1 . It is claimed that, on average, one in five of school-aged children in Britain have a first language other than English. These languages are often labelled as “community languages” with some of them identified as the “languages for the future” in terms of supply and demand. For instance, the top five “languages for the future” are Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, Arabic and German. Yet, numerous reports point out, support for the community languages in the UK education system, from early years to further and higher education, is seriously lacking.

Part of the problem is the labelling. Languages that are part of the school and university curriculum are usually called “modern languages”. The classification of which language is a modern language for schools, and which is a community language seems somewhat unreasonable and largely a result of the history of language teaching in this country. It is also connected to Britain’s relationship with and attitudes towards the rest of the world. Languages of immigrants from outside Europe are community languages, whereas those from within Europe are modern languages.

It is high time to critically reflect whether it is still necessary and useful to categorize languages. The language curriculum for schools and universities should be broadened to include community languages. We must not forget that many of the so-called community languages in Britain are major national and international languages. We need to have a global perspective on languages. The inclusion of community languages in the education system can also have the added benefits of strengthening community ties by valuing the languages of minority groups.

In the meantime, a word of caution is needed as for the identification of languages “languages for the future”. It is usually done based on the roles specific languages play in the UK’s future prosperity, security and influence in the world. While that maybe an admirable objective, it could potentially lead to a rank of usefulness among different languages, with some being regarded as more useful, and therefore will receive more institutional support than others. However, a Global Britain needs to invest in upgrading and expanding its multilingual capacity. A person who knows more than one language can get more benefits in their future life. And that should begin by showing respect for the multilingual talents in different communities.

1. What can we learn about community languages in Britain?

A．They don’t obtain sufficient support.

B．They don’t have distinctive elements.

C．They are recognized based on preference.

D．They are emphasized in higher education.

2. Which of the following languages can be labelled as a “modern language”?

A．Korean.

B．Arabic.

C．Mandarin Chinese.

D．Danish.

3. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．A Global Britain needs the identification of languages.

B．The UK’s future prosperity relies on “languages for the future”.

C．Confirming the usefulness of different languages deserves a try.

D．Multilingual capacity will likely contribute to one’s future life.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards the classification of languages in Britain?

A．Disapproving.

B．Indifferent.

C．Tolerant.

D．Favorable.

2 . In a heartwarming rescue operation off the coast of Houston-Galveston, a U.S. CoastGuard team discovered an unexpected passenger during a routine inspection of shipping containers. The team, led by Petty Officer 2nd Class McMahon, were astonished when they heard barking and scratching coming from one of the containers.

As they cautiously opened the container, they were greeted by the sight of a small, furry face — a dog trapped inside the dark space. The dog seemed remarkably calm and happy to be liberated from her limited quarters.

“As soon as we opened it, we could see the little dog’s face poking out,” McMahon said. “She just seemed happy more than anything, to be out of that dark space and in the arms of people that were going to take care of her.”

Further investigation by Coast Guard officials revealed that Connie had been trapped in the container for at least eight days, deprived of food and water. The container, filled with deserted vehicles intended for overseas sales, had likely originated from a junkyard.

“So based on that, they think that the dog most likely was in a junkyard, in a car. And that how she accidentally got put in the container,” Chief Petty Officer Corinne Zilnicki said.

Grateful for being in the right place at the right time, McMahon expressed the urgency of the situation. “It would take at least another week to get to where she was going and two weeks without food or water. I don’t think she would have made it,” he said.

Forever Changed Animal Rescue has taken her in, diligently working to nurse her back to health and prepare her for adoption.

1. What does the underlined word “liberated” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Chained.

B．Released.

C．Protected.

D．Inspected.

2. Where did Connie probably stay before being loaded on a ship?

A．At a deserted parking lot.	B．Off the local coast.
C．In an unusable vehicle.	D．In a limited container.

3. What might happen to Connie in the future?

A．Being sold overseas.	B．Starving to death.
C．Living with a family.	D．Being trapped in a junkyard.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．An Unexpected Passenger	B．A Touching Rescue
C．An Abandoned Dog	D．A Remarkable Team

3 . A new study by Park, the UCLA economist, shows that the relationship between heat and human behavior extends well beyond violence.

Park’s research involved students in New York City sitting for standardized subject-specific high school exams at the temperatures varying from 15℃ to almost 37℃. Then, the research team looked at scores for almost 1 million students and about 4.5 million exams from 1999 to 2011.The analysis of the scores confirmed that students who take the exam on an approximately 32℃ day are 10 percent less likely to pass a given subject than if they had taken that exam on a 24℃ day.

