1 . Every Thursday afternoon, the food pantry (食品储藏室) at the local high school opens up to provide fresh food bags for families who can hardly make both ends meet to get their meals to last through the weekend. Nearly a hundred families rely on the extra food. Some are between jobs, some got hit hard with medical bills for a few months, and some are new to the neighborhood, placed there by refugee services.

On one breezy afternoon, two young mothers walked in together, each accompanied by a young child. There was nothing different about their dress, but their manner revealed a shyness that they struggled to overcome. When they spoke, it was clear why: Their accents were thick, even though they were trying hard to make their English sound American. They were uncertain of being understood. But the pantry is run by grandmothers who are never pressed for time when it comes to conversations. So they sat for a moment and told their story while the little ones were held in arms so very familiar with children.

The two lived in apartments in the basement of the Methodist Church. They had been in the United States for one month. Their husbands were well-educated but working labor jobs to pay for food and save for more typical apartments.

Both had fled the war in Eastern Europe, one family from Ukraine and one from Russia. They ended up in the same church basement and discovered that they needed each other. They became fast friends. Their children played together. They shared meals and navigated their new world together.

There were no bombs or soldiers or rations in their new neighborhood, only a chance to start over. Friendships are sometimes hard to come by, yet matter so much to each of us. A good friend gives us strength, love, laughter and the courage to keep trying.

These two families — worn down by uncertainty and war, thrown together in a new country, a new community with a new language — found so much in common. And isn’t that what we all need? A friend who faces the same life challenges, even if the forces above them have different political views. We are, after all, just mothers and fathers, friends and neighbors.

1. In the article, who primarily benefits from the services provided by the food pantry?

A．High school students.	B．People with disabilities.
C．Families with tight budgets.	D．Underpaid individuals.

2. What was the most noticeable characteristic of the two young mothers when they entered the food pantry?

A．Their clothing.	B．Their language.
C．Their children.	D．Their ID documents.

3. What is one of the reasons why these two families became friends?

A．They both live in the basement of the same church.

B．They met at the same restaurant.

C．They are from the same country.

D．They both have similar professions.

4. Which title best fits the article?

A．Challenges of Life and New Friendship	B．The Story of the Food Pantry
C．New Life in America	D．From War to Peace

2 . We love our pets. In fact, for most people they are more than me re pets and become more like family members. It is likely then that their owners, at some point, are going to want photographs of their furry friends. However, pet photography presents its own special problems.     1     If you’re thinking of trying pet photography, here are a few pointers to get you started.

Find out about your subject’s personality and habits. Where does it nod off if the sun is out? What is its favourite toy?     2     It’s also worth spending a little time getting to know the animal yourself. Cats, dogs, horses, they all have personality, and you need to ensure they are comfortable being around you, and you around them.

    3     If the pet is comfortable with you, and if it isn’t too nervous, fill the frame with the pet’s face. Get the eyes nice and sharp. Just like humans, this is a natural point of focus, although focusing on the nose or mouth of a dog or cat can also make for an interesting image in its own right.

See the world from pets’ perspective. If you photograph a pet while you’re standing up, all you’re going to see is the top of their head and their backs, not what you want for a portrait. Get down to their eye level. Try pre-focusing your camera and just holding it at ground level so you can look up at the pet.     4    .

Bring a flash with the owner’s permission. While greeting or playing with a new pet, fire a couple of test flashes away from them to see their reaction. In daylight particularly, they never seem to mind the flash at all.     5    .

A．Think about getting in close to your subject.

B．It’s worth a try just for a new angle on things.

C．Animals can be unpredictable, lazy, aggressive and excitable.

D．A good photograph focuses on the subject and not the background.

E．If they do mind, then stick with natural light and use a white reflector.

F．The more you shoot, the greater your chances of hitting that perfect shot!

G．Take time to chat with the owner and observe your subject to gain some insight.

3 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Oil paintings, prints, porcelain paintings, watercolor... Art has many different forms. For Lian Yang,     1     real name is Wu Yang, a young painter from Sichuan province, her expression of oriental beauty stands out as unique. She     2    （devote） herself to bringing mineral pigment painting（岩彩画）back to the attention of young people in China since 2018, five years after graduation from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing.

Mineral pigment painting dates back     3     over thousands of years ago, originating as the Qiuci murals（龟兹壁画） in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Dunhuang murals in Gansu province.     4    （inspire） by this, Lian Yang created many     5    （artwork） about Bodhisattva, Buddhist scripture and Chinese culture, with lively and unique strokes. Her works gained     6    （popular）quickly, being collected by institutions and individuals globally.

To inject new vitality into traditional art, Yang also     7    （deliberate） made the females look more like modern youngsters.     8    （wear） hanfu, they display both the unique look of ancient murals as well as modern aesthetics.

