1 . In a gray box, I have a thick pile of love letters. I imagine about sharing them with a granddaughter when I’m 90. But my most treasured love letter is from one of my best friends. It’s a handwritten letter years ago when I was having trouble getting over a man. Her letter is the most romantic in my pile. It made no excuses. It simply let me know that I was loved.

Reflecting on her gift, and the dying art of handwritten letters in our age of emails and emoticons, I chose to conduct an experiment this Christmas: replacing presents with heartfelt, handwritten love letters for my family members.

In our digital era, most of us rarely take the time to share deeply considered thoughts and emotions with the people in our lives. Handwriting captures the writer’s emotions, often preserved longer than digital exchanges. However, technology is taking over. First came typewriters and keyboards. Now a new brain-computer lets people type with their minds. What are we losing when we sacrifice the physical labor behind the written word? We tend to value what we struggle for. Have we undervalued the human exchange of ideas?

That day, I came across a letter my mom wrote to her parents when she was young. She seemed so comfortable with her parents. It was a relationship I didn’t have with her. I was inspired by my mother’s letter to her parents when I sat down to write my letter to her. I wanted her to know my love, and to close the crack that technology and culture had created between us. With each sentence, I was discovering new and deeper ways of seeing my mother, and making myself known to her in more thoughtful ways as well.

Eight single-space pages later, my hand was aching but I was done. It was only the first of my love letters, but it was already clear: What had begun as a fun project was in fact one of the most important undertakings of my life.

1. Why does the author mention her love letters in Paragraph 1?

A．To show her grand charm as a young girl.	B．To share them with one of her granddaughters.
C．To highlight the value of handwritten letters.	D．To look back upon her romantic relationship.

2. How will technology probably affect us in the digital age?

A．Making our interaction less emotional.	B．Encouraging our thoughtful communication.
C．Saving our physical labor in conveying emotions.	D．Increasing our effort in handwritten exchanges.

3. Why did the author handwrite a letter to her mother?

A．To give her mother a big surprise.	B．To answer her mother’s handwritten letter.
C．To bridge a communication gap.	D．To make her mother feel more comfortable.

4. What did the author learn from her experiment?

A．The irreplaceable bond of family members.	B．The tendency of information technology.
C．The expression of emotions in the digital age.	D．The power of handwritten correspondence.

2 . When instant cake mixes first appeared in the 1950s, American housewives were doubtful. These mixes, promising easy cake-baking, felt too easy. The manufacturers discovered that requiring the addition of an egg in the baking process was just enough to make the housewives happy with their work. The greater sense of effort gained from a little extra labor is believed to have been essential to the later success of the cake mix.

This reflects the IKEA effect (宜家效应), which is identified by psychologist Michael I. Norton and his colleagues, suggesting we place greater value on things we have worked to create. They conducted four studies in which they asked participants to fold paper cranes and frogs, assemble IKEA boxes, and build sets of Legos. They then asked the builders to bid (出价) for their creations, and compared the prices with bids from people who hadn’t built them. The builders consistently outbid the non-builders.

Interestingly, the IKEA effect works even when people have no opportunity to fully personalize their creations. While most participants’ folding skills left much to be desired, they loved their imperfectly personalized products all the more. Builders valued their wrinkled crane-like creations nearly five times as much as non-builders. Beauty, it seems, is in the eye of the builder.

Today, as cities are suffering from severe housing crises, the IKEA effect can give us insight into the well-being benefits of a self-building approach to housing development. Projects like WikiHouse and the “half-a-house” approach pioneered by Alejandro Aravena’s architecture company Elemental are working to make housing more affordable and sustainable by making it easier for people to build and personalize their own homes.

“The moment people are involved with their built environment, they have a totally different relationship to it,” WikiHouse co-founder Alastair Parvin explained. “When the roof starts leaking or a door starts creaking, they have the power to fix it themselves.”

1. What brought customers the joy of cake-baking according to paragraph 1?

A．A better taste.	B．An easy approach.
C．A detailed recipe.	D．An additional effort.

2. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 imply?

A．Creations are based on skills.	B．Extra labor increases perceived value.
C．Beauty is found through contrast.	D．Strict management brings good quality.

3. What is Alastair Parvin’s attitude towards public involvement in housing?

A．Critical.

B．Objective.

C．Doubtful.

D．Supportive.

4. What’s the purpose of this text?

A．To promote a brand.	B．To make a proposal.
C．To explain a concept.	D．To introduce a study.

3 . 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。

Have you ever heard someone say “You can tell a lot about someone by how they dress” and wondered if that was true? What you wear can inform     1     (passer-by) of your type of employment, as well as your ambitions, emotions and spending habits.