Park and colleagues also looked at how hot temperatures might affect students’ performance across the country. This time, they zoomed in on the PSAT, a standardized exam administered to high schoolers in October that measures college readiness and provides a pathway to scholarships. They evaluated 21 million scores from nearly 10 million students who took the exam at least twice from 1998 to 2012.That way, the researchers could compare how students performed relative to themselves. The team also related exam scores with daily temperature data from around 3, 000weather stations across the country, as well as information about each student’s access to air conditioning. They found students in schools without air conditioning scored lower than would have been expected.

That sort of performance decline doesn’t just happen in academic settings; it extends to the workforce too. Tewari, whole d another team, observed workers from roughly one to nine years, depending on the industry. They discovered when temperatures climbed beyond 35℃, average daily production in the weaving factory dropped by about 2 percent and in the garment sewing factory by as much as 8 percent, compared with days under 30℃.

Based on Tewari’s discovery, the Park’s team scaled up to industries across America. By observing workers in different factories and analyzing national survey data, they found that productivity started dropping when average daily maximum temperatures rose above 20℃.The researchers’ calculations suggest that average annual output will decrease by 2.1 percent if average daily temperatures warm by 1℃ overcurrent conditions; annual gross domestic product, or the value of goods and services produced in a single year, would drop by 3 percent

1. What are the Park’s research findings mainly based on?

A．Data analysis.

B．In-depth interviews.

C．Case study.

D．Literature review.

2. What did Park’s team do when focusing on the PSAT?

A．They evaluated how hard students prepared for the PSAT.

B．They provided a pathway for 10 million students to scholarships.

C．They considered the factor of students’ access to air conditioning.

D．They compared the performances of students across the world.

3. Why does the author mention Tewari’s research?

A．To conduct a comparative experiment.

B．To give more theoretical foundation.

C．To argue against the existing research.

D．To further support the study findings.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．The impact of heal on students’ exam scores.

B．The effect of temperature on human behavior.

C．The influence of heat on a declining workforce.

D．The link between heat and industry production.

4 . Composting At Home

Any gardener can benefit from adding nutrients and organic matter to the soil to help plants grow strongly and vigorously.     1    . Check out these simple steps to starting your own compost pile.

●Combine green and brown materials

    2    . This forms the “green layer” that provides plenty of carbon for the microorganisms to breakdown. Anytime you do yard chores, collect dried plant materials like fallen leaves wood shavings, grass and plant clippings and dump them into the compost bin. This forms the “brown layer”, which provides lots of the nitrogen necessary for the composting process.

●Water your compost pile

Usually rainfall is enough to keep it damp, but in a dry summer you might have to spray it with water. Don’t add too much water or the microorganisms in your compost pile will become waterlogged and be drowned.     3    

●    4    

Air is vital to the composting process, so it’s important to mix the ingredients in together, and never press them flat. You should turn the pile periodically with a garden fork and keep it damp. This step provides oxygen, and the dampness assures the survival of the microorganisms, which need moisture to live.

●Feed your garden with compost

When the compost pile no longer gives off heat and becomes dry, brown, and crumbly, it’s fully cooked and ready to feed to the garden. Add about 4 to 6 inches of compost to your flower beds and a thick layer to the top of pots at the beginning of each planting season.

Composting at home is easy and environmentally friendly.     5    . With some kitchen scraps, yard debris, and some patience, you’ll have the most beautiful garden in the neighbourhood.

A．Stir your compost pile regularly

B．Harvest your finished compost

C．Plus, it’s a treat for your garden

D．If this happens, your pile will breakdown instead of compost

E．Almost anything you chop in the kitchen can go in the compost bin

F．One of the most popular and beneficial substances to add is compost

G．Once your pile is setup, maintaining it takes just a few minutes each week

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。

A young boy, named Timmy, lived in a small town. He disliked doing any work; he found it boring and would always come up with a reason to avoid it. His room was always messy with toys thrown everywhere, socks under the bed. Books and clothes piled up like a small mountain. Homework often remained untouched on the desk, buried under comic books and game controllers.

Timmy avoided chores, finding them less exciting than his digital universe. Day and night, Timmy tapped buttons, lost in virtual battles, his eyes glued to the screen. Socializing means chatting with fellow games online rather than meeting friends outside.

One Saturday morning, Timmy’s mom asked him to clean up his room. Timmy frowned and ignored his mom, diving deeper into his video game. His mother sighed and went on with her chores. That afternoon, as Timmy was standing by the window, he noticed his neighbor, Mr. Jenkins, working tirelessly in his garden, repairing the wooden fence (栅栏).

At the sight of Timmy, Mr. Jenkins smiled and called out, “Hey, Timmy, I need a helper to hold the wooden strips (木条). And could you lend me a hand for a moment?” Hesitantly, Timmy walked over. Mr. Jenkins showed him how to do it. He continued to help do gardening work such as watering and weeding(除草) in the garden. As they worked, Mr. Jenkins shared his adventurous stories when he was a soldier, and Timmy listened with respect.

