1 . Usually, someone would come up and ask, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” This kind of question is often raised when we have _________ with families as children.

Well, it started out being a cowboy or super hero. Later it was fireman, policeman, lawyer... As I grew older, my dreams of the future _________. Before I was in college, I was asked, “What will you _________ in?”

By then, I had my heart set on _________ a teacher as my father. So, I studied and prepared for that life. I _________ nearly full time on my career. Although my physical disability after an accident prevented me from working full-time, I still insisted (坚持) on _________. I am content that I could realize my dream and perhaps have a(n) _________ influence on someone’s life. My kids are now on the way to _________ their goals, which makes me delighted.

However, for many, there is a “thief”, which goes around _________ our dreams. Sometimes, the __________ will come as a parent, a relative, a friend or a co-worker, but the greatest thief is, so many times, just __________.

We find ourselves just about reaching our __________, and a “small voice” inside says, “You’ll never make it,” “You can’t __________ do this.” “Very few have ever done this successfully.” And on and on the “small voice” predicts (预测) some kind of __________. Failure, though, is exactly how dreams are realized. It is one of the most important tools we have, because it teaches us __________ lessons. And, when we learn these lessons well, we are ready for success.

1.

A．difficulties

B．challenges

C．memories

D．gatherings

2.

A．changed

B．reduced

C．developed

D．disappeared

3.

A．live

B．major

C．believe

D．bring

4.

A．discovering

B．cheating

C．becoming

D．awarding

5.

A．spent

B．wasted

C．decided

D．took

6.

A．planning

B．teaching

C．planting

D．reading

7.

A．sensitive

B．objective

C．passive

D．positive

8.

A．disappoint

B．reflect

C．perform

D．achieve

9.

A．reaching

B．throwing

C．stealing

D．abandoning

10.

A．thief

B．teacher

C．robber

D．guider

11.

A．parents

B．ourselves

C．relatives

D．themselves

12.

A．homes

B．limit

C．dreams

D．potential

13.

A．possibly

B．quickly

C．frequently

D．gradually

14.

A．outcome

B．failure

C．moment

D．difference

15.

A．precious

B．original

C．faithful

D．ordinary

2 . If you frequent any kind of public transportation, then you’re well aware of certain types of passengers and passenger habits that are annoying. But it’s not just other passengers that get angry, there are certain things that drive the train attendant crazy.     1    . Maybe next time you’ll be able to spot the people doing some of these on the train.

•Taking up too much space

We’ve all been there in that moment when someone boards a train trying to take several huge items with them to wherever they’re trying to go. They wind up taking up way too much space and blocking seats.    2    . Train attendants are the ones who bear the brunt of it (首当其冲) because they have to figure out how to deal with this person’s stuff without upsetting all the other passengers. It adds unnecessary conflict and makes the attendant’s job much harder.

•Eating

    3    . It’s a totally different thing to be eating a big meal consisting of last night’s dinner leftovers. Not only is it typically unsettling for other passengers who then have to smell leftover chicken and whatever else you’re eating, but it’s bound to make a mess that attendants will then have to clean up after they depart the train.

•    4    

For some reason, people have a bad habit of talking very loudly to one another to a point where you can hear them from opposite sides of the train cart (车厢). This goes for playing music as well. Some people like to play music through their phone. This really bothers fellow passengers on the train.     5    ? The train attendant.

A．Being really loud

B．Arguing with others

C．Here are some of the most annoying things

D．Then who would be in charge of playing music on the train

E．It’s one thing if you’re having something small such as an apple

F．This can make things uncomfortable for everyone else on the train

G．Plus when other passengers complain, guess who has to take care of it

3 . It’s commonly acknowledged that our lives are ruled by algorithms (算法), but have we really collectively understood how they have transformed our culture and personality?

In Filterworld: How algorithms flattened culture, Kyle Chayka argues convincingly that the rise of algorithm-driven feeds, used everywhere online from Instagram to Spotify, has led to a more uniform culture. Our tastes and desires increasingly don’t belong to us, but to algorithms that are designed to keep people engaged at all costs. If the collection of our tastes truly shapes our entire personality, then this loss is more psychologically damaging than it first appears. Aimlessly scrolling (滚屏) through Netflix or TikTok may seem harmless, but over days, months or years, we lose touch with what we like and enjoy.

Taste-making algorithms are inescapable. Chayka shows this by working through all corners of life: what we wear(TikTok), where we eat(Google Maps), music we listen to(Spotify), even who we date or marry(Tinder). This universe of algorithm-driven decisions has society-wide implications: “It extends to influence our physical spaces, our cities, and the routes we move through…flattening them in turn.” No one gets out of the Filterworld untouched.

If you’re lucky enough not to need any sort of algorithm-based system for your work, then you have the option to step back from algorithms for a while. But if your friend suggests a film recommended on X/Twitter or you feel the need to buy those shoes suddenly everyone has started wearing after social media advertisements, what are you to do? It all feels fruitless.

