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。

Tang Yan gave up a promising career in 1992 to save an almost lost art—that of “Beijing silk figurine” (北京绢人) . In 1997, she established a studio with five other enthusiasts. Then they spent     1     entire year making several figurines, only to find there was no market for their products.

“A figurine could cost     2     (basic) the annual salary of many people at the time due to precious materials and complicated handicraft techniques. ” Tang said. “Many potential customers were amazed by the beauty of our products, but their price     3     (drive) them away.”

The first failure taught Tang     4       they needed: finding ways to reduce production costs. She made many creative and bold     5     (adaptation) to the traditional figurines, like using machines to paint the clothes. These measures cut the price to less than a tenth of the     6     (origin) one. However,     7     (lend) the dolls a sense of delicacy and craftsmanship, she preserved several handmade processes for hair and makeup.

After decades of whole-hearted devotion     8     the craft, Tang now runs her own Beijing figurine product brand Tang Wawa. “Girls in China need their own dolls. When I was little, dolls     9     (call) yangwawa, meaning Western dolls.” Tang continued. “I wanted to create dolls     10     (bear) a cultural connection to Chinese people, figurines with a rich historical implication. ”

2 . I run a lot of writing workshops in secondary schools and what I often see is this: teenagers in class just look at the blank page and freeze. Even when I assure them they can’t get it wrong in creative writing, they still pause and feel painful, looking to me for clear and definite instructions. This behavior results from their training to mimic (模仿).     1     In time, they are terrified of getting things wrong and risking failure. Creativity is no longer advocated and is even viewed as a soft skill, or even a weakness.

However, creativity is highly valued by employers. According to The Conversation, creativity has been the number-one skill demanded by 20 million job ads on LinkedIn for two years in a row.     2     Due to limited educational resources and assessment pressures, teenagers’ thinking becomes increasingly narrow, leaving them afraid to explore other possibilities.

    3     It’s just an ability to make new connections and follow where they go. Actually, creativity requires qualities available to us all: courage, observation, curiosity, flexibility and perseverance.

So how do we help teenagers be hopeful and brave? Firstly, we need to avoid the idea that their entire futures depend on this very assignment or that decision.     4     There is no right way to live a life. Secondly, let’s encourage inquiry. Children are naturally curious, but this curiosity often fades as they grow older, although it still exists within them. Just because they lack answers doesn’t mean they shouldn’t ask questions; rather, they should ask even more.     5    

Young people need reminding that their stories haven’t been written. They need opportunities to try new things. They need permission to keep asking “what else is possible?” because anything is.

A．But in schools, it is different.

B．Being creative isn’t a magical skill.

C．It allows us to understand their feelings better.

D．They know it is a safe way to get good grades.

E．The main problem is how to keep those creative juices flowing.

F．Life is long enough to try many things, and to change directions.

G．The universe is held together with unanswered questions and endless possibilities.

3 . Five times stronger than steel, spider silk’s unique qualities were recognized by the Ancient Greeks—and more recently, scientists have looked at applications from medicine to engineering. Now, a Japanese startup, Spiber, has begun to change the textile industry with this remarkable material.

The company started by making a substitute in the lab that is similar to spider silk in structure. After studying thousands of different spider species and other silk-producing life forms, Spiber successfully produced an alternative to spider silk. This breakthrough was achieved by fermenting (发酵) a mixture of water, sugar, and nutrients with special microbes to produce protein polymers (聚合物). These polymers are then made into fibers, paving the way for a range of innovative fabrics.

However, shifting from lab to practical application presented challenges. In 2015, Spiber partnered with The North Face Japan to produce a limited-edition run of 50 “Moon Parka” jackets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landings. But during the design process, the team discovered that spider silk became smaller when exposed to water, and had to transform the protein to make the fiber suitable for an outdoor jacket, which took them four years to perfect.

Currently, the company uses sugarcane and corn for its fermentation process—crops that use large volumes of land and change food resources. To reduce its environmental impact, Spiber is developing a process called “biosphere circulation” that will transform deserted clothes made from natural materials like cotton into the sugars needed for fermentation.

With approximately 100 billion yen ($783 million) in funding, Spiber plans to significantly speed up its production of protein polymers by the end of 2025. “Mass production will help bring the price of fibers down and allow Spiber to expand beyond the high-end designer market and thus we have the means to create solutions to enable more circular fashion,” says Higashi, head of business development at Spiber. “It’s our mission to bring those solutions to the world.”

