1 . Abeid was born in a village of Tanzania and dreamt of flying a plane, soaring (翱翔) through the sky. Due to financial difficulties, he became a wildlife guide instead.
Abeid didn’t give up. He became a chief pilot of hot air ballooning at the age of 20. His passion for flying was matched by his skill both as a pilot and as a guide. Then, he came up with the idea of flying across the Serengeti from east to west, which would take four flights on successive days, taking off and landing where no one had ever seen a balloon before.
As a journalist, I was so lucky to make a journey with Abeid. We were up at 3 am. Abeid walked into the basket and checked the lines and the fastenings. Moments later, he was instructing me to get into it. With barely time to catch my breath, he gave a long blast (猛吹) on the burners and the basket tipped upright.
Over the following days, we gasped at the joy and wonder of the sky; at the beauty and complexity of the land beneath us. There was no fear, just a sense of being part of something fantastic as we floated in the silence of the African sky.
But not everything went entirely to Abeid’s carefully worked-out plan. The rains that had started to fall every afternoon slowed the air. On the final day, we landed 20km short of the destination. Luckily, we finally made the crossing the next morning.
When we were returning to the land, crowds of people shouted and waved. Many children looked up as we flew over them, and started to run. As Abeid brought the balloon down, people gathered around the balloon, pressing against the basket. Those children were also there, flushed and breathless, eyes wide with amazement. Abeid and I both looked at each other in silent agreement. Suddenly we were helping some children into the basket. Abeid lifted off and we flew just a few hundred metres with the excited crowd running alongside.
I realized that Abeid’s journey was more than just about flying. It was about hope, inspiration, and the joy of sharing one’s passion. And as I penned down the last words of this extraordinary experience, I knew that Abeid’s story would resonate (回荡) far beyond the Serengeti.
1. What did Abeid dream of?A.Being a wildlife guide. | B.Being a journalist. |
C.Flying a hot air balloon. | D.Flying a plane. |
A.Smooth. | B.Pioneering. | C.Painful. | D.Eco-friendly. |
A.Showing their technical skills. | B.Teaching the children to be a pilot. |
C.Taking the children for a ride. | D.Attracting people to their show. |
A.A Beautiful View: from East to West |
B.A Balloon Adventure: the Dream Soaring High |
C.Different Job Experiences: from a Guide to a Pilot |
D.A Wildlife Exploration: the Unforgettable Experience |
2 . Family dynamics in the animal kingdom are as different as the animals themselves. In the animal world, there are advantages to be gained from being part of an extended family.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are the world’s largest living primates. These creatures are peace-loving and may live together for a lifetime. The dominant male has many wives who may stay with him for most of their lives, which can cause everyday conflicts. It is the male who settles the conflicts by a warning stare or hitting the back of the offenders’ heads.
Elephants
Females stick together in the elephant world, living in herds under a stateswoman. The experience and knowledge of this elder one, who may be 60-years-old, are of great benefit. She will remember, for example,the location of water holes and seasonal food supplies. In times of danger, the group bunches around the young and it is the stateswoman who decides whether to flee or confront the threat.
Lions
Lions are the only cats to live in a large family group, guarded by a pair of powerful males. Family life is relatively harmonious and baby lions may be fed by any mother with milk, so orphaned babies do not starve. Males live in the wilderness for some years before seeking their own pride by challenging resident males in a bloody battle. The male lion protects his pride from other males and enemies.
Ostriches (鸵鸟)
Ostriches travel in bands of 10-50 individuals, the most remarkable birds being the eight-foot-tall males. The largest birds in the world, ostriches cannot fly, but run fast. The wives of the male ostrich all put their eggs in the same nest. A primary female will then join the male to hatch (孵化) the eggs and she will push away other eggs on the outside to ensure her own are in the middle.
1. How is an elephant herd different from other three animal groups?A.The leader should be the oldest and experienced. |
B.The number of the animals in a herd must be large. |
C.An experienced female elephant dominates the herd. |
D.They will protect their young when they are in danger. |
A.Baby lions often go hungry as they can’t hunt. |
B.A female and a male ostriches hatch eggs jointly. |
C.Elephants remember every place they have been to. |
D.The female chimpanzee leader settles daily conflicts. |
A.A text book. | B.A science fiction. |
C.A course plan. | D.A wildlife journal. |
3 . We grow up — unavoidably — with a strong attachment to a plan A, that is, an idea of how our lives will go and what we need to do to achieve our particular set of well-defined goals.
But then, for some of us and at one level all of us, life turns out to have made a few other plans. A sudden injury puts a certain career forever out of reach. A small but significant error changes everything about how crucial others view us. And so, promptly, we find we have to give up on plan A altogether, which can feel devastating. We alternately weep and anger at the turn of events. It is for such moments that we should consider one of life’s most vital skills: that of developing a plan B.
The first element involves fully acknowledging that no one gets through life with all their careful plan As. Plan As simply do not work out all the time. Something unexpected, shocking and hateful regularly comes along, not only to us, but to all human beings.
