1 . Have you ever been annoyed at younger siblings (兄弟姐妹) for stealing your toys?     1    It is true they sometimes bring troubles and problems. But latest studies have found that brothers and sisters can actually boost your physical and mental health, even as an adult.

    2       According to a study from Brigham Young University in the US, having a meaningful and close relationship with siblings can lead to greater life satisfaction and mental well-being. Brothers and sisters can help prevent their teenage siblings from feeling guilty, unloved and lonely. Having brothers and sisters makes you more kind-hearted,     3     Could it be that having a same-generation relative looking out for you motivates you to think about others? If a sibling is warm and kind, the other sibling is likely to display the same qualities.

Siblings help you have a healthier lifestyle. A survey of more than 15,000 people found that 43 percent of people credited their family members for having the biggest positive impact on their physical condition.     4     Spending a lot of time together, they increase the possibility of taking regular exercise and sticking to your diet.

They can help you live longer, In a study from the American Sociological Association, older adults, who described themselves as being “extremely close” to the family members, had a six percent chance of dying over the next five years, compared to a 14 percent risk for the people who didn’t.

Having good friends can bring many of the same benefits. We don’t all have brothers and sisters, or you might not have much contact with them. Don’t panic.     5     It can also boost your health, well-being and long life.

A．Brothers and sisters protect you from depression.

B．Have you ever cooperated with your brothers or sisters?

C．Or did you fight like cat and dog when you were younger?

D．Siblings can make you twice as likely to do good deeds.

E．Develop stable and close relationships with people around you.

F．Siblings are easily available fitness and healthy-eating partners.

G．They made you better at dealing with the tricky situations in daily life.

2 . When John asked his daughters which sculptures they like best, they shouted excitedly, “The Story birds!”. These birds are the _______ of Robin and John. Robin explains, “Made from plain clay (黏土), the colorful ceramic birds stand on metal legs. There is a little _______ in it. Together, we make something better.”

At John’s house, art is a family _______. Robin brings style to their ceramics. John crafts the metal elements of the sculptures, Their daughters, Ruby, Eliza and Carmella, help too. “The girls _______ into bodies,” says John, “Everyone contributes to the works, so every sculpture is a symbol of our _______ effort.”

There are lots of _______ to turn a clay into a bird. First, John breaks the clay and _______ it until about one-quarter inch thick. He covers it so that it won’t dry out and _______. Then, Robin _______. She thins the clay here and there, pushing in and out to make the bird’s body. John adds fresh clay on the drier clay and Robin ________ the body with bright colors. Then it is Ruby’s turn. She sculpts it. Eventually, the bird will go into an oven for firing-baking and ________. Robin programs the oven so that the temperature ________ bit by bit. Total oven time can be 20 hours. “That may be a long time.but the ________ you heat the clay, the more likely it is to crack.” Robin says.

Soon, the bird stands ________ on its feet, John shows it to his families. “I did the carving!” Ruby says excitedly. The girls gather for a closer look. The________expressions on their faces tell a story — they love making art together.

1.

A．memories

B．creations

C．copies

D．reforms

2.

A．magic

B．challenge

C．reward

D．effort

3.

A．regulation

B．guidance

C．affair

D．decision

4.

A．look

B．move

C．come

D．carve

5.

A．joint

B．real

C．final

D．serious

6.

A．highlights

B．steps

C．ideas

D．benefits

7.

A．rolls

B．fires

C．paints

D．brushes

8.

A．disappear

B．enlarge

C．crack

D．explode

9.

A．takes over

B．runs out

C．tests out

D．turns over

10.

A．washes

B．decorates

C．refreshes

D．strengthens

11.

A．resting

B．cycling

C．striking

D．hardening

12.

A．drops

B．changes

C．stabilizes

D．rises

13.

A．hotter

B．tougher

C．faster

D．deeper

14.

A．quietly

B．closely

C．temporarily

D．firmly

15.

