1 . I love watching football games and couldn’t help but notice how many footballers chew gum while playing! I always thought of it as a choking danger, so why would they risk it?

When we chew something, the receptors in our mouth that sense taste and pressure from the jaw movements start firing and sending electrical signals to the brain. These electrical nervous system signals move to the brain, which works to understand these signals. This added brain activity places the mind in a more attentive state, which is why focus and concentration are improved.

Additionally, chewing gum has been reported to decrease stress and anxiety levels. The brain activity stimulated (刺激) by chewing gum occurs mainly in the prefrontal cortex, the front part of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation. When chewing gum, the prefrontal cortex is activated, leading to the release of a “feel-good” neurotransmitter called dopamine (多巴胺). Dopamine is known to promote a sense of pleasure and reward, helping to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety.

So does this mean that the harder you chew, the better the focus levels? Yes…to an extent. Chewing harder gum does boost attention more than softer gum. Similarly, chewing flavored gum is better for cognitive (认知) functioning, as it activates more receptors in the mouth than chewing flavorless gum.

With lower stress levels and better focus, athletes have better decision-making abilities in the middle of the game. It also helps them keep their anxiety levels in check during big games. Chewing gum does give your body a little boost, lifting up your spirits. That explains why athletes prefer chewing gum while playing a sport. But for the sake of safety, you’d better chew just one piece to reduce the choking risk.

1. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 1 probably refer to?

A．Chewing gum during games.

B．Suffering from sports injuries.

C．Swallowing gum for pleasure.

D．Choking while watching games.

2. How can chewing help improve focus?

A．By affecting digestive system.

B．By releasing high pressure.

C．By adding muscle strength.

D．By stimulating the brain.

3. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．Gum proves a healthy snack for athletes.

B．Chewing gum benefits mental health.

C．Dopamine contributes to better focus.

D．Brain activity helps relieve anxiety.

4. What is the author’s attitude to chewing gum?

A．Hopeful.

B．Supportive.

C．Doubtful.

D．Uncaring.

2 . Barbara Spiecke, now a research scientist at the University of New Hampshire, is deaf. As an undergraduate, she was surrounded by a mix of deaf and hearing colleagues. Luckily, she could use American Sign Language (ASL) - English interpreters provided by the university. It was a crucial support, but not without its challenges. ASL signs for complicated scientific topics don’t exist or haven’t yet been widely adopted. So, during her presentation, a large part of her focus was devoted to signing in a way that was most likely to avoid translation errors. The result was an accurate but awkward presentation.

Spiecker hopes other deaf scientists won’t have to go through the same thing. So, she co-founded an organization, Atomic Hands, in 2018 to light “wonder and curiosity” in STEM. She had a goal: to create videos teaching scientific concepts using both ASL signs and English closed captioning (字幕). Along the way, Atomic Hands and other organizations have boosted the visibility (可见度) of STEM-related signs, promoting community involvement to improve, and standardize them.

Since the foundation of Atomic Hands, a newer set of ASL signs for states of matter that visually explain the connections between them has gained broader acceptance. Atomic Hands did not create the signs—they came from the community—but the organization is sharing them via its online videos.

Spiecker encourages other scientists to experiment with new signs and to offer feedback, good and bad. “When I teach, I constantly remind them that the new signs I show them are not concrete,” Spiecker says. “If they don’t like it, let me know, and I’ll use a different sign.”

Spiecker’s goals also go beyond ASL. At last year’s Ecological Society of America conference, she presented a lecture on opportunities to diversify science communication, such as improving virtual access to conferences or creating audiobooks alongside printed products. Too often, she said, organizers only offer accommodations when it benefits the majority.

1. What troubled Spiecke as an undergraduate?

A．How to communicate with her deaf colleagues.

B．How to find a good ASL-English interpreter.

C．How to understand those complicated topics.

D．How to make her presentations get across.

2. What did Spiecke intend to do with Atomic Hands?

A．Create accessible STEM content.

B．Promote the quality of education.

C．Involve people in scientific research.

D．Invent a sign language for STEM study.