The video of Lian Yang’s painting process went viral on     9     Internet, gaining over 24 million views. “A young person learning art is free from any constraints. They want to create things they like. This way, art comes from life and out of a box,” said Lian Yang. “We want to encourage more people     10    （create） and collect mineral pigment paintings.”

4 . The Arab Republic of Egypt covers a land area of approximately 1 million km², with an estimated 106 million people, Egypt accounts for one-fourth of the Arab world’s population. Egypt has long been considered the cradle of civilization and may be the oldest tourist destination on earth.

Cairo

A typical visit to Egypt includes arrival in the capital city of Cairo, one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, with a population of approximately 22 million. Cairo today is a modern, international mix of Arab, African, and European influences. Travelers generally spend at least a few days in Cairo seeing the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Pyramids at Giza.

Upper Nile River

Most travelers include an Upper Nile River cruise as part of their schedule. Egypt is a beach destination, with thousands of miles of Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines. Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city is located on the Mediterranean Sea and has a string of beaches and seafood restaurants. For a truly relaxing beach vacation, travelers can visit one of the many resorts along the North Coast referred to as “Sahel”.

Red Sea coast

Egypt’s Red Sea coast has reefs offshore, with diving and snorkeling traditionally centered in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Visits to Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the mountainous interior are popular destinations, especially with religious pilgrims. Adventure travelers favor desert jeep safaris and camel treks to remote oases and spectacular wadis.

1. What do we know about Egypt?

A．Egypt makes up 25% of the world’s population.

B．Cairo today is a mix of modern and traditional elements.

C．Visitors can enjoy their beach vacations in Cairo.

D．Egypt has been considered as the oldest tourist destination.

2. Which place is most attractive to people with religious faith?

A．Mediterranean.	B．Alexandria.
C．Sharm El Sheikh.	D．Saint Catherine’s Monastery.

3. This text is most likely taken from ______.

A．A travel guide.	B．A geography book.
C．An Egyptian newspaper.	D．A historical magazine.

5 . Everyone can experience loneliness from time to time, which causes concern about our health and well-being.     1    ? There are some possible courses of action, depending on who you are and where you live. Below are some suggestions on how to fight loneliness.

    2    

Some of us are lonely because we don’t have close relationships in our lives. But if that’s not the case for you, by all means let your friends or family know how you’re feeling and ask for support. Calling or texting can be an active way to shift your mood and help relieve loneliness.

Adopt a pet

There are many reasons to have pets.     3    . And these are especially helpful for people who may be isolated from other humans and feel lonely. One study finds that people who walk dogs are considered friendlier — something that's bound to help you connect if you’re looking to meet new people.

Try loving-kindness meditation (冥想)

Not everyone likes to engage in loving-kindness meditation. But it has been found to reduce loneliness, perhaps because it helps you to accept negative emotions more easily.     4    . Even when they are not around, loving-kindness meditation could help fight feelings of loneliness.

Count your blessings

    5    , its also possible to practice gratitude on your own and feel less lonely. In one study, older adults who were assigned a daily gratitude journaling exercise felt less lonely over time — and felt healthier, too.

A．Reach out to friends or family

B．Be kind to the relatives around you

C．What can you do when you feel lonely

D．Even though this practice can help you feel much happier

E．It can also help you increase a sense of connection to others

F．While expressing gratitude toward others can fight loneliness directly

G．One of them is that they can provide companionship and unconditional love

6 . I’m interested in a career in _______, so I decided to volunteer for service at the local hospital. I thought it would be the best of both worlds: _______ people while getting valuable on the job experience! So I went to the business office. _______, the hospital director was quite willing to let me help out, and he said I could _______ that summer as soon as I finished my finals.

Soon enough, I _______ for my first day at the hospital. The director gave me a brief tour of different departments (科室) _______ we stopped right in front of the maternity ward (产科病房). I was overwhelmed (受不了的) by the sounds. Women shouted and newborns _______. I got nervous and wondered if I had been in a hurry when I _______ to go for such a _______ job.

My ________ must have shown clearly on my face because the director said, “Don’t worry. You are going to help in the nursery. ” ________ that, we walked down a hallway filled with balloons, beautiful flowers and into the ________ room I’ve ever seen. The soft colors provided a quiet backdrop to the sleeping babies. The nurse in charge of the nursery ________ me, thanked me for ________, and asked me to start putting some baby things away in the drawers. The director gave me a ________ look, which I returned with a quiet nod. I got right to work.

1.

A．teaching

B．nursing

C．dancing

D．acting

2.

A．helping

B．moving

C．encouraging

D．visiting

3.

A．Finally

B．Fortunately

C．Suddenly

D．Immediately

4.

A．start

B．sign

C．learn

D．ask

5.