A．sensitive

B．innocent

C．enthusiastic

D．gentle

3 . During the Gold Rush, merchants needed a faster way to ship their goods to the West, turning every voyage into a race. The current record holder was the Surprise, which had made the New York to San Francisco trip in ninety-six days. Ellen planned to break that record with her ship, the Flying Cloud.

To achieve the goal, Ellen learned to use navigation (航海) instruments and do the complicated math calculations from her captain father. She also studied positioning charts made by Lieutenant Marthew, Ellen’s race against time began on June 2, 1851. It was her responsibility to keep track of the ship’s progress and current position and to plan the best course for it to follow. She chose a course different from the ones ships normally used and the Flying Cloud passed the equator two days less than ever before.

Heading south, when Ellen and the Flying Cloud was about to reach the Cape Horn, powerful wind slammed into the ship, tipping it sideways. Thirty-foot waves crashed over the deck. Ellen knew that the fastest way to get there was through the Strait of Le Maire. But it was risky. The narrow strip of water was only fourteen miles wide with rocky coasts on both sides. It would not be a problem on a clear day. But Flying Cloud was hit with their worst storm yet. Between the blinding snow and the lack of daylight, visibility was cut to almost nothing. Ellen used dead reckoning to plot a course she hoped would take the Flying Cloud toward the entrance to the strait.Finally, when the skies cleared, Ellen was relieved to see that she were right and everyone were safe on board. On July 22, lucky winds pushed the ship through the strait.Finally, at eleven-thirty the morning of August 3l, 185l, Flying Cloud had completed its voyage in eighty-nine days and twenty-one hours, beating Surprise’s record by an entire week.Crowds gathered on the beach to watch Flying Cloud’s arrival. News of the broken record spread quickly, making Ellen an instant celebrity. Her achievements were recognized in newspapers across the country, The success of her voyage required a combination of skill, experience and courage. Luckily, Ellen had them all.

1. What was Ellen’s main job on the Flying Cloud?

A．Doing math calculation and making charts.

B．Analyzing the data and predicting the weather.

C．Locating the ship’s position and deciding the course.

D．Following the captain’s instructions and drawing maps.

2. Which of the following words can best describe Ellen?

A．Intelligent and generous.	B．Brave and straightforward.
C．Adventurous and sensitive.	D．Ambitious and committed.

3. Which rhetorical device is used in the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A．Personification.

B．Simile.

C．Metaphor.

D．Repetition.

4. What was the biggest challenge when Ellen crossed the Strait of Le Maire?

A．The powerful waves.	B．The rocky coasts.
C．The narrow strip of water.	D．The low visibility

4 . 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。

Palace Museum at 600: Old Palace, New Vitality

An exhibition titled “Everlasting Splendor: Six Centuries at the Forbidden City“ was held at the Palace Museum in Beijing to celebrate its 600th birthday. With more than 450 cultural relics and historical photos     1     show, the exhibition brings history to life     2     allows visitors to better appreciate the cultural charm of the palace.

The Forbidden City was completed in 1420 and     3     total of 24 emperors lived and worked there. In many people’s eyes, its beauty lies in the palace complex, being an    4     (extreme) precious and splendid artwork. With more than 70 palaces of various sizes and over 9,000 rooms, it is one of the     5    (large) and most complete existing wooden structures in the world. It is also mysterious, because ancient Chinese philosophies were integrated into its design and     6     (construct). However, the sense of mystery     7     (fade) gradually since it was transformed into the Palace Museum in 1925.

The Palace Museum is now a world-famous museum     8     more than 1.8 million artifacts are collected. Recently, it has become a real “online celebrity” on the Internet. Creative products     9    (inspire) by aspects of the museum, such as make-ups and folding fans, have gone on sale viae-commerce platforms.

    10     (witness) China’s history, it has to some extent shaped the mental world of the Chinese people. But nowadays it has become a brand-new cultural symbol.

5 . ChatGPT has been banned by schools in New York and Los Angeles, out of concern that students may use it to cheat on assignments. Despite these concerns, educators needn’t fear Al technology will transform education. Instead, it will help students take ownership of their studies and learn real-life skills. Today’s students need instruction that equips them with the skills of reasoning, analysis and argumentation rather than memorizing basic information. And Al may be a useful tool that promotes these skills.

