1 . On any given day, you can find most 10-year-old boys throwing a ball around outside, riding bikes or playing video games. But Braden Baker is different.

Braden is a hearing damaged 5th-grader and has to wear hearing aids (助听器). Unluckily, Braden’s dog Chewy found his hearing aids on the floor and destroyed them-not once but twice and they had to be replaced. But at $3,500to $6,000 a pair, Braden’s carelessness was costly.

Braden’s mother Ashley sat Braden down and had a long talk about taking better care of his hearing aids, explaining how much they cost.“I told him that he was lucky to get another pair and that some people couldn’t afford a new pair, ”Ashley said.

Those words stuck in Braden’s mind, who realized not every child who needed hearing aids could afford them. Recently the 10-year-old boy decided to start a GoFundMe page to raise money for those who aren’t so lucky.

Braden made a video to explain why he wanted to raise money. Ashley said, “We weren’t sure how it would turn out. He began with a goal of$1,000.We woke up the next morning and found it had raised$400.”

This encouraged him to start making more videos. Fast-forward a few months and Braden’s GoFundMe page has raised over $15,000, which Braden donated to the Oticon Hearing Foundation. That money will be used to help other families buy hearing aids for their children.

The project has not only taught Braden the value of money, but according to his mom, “he’s learned that if you put a small idea into action, amazing things can happen.”

Braden’s advice to those looking for ways to give back to others is “Don’t give up! Any small idea can get really big.”

1. Why did Braden have to change his hearing aids?

A．He lost his old hearing aids carelessly.

B．He wanted a better pair of hearing aids.

C．His hearing problem became more serious.

D．His old hearing aids got destroyed by his dog.

2. What caused Braden to start the GoFundMe page?

A．shley’s remark on hearing aids.

B．Ashley’s encouragement to him.

C．Braden’s desire to buy a new pair of hearing aids.

D．Braden’s desire to help the poor hearing-impaired kids.

3. How did Braden and his mother feel when the page was started?

A．Uncertain.

B．Satisfied.

C．Hopeful          .

D．Unexpected.

4. What has Braden learned from working on the project?

A．Videoing is a good way to collect money.

B．A small idea may make a big difference.

C．It is important to dream big and hold on to it.

D．One should always make good use of his money.

2 . I was once a painfully insecure teenage girl. I felt ________ all day, and rejected by my classmates. My ________ comfort was to be the stage assistant at our school’s theater.

One day, to my ________, actors from the great Oregon Shakespeare Festival came to perform for the school. One of them was Barry Kraft, who was a ________ leading actor. As I ran around backstage ________ him, he treated me with the casual ________ that he would show for friends in his living room. I ________ thought he was just making small talk to ________ the time before the performance.

That summer, I traveled to ________ Kraft’s performance at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. During one performance, I gathered my ________ and dropped him a note at intermission (中场休息), saying that if he ________ he could see me in the 15th row. Almost immediately I ________ sending the note, thinking he was too busy to see me.

After the ________, surprisingly, he was waiting for me! He smiled broadly, saying, “Would you like to visit backstage?” And off we went. Every time we ________ someone, he introduced me and said, “She helped me a lot.” I found him ________ sincere with people. It was then that I ________ I’d been wrong about him that day.

My ________ just increased 800%. After all, a well-known man like Kraft was willing to take the ________ to communicate with me, which ________ I mustn’t be so bad. From then on, I felt like a different person. ________, I successfully entered my dream university.

1.

A．responsible

B．prepared

C．hopeless

D．confused

2.

A．only

B．new

C．extra

D．secret

3.

A．surprise

B．delight

C．curiosity

D．disappointment

4.

A．reliable

B．lucky

C．famous

D．generous

5.

A．interviewing

B．following

C．watching

D．assisting

6.

A．friendliness

B．eagerness

C．forgiveness

D．skillfulness

7.

A．temporarily

B．originally

C．probably

D．finally

8.

A．share

B．save

C．kill

D．find

9.

A．assess

B．see

C．advocate

D．polish

10.

A．memories

B．materials

C．strength

D．courage

11.

A．looked down

B．backed off

C．set out

D．stepped forward

12.

