1 . Lamar Giles is the author of several praised novels and short stories for young adults. His most recent novel is called The Getaway (Scholastic Press, 2022).
I recently spoke with Giles via video. Born and raised in Virginia, he has had a passion for writing, he told me, since he was a child. “It was just amusing to me,” he said.
Growing up in Hopewell, Giles experienced poverty and racism. He recalled a frightening moment when he and his friends were stopped by police officers. “They were pulling out really big, scary weapons,” Giles recalled, “threatening us for no reason, other than the fact that we were young, Black children.”
When Giles was in his early 20s, he met professional authors who showed him that he could make a living doing what he loved. At age 21, he saw one of his stories published in a little-known magazine. It took another decade for Giles to write and publish his first novel.
The challenges Giles met with when growing up proved to be a catalyst (催化剂) for his writing. “When something scares me, I’ll write about it,” he said. “If I write a story around it, it makes me feel better about the fear and anxiety.”
The author’s thriller (惊险小说) for young adults, Fake ID (Amistad Books for Young Readers, 2015), tells the story of Nick Pearson. The character, who is Black, faces racial profiling in his hometown, as Giles did. Nick is suspected of committing a crime because of his race and his “shady” neighborhood. In one scene, he is held at the county jail after being falsely accused by a governor of a state.
Giles is also a co-founder of We Need Diverse Books. The nonprofit organization promotes diversity initiatives in the publishing industry, supporting authors whose stories are often ignored. The goal, Giles said, is to enable all kids to see themselves in the books they read.
1. What does the underlined word “It” in paragraph 2 refer to?| A．Video. | B．Novel. | C．Passion. | D．Writing. |
| A．He tried his best to write books. | B．He lived in poverty and horror. |
| C．He lived under police protection. | D．He got along well with his friends. |
| A．They inspired him to write. | B．They changed his attitude to life. |
| C．They prevented him turning a writer. | D．They made him become strong-willed. |
| A．He was Giles’ best friend. | B．He devoted himself to writing. |
| C．He was wrongly imprisoned. | D．He founded a nonprofit organization. |
2 . Londoners love a market. It’s the combination of eating, chatting and browsing. Lovely stuff. Locals and tourists continue to rush to the capital’s best stalls and these days there’s a huge range of markets across London. Below you’ll find the very best markets in London.
Broadway Market
Since being reopened in 2004, this Hackney Street market has become attractive to fashion lovers. It is packed every Saturday from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. with arty students and East End creative types filling their large handbags with organic groceries, vintage clothes, fresh flowers, coffee, books and unusual handmade gifts.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market is really five markets in one, with different sections dedicated to second-hand goods, clothing and fashion, household essentials. You’ll find the greatest range of antiques stalls on Saturdays.
Borough Market
Next to London Bridge, this food market has existed in some form since at least 1014. It’s now best known as a foodie’s paradise where Londoners come to buy top-quality meats, fish, fruit and veg, fresh-baked bread, cakes and sweet treats, oils and vinegar, and pretty much anything else they desire. Borough Market is open Monday to Saturday, with Saturday the busiest day.
Brick Lane Market
The streets of East London’s Brick Lane are lined with stalls selling anything and everything on Sundays. You can find bargain fruit and veg, and electrical products, but this market’s Unique Selling Point is its unpredictability (不可预测): You could bag a second-hand bargain, or spend hours selecting through inexpensive goods.
1. Who would most likely enjoy Broadway Market?| A．Poor people. | B．Art lovers. |
| C．Those who like used items. | D．Those who have no time. |
| A．They show cultural relics. | B．They sell the cheapest goods. |
| C．They sell second-hand goods. | D．They are busy on the same day. |
| A．Borough Market. | B．Brick Lane Market. |
| C．Broadway Market. | D．Portobello Road Market. |
3 . The glass armonica (玻璃琴), also known as a glass harmonica or simply armonica, is a musical instrument that produces sound by rubbing glass with wet fingers. It was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761.
The instrument consists of a series of glass bowls of varying sizes, fixed straight on a spindle (轴). The glass bowls are arranged in order of size, with the largest bowl on one end and the smallest on the other.
Franklin came up with the idea after attending a concert in Cambridge. The performer was rubbing wine glasses to produce musical notes. Franklin thought that was not efficient. He decided to invent a set of musical instruments made of glass.
So, he hired a London glassmaker to construct 36 bowls to specific thicknesses and sizes. He fixed the bowls horizontally on a spindle with the largest bowl on one end and the smallest on the other. In this way the musician can play the glass bowls like a keyboard.
The glass armonica became prevalent during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Mozart and Beethoven both composed chamber pieces for it.
