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。

About eight years ago, Li Jinglong visited the Palace Museum in Beijing. The cloisonne (景泰蓝) objects on display attracted him     1     particular.

    2     (amaze) by the beauty of it, he made a decision to launch Handcraft Addicted, a DIY workshop     3     participants can make cloisonne by themselves. Over the years, he and his wife have opened three workshops in Beijing.

The art of making cloisonne involves several     4     (step), including shaping the object’s body; bending and inlaying (镶嵌) copper wires; coloring in the shapes; heating and gilding. The technique     5     (introduce) to China in the late 13th century. It’s     6     (general) believed that cloisonne reached its peak and was given its present Chinese name during the reign of Emperor Jingtai in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Li’s workshop allows participants to create the designs they want. Chang Yunqi,     7     high school student, was looking for a place to celebrate her birthday, and then she chose to try Handcraft Addicted. Since then, she     8     (become) one of the workshop’s many fans.

Li says modern people are satisfied to spend time alone     9     (focus) on one thing nowadays. “We have many participants who come to our workshop every week, not only to create art, but to take a break from     10     (they) busy lives.”

2 . 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。

Recently, I volunteered with Interact, my school's service group at Read 2 Me, an activity that gives volunteers the opportunity to read to little kids and interact with them.

I walked with other volunteers into a large room in which there was a large variety of books. Some were picture books, such as Cifford or The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Others were chapter books with pictures in them, such as the Berenstain Bears and The Wimpy Kid series. For the extremely talented kids who like to be challenged, we provided chapter books that required imagination to understand. Just after I had gathered some books together, someone announced that it was almost time for the activity to start. All at once, a burst of voices was heard. The doors opened, and the children rushed in, beginning to look for a reading buddy（伙伴）. They all looked so eager to read, just like mice eager to taste a piece of cheese. I was sitting there waiting and glancing at the books that I had picked out for the lucky kid I would read them to.

Just then, a boy about six years old began to come my way, and I knew that I had found my reading buddy. "Hi, I'm Max. Would you like to be my reading buddy?" "Sure," I responded. And then, I let him search for a book of his choice.

"I like this one," shouted Max. I looked at the book that he had chosen. It told an adventure story of a little girl with her dog, and it seemed that it would be a good one to read to him.

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: "Can you tell me why you want this book?” I asked.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: Then came the after-reading activities in which we interacted with each other.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 . At West Exe School, students have access to a wide range of electronic resources to support heir progress through the curriculum. Below are a range of resources, with a brief introduction of what they are. If you have any questions regarding E-Learning, please do not hesitate to contact Toby Holland who will be able to help you.

Electronic Resources

Type	Brief introduction
Class Charts	Class Charts is the one-stop shop for students, parents and teachers to add and track homework, merits and performances. More details can be available by calling 88097144
Moodle	Moodle is our online learning platform which provides students with a means by which to access lesson content for some subjects, especially math at home.
Heggarty Maths	Heggarty Maths is used to provide students with engaging mathematical challenges. These are largely set for homework and involve watching video content.
Lexia	Lexia is being used by the English department to improve literacy across the school. This highly effective online learning programme is widely considered to be the best of its kind. Lexia Strategies can be accessed here: http ://wwwlexiastrategies.com/
Tassomai	Tassomai is a highly effective, adaptive learning platform for Science. Many schools that have used this platform have seen gains of up to 2 grades in Science through the platform’s engaging design and content.

1. Which type can help students track homework and behaviors in school?

A．Class Charts.

B．Moodle.

C．Lexia.

D．Tassomai.

2. How can you find more Lexia strategies?

A．Turn to Tony Holland for help.	B．Call West Exe School directly.
C．Read the brief introduction in detail.	D．Surf the web for further information.

3. Which type will be suitable for a student interested in science?

A．Heggarty Maths.

B．Lexia.

C．Tassomai.

D．Moodle.

4 . With all the dietary information online, it can be hard to know what tips to follow. Watch out for these words and expressions.

Fat Is Good

It doesn’t matter if you are part of the fat is GOOD for you or BAD for you group, the important question to ask is the source of the fat. If it comes from a land-based animal, and is likely to be solid at room temperature, then it is saturated (饱和的) fat whereas if it comes from fish or plants, and it is likely to be liquid at room temperature, then it is unsaturated fat. All the evidence indicates that eating more unsaturated fat than saturated fat lowers your risk of dying early.