In early civilizations, the key purpose of clothing was     2     (keep) us warm. Today, central heating warms our homes,     3     (reduce) our dependence on clothes alone to help us to survive. Clothes     4     (develop) from previous practical belongings to today’s social markers: they affect the way we see     5     (us). They help us to be seen in the light that we wish to be, and also bring     6     our personalities and social status.

In many societies, dress sense represents personal wealth and taste. For example, Economist George Taylor demonstrated this most     7     (vivid) with the Hemline Index (裙摆指数). Taylor noted that as a country enters recession (衰退) and adopts simply spending habits, women often show a preference towards     8     (long) dresses, while during times of prosperity (繁荣),     9     opposite result can be seen-hemlines often become shorter.

Whether you are male or female, your fashion choices can affect both your self-image, the impression     10     you convey to others and in turn, the way in which people behave towards you.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR!

4 . When it comes to lowering blood pressure, studies have typically shown that aerobic (有氧的) exercises are best. Recent research suggests another type of physical activity is worth including as an effective tool to prevent and treat high blood pressure.

Exercises that engage muscles without movement, such as wall squats and planks, may be best for lowering blood pressure, according to a large study published in July, 2023 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

This type of training is known as isometric exercise, according to the Mayo Clinic. Isometric muscle action happens when muscles contract but do not visibly change length, and the joints involved don’t move, facilitating stability of the body. Isometric exercises can be done with weights or without, just relying on the body’s own weight.

“These findings provide a comprehensive data-driven framework to support the development of new exercise guideline recommendations for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure,” said study coauthor Dr. Jamie O’Driscoll in a news release.

The researchers looked into randomized controlled trials that had reported the effects of exercise interventions, lasting two or more weeks, on blood pressure between 1990 and February 2023. From a review of 270 trials with 15,827 participants, the researchers found that among HIIT (high intensity interval training), isometric exercise, aerobic exercise, dynamic resistance training and a combination of the latter two, isometric exercise led to the greatest reductions in blood pressure.

It’s also important to note that there are other lifestyle changes as well as exercise that can benefit your blood pressure. These include keeping to a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, cutting down on salt, not drinking too much alcohol and ensuring that you continue to take any prescribed medication.

More research is needed to determine exactly why isometric exercises might be better for lowering blood pressure than other types of training, the authors said.

1. What does the underlined part “isometric exercise” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Exercise that is done with extra weights.

B．Exercise that involves visible muscle contraction.

C．Exercise that focuses on stability of the body.

D．Exercise that engages muscles without movement.

2. How did the researchers carry out the study?

A．By providing statistics.	B．By interviewing experts.
C．By doing experiments.	D．By making comparisons.

3. What does the author suggest the future studies about isometric exercise focus on?

A．Exploring the reasons for its effectiveness.

B．Demonstrating its influences on mental health.

C．Assessing its suitability for different populations.

D．Determining its long-term impacts on blood pressure.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The benefits of aerobic exercises.	B．The best exercise for blood pressure.
C．The effects of various types of exercises.	D．The importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle.

5 . At the age of 16, I went to Australia as an exchange student and lived with a host family. Even though I had made some preparations, the culture shock was still _________.

During the first months, which is called the “honeymoon phase” of culture shock, I was super _________ to be in a different culture and found everything _________ and exciting. But soon, things started to feel _________. Differences became more apparent and frustrating _________ populated my head: “I wish people would just be able to speak German for one day! ”

“I wish public transportation would…” These thoughts were of course highly _________. However, they’re part of the “negotiation phase”.

Over the next few months, though, feelings of adjustment and belonging gradually _________. I developed my own routine, learned to adapt to the _________, and made many new friends. I had slowly and unknowingly _________ the “adjustment phase”. I had adapted my own behavior and learned to __________ new ways of thinking and attitudes. My English had improved __________!

Things started to make sense and I __________ Australian culture better and better! That was a major __________ for me personally. Every day I felt more __________ with my new home. I adopted many new traits (特性) while also __________ earlier ones from my home country. This process is called the “mastery phase”. My happiest moment was when my dear friend one day __________ during a conversation: “Jude, you __________ just like us! You’re an Australian now!” I had transformed from a silent timid German to an almost accent-free bicultural Australian/German.

The __________ of culture shock are different for everyone and can cause different behaviors and __________. But one thing is for sure though: Culture shock cannot be avoided and __________ is the first step towards adapting to a foreign culture.

1.

A．unavoidable

B．unbearable

C．unbelievable

D．unforgettable

2.

A．worried

B．lonely

C．thrilled

D．proud

3.

A．similar

B．expensive

C．advanced

D．fresh

4.

A．uncontrollable

B．odd

C．distracting

D．worthless

5.

A．experiences

B．comments

C．thoughts

D．news

6.

