were coming to a stop when the car doors flew open and we sprang out of the car. A deer lay injured by the roadside, with its eyes wide open. While some deer scattered, a few remained at a safe distance, observing the scene. “I have to call the police,” my husband said.

As we waited for help, a nearby resident came out of his house, angrily shouting instructions. I told him that we had already contacted the police. He stood at his doorway, arms crossed, watching us. I know he wanted to make sure we didn’t leave the scene.

I suggested calling a 24- hour veterinarian clinic, but before doing so, I noticed a slight movement in the deer’s back leg. We watched as she struggled to rise. After several minutes, she managed to stand. She turned her head to look at us, and then leapt gracefully toward the forest.

I raced after her until she disappeared into the forest. Tears streamed down my face, a mix of joy that she could run again and fear for her survival. I walked back to the car just as the police arrived. Our “security guard” returned to his house, satisfied that his role was complete.

After listening to our account, the police praised us for remaining at the scene. They told us that deer are resilient creatures and that she would survive.

The following day, we revisited the scene. The area showed no signs of blood. I discovered a piece of our car’s plastic bumper with the deer’s fur attached to it. I picked it up and took it home.

Whenever I see a deer walking through the forest along our country road, I wonder if it was our deer from that summer evening.

1. What did the author and her husband do upon discovering an injured deer by the roadside?

A．They drove away the other deer.	B．They slowed down to avoid it.
C．The husband contacted the police.	D．The wife tried to help the deer stand up.

2. How did the nearby resident react to the situation?

A．He kept a close watch on the couple.	B．He immediately called a local veterinarian.
C．He observed the injured deer closely.	D．He gave tips on how to handle the injured deer.

3. How did the author feel when the injured deer stood up and ran into the forest?

A．Sad and disappointed.	B．Surprised and confused.
C．Happy but a little worried.	D．Relieved but a little frustrated.

4. What did the police do about the incident?

A．They fined the couple.	B．They comforted the couple.
C．They tracked the injured deer.	D．They investigated the scene.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What do both Mary and Paul have for breakfast?

A．Ham and oranges.

B．Bread and butter.

C．Bread and eggs.

2. Where does Paul probably come from?

A．Britain.

B．China.

C．America.

3. Where does the woman often have lunch?

A．In a dining hall.

B．In her office.

C．In her kitchen.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Where did the woman find the teapot?

A．In a shop.

B．In the sports ground.

C．Near the village gate.

2. What did the woman find under the tree?

A．A medicine bottle.

B．Some coins.

C．A metal horse.

3. What are the speakers talking about?

A．Their hobbies.

B．Some things found by the woman.

C．Some places they explored together.

7 . Breaking the boundaries

Back in 2014, Deepa Singh followed a set routine.     1     Then she would wait for her sister to throw some clothes and a pair of shoes from the window. She’d walk to a school, change into a loose T-shirt and trousers and practise breaking — a street dance style.

This routine lasted for a year until she participated in competitions and showed videos to her parents. “     2     Seeing my skills, they realised that I was serious about my career choice,” says Singh, 23, whose stage name is B-Girl Flow Raw. Last year, she represented India at Queen 16, a breaking festival in Germany with participants from Spain, Russia and Korea.

In India, many women shy away from breaking, says Singh. Every move — from simple movements to backflips — is physically demanding.”     3     Both boys and girls look awkward when dancing, but it’s usually the girls who feel more out of place. This builds up the pressure and they give it up, so only a minority of young girls practice the dance,“ adds Johanna Rodrigues, also known as B-Girl Jo, 23.

For the B-Girls, breaking is not just about competing but a journey of self-expression and self- exploration. They all think that it is rewarding. Amita Vighe, 27, an engineer who has been moonlighting as B-Girl Amy since 2009, says, “    4    ”

There’s less competition and more connections among the dancers. Early this year, when Rodrigues won a competition against a B-Boy from Mumbai, she received messages from women breakers from across India. She concludes, “    5    ”

A．It was a victory for all of us.

B．It takes a year to perfect the basics.

C．Boys do better than girls in breaking.

D．My parents have been supporting my decision.

E．Every evening, she would secretly leave her home.

F．They believed that breaking was only meant for boys.

G．Breaking has built my confidence, helping me stand out in my career.

8 . Are you looking for trendy and high-quality clothing to express your unique style? Look no further than [Brand Name] Fashion!

Our brand offers a wide range of stylish clothing for both men and women. From casual tees to elegant dresses, we have something for every occasion. Our designs are inspired by the latest fashion trends and are crafted with the finest materials to ensure comfort and durability.

At [Brand Name] Fashion, we believe that fashion is not just about looking good but also feeling confident. That’s why we strive to create clothing that makes you stand out from the crowd and feel your best.

Whether you’re heading to school, a party, or a business meeting, [Brand Name] Fashion has the perfect outfit for you. Come and explore our collection today and discover the new you!

1. What does [Brand Name] Fashion offer?

A．Only clothing for women.	B．Only clothing for men.
C．Clothing for both men and women.	D．None of the above.

2. What are the designs of [Brand Name] Fashion inspired by?

A．Old fashion trends.	B．The latest fashion trends.
C．No specific inspiration.	D．Random ideas.

3. What does [Brand Name] Fashion believe fashion is about?

A．Looking good only.	B．Feeling confident only.
C．Looking good and feeling confident.	D．Neither looking good nor feeling confident.

9 . Being a teenager can be both exciting and challenging. It’s a time of self-discovery, growth, and learning. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated and achieve your goals.

Be positive. A positive attitude can make a big difference in your life. When you face difficulties, try to look at the bright side and find solutions instead of complaining. Believe in yourself and your abilities.    1    

Set goals. Having clear goals can give you direction and purpose. Think about what you want to achieve in the short term and the long term. Write them down and make a plan to reach them.    2    .

Learn from failures. Everyone makes mistakes and experiences failures. Don’t let them discourage you. Instead, learn from them and use them as opportunities to grow. Analyze what went wrong and how you can improve next time.    3    .

Surround yourself with positive people. The people you spend time with can have a big impact on your mood and motivation. Surround yourself with friends, family, and mentors who support you and inspire you. Avoid negative people who bring you down.

    4    

Take care of yourself. Your physical and mental health are essential for your success. Make sure to eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Take breaks when you need them and do things that make you happy.    5    .

A．Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

B．Focus on your strengths and use them to your advantage.

C．Remember that failure is a part of the learning process.

D．A positive mindset will attract positive opportunities.

E．They can offer advice and encouragement when you face challenges.

F．Taking care of yourself will help you stay focused and motivated.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the woman's sister?

A．A middle school student.

B．A high school student.

C．A college student.

2. What is true about the first computer mentioned by the man?

A．It has no keyboard.

B．It's very expensive.

C．It's suitable for playing games.

3. What is special about the Ultrabook?

A．It's fast and light.

B．It's a good bargain.

C．It's a computer and a tablet.

4. What kind of computer does the woman want?

A．One that will not break.

B．One that her sister can use to chat with friends.

C．One that will help her sister with schoolwork.