A．suggested

B．stopped

C．regretted

D．finished

13.

A．discussion

B．show

C．travel

D．introduction

14.

A．asked

B．reminded

C．informed

D．met

15.

A．gradually

B．normally

C．merely

D．really

16.

A．agreed

B．predicted

C．forgotten

D．realized

17.

A．contribution

B．confidence

C．competence

D．experience

18.

A．risk

B．chance

C．time

D．measure

19.

A．indicated

B．witnessed

C．expected

D．repeated

20.

A．As a result

B．In that case

C．As usual

D．in contrast

3 . To everyone’s surprise, Huawei launched the newest handset, the Mate 60 Pro, equipped with a 5G application processor and satellite phone function, without any prior announcement. This left many Chinese feeling amazed.

With the international situation becoming increasingly challenging, Huawei was encountering significant financial issues. For instance, its revenue (收入) in 2021 declined nearly 30 percent, according to its annual report. For a company like Huawei, this was a major shock and could pose a persistent problem that needed immediate attention. Therefore, it was crucial for Huawei to have its own core technology, especially when it came to chips. Developing chips is a lengthy, demanding, and labor-intensive (劳动密集型的) process, but this didn’t stop Huawei. Instead of purchasing or leasing products from other countries, Huawei decided to invest heavily in research and development.

Huawei’s difficulties are similar to those faced by modern China in its early days. During that time, China lacked advanced technology. Despite this, China managed to develop its own atomic bombs, aircraft carriers, satellites, and fighter jets starting from zero. These advancements guided the country to prosperity and power.

With a determined attitude and united team, Huawei has been successful in breaking free from the chains of past difficulties. In this context, Huawei is “a light canoe that has passed the mountains”. 

As a storm of trouble approached, Huawei chose to confront it rather than give up. Huawei’s attitude of struggling and pushing ahead is the best presentation of the Chinese national spirit and serves as an example for others to follow. In the face of life’s unknown challenges, the key is to look ahead and not give in.

1. What’s the most important thing for Huawei to solve problems?

A．Independently developing chips.

B．Purchasing products from other countries.

C．Investing in other industries.

D．Raising a large amount of funds.

2. Why did the author mention the four advancements in the third paragraph?

A．Thanks to advanced technology, China has developed its own atomic bombs.

B．Even in the face of various difficulties, Huawei is bound to succeed.

C．Advancements of atomic bombs guided the country to prosperity and power.

D．Huawei has passed the mountains to solve the significant financial issues.

3. According to the passage, what does the underlined word mean?

A．escape from

B．understand.

C．separate

D．challenge

4. What’s the best title of the passage?

A．Huawei have the same difficulties as others.

B．Huawei encounters financial issue

C．Huawei overcomes challenges

D．Huawei launched the Mate 60 Pro.

4 . 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。

Once upon a time, there was a young woman       1     worked for a businessman living high up on the hill. It was part of her daily work to walk down the hill with her two pots (罐子) to collect water from a river. With time, one of the pots got a small crack (裂缝). But she decided to keep       2     (use) the pot.

Every day when she reached the house, the cracked pot would be only half full while the other one was full to       3     top. As years went by, the cracked pot saw       4     (he) as a failure and one day he spoke to the lady,“I apologise for my defects. The crack has made me useless.”The lady replied,“I would like you     5     (look) at the road we've taken.”

Next time when the lady carried the water up to the hill, the cracked pot       6     (notice) on his side of the track that beautiful flowers were growing, while the other side was still dry. The woman said,“I took advantage     7     your crack to water those flowers. Without you being just the way you are, the track uphill would not have this       8     (beautiful).

And the cracked pot       9     (sudden) understood and was overjoyed! Every one of us     10     (be) unique and we all have our own defects. But it is those little defects that make us.

5 . Gesture (手势) gets its power in part from the fact that it is rarely noticed by the speaker or listener, yet it is easily understood and included in our conversations.     1    Here are some tips that can help you take advantage of gesture.

Encourage gesture in your children, students and anyone you are trying to teach. This will help them understand the material you are going to explain.    2    That is important because being able to apply what we learn is essential to acquiring new knowledge.