1. What breakthrough did Spiber achieve in the early research?

A．It mixed various protein polymers.	B．It produced a silk making machine.
C．It identified different spider species.	D．It created a replacement for spider silk.

2. What was the challenge in making the “Moon Parka” jackets?

A．High design costs.	B．Spider silk’s sensitivity to water.
C．Limited raw materials.	D．The partner’s unwillingness to help.

3. What can we know about Spiber’s “biosphere circulation” process?

A．It will replace the current fermentation process.

B．It will use recycled materials for needed sugars.

C．It will promote the development of food industry.

D．It will simplify the procedure of clothing production.

4. What is Spiber’s plan?

A．To raise more money for mass production.	B．To increase the output of protein polymers.
C．To work with other high-end fashion brands.	D．To develop a wider range of expensive fibers.

4 . In the early 19th century, New England farmers, tired of wrestling with their poor land, journeyed to the Midwest. In states like Illinois and Iowa, they found rich, black soil. Unfortunately, many soon felt like thirsty sailors in the middle of the ocean—water everywhere but not a drop to drink. They were surrounded by fertile soil, but had to stop every few seconds to remove the sticky dirt off their iron plows (犁) with large wooden paddles. This dilemma caught the attention of John Deere, a blacksmith who moved to Illinois in 1836.

Deere decided to look into the problem. From his previous work on plows, he knew that dirt was less likely to stick to highly polished metal. That thought was in the back of his mind when he visited a sawmill (锯木厂) in 1837 and noticed a broken saw made of steel. Deere brought it home and began making a better plow. The plow he wanted would have to cut deep into the soil at a sharp angle so that dirt would fall off, yet it could not put too much burden on the horses pulling it. After several experiments, Deere constructed a new plow that featured wood handles. It proved a success. Unlike the old iron plows, Deere’s not only had a blade from which dirt fell away cleanly, but it also turned the soil more efficiently and quickly.

Demand for Deere’s plows increased sharply, but production was limited by the shortage of polished steel. Initially, Deere could only produce a few plows each year. However, Deere’s persistence paid off as he sourced cheaper steel from Pittsburgh. Amazingly, in 1857, his company manufactured and sold 10, 000 plows!

Deere, a perfectionist, continually improved his plows, introducing multiple new versions in a single year. While this slowed down his production ability, it ensured Deere a solid reputation among his customers. Deere plows became world famous in the 1870s when they outshone the competition in a demonstration in France. That same decade, his company built its first riding plow and designed the leaping deer as its trademark.

1. What was the main problem the newly settled farmers met?

A．A shortage of fresh water.	B．A lack of rich farming land.
C．The trouble in handling the soil on plows.	D．The difficulty of growing plants in season.

2. Which aspect of the new plow does paragraph 2 focus on?

A．Its unique features.	B．Its operating method.
C．Its invention process.	D．Its working efficiency.

3. The last paragraph is mainly about Deere plows’____.

A．wide recognition	B．marketing strategy
C．technical standards	D．production challenges

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．A Famed Farmer	B．A Successful Company
C．A Sticky Problem	D．A Historical Experiment

5 . Kwane Stewart, a devoted vet (兽医) in San Diego, had reached a point of burnout in his career. The animal ______ where he worked was full of abandoned pets as people ______ to deal with the ongoing economic decline. In those days, animals would be euthanized (安乐死) if they weren’t ______ in seven days. The cruel reality deeply troubled Stewart, even leading him to consider ______ his profession.

One fateful day, outside a convenience store, he ______ a homeless man with a dog suffering from a visible skin issue. The man, ______ for a solution, shared his dog’s suffering. Stewart examined the dog and then ______ some medicine to him. In tears, the man thanked Stewart, saying “Thank you for not ______ me”. The very words served as a wakeup call to Steward and inspired his next ______ .

Stewart began working as a street vet during his free time, determined to ______ on his own. Over a nine-year period, he provided ______ medical care for over 1,000 homeless people and their pets and in 2020, he created a nonprofit organization Project Street Vet.

For Stewart, the most rewarding aspect of his work lies in the one-on-one ______ with the homeless. By ______ helping their cherished companion, Stewart helps ______ their faith in humanity. Their gratitude fuels him to continue his mission, offering ______ to those facing awful circumstances.

1.

A．shop

B．shelter

C．lab

D．farm

2.

A．struggled

B．managed

C．intended

D．hesitated

3.

A．trained

B．examined

C．adopted

D．selected

4.

A．assessing

B．advancing

C．delaying

D．quitting

5.