But by the 1820s, it was nearly a forgotten instrument in fears that it had the power to drive the listener mad. Some armonica players became ill and had to stop playing the instrument. They complained of muscle spasms (痉挛), nervousness, cramps, and dizziness. A few listeners were also affected. The instrument was actually banned in a few towns. “The armonica too inspires the nerves, drives the player into a troublesome depression and later into a dark and sad mood that is a method for slow self-destroying.”
However, no explanation or proof was ever really given to any of these claims. Franklin himself ignored all of the argument and continued to play the instrument until the end of his life.
1. How are the glass bowls arranged to form this instrument?| A．By their thickness. | B．By their shapes. | C．By their weight. | D．By their sizes. |
| A．A failed performance. | B．An unsuccessful concert. |
| C．An unusual performer. | D．A couple glasses of wine. |
| A．Fearful. | B．Popular. | C．Strange. | D．Tiresome. |
| A．Bad remarks about the instrument. | B．Terrible sounds made by the instrument. |
| C．Bans on this instrument everywhere. | D．This instrument’s great appeal to people. |
Daisy was the only child in her home. She had a quarrel with her mother that afternoon and she ran out of the house angrily.
She couldn’t help crying sadly when she thought of the scolding (指责) from her mother. Having wandered aimlessly in the street for hours, she felt a little hungry and wished for something to eat, but it was not possible for her, since she had nothing with her. She stood beside a stand (摊位) for a while, watching the middle-aged seller busy doing her business. However, with no money in hand, she had to leave. The seller behind the stand noticed the young girl and asked, “Hey, girl, you want some noodles?”
“Oh, yes…, but I don’t have money on me…”she replied.
“That’s nothing. I’ll treat you today,” said the woman, “come in.” The seller brought her a bowl of noodles, the smell of which was so attractive. As she was eating, Daisy cried silently.
“What is it?” asked the woman kindly.
“Nothing, actually I was just touched by your kindness!” said Daisy as she dried her tears, “Even a stranger on the street will give me a bowl of noodles, while my mother, drove me out of the house. She showed no care for me. She is so cruel compared to a stranger!”
Hearing the words, the seller smiled, “Girl, do you really think so? I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you thanked me a lot. But it is your mother who has raised you since you were a baby. Can you number the times she cooked for you? Have you expressed your thanks to her?”
Daisy sat there eating the noodles, speechless. She remembered mother’s familiar face and weathered (饱经风霜的) hands. “Why did I stranger made me feel thankful, but I have never thanked my mum for what she has done for me.” On the way home, Daisy made up her mind to make an apology (道歉) to her mother for her rudeness as soon as she arrived home.
注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。Paragraph 1:
Approaching (走近) the doorway, Daisy took a deep breath.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
A gentle touch on her hair called her mind back.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5 . “On the very first day of 2024, I saw the snow of Kilimanjaro, not from the novel written by Ernest Hemingway, but from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro!” Xu Zhuoyuan, a 17-year-old mountaineer who’d stood on top of Mount Qomolangma last May, climbed onto the tallest peak in Africa, making herself the youngest Chinese girl that conquered it.
Xu’s passion for mountaineering was motivated by her father, who himself reached many peaks, including Mount Qomolangma. And her mountaineering journey began on a family trip to Xizang and Sichuan four years ago. For many years, Xu devoted herself to rigorous training. She went to the mountains in Yunnan and Sichuan every month, climbing peaks over 5,000 meters and doing daily physical exercises like running, swimming and rope skipping. All that hard work got her ready for the challenges she would face on Kilimanjaro.
Above 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro, the climate is similar to a desert, with big temperature differences. The whole climb took 7 days, during which Xu faced unpredictable weather such as rain and strong winds. Staying warm and avoiding heat loss was the main challenge. Xu had to be very sensitive to any temperature changes and adjust her clothing accordingly. This climb was also a learning experience for Xu. She was climbing with Xia Boyu (aged 74), the first Chinese climber to summit Mount Qomolangma with an artificial leg, who’d inspired Xu a lot.
Mountaineering, Xu discovered, is not just about being strong physically; it is also a journey of self-discovery. “In climbing and life, it’s important to know when to let go of things that are weighing us down and how to re start when we feel ready,” she reflected.