Pay attention to other people’s gestures. These offer a window into the thoughts that speakers have but don’t express in their words. These thoughts are often at the cutting edge of their knowledge or   address issues that are uppermost in their minds.    3    

    4    Those you talk to will pay attention to your gestures — although often unknowingly. So choose them wisely. Remember, gestures can reveal what you might want to hide. And if you are questioning someone, be aware that a gesture may unavoidably influence them to tell you what you want to hear rather than give their own unbiased (无偏见的) answer.

Gesture more when you speak. It will help you learn and understand, and also think in a more abstract (抽象的) way. If you gesture while talking, you will remember more of what you have said.    5    What’s more, when you gesture, the people around you tend to do so too. This can give you a way of seeing what others are thinking but not saying.

A．People in all cultures gesture.

B．The challenge is to use it to good effect.

C．Let your gestures speak for you when necessary.

D．Be careful that your gestures say what you want them to.

E．Noticing and responding to such gestures will improve your interactions.

F．Do it while you are multitasking and it will reduce your difficulty with memorization.

G．Gesturing while learning will also make them more likely to solve the problem in a new way.

6 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

Mount Fuji seems to be losing its World Heritage status and becoming the victim of over-tourism. The scenic spot was listed as a world heritage site in 2013.     1    , a jump in the number of tourists climbing the majestic mountain is     2     (threat) that listing. With so many visitors     3     (head) towards those trails, Japan is experiencing a post-covid tourist boom. Mt. Fuji is so popular in Japan that many Japanese hope to climb it at least once in their lives.     4     considerable number of climbers is causing environmental damage on the slopes. Litter is left across the volcanic ash, and large parking lots have been constructed to accommodate tourists.

A local official told reporters that: “Fuji is faced     5     a real crisis. Tourism has become uncontrollable, and we fear that Mt. Fuji will soon become an unattractive place     6     nobody would want to go climbing.” He added: “Fuji is screaming in pain. We can’t just wait for improvement; we need to tackle over-tourism now.” The mountain’s fifth base station     7     (witness) a 50 percent rise in visitors since 2013, with about four million visitors this summer. Another headache for local authorities is “bullet climbers”, people who have an     8     (intend) to ascend and descend Fuji in 24 hours. They risk getting altitude sickness and hypothermia.     9     (fortunate), the official climbing season ended on Sunday, preventing Fuji from     10     (far) damage.

7 . Having grown up in northern Arizona with the immortal Grand Canyon and the iron red plateaus of Sedona in my backyard, I believed that the southwestern state is home to the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Towering mountain titans, a cozy valley and an infinite blue sky promised fantastic potential for exploration. For me, no newly discovered sights or foreign landscapes can compare with its beauty.

That is, until I was invited to explore Guizhou province by the China Storyteller Partnerships Tour. Had someone vividly described how beautiful Guizhou can be in poetic detail, they would not have done it exactly. There is no substitute for seeing with one’s own eyes. I will attempt to do so.

During my trip around the city of Xingyi, in Guizhou, I saw the artwork of the Bouyei ethnic group. They use dyes produced from local plants to make clothing of striking blues and greens. Local elders still practice weaving with artful wooden machines and pass that tradition on to their grandchildren.

My father used to drag my brothers and me on yearly fishing trips around Arizona. We would compete to catch the largest fish, and in the mornings, Dad would cook us a basic breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast. I sat in a small boat in the middle of the lake, with fishing pole moving slowly in my impatient hands, and held my bored tongue while my father attempted to share with me the whispers of the wind, a fish dancing on the surface of the lake or the majesty of a hawk hunting for prey overhead. On my trip to Guizhou I had the opportunity to paddle on Wanfeng lake. At one point I rested, floating at the center of the lake, listening to the spaces between silence and taking in the surrounding karst (喀斯特) mountains. I thought about my childhood, and wished I had listened more closely to my father while fishing.

I’ve lived away from Arizona for 10 long years, carving my own destiny in China. I’ve managed to build myself a family, a career, a livelihood, and various projects. I feel as though I have everything that I need. For a moment, in Guizhou, I felt home.