This Filterworld may be inescapable, but there is hope. You can start by engaging more with the media you do choose to consume. This could mean reading up about a film you watched or paying artists you like directly. Even the thoughtful act of recommending an album (专辑) to a friend is more rewarding than a random TikTok feed. As Chayka says, resistance to algorithms “requires an act of willpower, a choice to move through the world in a different way.”

1. What is Kyle Chayka’s opinion on algorithms?

A．They improve our tastes.	B．They make our culture more alike.
C．They help to identify our personality.	D．They contribute to psychological problems.

2. What does the underlined part in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．The society with advanced technology.	B．The world without social media platforms.
C．The network of algorithm-driven decisions.	D．The community free from algorithmic influence.

3. Which of the following is a way to resist the impact of algorithms?

A．Limiting the use of social media platforms.	B．Making choices based on friends’ suggestions.
C．Getting more involved with the selected media.	D．Disconnecting from social media advertisements.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Algorithms: Cultural Takeover	B．The Secret of Algorithms
C．Social Media: Cultural Messenger	D．The Rise of Digital Platforms

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。

Hudson is 8 years old now. He has a favorite little toy, a crocheted little ghost named Casper. The toy was given to him by his grandmother on his 5th birthday, and he has treasured it ever since, Hudson loves Casper so much that he often brings it with him wherever he goes. He even talks to Casper as if it’s his best friend.

One day, while playing with Casper, Hudson turned to his mother Ruthie with a worried look on his face. “Mommy, if I should get Casper lost, I would cry so much and be sad forever,” he confessed, tears welling up in his eyes.

Ruthie couldn’t help but smile at her son’s innocence and affection for his little toy. She gently reassured him, “You haven’t lost Casper yet, sweetheart. You take good care of it, and I’m sure you won’t lose it. But even if you do, remember that I’ll always be here to comfort you.”

Curiosity sparked in Hudson’s eyes as he listened to his mother’s words. He looked up at her with a serious expression and asked, “Mommy, have you ever lost a toy?”

Looking at her lovely kid, Ruthie shared her story with her son. When she was six years old, her world turned upside down when her father tragically passed away. Their family was in trouble, and they faced financial struggles. Ruthie’s mother had to take up odd jobs to make ends meet, and they had to move frequently to save money.

During one of her moves, she found that every one of her favorite girl toys was missing including Molly, an American Girl doll. Everywhere she went, she would bring the doll and she was obsessed with it. After hearing his mother’s story, the boy hugged his mother tightly, without saying anything.

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。

Days turned into weeks, and soon it was New Year’s Day.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ruthie carefully unwrapped the gift box.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . I’m a teacher at a local high school. One day, I found myself _______ a brilliant moment in the cafeteria. During lunch, I noticed one of my _______ Jason holding up his tray (托盘) with a confused expression. _______, he was having trouble deciding where to sit in the _______ cafeteria. After some hesitation, he approached a table where a few students were absorbed in their own _______ and asked if he could join them. They welcomed him, and he _______, looking content.

Moments later, another student approached the table and asked if he could join them. Jason seized the _______ to introduce an element of fun and challenge. He asked the boy if he could answer a riddle before joining them. Interested, the boy _______, and Jason presented him with the riddle: “What has _______ but can’t open locks?” After a moment of thought, the boy admitted he didn’t know the answer. With a mischievous grin, Jason pointed to the piano in the corner of the cafeteria and ________ that the answer was “a piano”. The other students ________. The table soon became known as the “riddle table”, attracting students who were ________ to solve riddles for the chance to join.

As a teacher, I couldn’t help but appreciate the ________ and friendship unfolded during the lunch period. It turns out that sometimes, a little intellectual challenge can ________ a random cafeteria table into the hottest spot in school. Definitely a ________ move by Jason.

1.

A．witnessing

B．bringing

C．providing

D．exploring

2.

A．teachers

B．customers

C．students

D．colleagues

3.

A．Ideally

B．Obviously

C．Modestly

D．Literally

4.

A．fashionable

B．splendid

C．beautiful

D．crowded

5.

A．professions

B．territories

C．conversations

D．situations

6.

A．ran away

B．settled in

C．stepped out

D．looked up

7.

A．opportunity

B．emphasis

C．advocate

D．absence

8.

A．resisted

B．calmed

C．hesitated

D．agreed

9.

A．doors

B．arms

C．keys

D．legs

10.

A．insisted

B．revealed

C．suggested

D．thought

11.

A．laughed

B．exploded

C．shouted

D．apologized

12.

A．clever

B．tired

C．eager

D．afraid

13.

A．creativity

B．kindness

C．mission

D．relation

14.

A．load

B．inject

C．feed

D．turn

15.

