1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How long has the dry weather lasted?

A．For the last five years.

B．For the last two years.

C．For at least one year.

2. Which regulation is taken by the Santa Cruz Water Department?

A．Using 25 percent less water,

B．Watering plants at certain time.

C．Serving no water to the employees.

3. What does the speaker suggest?

A．Preventing companies from using too much water.

B．Making a plan to fix the water problem.

C．Asking the government to reduce the fines.

4. What is the speaker doing?

A．Watching a show.

B．Fighting against a law.

C．Attending a conference.

2 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How does the woman react when the man says he takes yoga?

A．She is jealous.

B．She is not supportive.

C．She is surprised.

2. How frequently does the woman take yoga class?

A．Once a week.

B．Three times a week.

C．Every day.

3. What kind of yoga class does the man attend?

A．One that helps him get stronger.

B．One that helps him not get injured.

C．One that increases his heart rate.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What did the woman do today?

A．She saw a Broadway show.

B．She went to a museum.

C．She saw a photography exhibit.

2. What kind of paintings does the man like?

A．Paintings that look very realistic.

B．Paintings that show the artist's imagination.

C．Paintings with unusual shapes and colors.

4 . For years, Egyptologists have hotly debated how the massive pyramids (金字塔) of ancient Egypt (埃及) were built more than 4,000 years ago. Now, a team of engineers and geologists brings a new theory to the table—a water lift device that would have floated the heavy stones up through the middle of Egypt’s oldest pyramid using stored water.

Ancient Egyptians built the Step Pyramid for Pharaoh Djoser in the 27th century BC, and it was the tallest structure at the time, coming in at about 62 meters tall. But how exactly the structure was erected, with a number of stones weighing in at 300 kilograms, has remained a centuries-old mystery, according to the study published Monday in the journal PLOS One.

“Many detailed publications have discussed pyramid-building procedures and provided real examples, but these usually focus on more recent, better-documented, and smaller pyramids of the Middle and New Kingdoms (1,980 to 1,075 BC),” said lead author Dr. Xavier Landreau, CEO of Paleotechnic, a privately owned research institute in Paris that studies ancient technologies.

“The techniques involved could include ramps (活动坡道), cranes (起重机), or a combination of these methods,” he added in an email. “But what about the Old Kingdom pyramids (2,675 to 2,130 BC), which are much bigger? While human strength and ramps may be the only construction force for small structures, other techniques may have been used for large pyramids.”

Using a combined approach, the new paper was the first to report a system matching the Step Pyramid’s internal architecture, the authors wrote.

A complex water treatment system drawing upon local resources could have created a water-powered elevator within the pyramid’s internal vertical passage. Some type of float would have raised the heavy stones up the middle of the pyramid, according to the study.

1. What does the underlined word “erected” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Changed.

B．Designed.

C．Built.

D．Destroyed.

2. Which may play a role in building small pyramids according to Dr. Landreau?

A．People and ramps.	B．Ramps and cranes.
C．People and cranes.	D．Water and ramps.

3. What is the main advantage of the water lift device in building pyramids?

A．It simplifies the use of ramps.

B．It helps to make heavy stones raised.

C．It increases the weight of the stones.

D．It uses some resources for treatment.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Water Lift Theory: A New View on Pyramid Construction

B．Recent Researches on the Stories of Egypt’s Small Pyramid

C．A Historical Debate: Egypt’s Pyramid Construction Secrets

D．Exploring Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Construction Mysteries

5 . 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。

In a small village set between rolling hills (连绵起伏的山丘), there lived a young girl named Lily. Lily had always dreamed of becoming a painter, but in her village, most girls were expected to help their families with farming or housework. Despite this, Lily’s parents recognized her talent and supported her passion for art. They saved to buy her brushes and paints, and Lily spent every spare moment practicing her craft.

One day, an artist passing through the village noticed Lily’s paintings displayed proudly in her humble home. Impressed by her skill at such a young age, he encouraged Lily to follow her dreams in the city, where opportunities for artists were plentiful. Lily’s heart was filled with hope. With her parents’ blessing and a backpack filled with her artwork, Lily set off on a journey to the busy city.

In the city, Lily faced many challenges. She lived in a narrow apartment and took odd jobs to make ends meet. Despite frustrations (挫折) and refusals, Lily persevered. She joined art classes, attended exhibitions, and sought out teachers who could guide her. Her determination caught the eye of a famous gallery owner who saw potential in her unique style. Lily’s first exhibition was a success, selling a few pieces that earned her just enough to cover her rent.

As Lily’s fame grew, so did her confidence. She painted scenes inspired by her village, showing its beauty and simplicity. Her paintings began to attract collectors and art enthusiasts from far and wide. Lily’s dream of making a living through art was finally becoming a reality.