1. What do we know about the author’s hometown?

A．Situated in the north of US, it is home to Grand Canyon.

B．It has varied landscapes, ranging from plateau to valley.

C．Apparently, there’s no comparison in terms of beauty.

D．The author spent his childhood and adulthood in his hometown.

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

A．Experience.	B．Replacement.
C．Objection.	D．Agreement.

3. What is the purpose of paragraph 4?

A．To express his regret not listening to his father attentively.

B．To recall the most unforgettable experience with his family.

C．To compare the trip on Wangfeng lake with his former fishing trips.

D．To suggest that his trip in Guizhou takes him back to his childhood.

4. What does the author think of his life in Guizhou?

A．Inevitable.	B．Favorable.
C．Demanding.	D．Astonishing.

8 . Overcoming learning disabilities has long been a challenge for educators and students alike. However, recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have shown promise in revolutionizing the way we approach education for students with learning disabilities.

One of the most significant ways AI can assist is through the use of adaptive learning systems. These systems use algorithms (算法) to analyze a student’s performance and adjust the learning content and pace accordingly. This personalized approach allows them to progress at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed or left behind. Furthermore, adaptive learning systems can identify areas where a student may be struggling and provide targeted support.

Another way AI can support them is through natural language processing (NLP) technology. NLP enables computers to understand and interpret human language, allowing AI-powered tools to provide real-time feedback on a student’s written work. This can be particularly beneficial for students with dyslexia, who often struggle with spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. By providing immediate feedback, students can identify and correct their mistakes, leading to improved writing skills and increased confidence.

AI can also play a role in developing their social and emotional skills. Many students with learning disabilities experience social isolation. AI-powered social robots can recognize and respond to human emotions, allowing students to engage in interactive conversations and activities that help develop their social and emotional intelligence.

While the potential benefits of AI in education are clear, it is essential to recognize AI isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Educators must carefully consider the moral implications of using AI in the classroom and ensure these tools are used responsibly and with the best interests of the students in mind. Moreover, it is crucial to remember AI shouldn’t replace human educators but rather serve as a tool to enhance and support their efforts. Teachers play a vital role by providing empathy, understanding, and guidance that cannot be reproduced by a machine. By combining the power of AI with the skills and compassion of human educators, we can create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for all students.

1. How can adaptive systems help students with learning disabilities?

A．By adjusting their learning methods.	B．By analyzing their learning abilities.
C．By satisfying their curiosity in learning.	D．By offering personalized learning assistance.

2. What does the underlined word “dyslexia” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．A mental illness affecting human intelligence.

B．A brain disease leading to lack of confidence in study.

C．A language-related skill applied in the learning process.

D．A learning disorder involving difficulty in reading and writing.

3. What is the value of AI-powered social robots?

A．Engaging students in learning activities.	B．Narrowing the social distance between people.
C．Assisting learners to overcome social isolation.	D．Helping learners adopt effective reading strategies.

4. What does the author say about AI in the last paragraph?

A．It can’t provide understanding like human educators.

B．It can’t create an inclusive learning environment.

C．It can meet a wide range of learning needs.

D．It can guarantee learners’ data security.

9 . The recent reports of a 4-year-old girl on a Shanghai beach have gone viral on social media platforms, provoking debate about whether China should criminalize negligence in child supervision.

The father of the little girl claimed that he left her alone on the beach for about 12 minutes to fetch his phone. However, she was nowhere to be found when he was back. Surveillance (监控) videos show that she waited for about 10 minutes before walking toward the water’s edge alone, and then disappeared into the water. Two weeks later, her body was discovered about 100 kilometers away in neighboring Zhejiang Province.

The core issue in this case is the father’s leaving his young daughter unattended on the beach, causing her tragic death. Should such behavior, when it causes harm to a child, be seen as a criminal act? In an online survey, more than 90 percent of respondents insisted that the father be held legally responsible and face criminal punishments.

Nevertheless, according to Liu Chunquan, a lawyer, it may not satisfy the criteria for criminal negligence, since the primary focus of Chinese criminal law is on extreme cases of parental neglect, such as physical abuse and mental torture. Rarely do legal authorities charge parents; instead, they are just likely to face penalties consisting of warnings and fines.

