1 . “I never got to choose my jobs,” John Baker reflects, his voice filled with a newfound sense of freedom. For twenty years, he worked tirelessly beneath the bustling streets in the London Underground, dedicated to his career. But upon turning sixty, he finally had the power to chart his own course. So, he became a lifeguard.

Three years prior, during a routine blood donation, Baker experienced an acute chest pain. A moment of clarity washed over Baker. “The doctor asked, ‘Do you drink?’ Yeah, probably too much. ‘Do you smoke?’ Yes.” His body, substantially burdened by tobacco and alcohol, whispered warnings. “I’m never going to be in this position again,” he made a firm resolution. Vowing to radically change his unhealthy way of life, Baker began his journey of transformation which was fueled by a switch to a vegan lifestyle. The tunnels of the underground faded into memory as Baker embraced a new horizon.

“I’ve always had to earn as much as I can for my family,” Baker reflects, his dedication evident in the lines of his weathered face. Long hours and unwavering commitment defined his career in the engineering fleet. But amidst the demands of work, he realized his family was neglected. “For twenty years, it was like they were wrapped in cling film,” he recalls, regret tugging at his heartstrings. So, he made a promise to his daughters, “If you have a child, I’ll - be a caring grandparent.” As time passed, Baker embraced his role as a grandfather, though it came with its challenges.

For the first six months after he qualified, Baker was asked at least once a day how old he was. “I was forty years older than anyone else in the lifeguard course,” he chuckles. Yet, to have young peers give you a different perspective.

Today, as he watches over the water’s edge, Baker finds comfort in the rhythm of the waves. “Every day is a learning experience,” he shares, wisdom gained over the years. “I feel it even more now at sixty.” In the ebb and flow of life, he’s found balance — between work, family, and self. “This is everything I’ve wanted,” he concludes, a sense of fulfillment guiding him forward.

1. Why did John Baker decide to make significant lifestyle changes?

A．Because he had some problems with his health.

B．Because he was always in the pursuit of an ideal job.

C．Because he felt overwhelmed by his responsibilities as a grandfather.

D．Because he was under great financial pressure from his family.

2. What was Bake’s experience like while working at the underground?

A．It was physically dangerous.	B．It was associated with pressure.
C．It offered him considerable flexibility.	D．It allowed him to travel around the world.

3. What motivated John Baker to become a caring grandparent?

A．His desire to spend more time with his daughters.

B．His longing to make up for lost time with his family.

C．His eagerness to retire early and enjoy life.

D．His commitment to his newfound career as a lifeguard.

4. How does John Baker feel about his current lifestyle?

A．Regretful.

B．Nervous.

C．Relieved.

D．Satisfied.

2 . How to Be Happy for Your Friend, Even when You’re a Little Jealous

The most basic friendship duty is rooting for your bestie (死党). At minimum, you should jump for joy when told they’ve landed a dream job, for example. Easy enough, right?     1    . Even if you truly want to see them succeed, the ultra-modern three-bedroom house they just bought might feel like a slap in the face if you’re still living in a shoebox apartment. So, if you’re struggling with friendship envy, these suggestions might help you.

    2    .

Jealousy sounds quite negative, but it’s completely normal. If you shame yourself for it, you might miss an opportunity for self-reflection. Instead of judging yourself, acknowledge these feelings head-on. Embrace that you’re bitter or even scared you’ll never experience a career high like your bestie.

Separate your worth from your accomplishments.

    3    . But it’s important to remember that your self-worth doesn’t come from attaining external things. We know it sounds pretty cliche (陈词滥调), but taking a step back and redefining what achievement and happiness mean to you can help you avoid falling into the comparison trap.

Remember: It’s not a competition.

It makes sense that a friend’s success may feel like a threat. When they’re progressing in their life, you must be falling behind in yours, right? The simple answer: No!     4    . One way to abandon this unhealthy mindset is to rely on facts and reality rather than hypothetical scenarios or assumptions.

It’s totally okay to experience occasional waves of envy even with the people you genuinely want to see happy. What truly defines you as a friend is how you handle these emotions. If you need a little space to lick your wounds after receiving a close pal’s exciting news, just do it.     5    .

A．Acknowledge your bitter or envious feelings.

B．Reflect on yourself about feeling ashamed of jealousy.

C．Instead, you can definitely grow into a more caring friend.

D．However, celebrating your friend’s milestones can become a little more complicated.

E．That doesn’t make you a fool— it makes you human.

F．You need to let go of this idea that if they’re winning something, that means you’re losing.

G．There are expectations what success is supposed to be in our achievement-driven society.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How did the woman first learn about the student action union?

A．By attending one of their meetings.

B．Through her roommate.