Hours passed, and to Timmy’s surprise, he enjoyed helping out. His hands were dirty, but he felt delighted and meaningful. As they finished, Mr. Jenkins thanked Timmy and showed him the result of their teamwork: a neat garden full of colorful flowers and fresh greenery. Timmy felt proud and realized that work could be fun and rewarding.

注意：1.续写词数为150 词左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The next day, Timmy decided to give his own room a change.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Later, when his mother entered his room, she was astonished.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . 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。

China, with a history stretching back thousands of years, has a rich and diverse traditional culture. This culture,    1     is passed down through generations, is seen in     2     (difference) aspects of Chinese life.

One typical example is the art of calligraphy,    3     (consider) as a national treasure. The beauty of Chinese calligraphy     4     (reflect) the harmony of nature and the universe. Another significant aspect is traditional Chinese medicine, and it aims     5     (balance) the body’s vital energy.

Festivals also play     6     crucial role. The Spring Festival, the most important of all, marks the     7     (begin) of a new year and is celebrated with family reunions, fireworks, and delicious food. The Dragon Boat Festival, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month,    8     (special) commemorates(纪念) the ancient poet Qu Yuan.

Additionally, Chinese music and dance, traditional     9     (instrument) like the guqin and the drum, are important parts in Chinese culture. It is classical literature that provides insights into ancient Chinese thought and values.

In conclusion, Chinese traditional culture serves     10     a bridge to the past, connecting generations and developing a sense of national pride.

7 . Julian is a 26-year-old grassroots artist. With a bold and humorous style, his creations have earned more than 6 million ________ on several social media platforms and sold more than 60,000 pieces on the video platform.

However, Julian’s ________ to art was not easy. He was born in a poor village. At the age of 6, Julian began to teach himself to ________ by using waste bricks to practice on walls due to the unaffordability of art supplies. Despite facing ________, including the disability caused by an injury at the age of 11, drawing remained Julian’s passion.

________ the increased popularity of short videos, he could ________ his works online, gradually gaining success. Julian's life also got improved by selling paintings. His dreams, however, are even ________. “My goal is to share my work with more people and I also want to ________ and motivate them with humor,” Julian said. Many of his paintings reflect his journey of ________ obstacles. For Julian, it seems that the inspiration for creation is ________. In his eyes, any scene or word can be a source of inspiration.

Some media called Julian as “the Grassroots Picasso”, but he modestly rejected the ________, saying he is just a “painting hobbyist”.

Julian hopes to engage in more exciting adventures, including organizing exhibitions at home and abroad to encourage more young people to ________ their dreams. “I always believe that it is ________ to learn to persevere. If you love something, then put in more ________. The experiences we have are ________ the foundation for the future, and we will always leave our mark.” Julian said.

1.

A．fans

B．friends

C．teachers

D．authors

2.

A．addiction

B．response

C．introduction

D．path

3.

A．knock

B．draw

C．write

D．build

4.

A．difficulty

B．poorness

C．danger

D．failure

5.

A．Similar to

B．According to

C．Thanks to

D．Close to

6.

A．check

B．practice

C．collect

D．share

7.

A．harder

B．weaker

C．bigger

D．farther

8.

A．interview

B．inspire

C．invite

D．involve

9.

A．overcoming

B．decreasing

C．preventing

D．building

10.

A．timeless

B．helpless

C．endless

D．useless

11.

A．topic

B．favor

C．title

D．faith

12.

A．reflect

B．obtain

C．change

D．pursue

13.

A．urgent

B．essential

C．serious

D．smart

14.

A．wisdom

B．emotion

C．knowledge

D．effort

15.

A．laying

B．preparing

C．serving

D．creating

8 . The kitchen, often referred to as the heart of the home, is a place where delicious meals are prepared, cherished memories are made, and families are united.     1    . To ensure a safe and enjoyable cooking experience, it’s important to obey kitchen safety guidelines.

●    2    

Remember, an organized kitchen is not just pleasing but also crucial for safety. Avoid accidents by keeping countertops, stovetops, and floors clean. Always store knives out of children’s reach to prevent injuries. By maintaining organization in the kitchen, you create a safer environment for everyone in the household.

●Prevent burns

When handling hot cookers or touching any hot surfaces, always wear oven gloves to avoid burns. Moreover, heat oil slowly and monitor it closely to prevent it from splattering (泼洒), which can cause serious injuries.     3    , as the escaping steam can be extremely hot.   

●Handle food safely

    4    . This is crucial both before and after handling food. Additionally, it is vital to use separate cutting boards for raw meat to avoid infection. Moreover, all food should be cooked to the recommended temperatures. Only in this way can we make sure that harmful bacteria are got rid of, thus promoting food safety.