In 2022, a 2-year-old baby drowned in a cesspool while in the company of his father. The court ruled shared responsibility between the father and the cesspool’s owner, with a 7:3 proportion. The owner was ordered to pay 20,000 yuan to the child’s family. Unluckily, similar cases do exist nationwide. Roughly, 100,000 children lose their lives in accidents annually in China, which is largely due to negligence, such as parents leaving their children unattended, either in locked cars or at home. Besides, drowning is now the main cause of death for children aged 1 to 14 years old.

It is no wonder that an increasing number of netizens request that specific laws and regulations be passed to ensure the safety of children and their well-being. Hopefully, criminalizing child supervision negligence in China can serve as a warning and precaution.

However, downsides of introducing such legislation may also emerge. For instance, it’s difficult to distinguish between a regrettable accident and criminal negligence, so that over-criminalization can be triggered, in which well-meaning parents making honest mistakes are charged with a crime.

Therefore, a more balanced approach to addressing the issue of infant safety should involve a combination of new legislation, education and support services. The ultimate objective is to prevent similar catastrophes in the future. We must recognize that children are not only their parents’ offspring, but also the nation’s future.

1. What can we infer from the tragedy of the 4-year-old girl?

A．Her father’s carelessness and negligence should be to blame.

B．The beach in Shanghai should not be open to small children.

C．Her father has been sentenced to severe penalties by the police.

D．She would have survived if she had not waited in the water for a long time.

2. What are the figures in paragraph 5 intended to prove?

A．Irresponsible adults contribute to children’s death.	B．People can’t be too concerned about child safety.
C．Kids shouldn’t be allowed to swim alone.	D．Parents’ constant monitoring is a must.

3. Updated legislation in child supervision is in demand for the following reasons except _______.

A．the mild penalties in the existing laws	B．parents’ ignorance of potential dangers
C．frequent occurrence of such incidents	D．masses of netizens’ urgent appeals

4. What attitude does the author hold to criminalizing child supervision negligence in China?

A．Indifferent.

B．Negative.

C．Objective.

D．Supportive.

10 . There are two kinds of people: those who like to pack up leftovers as soon as dinner is over, and those who let leftovers sit out for a few hours so they can cool down.

However, both leaving leftovers out for a long period of time and adding hot items to the fridge can cause problems.

Whether you should immediately put food in the fridge or let it sit out to cool depends on its temperature. Dangerous bacterial (细菌的) growth happens between 41 and 135 degrees F. Potentially harmful bacteria grows most rapidly at these temperatures.

Placing lots of hot food in the fridge can raise the temperature of the fridge into this danger zone. Fridge temperatures should always be set below 40 degrees F. This may help the food get out of the danger zone as fast as possible.

However, there’s no harm in putting hot food directly into the fridge if you need to. If you are a forgetful person, or if you won’t be around to store the food after it has cooled enough, go ahead and put it in the fridge. Your fridge can handle the heat and get the food cooled quickly.

Food should never stay out at room temperature for more than two hours. Leftovers can become breeding grounds (滋生地) for dangerous bacteria if they’re left out too long and can make people sick.

“It is OK to leave the food cooling outside before you hit the two-hour mark,” says Serena Poon, nutritionist of Le Cordon Bleu’s Grand Diploma training program. “In fact, the sooner you can get your leftovers in the fridge, the better.”

1. Which temperature most contributes to the growth of harmful bacteria?

A．Below 40 degrees F.	B．Between 39～40 degrees F.
C．Between 41～135 degrees F.	D．Above 135 degrees F.

2. What is the author’s attitude towards putting hot food directly into the fridge?

A．Unclear.

B．Neutral.

C．Worried.

D．Unconcerned.

3. What does Serena Poon suggest doing about the leftovers?

A．Dividing them into small parts.

B．Storing them in the fridge right away.

C．Waiting until they cool down completely outside.

D．Leaving them sitting at room temperature for two hours.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．When to Pack up Leftovers.	B．How to Prevent Bacterial Growth
C．To Cool Food Outside or in the Fridge	D．A Good Idea to Store Food in the Fridge