A．curious

B．genius

C．suitable

D．powerful

6 . We watch our salt and fat intake to protect our hearts. We exercise and take calcium to protect our bones. We use sunscreen to protect our skin.     1     A lot. We asked experts what lifestyle steps people should be taking to protect their vision and eye health.

Invest in quality sunglasses. Protecting the eyes from ultraviolet rays (紫外线) is very important.     2     To shield your eyes, wear sunglasses certified to block out 99 to 100 per cent of UVA and UVB rays.

    3     You don’t have to be doing construction work or factory work to need protective eyewear. Gardening, yardwork, home repairs and sports all pose the risk of trauma (损伤) to the eyes. It’s estimated that up to 90 per cent of sports-related eye injuries are actually preventable with proper eye protection. Experts recommend wearing sports or safety glasses with poly-carbonate lenses, which are a type of plastic that will not easily shatter or break.

Take a break from screens.     4     But staring at a screen can leave eyes fatigued (疲惫的) and may blur vision. Experts suggest following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a break and look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Get your eyes checked regularly. That means having your eyes tested by an optometrist or health care provider every one to two years. Don’t forget to see an eye specialist for a checkup regularly, if possible.     5    

A．Stay away from dangerous work.

B．Wear safety glasses when needed.

C．But how can we protect our eyes from screen?

D．But what can we do to protect our eyes all year round?

E．Not all eye problems are noticeable, and all are best treated when found early.

F．It’s one of the biggest things in our environment to have an impact on the eyes.

G．There’s no scientific evidence that the light from electronic screens damages eyes.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How many levels of courses does the program offer?

A．Seven.

B．Eight.

C．Twelve.

2. What is the strength of the program?

A．It can meet personal needs.

B．It provides courses on US culture.

C．It is available throughout the year.

3. What can students get if they perform well in an end-of-session test?

A．A course for free.

B．A promotion to a higher level.

C．A chance to work part-time.

4. What does the Language Center Bonus Project provide?

A．Field trips.

B．Social activities.

C．Extra practice hours.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the woman plan to work as this summer?

A．A volunteer.

B．A nurse.

C．A doctor.

2. Who had medical examinations from July 15 to July 31 last year?

A．The elderly over 55.

B．The adults over 30.

C．The children under 5.

3. What does the woman say about the work?

A．Everyone has to be always polite.

B．Everyone has to arrive early.

C．None has much time to rest.

4. What does the woman advise the man to wear?

A．Comfortable shoes.

B．Light clothes.

C．Loose trousers.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What was wrong with the woman’s car?

A．It was on fire.

B．It gave out a terrible noise.

C．Its engine smoked.

2. Where is the woman?

A．In a car park.

B．In a garage.

C．On the road.

3. What does the man ask the woman to do?

A．Hire a car.

B．Drive a truck.

C．Ring her friend.

10 . A sugar replacement called erythritol (赤藓糖醇) has been linked to blood clotting (血液凝固), stroke, heart attack and death, according to a new study.

“The degree of risk was not modest,” said lead study author Dr. Stanley Hazen. People with existing risk factors for heart disease will be twice as likely to experience the risk if they have the highest levels of erythritol in their blood. Erythritol appears to be causing blood platelets (血小板) to clot more readily. Clots can break off and travel to the heart or the brain, causing a heart attack or a stroke.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, a carb found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. However, artificially manufactured in massive quantities, erythritol has become an extremely popular additive to low-carb products.

The discovery of the connection between erythritol and cardiovascular issues was purely accidental. Hazen’s research had a simple goal: find unknown chemicals or compounds in a person’s blood. To do so, the team analyzed 1,157 blood samples. “We found this substance that seemed to play a big role, but we didn’t know it was erythritol, a sweetener until later,” said Hazen. To confirm the findings, the team tested another two batches of blood samples and found that higher levels of erythritol were connected to a greater risk of heart attack, stroke or death within three years.

“This certainly sounds an alarm,” said Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of a hospital inDenver. “Science needs to take a deeper div e into erythritol and in a hurry, because this substance is widely available right now. If it’s harmful, we should know about it.”

Hazen agreed,“I normally don’t get up on a pedestal (崇高地位) and sound the alarm, but this is something that I think we need to be looking at carefully.”

1. About the risk, what does Hazen’s word in paragraph 2 mean?

A．It is not worth considering.	B．It is removed by erythritol.
C．It should not be underestimated.	D．It is just present in people with disease.

2. What do we know about erythritol?

A．Its quality is uncertain.	B．It has been used widely in food.
C．It is manufactured by artists.	D．It mainly exists in fruits.

3. What can be concluded from the last two paragraphs?

A．Erythritol is not available to people.

B．Hazen likes warning people about potential dangers.

C．People have realized that erythritol is dangerous.

D．Further research should be done on erythritol.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．The Accidental Discovery of a New Sweetener

B．The Potential Health Risks of Erythritol Uncovered

C．The Rise of Erythritol as a Popular Sugar Substitute

D．The Surprising Benefits of Erythritol in Diet Products