But success didn’t protect Lily from self-doubt. The pressure to produce more, to meet expectations, weighed heavily on her shoulders. One day, Lily found herself staring at an empty canvas (画布), unable to find inspiration. Frustration started to appear, and doubts clouded her mind. Was she really good enough? Could she maintain her success?

注意：
1.所续写短文的总词数应为150左右：
2.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph 1

Just when Lily was on the edge of giving up, she received a letter from her village.

_________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2

With renewed determination, Lily returned to her canvas.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . The Paris Olympics in 2024 has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring a clean and fair sporting environment. One of the key aspects of this is the strict enforcement of anti-doping measures.

Doping in sports not only undermines the integrity of competitions but also poses serious risks to the health of athletes. The organizers of the Paris Olympics are committed to detecting and preventing any form of doping.

A comprehensive anti-doping program has been put in place, which includes extensive testing before and during the games. Athletes are required to submit to random drug tests, and those found to be using banned substances will face severe penalties, including disqualification and loss of medals.

The anti-doping efforts also involve educating athletes about the dangers of doping and promoting a culture of clean sport. By raising awareness and providing support, the organizers hope to encourage athletes to make the right choices and compete on a level playing field.

1. What is one of the key aspects of the Paris Olympics?

A．High ticket prices.	B．Luxurious facilities.
C．Strict anti-doping measures.	D．Frequent commercial breaks.

2. What does doping in sports do?

A．Enhances the performance fairly.

B．Strengthens the health of athletes.

C．Undermines competition integrity and risks athlete health.

D．Makes the games more exciting.

3. What does the comprehensive anti-doping program include?

A．Only testing after the games.	B．Minimal testing before the games.
C．Extensive testing before and during the games.	D．No testing at all.

4. What is one of the goals of the anti-doping efforts?

A．To make athletes more famous.	B．To promote a culture of clean sport.
C．To increase the number of medals.	D．To reduce the cost of organizing the games.

7 . A spinal injury dashed Adriana Ruano’s dreams of competing in the Olympics as a gymnast. However, she found a _________ path to glory in shooting, _________ Guatemala’s first-ever gold medal on Wednesday.

At the gym Ruano was _________ the 2011 World Championships in _________, a decisive qualifier for the London Olympics, when she began experiencing severe back pain. Scans (扫描) _________ six damaged vertebrae (脊椎), an injury that ended her gymnastics _________ at just 16. She spent a year _________, wearing a back support.

To stay involved in _________ without worsening her injury, her doctor suggested she try shooting.

“When I had my injury, I didn’t have anything. I started to get _________ and discouraged. Then the door opened for me with this sport,” Ruano said.

More than a decade after __________ from gymnastics to shooting, Ruano’s perseverance paid off. On Wednesday, she won the women’s trap event with an Olympic-record score of 45 out of 50. Ruano __________ her victory with a deep breath and a(n) __________ shot to hit her 43rd target, ensuring that Italian silver medalist Silvana Stanco couldn’t surpass (超越) her.

Adriana Ruano __________ history for Guatemala! The shooter is the first gold medallist and the first female medallist for her country. Her journey to Paris 2024 glory is a(n) __________ one, including a completely different sport and an eye-opening experience as a __________. Ruano’s journey back to elite sports began with a volunteer activity at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

1.

A．smooth

B．narrow

C．new

D．traditional

2.

A．winning

B．expecting

C．seeing

D．telling

3.

A．waiting for

B．preparing for

C．talking about

D．worrying about

4.

A．shooting

B．gymnastics

C．swimming

D．tennis

5.

A．produced

B．cured

C．broke

D．showed

6.

A．career

B．class

C．application

D．call

7.

A．waiting

B．thinking

C．recovering

D．writing

8.

A．literature

B．medicine

C．arts

D．sports

9.

A．desperate

B．nervous

C．happy

D．curious

10.

A．teaching

B．changing

C．copying

D．failing

11.

A．lost

B．imagined

C．achieved

D．celebrated

12.

A．long

B．exact

C．possible

D．close

13.

A．illustrates

B．studies

C．records

D．makes

14.

A．incredible

B．pleasant

C．fruitless

D．predictable

15.

A．doctor

B．coach

C．medalist

D．volunteer

8 . 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。

The traditional Chinese folk art of New Year painting, known     1     Nianhua in Chinese, dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), when it was customary     2     (create) colorful artworks depicting gods and use these to decorate doors during the Chinese Lunisolar New Year — to ward off bad spirits.

The primary technique     3     (use) in New Year painting is woodblock printing. The process     4     (involve) printing the basic outlines of the design in black ink. This is done using a woodblock     5     has been carved to represent the drawing’s lines. Once this base layer (层) is printed,     6     (addition) woodblocks are used for each color in the final painting. These color blocks are carefully carved and must perfectly align with the black outlines.