C．By reading the newspaper.

2. What is the student action union trying to do?

A．Secure more student parking spaces.

B．Protect an open space on campus.

C．Get more funding for their group.

3. What does the woman agree to do?

A．Sign a petition(请愿书).

B．Help the man plan a student meeting.

C．Make a donation to support the group.

4 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

The unexpected financial difficulties Jake’s family faced not only affected their daily lives but also Jake’s once vibrant spirit. Simple pleasures, like weekend outings, became rare luxuries as they tightened their belts. As for Jake, he longed to ease the strain on his parents, but as a teenager, he often felt like he was fighting a losing battle against forces beyond his control. As Jake’s best friend, seeing him gradually become disheartened left me with a bitter taste in my heart.

Amidst the chaos of the daily struggles, Jake referred to music as his refuge, a place where he could find a sense of peace by singing. Within the singing blending passion and tenderness, he would allow himself to dream of a brighter future, where the strains of financial hardship were nothing but a distant memory. In spite of his remarkable singing talent, Jake had always been shy about performing publicly as he struggled with feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. However, with his family’s situation growing more severe, I saw an opportunity for him to use his gift for a greater cause.

One evening, as we sat on his porch discussing his family’s hardship, I suggested organizing a mini-concert in our community to raise fund and invite the neighbors to attend. We could set up a small stage where Jake could showcase his singing talent. Though Jake finally nodded to the idea, he was uneasy deep inside, his self-doubt and insecurity surfacing. What if no one came? What if no one liked his singing? What if no one cared about his family situation? The thought of being the center of attention was more than challenging, even threatening to him. He feared judgment and failure, worried that his efforts wouldn’t be enough to make a difference. Then came the rehearsal (排练) and Jake took part as planned.

注意：1. 续与词数应为150词左右；
2. 请按照如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

However, in my eyes, Jake’s hesitation still remained a problem.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On the day of the mini-concert, Jake stepped onto the small stage.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . Finding something that tastes truly __________ —fresh prawns cooked in yellow curry and served with spicy beans, for example — is made much easier with a motorbike. (根据句意填空)

6 . When the opportunity __________ for me to do some summer traveling, I eventually settled on Thailand. (根据句意填空)

7 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个恰当的单词或者括号内单词的正确形式。

AI is like a magic force in our world today. It promises big changes in many fields, like making things better and     1     (easy) for people. Nevertheless, this rapid progress also brings about     2     series of challenges and concerns.

In terms of technological advancements, remarkable breakthroughs     3     (make) by AI development recently. It can process tons of data, learn from patterns, and make smart decisions. This has opened up new doors in places like healthcare, finance, and     4     (get) around. AI-powered robots can do complex surgeries with     5     (accurate), while clever algorithms (算法) can predict what’s going to happen in the market and manage money well. Plus, self-driving cars are going to change     6     we get around, reducing accidents and traffic jams.

    7     these advancements, the development of AI has also presented several drawbacks. One significant concern is the potential displacement of human jobs. As AI gets more powerful, it might replace workers in lots of different jobs, leading to people being out of work and messing up     8     global economy. Plus, there exist ethical problems about Al, like privacy issues and the risk of people using AI for harmful purposes. Then     9     (come) the risk of data being stolen with AI.

In conclusion, while AI brings loads of benefits, it also has its challenges and concerns. We need to think     10     (cautious) about the advantages and disadvantages of AI, and make sure it’s used in a way that’s best for everyone.

8 . It was 11 p.m. when Alex Conrad saw the woman on the Main Street Bridge, standing by the railing (栏杆) gazing down at the rushing Chippewa River. At her feet was what appeared to be a ________.

“Something might be wrong.” Conrad thought in his car. He pulled a U-turn and parked with his hazard lights (警示灯) ________, blocking one of the four lanes. In case there was trouble, he hoped others would ________ and help.

He stepped out and got a clearer picture of the ________. The woman was in her 20s. What he’d thought was a backpack was in fact rope gathered by her feet. One ________ was tied to a bridge post. The other, around her neck. “Hey, what’s going on?” Conrad called out. She didn’t respond, but he kept inquiring, eventually knowing that she was going through a particularly ________ period. She was jobless, not doing well in school — in short, life wasn’t working out as she’d ________.

“Not everything goes as planned,” agreed Conrad. He started talking about his similar ________ he’d faced in his life. As he talked, he inched closer. Conrad is a quiet guy. ________, for the next hour he found enough topics to keep the woman ________. He gradually got within a few feet of her. Then a switch seemingly appeared. Without warning, she climbed onto the railing. Conrad ________ for her. He threw his arms around her, dragging her down off the railing. ________, bright lights appeared. It was the police. Someone had reported Conrad’s car for being ________ on the bridge. The two officers took hold of the woman and cut the rope.