3. What can be learned from Spiecker’s words?

A．She is open to advice on the signs.

B．She loves teaching the deaf STEM.

C．She is doubtful about her present work.

D．She plans to adopt a new sign language.

4. Which of the following can best describe Spiecker?

A．Caring and creative.	B．Humorous and ambitious.
C．Generous and smart.	D．Determined and proud.

3 . Right now you probably spend most of your time in school. Do you wonder what you are going to do after high school? Will you continue to go to school? Will you learn a trade? Perhaps it is time to think about your choices and to prepare for them. Some day work will be a big part of your life.

What kind of job would be right for you? Think about your interests and your skills. You may like to listen to music, dance, play basketball, or work with computers. You may know how to drive a car or how to get along with people. Knowing both your interests and skills will help make a better plan for your career.

To get an idea of what work you would like to do, make a list of your interests and a list of your skills. Think about what you have done to be successful in your interests. After that, brainstorm a list of career choices that might match your interests and skills. You can later keep your lists with the projects and documents (文件) that can help you achieve the career you want.

They can help you know more clearly about your achievements in school and in the world of work. Roberta Zhan, an art designer, finds her work satisfying because it allows her to use her interests and skills. She enjoyed imagining something in her minds eye while she was in school. She took art, design, and computer lessons, and also learned about taking photos on her own.

Here is what she says about the meaning of work: “If you have a job you like, work means much more than just making money. It means using your talents, making a contribution (贡献), and getting a real sense of satisfaction from doing a job.”

1. The passage is most probably written to________.

A．students

B．teachers

C．parents

D．designers

2. At the beginning, the writer introduces the topic of the passage by________.

A．listing facts	B．giving examples
C．asking questions	D．explaining differences

3. Roberta Zhan might be most interested in when she was at school________.

A．singing songs	B．creating pictures
C．playing basketball	D．playing computer games

4. The passage is mainly about________.

A．the real meaning of work	B．the importance of interests and skills
C．the journey of Roberta’s life	D．the way of preparing for the future

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What kind of transportation do local people prefer to use in Nairobi?

A．Buses.

B．Taxis.

C．Minivans.

2. What is advised to bring in national parks?

A．Plastic straws.

B．Plastic carrier bags.

C．Reusable water bottles.

3. What do we know about Kenyans?

A．They don’t like being photographed without permission.

B．They love to participate in public activities.

C．They are hard to get along with.

4. What is the talk mainly about?

A．Tips for traveling to Kenya.

B．An adventurous experience.

C．A tour arrangement.

5 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man doing?

A．Writing a report.

B．Doing the dishes.

C．Dusting the furniture.

2. Who will be in charge of cleaning the floor?

A．The speakers’ daughter.

B．The woman.

C．The man.

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

A．Return a book.

B．Buy a bottle of wine.

C．Pick up the guests.

6 . 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。

The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is an     1    (energy) and colorful celebration of life and death and an important part of Mexican culture.

The holiday’s roots go back thousands of years to the indigenous people, who believed death is a natural part of the cycle of life. They celebrated the occasion for a month with burial ceremonies and shrines. When the Spanish     2    (conquer) the regions in the 16th century, they introduced All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day to honor     3     dead. Over time, the two cultures mixed,     4    (give) rise to the Day of the Dead as it is known today.

The most familiar     5    (symbol) of the holiday are the skeletons and skulls. They appear on everything. The     6    (bright) colored smiling skulls serve as a reminder that the holiday is a celebration of the lives of those who are no longer with us. It is a joyful, not a sad event.

The festivities begin at midnight on November 1^st. It is believed that this is     7     the border between the living world and the spirit world disappears. This allows late loved ones     8    (cross) over and join their families.

Families visit the graves of their ancestors, cleaning and decorating them     9     flowers and candles. The celebrations also include parades, music, dancing,     10     feasting.

7 . ______(困住) aboard due to the volcanic ash cloud, thousands of holiday-makers couldn’t make it home in April. (根据汉语提示单词拼写)

8 . Cannes, a coastal city in France, is famous for hosting the Cannes Film Festival every year. It’s also a beautiful place to visit any time of the year. Here are 4 things to do in Cannes.

