1 . 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。

My relationship with needles was not very close. I only recently overcame my fear of getting my blood drawn. So when I     1    (offer) the opportunity to try acupuncture (针灸) for the first time for my anxiety and     2     (tense), I was uneasy.

Anyway, I tried out New York’s newly opened acupuncture studio, WTHN. The place is beautiful, simple but modern. My acupuncturist first inquired     3     I was looking to achieve by completing this session. Then I settled facedown onto the heated table and comfortably lay there     4    the guidance of the acupuncturist. She inserted (插入) hair – thin needles into my ankles and slowly worked her way up,     5     (hit) certain points throughout my body, until she arrived at my head. With each needle, I felt a bit of pressure, but no pain. After all needles were inserted, she explained that I was going to lie in     6     position for the next 20 – 25 minutes to let     7     (they) work magic.

The idea of needles being placed into certain parts of your body sounded like a horror film when     8     (describe) out loud for me; however, after trying acupuncture, I could tell you that it was     9     (complete) different. This approach allowed me to calm down totally     10     step away from the things that were causing me stress to focus on my health.

2 . There’s no better way for us to learn about the amazing creatures that share our planet than up - close and personal animal encounters.

Researching Ocean Creatures in the Maldives

The Marine Life Discovery Center in the Maldives is a great place to learn about all kinds of ocean animals. You can join the scientists and help protect the ocean environment. Moreover, the center runs a rescue program for sea turtles.

Helping Baby Elephants in Kenya

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is children’s favorite place. This center is set up to save baby elephants, and visitors can interact with the babies while giving food to them. However, many other kinds of wildlife also end up here. This is a unique place to interact with African animals of all shapes and sizes.

Conserving Rhinos (犀牛) in South Africa

The two new Marataba Conservation Camps will give you new experiences. Visitors are expected to take part in all research projects and will see wildlife and get to collect related information. Rhino Conservation is at the heart of Marataba, which has wonderful views of the Waterberg Mountains.

Finding Rare Animals in New Zealand

New Zealand is filled with unique animals, like the tuatara, an animal that lived on Earth before the emergence of human civilization and its closest relative died out during the age of the dinosaurs. You can go to Southland Museum and Art Gallery to meet one or spot them in the wild on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

1. What can visitors do in the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary?

A．Feed baby elephants.	B．Join in elephant rescue programs.
C．Carry out research projects.	D．Interact with various unique animals.

2. Where are prehistoric animal lovers most likely to go?

A．Kenya.

B．The Maldives.

C．South Africa.

D．New Zealand.

3. Why does the author write the text?

A．To introduce four special countries.	B．To share the author’s animal encounters.
C．To recommend some wildlife trips.	D．To raise awareness of animal protection.

4 . 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。

It was a sunny morning, when Jessie sat at her desk in Mrs. Williamson’s class. They were learning about science, which Jessie normally enjoyed. However, a bird stayed outside the classroom window, which Jessie’s desk was right next to. So it caught much of Jessie’s attention.

“Jessie, are you listening?” Mrs. Williamson’s question cut in Jessie’s thoughts.

Jessie turned to her teacher. “What was that?” she asked.

The teacher frowned (皱眉), saying it was the second time that morning that she hadn’t been listening and that she was supposed to do better. Jessie’s face turned red, thinking Mrs. Williamson shouldn’t have said that to her. Jessie couldn’t help it if the bird by her desk was distracting (分心) her.

When the bell rang for a break, the teacher stopped Jessie. “I hope you will think about what I said in class,” she told her. “A rule is a rule. And it’s important for everyone to follow the rules.”

Jessie nodded to show she understood, but she didn’t really take it seriously, still thinking Mrs. Williamson was being too strict. Then she rushed outside to play ball games with other kids. They first picked teams and made the rules for the game. According to the rules, when a team got two outs, they had to go to the outfield (外场).

Jessie’s team was in the outfield first. In the game, she tried her best. Soon, the other team got two outs, and then it was Jessie’s turn to kick the ball.