A．effortless

B．unimportant

C．unhelpful

D．aimless

7.

A．took over

B．broke out

C．went on

D．faded away

8.

A．requirements

B．trend

C．behaviors

D．stress

9.

A．missed

B．entered

C．completed

D．created

10.

A．appreciate

B．meet

C．ignore

D．change

11.

A．slowly

B．dramatically

C．suddenly

D．regularly

12.

A．memorized

B．introduced

C．understood

D．analyzed

13.

A．breakthrough

B．barrier

C．dilemma

D．method

14.

A．patient

B．familiar

C．careful

D．comfortable

15.

A．keeping

B．enjoying

C．remembering

D．spreading

16.

A．complained

B．remarked

C．declared

D．emphasized

17.

A．look

B．sound

C．eat

D．dress

18.

A．effects

B．descriptions

C．advantages

D．attractions

19.

A．understanding

B．changes

C．feelings

D．response

20.

A．questioning

B．exploration

C．imitation

D．acceptance

6 . How to Be More Present

Many people have a tendency to live in the past or the future. They constantly think about the past and worry about the future, and thus find it difficult to enjoy the good things in life in the here and now. You might unfortunately be one of these people.     1     Here are some tips that might help you.

Notice Your Surroundings

One way to be in the present moment is by noticing your surroundings. How often do you take time out of your day to actually look around and see what’s going on? Now close your eyes and take a deep breath.     2     When you do, it’s easier to be more present in the moment.

Be Grateful for What You Have Now

    3     If you are constantly focused on things you don’t have, you aren’t taking the time to appreciate what you have at this moment. One way to practice gratitude is to write a list of things you are grateful for and review that list on a daily basis. Try to write at least three things you are grateful for in your life right now.

Show Acceptance

If you want to learn how to be more present, you need to let go of how you think things should be and accept them for what they are.     4     Sometimes life is going to be different than how you want it to be. Practicing acceptance will help you let go of the things in your life that are out of your control.

Find Positive Social Support

The kind of social support you have in your life can also play an important role. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people will increase your own positivity and happiness levels.     5    

A．Then open them and really take in where you are.

B．You should focus your attention on one thing at a time.

C．You cannot control everything that happens around you.

D．This is one way to distance yourself from what you are enjoying.

E．In turn, this will allow you to focus on what is going on right now.

F．Part of living in the present moment is to appreciate what you have now.

G．So learning how to live in the moment can greatly improve your well-being.

7 . The Mona Lisa is the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting of a woman with a mysterious smile. This week, the painting gave up a secret.

Scientists using X-rays to examine the chemical structure of a small part of the painting discovered a technique Leonardo used in the work. An oil paint used for it was a special, new chemical mixture, which suggests that the Italian artist was in an experimental mood when he worked on the painting in the 16th century.

“He loved to experiment, and each of his paintings is completely different technically,”said Victor Gonzalez, a chemist who has studied the chemical element (成分) of several works by Leonardo and other artists. The researchers found a rare lead compound (铅化合物) — plumbonacrite, in Leonardo’s first layer of paint. The discovery proved that da Vinci most likely used lead oxide to thicken and help dry his paint. The paint in the study is about the thickness of a human hair, lying in the top right area of the painting.

The scientists looked into its atomic structure using X-rays, moving particles at the speed of light, permitting researchers to look deeper into the paint structure. “ Plumbonacrite is really a fingerprint of his recipe, as it’s the first time we can chemically confirm it,” Gonzalez said.

Dutch artist Rembrandt may have used a similar mixture when he was painting in the 17th century. Gonzalez and other researchers have found plumbonacrite in his work, too. Leonardo is thought to have put lead oxide powder, which has an orange color, in the oil to make it thicker and dry faster. “What you will get is an oil that has a very nice golden color,” Gonzalez said. “It flows more like honey.”

But the Mona Lisa — said by the Louvre to be a portrait (肖像) of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine silk businessman — and additional works by Leonardo still have other secrets to tell. “What we are saying is just a little brick in the knowledge,” Gonzalez said.

1. What’s the new discovery about the Mona Lisa?

A．A new explanation of the secret smile.

B．A new chemical element used in the painting.

C．The secret of the woman in the painting.

D．The structure of the paint da Vinci used.

2. Which best explains the underlined word “fingerprint” in paragraph 4?

A．Open secret.

B．Widespread use.

C．Hidden element.

D．Long-term dream.

3. How does Gonzalez view the use of lead oxide powder in paintings?

A．It helps to make many things into paints.

B．It helps to make paints easy to deal with.

C．It helps to keep the paintings last long.

D．It helps to make paintings rich in color.

4. What can we learn about the Mona Lisa from the last paragraph?

A．It has more secrets to tell the world.