Natural Sugar Is Better

The vast majority of sugar we consume is sucrose (蔗糖). It is the white powdered stuff we cook with and is made up of glucose and fructose. How about sugar from honey? It is often marketed as natural and better for you. Actually, it just has its own distinct flavour, but is as sweet because of glucose and fructose.

High-pH Water

Some people think we need to eat alkali (碱) food to maintain our blood at a pH of 7.4. But everything we eat or drink passes through the stomach, which, at a pH of 1.5, is the most acidic part of the body. It is then neutralised to a pH of 7. So, nothing we eat will change the pH of our blood.

Don’t Eat Anything That You Can’t Pronounce

Whether foods are natural or highly processed, they are all full of chemicals. Are you supposed to fear “phenylthiocarbamide”, because you can’t pronounce it? This is simply the chemical responsible for the bitter taste found in brassicas, the plants in the cabbage and mustard family.

Don’t Eat Food With More Than Five Ingredients(佐料)

Simple foods are not necessarily healthier for you. If I, for instance, use Chinese five spice powder in a recipe, that would count as one of the five ingredients. However, what if I added the typical components of five spice powder separately into a dish? Does that mean my recipe suddenly becomes bad because it has more than five ingredients?

1. According to the passage, healthier fat ______.

A．can be found in fish and plants	B．comes from land-based animals
C．remains solid at room temperature	D．can lower the death rate of elders

2. The passage suggests that ______.

A．diets can help adjust the pH of our blood	B．honey sugar can do more good than sucrose
C．foods with more ingredients may be as healthy	D．chemicals we can recognize are safer to take in

3. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To compare tips on food choices.	B．To introduce different health concepts.
C．To recommend fitness recipes to readers.	D．To warn us of some dietary misunderstandings.

5 . Cheng Cheung Hung, a Chinese sprinter(短跑运动员), says Asia’s fastest man Su Bingtian is his hero, who was the first Chinese to run 100 meters in 10 seconds in 2015.

“Su Bingtian created a new Asian record. His super performance definitely earned him the title of ‘Su-per’. I had the pleasure of shaking his hand, which was a great inspiration,” said Cheng after his competition in China’s first Youth Games on Monday.

Four weeks ago, Su delivered a speech, which attracted many young athletes like Cheng Cheung Hung. Cheng not only shook hands with his hero, but also was inspired by Su’s speech. “It was truly an enlightening experience for me,” recalled Cheng. “Su encouraged us to try and challenge ourselves to break the limit. Combining(结合)talent and hard work together, we can step on the world stage.”

Majored in physical therapy(理疗), Cheng has well balanced his school studies and training at university. “The main thing is to do a good job of time management for studying and training,” he said. “In the classroom and on the sports field, it’s all about learning.”

Through studying physical therapy at university, Cheng got a deeper understanding of human body structure and conducted scientific analysis of sprinting. He said he could be aware of the change in his physical state now and immediately correct his training time based on his knowledge and research.

“It would be a great honor to be involved in sports in the future, and to pass on the experience I have learned now to the next generation. I hope to help the development of sports,” Cheng said.

1. What does Cheng Cheung Hung think of Su?

A．Admirable.	B．Brave.
C．Honest.	D．Strict.

2. What did Su suggest young athletes do in his speech?

A．Go abroad for skills.	B．Share experience with each other.
C．Spare enough time for rest.	D．Challenge themselves.

3. What can we know about Cheng Cheung Hung?

A．He is poor at study.

B．He came first in the 100-meter race in 2015.

C．He earned the title of “Su-per” in his performance.

D．He has achieved a balance between study and training.

4. What does Cheng Cheung Hung say about his study in college?

A．It cost him much money.	B．It led him to be a scientist.
C．It helped him with sports training.	D．It wasted too much time.

6 . Top Technology Products at CES 2024

AI for Hyundai and Kia vehicles

South Korea’s Samsung announced it was working with automaker Hyundai to develop “home-to-car” and “car-to-home” services for all Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

This AI-powered system will allow users of Samsung’s SmartThings service to remotely (远程地) set their vehicle’s temperature or open its windows. And users can control lights and connect to electrical equipment inside the home when inside the car.

Car parking robot

South Korean electric automotive company HL Mando showed a parking robot called Parkie. It is designed to operate (运转) by itself in parking lots. The robot can move under parked vehicles, lift the cars up and transport them to different spaces or return them to their drivers.