A．went over

B．showed up

C．turned out

D．kept on

6.

A．as

B．when

C．until

D．before

7.

A．played

B．slept

C．cried

D．laughed

8.

A．stopped

B．continued

C．refused

D．decided

9.

A．difficult

B．boring

C．small

D．dangerous

10.

A．fear

B．anger

C．pain

D．surprise

11.

A．For

B．Like

C．With

D．Before

12.

A．most peaceful

B．most convenient

C．largest

D．cleanest

13.

A．replaced

B．remembered

C．welcomed

D．trusted

14.

A．waiting

B．returning

C．listening

D．coming

15.

A．questioning

B．quick

C．serious

D．familiar

7 . Here are some newly-opened museums around the world we’re most excited about.

Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation, the US

Get to understand scientific discoveries old and new at this architecturally amazing addition to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Covering an area of 230,000 square feet, the museum copies a series of interlinking caves and will hold more than four million specimens(样本), offering an accessible take on subjects like the interconnectedness of life on Earth.

Istanbul Modern, Turkey

Turkey’s first contemporary art museum moves to a new home in the Karakoy district, opening in a building designed by architect Renzo Piano. The museum will showcase painting, photography and sculpture by both Turkish and international artists across five floors and will also house a cinema and library.

Young V&A, the UK

London’s much-loved Museum of Childhood closed in 2020, but its revamp(翻新) and reopening as part of the V&A Museum in early July has been hugely anticipated. Still located in East London, the properly renamed Young V&A offers colorful, appealing spaces and interactive exhibits that explore play, design and imagination for children and young people.

Fotografiska Berlin, Germany

The news that Stockholm-based photography museum Fotografiska’s latest global outpost would open in the German capital was great for fans of cutting-edge visual art. Set in the former Kunsthaus Tacheles cultural center, Fotografiska Berlin will host work from scene-leading photographers and rising talents, along with a packed calendar of cultural events.

1. What does Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation feature?

A．A number of species.	B．A network of caves.
C．Architectural displays.	D．Historical collections.

2. What do Istanbul Modern and Fotografiska Berlin have in common?

A．Art theme.	B．Reading sections.
C．Cultural events.	D．Change of location.

3. Where will you go for favorite museum if you travel with your kids?

A．The US.

B．Turkey.

C．The UK.

D．Germany.

8 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. When did the woman start to play the piano?

A．At 5 years old.

B．At 11 years old.

C．At 16 years old.

2. Why did the man play a lot of sports?

A．He never liked the guitar.

B．He preferred playing sports.

C．He didn’t have an instrument.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the man say about the winter in New Work?

A．It’s cold and wet.

B．The wind is strong.

C．The air is heavy.

2. What do we know about the man?

A．He is leaving New York.

B．He doesn’t know New York well.

C．He likes the autumn in New York.

3. What does the man think is the most unpleasant part of the weather in New York?

A．It’s hot in summer.

B．It’s very changeable.

C．It rains all year round.

10 . The Day of the Dead celebrations are a great time to honour the dead. Here’s where to stay to experience them.

Mexico City, Mexico

On November 4, a parade starts with thousands of dancers. “The best place to watch the parade is from a terrace on the Paseo de Reforma, where you can see the dancers and colours from above,” says Karla Gonzalez, director of the Mexico City tourism board.

Oaxaca, Mexico

This southern Mexico city is known for candlelit cemeteries on the Day of the Dead, and parades with dancers in the Jalatlaco neighborhood. “The city doesn’t sleep for three days,” says local tour guide Gabriel Sánchez. He takes guests to the cemetery in Santa Maria Atzompa, a village three miles from Oaxaca City, where the families go all out with candles and flowers.

San Diego, California

The first European settlement (定居点) in Southern California, Old Town San Diego is a seven-block state park with shopfronts dating back to the 18th century. It’s also the site of a long-running Day of the Dead celebration, with a crafts market and a candlelit parade to the El Campo Santo Cemetery on November 2, which dates to 1849.

San Antonio, Texas

This south Texas city was once a part of Mexico, known for its exciting Day of the Dead celebrations. In downtown’s Hemisphere Park, the festival brings a parade of boats lit with bright lights on the River Walk on the evening of October 27. You can also see a famous tourist draw on the south bank of the San Antonio River.

1. When does the parade take place in Mexico City?

A．On October 10.

B．On October 27.

C．On November 2.

D．On November 4.

2. What can you do in Old Town San Diego on the festival?

A．Swim in the River Walk.	B．Join the candlelight parade.
C．Admire Hemisphere Park.	D．Explore the unique rainforest.

3. Where can you enjoy a parade of boats at night to experience the festival?

A．In San Antonio.

B．In Mexico City.

C．In San Diego.

D．In Oaxaca.