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

Instead of giving Jessie’s team a chance to score, the other team quit.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jessie went to Mrs. Williamson’s office.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . When my husband, Jerry, died of an illness, I became angry easily. I hated being _______ and soon a hard wall round my heart took shape.

One day, driving down a busy road in my town, I noticed a new fence(篱笆)being _______ round a home I’d always admired. A woman was _______ the flowers and cutting the grass at the back of the house. Each time I drove past the house, I watched the great _______ of the fence.

Another day, I pulled off the road to _______ the finished fence. The carpenter had done such a good job that I didn’t have the idea to _______ at once. I touched the fence. It still smelled of fresh paint. Over the low fence, I saw the woman _______ at the back. “Hi! I come to see your fence. It’s _______,” I called, waving. “Well, hey,” she smiled, as she stood up straight and cleaned the dirt on her hands.

She let me in and showed me around her _______. Then she explained. “The fence isn’t for me but for all the passers-by. I think they will ________ seeing something really pretty. Many people, like you, stop moving on and come to have a ________.” At the time of my leaving, she said, “Come back any time. And leave the gate of my garden ________ when you go out. It looks more friendly.”

I ________ left the gate half-opened and ________. Feeling something deep inside me, I made a ________ to leave the gate of my heart open for whatever might come my way.

1.

A．absent

B．rich

C．alone

D．quiet

2.

A．removed

B．drawn

C．built

D．destroyed

3.

A．pointing to

B．tending to

C．shouting at

D．turning to

4.

A．material

B．shape

C．color

D．progress

5.

A．protect

B．observe

C．repair

D．decorate

6.

A．leave

B．arrive

C．agree

D．succeed

7.

A．reading

B．waiting

C．working

D．sleeping

8.

A．attractive

B．strange

C．confusing

D．smooth

9.

A．school

B．farm

C．shop

D．house

10.

A．stop

B．enjoy

C．avoid

D．admit

11.

A．test

B．risk

C．visit

D．promise

12.

A．locked

B．crowded

C．clean

D．open

13.

A．carefully

B．suddenly

C．similarly

D．powerfully

14.

A．came down

B．drove off

C．broke out

D．showed off

15.

A．face

B．mistake

C．surprise

D．decision

9 . On Nov.13, 2023, the Kenyan government announced a surprise public holiday for a nationwide tree planting day, part of its plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

“This Monday on Nov.13, the public across the country were expected to plant trees as a contribution to the national efforts to save our country from the terrible effects of climate change,” said Kindiki, the Home Minister of Kenya.

Kenya’s present forest coverage stands at about 7%. Deforestation speeds up climate change, which is worsening droughts in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, where rains have failed for five seasons in a row. So the government has set aside more than $ 80 million this year, managing to augment tree coverage to more than 10%.

“It is a moment for Kenyans to stand together in the defense of our environment,” said Soipan Tuya, the Environment Minister. He referred to the day as “a ‘hummingbird(s)’ contribution day”. Hummingbirds are small birds, but they play an important part in the environment by pollinating(授粉)flowers.

He added, “Having been planting trees for most of my life, I thought I was doing rather well, but the government’s plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 was ‘an unprecedented(史无前例的)show of promise by the government towards our climate action duties.’”

1. What is the purpose of the public holiday?

A．To increase economic income.	B．To encourage people to plant trees.
C．To allow people to get more rest.	D．To remind people to get close to nature.

2. Which word is the closest in meaning to “augment” in paragraph 3?

A．Increase.

B．Figure.

C．Record.

D．Stop.

3. What does Soipan Tuya want to say by referring to the day as “a ‘hummingbird’ contribution day”?

A．We should get on well with birds.	B．No contribution is too small to leave an impact.
C．Each animal is important to nature.	D．It is time to protect hummingbirds.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Kenya Is Taking Action to Protect Wildlife

B．Kenya Is in Face of Environmental Problems

C．Kenya Improves Relationships with Their Neighbors

D．Kenya Surprises the Public with a Holiday to Plant Trees