Transparent televisions

Electronics producers LG and Samsung brought televisions to CES that have a transparent (透明的) screen design. The TVs use OLED technology. They are designed to be hidden in a room when not in use.

When not in the transparent setting, the TVs have a traditional, black background. The companies presenting the TVs did not provide pricing information, but experts say the transparent ones are likely to cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Robotic lawn mower

Chinese robotics developer Mammotion showed a new type of its self-driving lawn mower (割草机). The latest, all-wheel-drive Luba 2 includes new wireless abilities and tools to deal with obstacles (障碍) in the grass. The robot mower can be already got and sells for just over $2,000.

1. What can you do in a car with the AI-powered system?

A．Park your car easily.	B．Control some home equipment.
C．Enjoy the fun of driverless ride.	D．Order the machine to cut grass.

2. What do Car parking robot and Robotic lawn mower have in common?

A．They are wireless equipment.	B．They are cheap to buy.
C．They bring driving pleasure.	D．They can work by themselves.

3. Which product is expected to be expensive?

A．AI for Hyundai and Kia vehicles.	B．Car parking robot.
C．Transparent televisions.	D．Robotic lawn mower.

7 . I got a message from my friend, Megan. “This little _________, Winnie, needed a home,” she said, and then _________ some pictures.

I’d started my animal _________ in 2017 after I’d bought a piece of land and used it to give some _________ animals a home. To give them a better life, I _________ the home with the profits I made running four pet supply stores. My first animal was a sheep, Charlotte, who had a bad back leg. _________, the farm had grown to feed 200 animals.

Looking at the _________ Megan sent me of the cute disabled dog on my phone, I decided that I had room for one more. Despite his deformed(畸形的)front legs, his beautiful brown eyes on the pictures made my heart melt(软化). So I took him to a hospital. The doctor got him to _________ with a cool set of wheels.

“_________ doggie,” strangers showed pity sometimes when they saw Winnie. But within minutes, they __________ that Winnie was living his best lives on the farm and they didn’t need to feel __________ for him. I __________ Winnie’s own web page where I would share Winnie’s life. And he earned a lot of followers. “He __________ me when I was feeling sad,” one follower commented recently.

Winnie proves that animals with __________ can lead fulfilling(令人心满意足的)lives. He’s my best friend and I’m __________ of everything that he does.

1.

A．sheep

B．cat

C．deer

D．dog

2.

A．sent over

B．swept away

C．searched for

D．gave up

3.

A．gallery

B．school

C．shelter

D．hospital

4.

A．unemployed

B．unwanted

C．unkind

D．unsuitable

5.

A．limited

B．funded

C．sold

D．rated

6.

A．Particularly

B．Secretly

C．Obviously

D．Gradually

7.

A．presents

B．principles

C．pictures

D．awards

8.

A．cry

B．agree

C．move

D．puzzle

9.

A．Funny

B．Honest

C．Clean

D．Poor

10.

A．realized

B．forgot

C．warned

D．complained

11.

A．sorry

B．calm

C．threatened

D．tired

12.

A．attracted

B．imagined

C．created

D．stopped

13.

A．challenged

B．inspired

C．scared

D．tracked

14.

A．talents

B．disabilities

C．achievements

D．purposes

15.

A．sick

B．afraid

C．distrustful

D．proud

8 . Retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick taught computer science at West Point during the 1970s and then at two private universities through the 1990s, so he isn’t surprised by the progress technology has made over the decades. But when the 91-year-old got his first virtual reality (VR) experience recently, he was amazed.

Sitting in a conference room at John Knox Village, Patrick sat up straight as his eyes and ears experienced what it would be like to be in a Navy fighter jet flying off the Florida coast. John Knox Village was one of 17 senior communities around the country that participated in a recently published Stanford University study.

During the study, the seniors were picked from seven-minute virtual experiences such as riding in a tank, watching stage performances, playing with dogs and cats or visiting places like Paris or Egypt. The participants wore headsets that gave them 360-degree views and sounds, making it seem like they had been all but dropped into the actual experience.

The study, working with the company Mynd Immersive, found that almost 80% of the seniors reported having a more positive attitude after their VR session and almost 60% said they felt less isolated socially. The enjoyment lessened somewhat for older respondents whose sight and hearing had deteriorated (恶化). Those who found VR less enjoyable were also more likely to dislike technology in general.