Stroll (漫步) along the famous La Croisette

Enjoy a stroll down La Croisette — a famous 2-mile waterfront road. It’s the place where the Cannes Film Festival takes place. Take a seat for people-watching or enjoy the beautiful scenery. Discover recreational (娱乐的) places for kids or go to summer music concerts at a low price.

Explore the historic Le Suquet

Lose yourself in the attractive streets of Le Suquet, the historic old town of Cannes. An impressive 5th century theater will take your breath away. Visit the World Explorations Museum, and enjoy wonderful views from the tower. Walk through narrow streets and discover cafes and wine bars.

Take a tour of Cannes with a screenwriter

You can set foot on a small-group tour, led by a screenwriter and historical researcher. Get fully immersed (沉浸) in the city’s rich film history, and see how it transforms itself into an international film center. Remember to book your tour on the Internet in advance.

Leave for Sainte-Marguerite

Take a ship to Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lerins Islands just off the coast of Cannes. Enjoy walks on coastal paths, or relax on the beaches, which are perfect for swimming and picnics. Enjoy local seafood, or go deep into the island’s past with a visit to the 7th century Fort Royal.

1. What can we know about La Croisette?

A．It holds free summer concerts.

B．It offers play areas for children.

C．It becomes well known for top-class service.

D．It allows visitors to take photos with film stars.

2. Which tour can help tourists understand the film development in Cannes?

A．Stroll along the famous La Croisette.	B．Explore the historic Le Suquet.
C．Take a tour of Cannes with a screenwriter.	D．Leave for Sainte-Marguerite.

3. How can tourists reach Sainte-Marguerite?

A．By water.

B．By car.

C．On foot.

D．By air.

9 . Teachers work hard to care equally about each of the students they teach. For most of us, however, some students stand out because they have greatly influenced our lives. Years ago, I had a young boy named Juan in my first-year class who I will never forget. Our experiences together impressed upon me the huge influence that just a few minutes of kindness can have on a young life.

Juan came from a very poor, single parent home. His mother showed little interest in his education and in his life in general. Throughout the year, I noticed that Juan had an unusual ability to solve questions and he picked up new ideas fast. I was surprised when he approached me to tell me that he did not think he was smart enough to attend college.

I explained to Juan that he was one of my best students. His face lit up with excitement, and he looked at me delightedly. I went on to explain to him that he could apply for scholarships (奖学金) to pay for college. I continued by telling Juan that it would be a waste of talent if he did not go to college. Juan looked as though he would need to re-think his whole life. It was not surprising that he was finally awarded enough scholarship that he was able to attend the local university.

My love for my students and for the subject I teach has continued to grow over the years. I consider myself lucky to be a teacher, and to have been a part of so many young lives, hopes, and dreams! I may not drive the nicest car on the block, but I am very rich in the things that count the most.

1. Why do some students stand out according to the author?

A．They gain high scores.

B．They are from poor families.

C．They make a difference in teachers’ lives.

D．They work hard to get the attention of the teachers.

2. What can we know from Juan?

A．He does very well in studies.	B．He had a quarrel with his mother.
C．He was abused (虐待) by his mother as a child.	D．He is not smart enough to catch up with others.

3. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．My encouragement for Juan.	B．Juan’s response to my words.
C．The relationship between Juan and me.	D．Juan’s puzzlement of life and stress from studies.

4. What is the author’s opinion of teaching?

A．It is well-paid.	B．It is energy-consuming.
C．It saves many young lives.	D．It enriches the spiritual life.

10 . 根据下列句子语境从所给的词块中选择合适的词块填空，所给词块中有两个多余。

A. picked out       B. is regarded as     C. due to     D. come across     E. fight for F. refer to            G. take charge of

1. When reading articles related to science, we often _______ a difficult or unfamiliar words.
2. Even to this day, Lincoln _______ one of the most inspiring figures in the world.
3. While giving the English speech, one is not allowed to _______ the notes.
4. To become a successful person, we must be able to _______ ourselves.
5. His story was _______ as the best by the judges.