Our experience with Al is perhaps best understood when compared with previous disturbances in education. When printed books, for example, began to occur in the mid-1400s, university professors were filled with panic. At that time, lectures depended on a specific model: Professors read from their hand-written texts, while students hurriedly copied whatever they heard. If students could simply buy the books, teachers likely thought that they wouldn’t need to come to class. Yet in practice, printing had the opposite effect: The number of universities exploded along with the total number of books. The new technology disturbed the mechanical aspect of education, but in doing so it allowed educators to refocus on higher-level skills.

Similarly, ChatGPT will replace the mechanical production of text, but it won’t decrease the need for higher-level skills. Possessing the skills to ask the right questions or state the right opinions will become crucial as the production of a logical essay becomes a simple task for a machine. Al will serve as a tool for information gathering and mechanical organization, but it won’t remove the fundamental need for critical thinking.Schools must remember that education’s value isn’t a head full of facts but a person with the skill to use these facts with the available tools to enhance their impact on the world. Al is one of these tools and, when used strategically, can improve students’ learning and performance in ways not yet seen. Therefore, it is essential for schools to provide an education that trains students in how to use the available tools for information. Unless they adapt quickly to the changing trends of education, they will be left behind by rapid innovation and change.

1. What is the educators’ major concern about Al technology?

A．The possible changes in education.

B．Students’ grades of the assignments.

C．Students’ fear of technological reform.

D．The lack of instructions and equipment.

2. Why does the author mention the invention of printing technology?

A．To justify the concern of the professors.

B．To show the similar value of Al technology.

C．To clarify previous disturbances in education.

D．To highlight the influence of printing technology.

3. What is the author’s attitude toward the use of Al technology?

A．Doubtful.

B．Concerned.

C．Critical.

D．Supportive.

4. What does the author recommend schools to do in the last paragraph?

A．Replace the mechanical production of text.

B．Design their courses based on Al technology.

C．Catch up with the quick evolution of education.

D．Provide a course focusing on information gathering.

6 . Twelve grams of moon arrived at Ferl’s laboratory in an undecorated delivery box. Ferl, a gardening expert at the University of Florida, had waited more than a decade for that moment. The small box of dirt held some of the last remaining unopened samples of moon dust, called regolith, collected by astronauts on the lunar missions. Despite months of practice, he lifted the sample with trembling hands. “It’s freaky, scary stuff,” he says, “mean, what happens if you drop that?” Ferland his team were about to become the first researchers to grow plants in actual lunar soil.

The experiment was part of a lunar research which aims to send humans back to the moon later this decade in a more sustainable way. Longer duration stays require astronauts to have a source of food. “All of human exploration has been driven by the ability to keep crews fed,” says Gil, a researcher not involved in the study. And Ferl’s experiment offers a significant first step in this journey.

To test the moon soil, Ferl’s team divided the samples into 12 pots of 900 milligrams a piece and planted seeds in them. The seeds developed successfully, but the plants had trouble growing healthy roots. The moon soil lacks important microbes, which play a significant role in regulating plant growth hormones (激素), reducing environmental stress, and absorbing essential nutrients. Without natural microbes, the plants struggled to absorb nutrients and manage stress. Additionally, the lack of water can cause the soil to become difficult to work with.

The seedlings failed to grow strongly in regolith alone, but Ferl hopes to continue studying how life might take hold in otherwise low-yield soil, with an eye toward both boosting humanity’s prospects off the planet and improving agriculture in low-yield soils here at home. “Most of us are not going to go to space,” he says, “But if we can engineer a way to produce these kinds of crops in such an unforgiving environment — like the lunar surface — we can apply that to meet our food challenges in areas that just can’t grow food anymore.”

1. How did Ferl feel when receiving the box?

A．moved and surprised.	B．scared but curious.
C．worried but relieved.	D．cautious and nervous.

2. Why did Ferl carry out the experiment?

A．To feed the crew of his research team.

B．To ensure food supply for space exploration.