The company has worked on the biggest complaints the seniors in the study had about VR—the headsets were too heavy and the heat they generated made the seniors’ foreheads sweat. The new headsets weigh about six ounces (189 grams) instead of a pound (454 grams). Besides, they have a built-in fan for cooling, and the videos aren’t as jumpy.

Patrick says he hopes to live to 100 because he believes the next five years will see momentous changes in VR. Still a technology enthusiast, he believes the cost of systems will drop dramatically and become part of everyday living, even for seniors.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．To lead in the topic.	B．To reach a conclusion.
C．To present an argument.	D．To make a definition.

2. Why does the author mention “Paris or Egypt” in paragraph 3?

A．To illustrate the two cities’ support for VR.

B．To explain why seniors are crazy about traveling.

C．To compare the differences between the two cities.

D．To show the VR experiences the seniors can choose from.

3. What did the study find?

A．Most seniors enjoyed VR.	B．Old people preferred socializing.
C．Seniors’ sight and hearing became worse.	D．Most retired people disliked high-tech products.

4. What do the figures in paragraph 5 indicate about Mynd Immersive?

A．Its products hardly appeal to seniors.	B．Its goal is to produce high-quality videos.
C．It has made improvements on the headsets.	D．It has got a lot of complaints from teenagers.

9 . Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions

It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac

The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.

1. What makes it difficult for Khari to return home in time for Kwanzaa?

A．A car crash.

B．Delayed flights.

C．Extreme weather.

D．Academic pressure.

2. Who provides pictures for A Child’s Christmas in Wales?

A．Traci Sorell.

B．Ed Martinez.

C．Dylan Thomas.

D．Trina Schart Hyman.

3. The four books all inform readers of ______.

A．how to find hidden treasures at home	B．how to strengthen bonds with friends
C．the lifestyles of different ethnic groups	D．different holiday celebrations and customs

10 . Kafka was hired in an Italian insurance company on November 1, 1907. He worked there for a year, during which period his letter witnessed that he was unhappy with his working time schedule — from 8 pm until 6 am — as it made it extremely difficult for him to concentrate on his writing. On July 15, 1908, he resigned, and two weeks later he got employed by the Worker’s Accident Insurance Institute. Both in his letter and his diaries, Kafka frequently complained about his life at work.

Though Kafka despaired of his twelve-hour shifts that left no time for writing, he was promoted to the position of chief clerk at the Workers’ Accident Insurance Institute, and he worked from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm. Then he had lunch around 3:00 pm, slept until 7:30 pm, did some exercise and had a family dinner, after which he started work around 11:00 pm (the letter-and diary-writing took up at least one hour a day, and more usually two). “Depending on my strength, inclination and luck, until one, two, or three o’clock, once even till six in the morning.” This routine left him permanently on the verge of collapse. It would be wrong, however, to consider him a long-suffering official depressed by his work or even found it detestable. On the contrary, he was a model official, precise and efficient, who successfully climbed the career ladder.

Kafka is one of the highest regarded writers of the German language, although he achieved little to no fame during his own lifetime. During his lifetime, Franze Kafka burned an estimated 90 percent of his work. After his death at age 41, in 1924, a letter was discovered in his desk, addressed to his friend Max Brod. “Dearest Max,” it began. “My last request: Everything I leave behind me... in the way of diaries, manuscripts, letters (my own and others’), sketches and so on, to be burned unread.” Less than two months later, Brod, disregarding Kafka’s request, signed an agreement to prepare a posthumous edition of Kafka’s unpublished novels. Thanks largely to Brod’s efforts, Kafka’s slim, mysterious works were gradually recognized as one of the great monuments of 20th century literature.

1. Why did Kafka quit the job on July 15, 1908?

A．Because he had to work ten hours a day.	B．Because he found a better job.
C．Because he found it affected his writing.	D．Because he hated the job.

2. Which of the following best explains “detestable” in Paragraph 2?

A．Boring

B．Hateful

C．Enjoyable

D．Satisfying

3. What can we learn about Kafka?

A．He had a preference for writing.	B．He did poorly in his work.
C．He was famous when he was alive.	D．He got his works published.

4. What contributed to Kafka’s fame according to the passage?

A．His talent.

B．His luck.

C．His diligence.

D．His friend’s efforts.