A．mentioned

B．interviewed

C．recognized

D．encountered

6.

A．regretful

B．desperate

C．grateful

D．responsible

7.

A．delivered

B．sold

C．offered

D．returned

8.

A．ignoring

B．hurting

C．blaming

D．bothering

9.

A．game

B．chapter

C．firm

D．research

10.

A．have a try

B．keep a balance

C．make a difference

D．set an example

11.

A．free

B．safe

C．expensive

D．private

12.

A．decisions

B．connections

C．discussions

D．competitions

13.

A．slightly

B．hardly

C．simply

D．generally

14.

A．celebrate

B．follow

C．test

D．restore

15.

A．hope

B．freedom

C．pride

D．respect

6 . When instant cake mixes first appeared in the 1950s, American housewives were doubtful. These mixes, promising easy cake-baking, felt too easy. The manufacturers discovered that requiring the addition of an egg in the baking process was just enough to make the housewives happy with their work. The greater sense of effort gained from a little extra labor is believed to have been essential to the later success of the cake mix.

This reflects the IKEA effect (宜家效应), which is identified by psychologist Michael I. Norton and his colleagues, suggesting we place greater value on things we have worked to create. They conducted four studies in which they asked participants to fold paper cranes and frogs, assemble IKEA boxes, and build sets of Legos. They then asked the builders to bid (出价) for their creations, and compared the prices with bids from people who hadn’t built them. The builders consistently outbid the non-builders.

Interestingly, the IKEA effect works even when people have no opportunity to fully personalize their creations. While most participants’ folding skills left much to be desired, they loved their imperfectly personalized products all the more. Builders valued their wrinkled crane-like creations nearly five times as much as non-builders. Beauty, it seems, is in the eye of the builder.

Today, as cities are suffering from severe housing crises, the IKEA effect can give us insight into the well-being benefits of a self-building approach to housing development. Projects like WikiHouse and the “half-a-house” approach pioneered by Alejandro Aravena’s architecture company Elemental are working to make housing more affordable and sustainable by making it easier for people to build and personalize their own homes.

“The moment people are involved with their built environment, they have a totally different relationship to it,” WikiHouse co-founder Alastair Parvin explained. “When the roof starts leaking or a door starts creaking, they have the power to fix it themselves.”

1. What brought customers the joy of cake-baking according to paragraph 1?

A．A better taste.	B．An easy approach.
C．A detailed recipe.	D．An additional effort.

2. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 imply?

A．Creations are based on skills.	B．Extra labor increases perceived value.
C．Beauty is found through contrast.	D．Strict management brings good quality.

3. What is Alastair Parvin’s attitude towards public involvement in housing?

A．Critical.

B．Objective.

C．Doubtful.

D．Supportive.

4. What’s the purpose of this text?

A．To promote a brand.	B．To make a proposal.
C．To explain a concept.	D．To introduce a study.

7 . Students to Compete in 34th National Science Bowl

Thousands of students from middle and high schools across the country have committed themselves to extra study hours as they prepare to compete in the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s)34th National Science Bowl(NSB). These students are hard at work now to win their regional competitions, hoping to advance to the final competition.

The first regional event will take place on January 13th with high schools from the D. C. /Maryland area. Teams will face off in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format, and their knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics will be tested. Regionals will continue weekly until mid-March.

The winning team from each qualifying regional competition will be qualified to compete in the National Finals to be held in Washington, D. C. , from April 25-29, 2024, with all expenses paid by DOE. The national event consists of several days of science activities and sightseeing, along with the competitions.

In the National Finals, the top two teams will earn $5, 000 for their schools’ math and science departments. Schools ranking in the top 16 will receive $1, 000 for their science departments. But to many, the ultimate prize is simply the honor of winning the National Championship.

Today, the NSB annually draws more than 10, 000 middle and high school competitors. Since the first competition in 1991, approximately 344, 000 students have faced off in the NSB Finals. The 2024 competitors will follow in the footsteps of previous NSB contestants and will blaze a trail for students in science, math, and engineering. For more information, please visit the Office of Science website.

1. Which word can best describe the regional competitions?

A．Fair.

B．Interesting.

C．Special.

D．Challenging

2. What can we learn about the National Finals?

A．The championship victory is highly valued.

B．The event only involves fierce competitions.

C．Most of the expenses will be covered by DOE.

D．The prize money will be awarded to individuals.

3. What is the text?

A．A news release.	B．A survey report.
C．A learning project.	D．A scientific review.