The further point is to realize that we are, despite moments of confusion, absolutely capable of developing very satisfactory plan Bs. Adults are good at keeping needing to refresh in our minds and drawing comfort from in anxious moments. We have enormous capacities to act and to adapt. Perhaps we’ll have to leave town forever, maybe we’ll have to resign an occupation we spent a decade nurturing — until we rediscover our potential plan B muscle. In reality, there would be a possibility to relocate, to start afresh in another field, to turn around the terrible event. There was no one script for us written at our birth, and nor does there need to be only one going forward.
Crucially, we don’t need to know right now what our plan Bs might be or anticipate every frustration that might come our way; we should simply feel confident that, were the universe to command it, we would know how to find a very different path.
1. What’s the function of the opening paragraph?A.To arouse thinking. | B.To introduce the topic. |
C.To define a concept. | D.To set the background. |
A.Disastrous. | B.Indifferent. | C.Entertaining. | D.Relaxing. |
A.We must be blamed for having to make a plan B. |
B.There will be only one script for us written in life. |
C.Adults are an adaptable species to tackle problems. |
D.Plan Bs are actually superior to plan As all the time. |
A. | B. | C. | D. |
It was a sunny afternoon in June of 2023 when Anthony Perry stepped off the train at Chicago’s 69th Street station. The 30-year-old, a former railway worker, was on his way home.
On the platform, two men were throwing punches (拳). Then the unthinkable happened: The pair tumbled over the edge and onto the tracks. One man ended up on his back, resisting the beat.Suddenly,he was unresponsive and lay there unconscious. In panic, the other man rushed backward, jumped back up onto the platform and disappeared.
“Help him!” an old woman wailed. “Please, someone!”
Perry couldn’t just stand there and watch. He sprang into action. He knew that every second counted. With a firm determination, he jumped onto the tracks. The other people on the platform watched nervously as Perry carefully made his way to the victim.
Perry examined the man’s body. He looked dead, but luckily he was still breathing, though weakly. What mattered most was to move the man to a safe place at once. The train he’d just gotten off was still stopping, thankfully. But had the train driver seen him? Would it start up again?
Perry silently prayed in his heart: “God help me get him out of here.” He picked the man up on his back and took a few steps forward.
“Be careful.” cried the warm-hearted old woman.
Perry forced a smile, steadied himself and moved more cautiously to the platform.
With all his strength, he carried the man to the edge of the tracks. The other people around made a concentrated effort to pull the man to the platform.
Suddenly, the whistle sounded that the train was about to start again. Shock! Perry was still there. People all around quickly offered the hands to pull him up. Luckily, they made it!
注意:
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
What was worrying was that the man didn’t wake up.
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Finally, the ambulance arrived, along with the police car.
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1. 发起倡议的原因
2. 具体做法及意义
注意:字数80字左右;可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
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In a specially designed studio theater in Hangzhou, a latest Yueju Opera production, New Dragon Gate Inn performed by Xiao Bai Hua Opera troupes (剧团), has emerged
The name of the adapted work is the same as that of the 1992 classic martial arts film.
Through her cross-dressed role Jia Ting, 31-year-old female performer Chen Lijun has suddenly risen to fame due to her gorgeous appearance, elegant air
In addition to the bold and innovative
7 . My father was a restaurant owner. My name is Vincent Lim. I’m a chef and restaurant owner. Running a Chinese restaurant is one of the hardest and most
When we first arrived in Australia, my dad
The first dish that I ever learned to cook was the fried rice, which is the easiest but also the
To lots of Chinese immigrants like us, the restaurant isn’t just a business. It’s a sense of
In 2017, my dad passed away. I realized that my love of cooking dishes was from my childhood. I
A.worthless | B.valuable | C.necessary | D.unexpected |
A.supported | B.found | C.operated | D.occupied |
A.regular | B.solid | C.seldom | D.vital |
A.strength | B.passion | C.talent | D.awareness |
A.chef | B.owner | C.coach | D.master |
A.toughest | B.worst | C.busiest | D.greatest |
A.taste | B.achieve | C.tell | D.learn |
A.career | B.urgency | C.purpose | D.affection |
A.generates | B.delivers | C.accompanies | D.dismissed |
A.came from | B.went over | C.wiped away | D.spread across |
A.impossibly | B.straightly | C.deliberately | D.considerably |
A.shut down | B.took over | C.opened up | D.dealt with |
A.amusing | B.striking | C.connecting | D.inspiring |
A.recall | B.complete | C.expect | D.alter |
A.impresses | B.perceives | C.represents | D.devotes |
8 . Not everyone is excited about birthdays. There are many people out there who never feel excited about it.
This may be common in those who are in their 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s... For some people in this age, life becomes a journey that is going on and on and on at a faster pace. They feel like losing control of their time and every passing year doubles the fear of dying soon. This is not good as it is negative.
Some people do not like to come to the notice of others due to any possible reason on this earth. You may feel amazed about this nature. But they like to remain as part of the crowd.