1. What inspired Xu Zhuoyuan’s interest in climbing mountains?| A．A novel written by Ernest Hemingway. |
| B．A former trip to Mount Qomolangma. |
| C．Her father’s success in mountaineering. |
| D．Her family trip to Xizang and Sichuan. |
| A．Flexible. | B．Strict. | C．Casual. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．She was accompanied by a disabled climber. |
| B．There was a desert 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro. |
| C．Weather condition was unstable above Mount Kilimanjaro. |
| D．Clothes adjustment was needed due to temperature changes. |
| A．Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—A Chinese Girl’s Bravery. |
| B．Conquering New Heights —A Story of Passion. |
| C．Mountaineering—A Journey of Self-discovery. |
| D．Mount Kilimanjaro —A Destination of Inspiration. |
6 . I had been invited to go to my friend’s birthday party. I was excited because I liked to go to parties. Although Tori was not my best friend, I
Two days later, my best friend asked me to go to Disneyland. I really wanted to go. That’s when my mom
My
So my mom dropped me off at Tori’s party. Something
When my mom came to
| A．happened | B．pretended | C．afforded | D．promised |
| A．comforted | B．reminded | C．convinced | D．taught |
| A．doubt | B．curiosity | C．excitement | D．confusion |
| A．gone | B．obvious | C．normal | D．endless |
| A．free | B．busy | C．fun | D．long |
| A．Otherwise | B．Besides | C．However | D．Therefore |
| A．suffered | B．complained | C．hesitated | D．disagreed |
| A．predict | B．admit | C．expect | D．ignore |
| A．hurt | B．control | C．reflect | D．inspire |
| A．different | B．voluntary | C．sad | D．right |
| A．conventional | B．practical | C．difficult | D．interesting |
| A．informal | B．amazing | C．strange | D．private |
| A．in return | B．at once | C．at ease | D．in theory |
| A．hurry | B．bring | C．pick | D．cheer |
| A．change | B．throw | C．love | D．miss |
7 . Awake? Here Is How to Return to Sleep
It is usual for people to wake up a few times during the night. Older people often get up to go to the bathroom. Waking at night usually is not a problem.
But what about some other people? If it happens a few times a week, there may be a troublesome reason.
What to do.
If you are awake 25 minutes or more,
Try to go back to sleep.
Napping lowers your drive to fall asleep in the evening. Avoid napping late in the day. Nap no later than early afternoon.
Try to keep to a routine schedule for sleep. There is a problem when you go to bed and wake up at different times. Studies have shown that irregular bedtimes may lead to insomnia.
If you get up during the night to go to the bathroom, limit how much water or liquids you drink a few hours before bedtime.
| A．Avoid coffee after 2 p. m. |
| B．Try to avoid naps |
| C．And do not nap anytime longer than 30 minutes |
| D．The problem has to do with the sleep cycle of your body |
| E．get out of bed and do something quiet |
| F．Stress and anxiety are some of the reasons people have sleep difficulties |
| G．Here are some reasons for the difficulties in your sleeping |
9 . Four One-day Trips in the UK
The First Light Pavilion, Cheshire
It’s a newly-designed visitor centre at the Jodrell Bank Observatory. It is inspired by the Lovell Telescope and is designed to act like a sundial (日晷). Visitors can experience a meteor shower (流星雨), operate a radio telescope and launch a digital satellite there.
£8.50 adults/£6.50 children, jodrellbank.net
Clifford’s Tower, York
This 800-year-old tower is all that remains of York Castle. It was a treasury and prison (监狱), but its inner space was damaged by fire in 1684. Now after a £5 million project by English Heritage, the castle is reopening. Walkways will take the place of the lost first floor. A new roof floor will provide views of York Minster, the city and the North York Moors beyond.
£8.10 adults /£4.80 children, english-heritageorg.uk
The Rig Climb Experience, Greenwich
The Cutty Sark, one of just two surviving tea sailing ships in the world is launching a new experience. For the first time visitors will be able to step from the main deck and arrive at the top platform. Visitors will hear stories of life at sea in the 19th century and the tough conditions sailors had to work in.
£21 adults /£12 children (includes general entry to the ship), rmg.co.uk cutty-sark
The Intelligence Factory, Buckinghamshire
A newly-rebuilt building at Bletchley Park is opening again as the site’s biggest ever exhibition space. The Intelligence Factory in Block A will focus on the years 1942-1945 when 9,000 staff members helped win World War II. The exhibition will include objects, personal stories and communication, showing how operators handled huge amounts of information.
£21 adults/£12.50 children, bletchleypark.org.uk
1. What can visitors do at the Pavilion in Cheshire?| A．Communicate with officers in wartime. |
| B．Learn how to collect information. |
| C．Admire stars through a radio telescope. |
| D．Observe the inner space of ancient prisons. |
| A．£66. | B．£45. | C．£21.5. | D．£17.7. |
| A．They reflect the same period of the history of England. |
| B．They are fitted with advanced equipment. |
| C．They offer visitors a bird’s eye view of the cities. |
| D．They are reopening after having been fixed. |
| A．In a restaurant. | B．At a ticket office. | C．On a plane. |