8 . Getting negative feedback never feels good. In fact, it pretty much always sucks. Even though it feels bad, constructive feedback is meant to help us grow and improve. Here are some strategies that can help you use negative feedback constructively, leading to positive change.

    1     Your instinct may be to get upset or justify yourself instantly, but it’s important to remain as professional as possible in the moment. Even when your criticizer is factually wrong, the response “You’re wrong!” won’t ever be helpful. The key is to listen without planning your reply. Simply nod until the other person has completely finished.

Recognize the good intentions. Remember, the people who will give you tough feedback are the people who really care about your success. People who tell you only what they know you want to hear don’t really care about you.    2    

Don’t let it harm your confidence. Whatever you do, don’t allow negative feedback to destroy your self-esteem.    3     Whatever went wrong won’t define you forever if you apply the feedback constructively and use it to your advantage.

Practice self-affirmation.    4     It can be helpful to remind yourself of other aspects of your identity that are not in question to boost your confidence. For example, you could say: “Yes, my team thinks I’m a micromanager, but I can work on that, I am also a nice partner, committed volunteer and talented singer.’’

Set actionable goals. It can be helpful to break down the feedback into specific, actionable goals.     5     Set time to outline an action plan and timeline for each of these goals. With this, you can keep track of your progress and hold yourself accountable to your goals.

Though negative feedback may be disheartening, take the necessary steps to become an even better version of yourself.

A．Avoid reacting defensively.

B．Don’t take the feedback personally.

C．These can feel easier to work with and give you direction.

D．You don’t have to apply every piece of feedback you receive.

E．Negative feedback can sometimes make you feel like a failure.

F．It’s almost impossible to consistently do everything right all the time.

G．So instead of reacting negatively, thank those caring about you to give you honest feedback.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答小题。
1. Which requirement is first mentioned?

A．The age limit.

B．Police records.

C．References.

2. Who can be a reference for the applicants?

A．Police officers.

B．Their former bosses.

C．Their relatives.

3. What should the reference be about?

A．Work performance.

B．Work habits.

C．Work experience.

4. What will be at the volunteers' own expense?

A．Dinners.

B．Phone calls.

C．Transportation.

10 . South Baltimore is often thought of as a place to avoid—folks are taught to be careful of it. There was a mass shooting this past July, and another in early September.

“People think Curtis Bay is a dangerous place. It’s not. It’s just we’re surrounded by dangerous things,” says Taysia Thompson, 17.

Taysia, is one of the Free Your Voice members, a group of student activists fighting against a very different kind of danger in their neighborhood: air pollution and climate change. Now, the focus of their movement is the mountains of coal. Coal releases a fine, black dust small enough to get into people’s lungs. It makes respiratory (呼吸的) diseases worse, or can even cause disease and premature death. And there are the greenhouse gas emissions after the coal is burned.

The teens of Free Your Voice are taking on a big opponent: the massive goods transportation company CSX, which transported more than 8 million tons of coal through South Baltimore in 2021. The goal is to eventually get the state regulators to deny the permit that CSX needs to operate, or at least require the company to enclose all the coal, or at the very least put water onto all of it so there’s less dust blowing around.

This past summer, Taysia and three other students spent their time gathering evidence to try and get the coal pollution out of their neighborhood. They used sticky paper to gather samples of dust from all over the neighborhood to prove that the dust is from coal. They are also sending dust samples to a scientist in California, who uses an electron microscope to compare the dust that’s in this neighborhood to samples from the piles of coal at the terminal in South Baltimore to see if it matches.

The students now have support from their community. But the responses from officials have not been very satisfying. “Everyone is just breathing the air. And we will keep fighting.” says Taysia.

1. Why do the teens of Free Your Voice take CSX as an opponent?

A．To cure lung diseases.	B．To tackle air pollution.
C．To resist mass shootings.	D．To cut premature death rate.

2. What do the teens of Free Your Voice hope to achieve?

A．Scientists will examine the dust samples.

B．Officials will refuse CSX the operation permit.

C．State regulators will keep fighting against pollution.

D．Locals in Curtis Bay will clear the mountains of coal away.

3. What can be inferred about the teens’ fight?

A．It isn’t all plain sailing.	B．It will definitely end in victory.
C．The teens lack solid evidence.	D．The teens work on it all by themselves.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Tourists Avoiding Dangerous South Baltimore

B．Teens Gaining Support in Environmental Protection

C．Student Activists Pushing back against Big Polluter

D．17-year-old Girl Combating Coal Pollution in Neighborhood