● Watch children in the kitchen

It is important to educate children about kitchen safety and make them aware of the potential risks in the kitchen. Keep them away from hot surfaces, sharp tools, and electrical appliances to prevent accidents. Encourage them to engage in safe cooking activities under the eyes of an adult to develop their interest in cooking.     5    .

A．Be careful with fire and heat

B．Keep the kitchen clean and organized

C．Hands must be washed to prevent cross-infection

D．Anyway, don’t leave the children alone in the kitchen

E．Be careful when opening hot containers to avoid steam burns

F．Always keep your body and fingers off the sharp edge of knives

G．However, it’s also a place where accidents can happen without safety awareness

9 . Thanks to researchers from Northwestern Polytechnical University, robot guide dogs that use an artificial intelligence language model may soon be accessible to 17 million people with visual problems in China. The AI guide dog, developed by the university, can assist with tasks like crossing streets, using elevators, and navigating (导航) indoor spaces without being connected to the Internet.

Robot guide dog is an intelligent machine with a physical form. It can interact with the environment in real-time using sensors to execute instructions or make decisions. “Though in recent years there have been some electronic navigation aids, such as electronic navigation helmets, and electronic guide dogs, they cannot engage in conversations with people or fully understand human instructions,” said Sun Zhe, an associate professor at the university.

“They can only carry out tasks according to pre-set programs. They are just cold machines. That’s not enough. The research makes it possible to provide better guidance services for people with visual problems, especially for emotional companionship, ” Sun said.

“People with visual problems face numerous challenges in daily life, including navigation difficulties and safety threats,” Sun said. “Smart guide dogs using the language model can offer them more convenient and safe navigation, effectively improving their quality of life.”

Training a traditional guide dog can cost as much as 200,000 yuan ($ 28,000), and there are fewer than 200 guide dogs in China. Therefore, the research team began developing the smart guide dog based on the AI model, which is much more affordable for people with visual problems. Its findings have been published in the Communications of the Chinese Computer Society.

“The current results prove the possibility of this approach, but there is still some wayto go before it can be put into practical application,” Sun said. “We will put more effort into it and make it available for those in need as soon as possible.”

1. What can the AI guide dog do?

A．Send out all instructions.	B．Navigate without Internet.
C．Improve the AI technology.	D．Imitate human conversations.

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

A．Change.

B．Guide.

C．Conduct.

D．Explain.

3. Why did Sun Zhe’s team start the research?

A．To analyze AI guide dogs.	B．To use sensors to carry out tasks.
C．To compare different AI guide dogs.	D．To offer better guidance for those in need.

4. Which may be a suitable title for the text?

A．AI Guide Dogs May Offer Visual Aid	B．AI Guide Dogs Will Reduce the Cost
C．AI Guide Dogs May Navigate Indoor Spaces	D．AI Guide Dogs Will Replace Traditional Dogs

10 . Do you know how to cycle? It is a skill that, once learned, is never forgotten. For the majority of us, the art of balancing on two wheels was mastered during our childhood. Many still wear helmets, put feet on the pedals, and take a ride around the streets. And in recent years, cycling has become more and more popular. What attracts people to ride their bikes once again?

Cycling offers a lot of advantages that affect both our physical and mental health. For example, regular cycling can improve the function of our cardiovascular (心血管的)system, assist in the burning of extra body fat and strengthen our leg muscles. A long ride in the countryside helps us to clear our mind easily.

Riding a bike is a smart choice for getting to work, shopping, or sightseeing. You can save money that you would otherwise spend on fuels and fares. Unlike cars that struggle with parking, bikes can be easily locked up. Then, on the train, there are chances at stations and other people speaking loudly on their phones. Cyclists face neither of these problems. And if we’re worried about safety, there are cycle lanes in many cities, or we can wear light-colored clothes to improve our safety when cycling on the roads.

Cycling can also be good for the environment. It cuts our carbon footprint, which means we make less pollution. It’s great for our planet and keeps the air clean around us. When we ride bikes, we don’t use fuel like cars do, and that’s really good for our environment.

Therefore, more and more people choose to ride for many benefits such as improving their health, easily going to work, saving money, protecting the environment, or a combination of these factors.

1. When do most people learn to ride?

A．In their free time.	B．After their retirement.
C．At their young ages.	D．During their adulthood.

2. Which of the following best describes cycling?

A．It is a good way to save money.

B．It is a great idea to relax cyclists.

C．It is dangerous to cycle on the roads.

D．It is difficult to find a place park the bike.

3. How does cycling affect the environment?

A．Consumes more fuels.	B．Increases air pollution.
C．Causes fewer accidents.	D．Reduces carbon footprint.

4. In which section of a magazine may this text appear?

A．Sports & Health.	B．Travel & Culture.
C．Science & Technology.	D．Animals & Environment.