After the main colors are printed onto the same sheet of paper and after     7     (adopt) these specific blocks, some parts may have to be colored by hand. This is     8     (typical) done to improve small details and lift the painting’s visual impact.

One of the most famous     9     (style) in the genre is the woodblock New Year painting from Zhuxian Town in Kaifeng, central China’s Henan Province.

This design features bold and concise lines. It originated and flourished in Kaifeng, then     10     capital of the Northern Song Dynasty and located 20 km from Zhuxian Town.

9 . Best Places to Travel in 2024

Get your suitcase ready, because we came up with the definitive list of the best places to travel this year. These trips will be epic!

Cambodia

Cambodia is a must-see destination for many travelers. With the addition of luxury hotels and vacation land, travelers can now enjoy a truly luxurious experience in Cambodia — mixing ancient ruins and culture, cuisine and handicrafts, rainforest and jungle, and ending with a wonderful beach stay. In the little-visited Cardamom Forest Protected Area, options for hiking, mountain biking, boating and bird-watching are plentiful.

Paros

Visiting the island is one of the best things to do in Greece since it means enjoying pleasant beaches surrounded by the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. While you’re here, explore the winding streets and charming villages of Naoussa and Lefkes, and drink coffee or wine at the beautiful port of Parikia.

Texas

As far as natural wonders go, it’s hard to beat a total solar eclipse (日食) for impressiveness… and for being easily predictable. But even if you know the eclipse’s path, you’ll still need to get to a spot with good visibility. That’s where Texas comes in.

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is a great spot for outdoors y types, who can swim in the clear blue waters, then head off for a quad biking (四轮摩托车) adventure in the desert or fly across the desert on the world’s longest zipline. If you get a chance to spend New Year’s Eve here, don’t miss it. The Emirate holds multiple Guinness World Records for its magnificent fireworks performances held during its New Year’s celebrations.

1. What do Cambodia and Paros have in common?

A．They own well-known ports.

B．They have delightful beaches.

C．They offer options for boating.

D．They host recent sporting events.

2. Which place will you choose for a clear view of a total solar eclipse?

A．Cambodia.

B．Paros.

C．Texas.

D．Ras Al Khaimah.

3. What is special about Ras Al Khaimah?

A．It is known for its colorful nightlife.

B．It has some fantastic beaches in the world.

C．It is home to ancient ruins and cultural sites.

D．It offers adventurous activities like motorcycling.

10 . The world’s first jet- suit (喷气服) race, organized by Gravity Industries, a UK-based tech company that specializes in high-powered jet-suits, took place around the Dubai Marina this week with racers wearing Iron Man-esque technology rushing around, hoping to first cross the finishing line.

All went smoothly, aside from a minor mess- up by Emirati pilot Ahmed al-Shehhi, who reportedly crashed into the water during his heat. Fortunately, he quickly rose to the water surface and gave a thumbs-up before being picked up by a rescue crew.

Inspired by F1 technology, the suits feature five gas turbines (涡轮机) fitted on the arms and back, capable of generating over 1, 000 horsepower. This allows the racer to pick up speeds of up to128 kilometers per hour. The suits can typically stay in air for just 3 minutes, although it’s possible to fly for over 7 minutes if conditions are ideal.

If the suits remind you of a certain billionaire superhero, you’re not alone. It seems that the founder of Gravity Industries also drew some inspiration from the Marvel Universe.

“The closest comparison would be that dream of flying. . . and then go wherever your mind is taking you,” Richard Browning, the founder and chief test pilot, said after the race.

“And yes, the world of Marvel superheroes and DC Comics, they have created that dream book, and we are the people who are the closest to realizing that for real,” Browning added.

Understandably, the technology doesn’t come cheap. If you fancy getting your hands on a custom- made jet-suit from Gravity Industries, expect a price tag of at least £380, 000.

It isn’t all fun and games, though. Gravity Industries has previously demonstrated that their jetpacks could be used by rescue teams to reach dangerous mountain areas. They’ve also suggested it could be used by police forces to hunt down criminals on the run.

1. What is mainly talked about in paragraph 3?

A．The definition of horsepower.	B．The features of F1 technology.
C．The conditions of using jet- suits.	D．The introduction of the jet- suits.

2. How did Richard Browning feel after the race?

A．Confident.

B．Disappointed.

C．Grateful.

D．Concerned.

3. What can we know about the new technology of Gravity Industries?

A．It has its medical value.	B．It is affordable for everyone.
C．It can be used in rescue work.	D．It has been adopted by the police.

4. What is the aim of this passage?

A．To compare.

B．To entertain.

C．To inform.

D．To persuade.