C．To provide sustainable energy for lunar missions.

D．To send the astronauts back to the moon in a shorter time.

3. What can be done to improve lunar crops production?

A．Adding microbes and watering it properly.

B．Dividing regolith equally and managing stress.

C．Growing healthy roots and making regolith dry.

D．Choosing suitable seeds and regulating hormones.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The original goal of the study.	B．The limitation of space farming
C．The application of the experiment result.	D．The factors causing the experiment failure.

7 . Having a quality first aid kit allows you to treat minor injuries, prevent infections, and even increase the chances of keeping an accident victim alive until proper medical help arrives. We tested dozens of the top-rated first aid kits in lab. Based on our testing, here are the best ones available online.

Adventure Medical Kit
Recommended uses: Picnics
Item Feature:

Kit measures approximately 6x8.5x3 inches. It provides critical information on wound care,stabilizing sprains, and medications for children. It contains a wide range of medications to treat pain, and common allergies (过敏), packed in nylon outer bag with a waterproof inner plastic storage bags.

Protect Life Kit
Recommended uses: Traveling
Item Feature:

Designed by doctors and EM’Ts & CPR instructors, the first aid medical kit is packed full of first aid supplies. It is packed in a hardshell case with lightweight. The bag can be refilled, so it is an ideal mini first aid kit for businesses.

Disaster Zone Kit
Recommended uses: Emergencies
Item Feature:

The pack is designed for first responders in disaster zones, with all emergency necessities.Whatever adventures you engage in, take our tactical first aid kit. Should you have any issues without first aid kit, contact us immediately and our medical team will be in touch.

Outdoor Emergency Kit
Recommended uses: Emergencies
Item Feature:

Designed by survivalists, it contains essential first aid supplies and survival tools required for emergencies. Weighing only 2 pounds, the waterproof kit is a must-have for your adventures. It is stuffed with blanket, flashlight, multi-function bracelet (compass, whistle), knife, two 12-hour glow sticks and emergency raincoats.

1. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To introduce the best first aid kits.	B．To ask the readers to buy first aid kits.
C．To advocate the importance of first aid.	D．To inform the readers of online first aid.

2. Which kit promises medical team support?

A．Adventure Medical Kit.	B．Protect Life Kit.
C．Disaster Zone Kit.	D．Outdoor Emergency Kit.

3. What do Adventure Medical Kit and Outdoor Emergency Kit have in common?

A．They are light-weighted.

B．They are water-resistant.

C．They are intended for children.

D．They are designed by rescuers.

8 . More than 200 people were killed and 900 others injured in a major accident Friday evening involving three trains in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, officials said on Saturday.

At least 233 people ____ and about 900 were injured in the ____, and the number of death is ____ to increase further.

According to officials, the Coromandel Express, which runs from Kolkata to Chennai, hit the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express, which derailed (脱轨). A cargo train was also said to be ____ in the accident.

Officials said the ____ of the collision was so ____ that carriages of the two trains climbed atop each other, ____ deaths and injuries to passengers. A large number of passengers were ____ inside the derailed coaches.

____ after the accident, rescue teams, health officials, police, and fire services rushed to the ____. A large crowd of locals ____ reached the spot to help the injured.

All the health facilities nearby were ____ alert. Meanwhile, the injured were ____ to the hospital throughout the night.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ____ grief over the ____ of lives in the accident and condolences (吊唁) are pouring in from various quarters.

1.

A．recovered

B．died

C．attended

D．failed

2.

A．content

B．course

C．accident

D．position

3.

A．pleasant

B．proud

C．likely

D．similar

4.

A．involved

B．visited

C．interested

D．required

5.

A．solution

B．impact

C．expression

D．struggle

6.

A．lucky

B．large

C．words

D．severe

7.

A．cloning

B．saving

C．raising

D．causing

8.

A．belief

B．trapped

C．luck

D．concern

9.

A．Undoubtedly

B．Gradually

C．Immediately

D．Secretly

10.

A．spot

B．location

C．station

D．hospital

11.

A．besides

B．also

C．however

D．therefore

12.