Sadly, this was not the first time someone tried to end it all on the bridge. What was ________ was what Alex Conrad did. “Usually, at best, we have someone see something odd and call us later,” says police Lt. Brian Micolichek. “It’s rare that someone gets ________ involved.”

1.

A．rope

B．backpack

C．post

D．patch

2.

A．up

B．down

C．on

D．off

3.

A．take notice

B．make progress

C．achieve success

D．lose temper

4.

A．crash

B．scene

C．crowd

D．road

5.

A．end

B．side

C．part

D．edge

6.

A．unique

B．different

C．modest

D．rough

7.

A．complained

B．explained

C．intended

D．attained

8.

A．glories

B．hardships

C．opportunities

D．goals

9.

A．Indeed

B．Otherwise

C．Nevertheless

D．Moreover

10.

A．engaged

B．determined

C．informed

D．discouraged

11.

A．cared

B．stood

C．prayed

D．reached

12.

A．Suddenly

B．Consequently

C．Frequently

D．Strangely

13.

A．struck

B．destroyed

C．parked

D．repaired

14.

A．ideal

B．exceptional

C．unpleasant

D．normal

15.

A．personally

B．constantly

C．secretly

D．cautiously

9 . “The mountains are calling and I must go”—the famous quote is from John Muir(1838-1914), who is described as “the wilderness poet” and “the citizen of the universe.” He once jokingly referred to himself as a “poet-geologist-botanist and ornithologist (鸟类学家)-naturalist etc. etc.!” He is known as the Father of American National Parks.

Famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns recently said, “As we got to know him… he was among the highest individuals in America; I’m talking about the level of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Jefferson—people who have had a transformational effect on who we are.”

So where is the quote from? Well, John Muir was a productive writer. Whether he was writing poetry or simply letters to his family, John Muir was always putting pen to paper. The quote is from within one of his many letters written to his sister:

September 3rd, 1873 Yosemite Valley Dear sister Sarah, I have just returned from the longest and hardest trip I have ever made in the mountains, having been gone over five weeks. I am weary, but resting fast; sleepy, but sleeping deep and fast; hungry, but eating much. For two weeks I explored the glaciers of the summits east of here, sleeping among the snowy mountains without blankets and with little to eat on account of its being so inaccessible. After my icy experiences, it seems strange to be down here in so warm and flowery a climate. I will soon be off again, determined to use all the season in carrying through my work—will go next to Kings River a hundred miles south, then to Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains, and in winter work in Oakland with my pen. Though slow, someday I will have the results of my mountain studies in a form in which you all will be able to read and judge them. The mountains are calling and I must go, and I will work on while I can, studying incessantly(永不停息地). I will write again when I return from Kings River Canyon. Farewell, with love everlasting. Yours, John

1. What can we learn from John Muir’s self-description in paragraph 1?

A．He longed to expand his own career.

B．He enjoyed his involvement in nature.

C．He wanted to find his real advantage.

D．He valued his identity as a poet most.

2. What did Ken Burns mainly talk about?

A．Muir’s political influence.	B．A documentary film on Muir.
C．Muir’s historic significance.	D．The social circle around Muir.

3. How did Muir feel when writing the first paragraph of his letter?

A．Relieved but regretful.	B．Exhausted but content.
C．Excited but lonely.	D．Defeated but hopeful.

4. Why must John Muir go into mountains again?

A．To go on with his mountain studies.

B．To seek freedom from social connection.

C．To attend an appointment in Oakland.

D．To experience the hardship of wilderness.

10 . 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。

Shu embroidery (刺绣), also     1     (call) “Chuan embroidery”, is one of the four famous embroidery     2    (style) in China.

It     3     (enjoy) a high reputation as “a treasure of Sichuan” ever since the Han Dynasty. The technique of Shu embroidery reached     4     (it) peak during the Song Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, many embroidery workshops were set up.

After     5     founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Shu embroidery technique was     6     (great) improved and it developed various new kinds. Shu embroidery is famous     7     its superb workmanship, smooth and bright in quality. It has strong expression and artistic effect. The features     8     (say) to be fine and smooth needlework, simple and elegant colors, graceful and easy lines and the traditional Chinese paintings’ style. The needling characteristics lie in the even stitches (针法), bright threads, closeness     9     softness in quality. The embroidery takes locally-produced colorful cloth and threads as the materials.

The unique designs on Shu embroidery include flowers, birds, landscapes, fish, and human figures. Relevant products include curtains, wedding dresses, skirts, bedding and so on. It mainly employs the themes of     10     (happy).