2 . How to Design a Small Garden

Even if you don’t have a large area in your yard, you can still make a beautiful garden that maximizes the space you have by following tips.

    1    . Look for a place in your yard where you can see your garden from a window or a spot in your yard so that you’re able to enjoy it. Make sure you can walk into your garden with ease to make it easier to take care of your plants.     2    .

Plan the layout for your garden by drawing the outline on the paper. Start by sketching longer rectangles（矩形）for your garden beds so they’re to scale for the actual size you want them.     3    . Be sure to leave an 18-inch space between garden beds so you can easily walk between them and care for your plants.

Arrange your design so there are focal points. Aim to have several aspects of your garden design unique so they stand out from the rest of your plants.     4    . Take into consideration where you want people to focus or have their attention drawn to when they look at your garden, and plan your design around those spots. Focal points help your garden feel more inviting and make it more visually pleasing.

Put similar plants across from one another to create rhythm and symmetry(对称). Rather than put different plants in each of your garden beds, choose to use the same plant or ones that have similar textures or colors so they’re across from one another.     5    .

A．And avoid any inconvenience caused by difficult access

B．Try to position smaller plants in between larger ones

C．Pick a place where you can easily get to your garden

D．You may still be able to measure the length of the rectangles

E．Then divide the rectangles into smaller sections for different plants

F．This could be a statue or a fountain placed in the center or on either side

G．That way, when you look at your garden, it will look inviting and make the area feel more balanced

4 . The most affectionate memory of my childhood is about a round table. When I was still little, my entire family would ______ on almost every traditional festival to have dinner. While the ______ were discussing something beyond our comprehension, we kids would play hide-and-seek.

The round table is a ______ of a reunion of our families and an ______ to our families. But as a matter of fact, in China, almost everything can be solved over a ______ table. The marriage bells between a loving couple and the ______ between business partners can all happen on the same round table. ______ , I start to wonder what this round table is to us, and its true significance starts to ______ in front of me.

The food on the table may ______ with time. The reasons why we come together may be ______ , but the sensation behind it remains the same. And that is our tolerance of different people or willingness to ______ different cultures.

In less than two months before the Spring Festival, a(n) ______ epic migration: would take place in China. The power that ______ us to do so has been sustaining Chinese civilization for thousands of years, and even the history of our nation has been the stories of ______ or running to the round table to which we ______ . The round table is and will always be a symbol of the Chinese sensation.

1.

A．imagine

B．reunite

C．repeat

D．flee

2.

A．strangers

B．teachers

C．adults

D．teenagers

3.

A．symbol

B．schedule

C．decoration

D．ceremony

4.

A．argument

B．occupation

C．operation

D．attachment

5.

A．round

B．new

C．long

D．square

6.

A．dreams

B．negotiations

C．secrets

D．experiments

7.

A．Obviously

B．Moreover

C．Consequently

D．Instead

8.

A．explore

B．expand

C．clarify

D．unfold

9.

A．keep

B．change

C．sell

D．display

10.

A．various

B．public

C．typical

D．temporary

11.

A．switch

B．predict

C．forbid

D．accept

12.

A．annual

B．innovative

C．unnecessary

D．modern

13.

A．forces

B．assists

C．reminds

D．drives

14.

A．caring about

B．looking for

C．figuring out

D．making up

15.

A．adapt

B．apply

C．belong

D．turn

6 . Opening the pages of Liuba Draws Beijing takes you on a fascinating visual journey through the heart of China’s busy capital city. Within its lively watercolors, traditional hutong, the grand Summer Palace, and the contemporary charm of Beijing’s Sanlitun and 798Art District all come alive through the artistic lens of Liuba Vladimirova, more famously known as Liuba Draws.

Vladimirova’s journey from the icy Siberian city of Irkutsk to the vital Beijing started during her college years, when she commenced with an academic exchange program connecting her Russian university with Liaoning University in Shenyang, in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province. It was during this transformative period that she first set foot in Beijing. Since then, her affection for the city has been undeniable.

Vladimirova’s path as an artist was far from linear (直线的). Since childhood Vladimirova has developed a love for drawing and painting. However, she pursued a different academic and professional route, studying Chinese and international trade in college and later working in trade relations between Russia and China, none of which was directly connected to the world of art. Yet, Vladimirova’s inner artist remained alive.

In 2015, Vladimirova began crafting a series of illustrations centered around Beijing, properly named “The Beijing Calendar”. What attracts Vladimirova most is Beijing’s historic hutong. These narrow alleyways, rich in history and culture, serve as a wellspring (源泉) of inspiration for her artistry.

Vladimirova’s ability to catch these hidden small differences likely comes from her unique perspective as an “outsider”— someone who didn’t grow up in Beijing. This fresh perspective allowed her to arrive in the city with fresh eyes and an eager heart, ready to embrace a new culture.

1. What do the underlined words “commenced with” mean in paragraph 2?

A．Improved.

B．Began.

C．Resisted.

D．Assessed.