B．It’s the portrait of a silk businessman.

C．It’s well kept in bricks in the Louvre.

D．It has a mixture of different art styles.

8 . As a child, I was fascinated by the world of theater and began taking classes at the age of 7. Throughout my teenage years, I actively _________ plays, television shows, and movies. _________ provided me with an opportunity to explore and _________ things that I may not have had the courage to attempt in real life. One of the most significant _________ of acting was the ability to step outside of my comfort zone and transform into someone else, _________ and bold on stage.

Despite this, in my everyday life, I was often plagued (困扰) by _________ and hesitance. Acting allowed me to explore different time periods and _________, as I donned (穿上) various costumes and immersed (投入) myself in different eras and worlds. I played a variety of _________, ranging from aliens to ringmasters, and _________ a diverse set of skills along the way.

Performing was an excellent way for me to __________ my shyness and inhibitions. I gained a newfound confidence in myself and learned to be more __________ and daring. __________, after a while, I grew tired of living inside someone else’s __________ and was ready to forge (打造) my own path. I was fortunate to have received unwavering __________ and guidance from my family, who had always __________ me of the importance of education and self-worth.

Looking back, my time as a __________ actor was a period of significant self-discovery and __________. Through acting, I gained __________ insights into myself and the world around me. I will always be __________ for the experiences and lessons I __________ during my time in the spotlight.

1.

A．participated in

B．carried out

C．dealt with

D．applied for

2.

A．Studying

B．Dancing

C．Acting

D．Teaching

3.

A．predict

B．confirm

C．influence

D．experience

4.

A．results

B．benefits

C．features

D．rules

5.

A．generous

B．familiar

C．confident

D．strange

6.

A．curiosity

B．excitement

C．misunderstanding

D．nervousness

7.

A．places

B．cities

C．groups

D．cultures

8.

A．sports

B．roles

C．matches

D．songs

9.

A．missed

B．challenged

C．changed

D．acquired

10.

A．overcome

B．ignore

C．remove

D．hide

11.

A．adventurous

B．casual

C．skillful

D．funny

12.

A．Moreover

B．Therefore

C．Otherwise

D．However

13.

A．task

B．plan

C．story

D．future

14.

A．persuasion

B．support

C．permission

D．comfort

15.

A．reminded

B．inform

C．assured

D．warned

16.

A．emotional

B．creative

C．popular

D．professional

17.

A．freedom

B．growth

C．adaptation

D．satisfaction

18.

A．suitable

B．acceptable

C．valuable

D．flexible

19.

A．eager

B．sorry

C．grateful

D．ready

20.

A．heard

B．supposed

C．expected

D．learned

9 . Volunteering for teens is an educational, mind-opening and life-enriching travel experience. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported thousands of high school students to volunteer in Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, North America, Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific. There’s no need to wait till you’re 18 to volunteer abroad! International Volunteer HQ specializes in offering safe and affordable volunteer opportunities for high school students and teens in more than 17 destinations around the globe.

How to volunteer as a teenager overseas:

Applying to volunteer as a teenager is simple! Once you have decided where to volunteer and which project you would like to join, you can apply online. It’s free, only takes a few minutes and there is no commitment needed at this stage. Our team of Volunteer Travel Specialists will then guide you through the next steps to secure your spot and start preparing for your trip.

There are a number of ways you can volunteer with IVHQ depending on your age:

Under 16: You’re able to volunteer as part of a group (for example, a group of students from your high school, with your family or friends) on certain IVHQ programs. You must have parental/guardian permit and be accompanied on the program by a designated guardian over the age of 18. Contact us to find out more.

16 & 17 years old: You can join one of our teen volunteer abroad programs independently with parental permit and two satisfactory character references. You can choose from volunteer projects in more than 17 destinations and will receive 24/7 support from the local team, but not full time supervision.

1. Who are the volunteering project designed for?

A．Adults.

B．Children.

C．Teenagers

D．Students.

2. How can you apply for volunteering?

A．Through the Internet.

B．By mail.

C．In person.

D．Through calls.

3. What will a girl at 14 offer when applying?

A．A grade certificate.	B．Permit from parents.
C．A school guarantee.	D．Character references.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What kind of people are “early birds”?

A．The people getting up early in the morning.

B．The people going to bed early at night.

C．The people going to bed late at night.

2. When do most teenagers go to bed?

A．Around 9: 00 p. m.

B．Around 10: 00 p. m.

C．Around midnight or later.

3. How many teenagers sleep enough?

A．One-fourth.

B．Two-fifths.

C．One-fifth.

4. What are night owls better at?

A．Some intelligence tests.

B．Getting grades in school.

C．Getting good jobs.