Here comes another part of the population that thinks it is a waste of money.
Instead of aiming for a perfect day, set realistic expectations for your birthday.
A.They don’t like it either. |
B.But they can’t help doing so. |
C.Birthdays are contrary to this feeling. |
D.What makes them act so indifferent after all? |
E.Everyone wants to know the plans of the birthday. |
F.They do not spend on those who do not help earn money. |
G.Nothing in their routine changes in the name of celebration. |
9 . Anyone keen to view from on high the prosperous cityscape of Guangdong, may soon can do so from the cabin of a flying taxi. On October 13th the Civil Aviation (航空) Administration of China (CAAC) awarded a “type certificate” to the world’s first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) taxi. And the small two-seater, called the EH216-S, was also permitted to fly without a pilot on board.
The EH216-S is made by EHang, a company based in Guangdong. It looks like a large consumer drone with a passenger bubble installed on top. Propulsion (推动力) is provided by 16 small rotors (转子), installed on the tips of eight arms that fold away when the vehicle is not in use, allowing it to park in small spaces.
The CAAC gave its approval after EHang had conducted more than 40,000 test flights, including with volunteer passengers in 18 cities across China. It also monitored the EH216-S to structural analysis and crash tests, and checked its ability to keep flying if one of its rotors fails. Regulators (监管机构) also inspected the wireless network EHang uses to link its flying taxis to a control centre on the ground. That allows backup pilots to land an aircraft by remote control if there is a problem.
EHang says its pilotless eVTOLs will be quieter than helicopters and much cheaper to operate, thanks to the ability to swap out an expensive pilot for a second paying passenger. The firm also thinks that doing away with pilots will make things safer. A computer’s attention never swings, and its reaction operate at a high speed. And it is much easier to automate than driving, for there are fewer barriers and unexpected situations to navigate.
EHang has ambitions beyond China, too. It has carried out demonstration flights in Amèrica and Europe with the aim of obtaining type certificates in both markets. But their regulators both have signalled that they will allow autonomous flights only after the vehicles have proved themselves safe in human hands.
1. Which of the following best describes EH216-S?A.EH216-S has a high safety factor than pilot driving. |
B.EH216-S requires the pilots to land by remote control. |
C.EH216-S taking is more expensive due to automation. |
D.EH216-S looks like a consumer drone with foldable rotors. |
A.The firm has gained type certificates in both markets. |
B.The two countries’ regulators are likely to be careless. |
C.Ehang is not alone in expanding the overseas markets. |
D.Ehang may make more efforts to get widely recognized. |
A.The test of pilotless aircrafts. |
B.The history of two seats and no pilot. |
C.The advantages of pilotless flying taxi. |
D.The approval of the world’s first flying taxi. |
A.Favorable. | B.Objective. | C.Negative. | D.Critical. |
10 . Jim Curry lights a stove in the parking lot of Christ Episcopal Church in Guilford. It’ll get up to 2,000 degrees, hot enough to soften the metal of shotgun parts so they can be reshaped.
A crowd is watching, and Curry picks out a 9-year-old named Oliver to help him. “This is really magic,” Curry says. “Right before your very eyes, you’re gonna see Oliver transform this gun, this instrument of potential harm, into something that could never be a gun ever again. It’s gonna be a trowel (泥铲), which could be used to plant flowers in a garden.”
“It is exciting,” Oliver says. “I love the fact that you can take metal that’s random and shape it into something useful.”
Curry, a retired priest, is a co-founder of Swords to Plowshares (犁) Northeast, the organization putting on this event, which helps police departments manage their gun buyback programs and repurpose the weapons into gardening tools.
The finished tools are donated to community gardens and agricultural high schools and the harvested vegetables donated to soup kitchens and homeless shelters, according to the group’s website.
Retired priest Mary Ann first volunteered with Swords to Plowshares when a family member fell victim to gun violence. She helps collect guns through police buybacks. “When there’s such despair now in our country, people need to know that we can change. There is hope,” she says.
Curry wears a constant reminder of that hope around his neck. It’s two large pieces of metal molded into the shape of a cross. “It’s made out of pieces of an AK-47 used for killing”, he says. “But God’s love breaks it apart, reshapes it, then transforms it into the sign of greatest hope — the cross. And that’s why I wear it.”
1. What do Curry and Oliver do in the parking lot?A.They measure the temperature of a hot stove. |
B.They do magic tricks in front of many people. |
C.They turn what’s threatening into what’s useful. |
D.They do experiments on how to make useful tools. |
A.In homeless shelters. | B.In some famous gardens. |
C.In agricultural high schools. | D.In kitchens of the community. |
A.She feels desperate as she lost her beloved one. |
B.Her country may be under threat from gun violence. |
C.She will do something significant to rescue the world. |
D.Her family member was killed because of gun violence. |
A.He made the cross all by himself. |
B.His cross is a weapon used to kill. |
C.The cross reminds him to reshape more tools. |
D.The cross represents his hope for a better life. |