2. What do we know about Vladimirova from paragraph 3?

A．She gave up her dream.	B．She won many art prizes several years ago.
C．She was hardworking over her childhood.	D．She delayed her artistic career.

3. Why does the author mention hutong?

A．To praise Beijing’s architecture.	B．To show the inspiration of Vladimirova’s art making.
C．To state the main contents of an art book.	D．To advise tourists to visit Beijing.

4. Which statement best summarizes Vladimirova’s success?

A．Curiosity works wonders.	B．Hard work pays off in time.
C．The world is diverse and lively.	D．Painting has no national boundaries.

7 . My world changed when I was visiting my best friend Becky three years ago. Her dog had _________ a litter of pups and there was one puppy left when I arrived.

The puppy was so _________ that I still remember Becky saying, “Don’t get too _________, and I know you aren’t into a dog.” Unexpectedly, a few days into my visit, it _________ that this little puppy was coming home with me! I called him Timmy.

When getting home, it was very clear that my two cats were not so enthusiastic about the new _________ to our family. It took a while for the three of them to find their _________, and, for me, having a puppy really took some time to adapt to, who was always so _________ and wanted to be everywhere I was. I couldn’t believe how _________ this little puppy was on my time and love. In spite of that, there were _________ times when I wondered if I’d made the wrong decision — especially when he put __________ in my clothes. I soon learned that I couldn’t __________ things on the floor — nothing was safe from those little teeth!

Timmy is now three years old and I love __________ at the parks with my best buddy. He still follows me around like a __________. Wherever I go, my little man, who has got the best __________ that wins everyone over. I can’t __________ him not being right at my heels now.

1.

A．abandoned

B．identified

C．seen

D．had

2.

A．puzzling

B．fascinating

C．depressing

D．uplifting

3.

A．attached

B．occupied

C．frightened

D．amused

4.

A．witnessed

B．reported

C．happened

D．implied

5.

A．contribution

B．generation

C．combination

D．addition

6.

A．shelter

B．rhythm

C．feature

D．manner

7.

A．energetic

B．generous

C．brilliant

D．considerate

8.

A．precious

B．significant

C．dependent

D．essential

9.

A．hopefully

B．fortunately

C．rarely

D．definitely

10.

A．patterns

B．holes

C．buttons

D．paints

11.

A．leave

B．seek

C．tailor

D．drag

12.

A．cutting in

B．fading out

C．showing up

D．hanging out

13.

A．shadow

B．dog

C．friend

D．thief

14.

A．capability

B．position

C．personality

D．diversity

15.

A．cheat

B．picture

C．reflect

D．suggest

9 . How to Stay Awake During School

If you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter or had a bad night of sleep, you know it's difficult to stay awake in class when you're tired   So how to keep yourself awake?     1       

Taking part in class

    2     They are great ways to force yourself to stay awake because they require your mind and your body to work together. To effectively listen to your teacher, you should try to maintain eye contact, face the speaker, and pay close attention. Also, group discussions are a great time to keep yourself awake. Try to sit yourself near people who always volunteer in class and have a lot to say in discussion.

Keeping your body active

Walk around before or after class     3     For example, go outside during breaks and get your blood moving to keep your body awake. Besides, you can stretch a little in your chair to help you feel refreshed. You can start by rolling your wrists, shoulders, and neck.   After you stop moving, you might feel tired again, but it can help a little bit.

    4    

Whether your class is in the morning; afternoon, or evening, eating three regular and balanced meals per day will help you fight tiredness       5     But you should avoid heavy foods right before class as they can make you sleepy. By the way, especially in a class, a bottle of cold water can kick in right when you might start sleeping. Come to class with a bottle of cold water. You’ll also get a little energy from the coldness every time you take a drink.

A．Preparing a little bit drinks

B．Staying awake with food and drinks.

C．Here are some creative strategies you can get with

D．Physical activity tells your body it’s not time for sleep

E．The food will give you energy and help you stay awake

F．You'll be near people who are more likely to join the class

G．Listen actively to the lesson and discuss with your classmates

10 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号丙单词的正确形式，并填在答题下的相应位置。

Siheyuan is a special type of building found in China that represents the country’s rich traditions. These buildings     1     (exist) around for a very long time and are mainly located in the northern parts of China. Exploring a Siheyuan allows you     2     (step) back in time and experience the peace and history of ancient China.

Siheyuan has     3     unique layout with a square courtyard in the middle,     4     (surround) by buildings on all four sides. This design provides privacy for the people living there and shows a balance     5     human-made structures and nature.

The main entrance of a Siheyuan     6     (usual) faces south, and the most important rooms are positioned in the north. The courtyards are often decorated with beautiful gardens, plants, and fancy stone carvings,     7     show how much the Chinese appreciate nature and beauty.

Beyond its physical form, Siheyuan represents the Chinese     8     (tradition) way of life and family values. In these buildings, extended families live together,     9     the courtyard becomes a gathering place for family members. This helps to strengthen family bonds and maintain connections between different     10     (generation).