A．put on

B．put up

C．put out

D．put off

13.

A．admitted

B．addicted

C．devoted

D．applied

14.

A．reward

B．persuade

C．expressed

D．inspire

15.

A．motto

B．remark

C．lesson

D．loss

9 . Ask most people which day of the week they fear the most and the answer is likely to be Monday. The first day of the working week can make us experience a sense of tiredness or fatigue.     1              

    2     It’s the time of year when we’re supposedly feeling at our lowest and most “blue”. We’re thought to be more likely to feel down because the weather’s cold and we’re back at work. We’ve got to make up all the money we spent at Christmas and we’re feeling guilty for already breaking our New Year’s resolutions.

Some consider the term, pseudo-science, saying that there is no such thing as a 24-hour depression.     3     The decreasing motivation to work, the lack of interest in everything and the regret for what is not finished can be clearly felt on the first day of the week.     4     Someone who misses the deadline and cannot meet the standard at work affects the overall efficiency and teamwork within a project.

Fortunately, we don’t have to suffer that on Monday, not if we remember: we all have our good days and our bad days, and those aren’t for the calendar (日历) to decide.     5     Rather than automatically thinking we feel blue on Blue Monday, reflect on the well being of our mind, practice self-care and seek support when needed. In this way, we can weather the Monday blues and any other challenges that come our way.

A．The most depressing day of the year is the third Monday in January.

B．Actually it’s common to feel a bit depressed for several times in a year.

C．But most people know that the Monday blues can be very real.

D．That’s why the feeling is described as the Monday blues.

E．The term is not even scientifically true, with basically no evidence.

F．These can have a negative impact on our performance, productivity and the people around.

G．In fact, it’s actually a good opportunity to check in on our mental health.

10 . Chinese Teapot Escaping from British Museum Goes Viral

   

Chinese state media has praised a viral video series, Escape from the British Museum, which tells the story of a jade teapot coming to life and escaping from the British Museum to make its way back home.

In the video series released online on Sept 5^th, a female vlogger plays the role of an ancient Chinese jade teapot, while her male partner acts as a journalist who helps it return to China.

The plot line taps into growing criticism of the British Museum after reports last month that more than 1,500 priceless objects, including gold jewelry, gems and glass items, were missing, stolen or damaged, which made headlines around the world. Also, the jade teapot’s reaction reflected the “casual attitude of the British Museum toward Chinese cultural relics, as many of them are crammed into just one cabinet for exhibition”. Problems in the management and security of cultural objects in the British Museum exposed have led to the doubts about a long-standing and widely-spread claim that foreign cultural objects are better protected in the British Museum.

The video series stirred up the emotions of Chinese people after first being released by independent vloggers on Douyin by showing how the teapot experienced the happiness of returning to China to see pandas and watch a flag-raising ceremony on Tiananmen Square. Many netizens expressed their eagerness for cultural artifacts overseas to return home with dignity and honor.

In August the state media Global Times also called for the return of Chinese artifacts from the museum “free of charge” in the wake of the controversy. It strongly supported the video series for touching on a “powerful message” about the importance of cultural heritage and reflecting “Chinese people’s strong and emotional desire for the repatriation of the Chinese cultural relics”.

State broadcaster CCTV gave the short films a glowing review saying “We are very pleased to see Chinese young people are passionate about history and tradition. We are also looking forward to the early return of Chinese artifacts that have been displaced overseas.”

1. What is the writing purpose of paragraph 3?

A．To discuss the problem in management.	B．To introduce the content of the video series.
C．To express criticism to the British Museum.	D．To provide background of the video series.

2. What does the underlined word “repatriation” (Para. 5) probably mean?

A．Return.

B．Reserve

C．Repair

D．Reflection.

3. What can we learn about the video series from the text?

A．Chinese netizens expressed anger towards it.	B．The Chinese media showed appreciation for it.
C．The British Museum took it quite seriously.	D．The viewers were eager to learn history from it.

4. Where may the text be taken from?

A．A guidebook.	B．A story book.
C．A news report.	D．A book review.