The instant my family boarded the plane, I felt like every head turned to us, looking at us with a fake politeness. I knew what they were thinking: “Oh! No. Please, don’t sit in the aisle next to me.” In my head I could even hear the flight attendant saying, “You can feel free to store your... child in the overhead compartment (隔层).”
We found our seats. My son sat by the window, my wife in the center, and I took the seat on the aisle. I saw a “cool guy” get onto the plane, a man about my age. He was wearing a concert T-shirt, ripped jeans, and I could hear that he’s listening to rock music on his iPhone. This guy represented who I was as a traveler before I had a child. He took the aisle seat directly across from me. We took off.
Planes are not designed with children in mind. There is no ball hole, no playground. To keep my child occupied, my wife and I took turns walking him from the pilot’s cabin to the tail. Suddenly, we hit turbulence (强气流) and needed to take our seats. The plane was shaking. My son’s ears began hurting from the drop in cabin pressure, and he had a meltdown. This is a child who has difficulty with crowded social situations and excessive stimulation. My wife and I could do nothing but held him to live through this moment.
I looked over at Cool Guy, and he was staring at me, trying to pour Coke. I wanted to say, “Look, Cool Guy, I am sorry if we are ruining your time on United Airlines, but we have a crisis here, and if anyone on this plane needs to drink, it’s me!”
Finally, my son fell asleep from exhaustion. And that wave of exhaustion flowed over my family. I just sat there, listening to the slight sound of the engine and hoping we would start our landing in Chicago soon.
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。
Paragraph 1:
Then, I felt that somebody patted my shoulder.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
My son’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly grabbed the toy, delighted.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2 . At 102 years old, Jack Hemmings, a former Royal Air Forces pilot, is believed to be the oldest pilot to fly a Spitfire, a World War II plane. His 20-minute flight, from an airfield in southern England, was to raise money for a charity he co-founded nearly 80 years ago.
The flight on Monday was the first time he flew a Spitfire. Speaking at the Biggin Hill airfield before his flight, Mr Hemmings said when offered a flight he seized it with both hands and could hardly wait to try it.
Following the flight, Jack Hemmings remarked that it was absolutely delightful being back behind the controls, though the ride was very shaky. “To be honest, I felt a bit out of practice. Not surprising I am not as sharp as before.” he said.
Hemmings was raising funds for Mission Aviation Fellowship, a humanitarian air service he helped launch after WWII alongside D-Day veteran (老兵) Stuart King. The organization has since grown into a Christian organization that uses planes to deliver relief, medicine and emergency supplies to countries in need. The flight marked 80 years since the D-Day landings and honored King, who died in 2020.
Hemmings previously performed aerobatic (特技飞行) on his 100th birthday and raised more than $50,000 for the charity.
Barry Hughes, a pilot who accompanied Hemmings in the aircraft, said the veteran had a natural touch. “He didn’t need any instruction really. He just took control, flew us around, and made some turnings and basic actions,” Hughes said. “I think he really enjoyed every single moment of the flight.”
1. What did Jack Hemmings accomplish at the age of 102?| A．He set a new record for the longest flight in a Spitfire. |
| B．He became the oldest person to pilot a World War II aircraft. |
| C．He completed a successful solo flight across southern England. |
| D．He raised a large amount of money for charity through his flight. |
| A．Delivering humanitarian aid to countries in need. |
| B．Offering military service and support in war zones. |
| C．Providing aviation assistance for scientific investigations. |
| D．Facilitating international travel for humanitarian workers. |
| A．His lack of skills behind the controls. |
| B．His clumsy operations during the flight. |
| C．His mastery of the aircraft during the flight. |
| D．His cautious approach to flying the Spitfire. |
| A．Committed and cautious. | B．Passionate and modest. |
| C．Determined and innovative. | D．Selfless and adventurous. |
3 . Why Be Kind?
We all know that being kind is something that’s good to do for others, right?
Scientists have learned that when a person does something nice for others, it can make the helper feel happier. It can also boost their well-being, which includes their sense of purpose and how satisfied they feel in their life. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small act of kindness, such as sharing a snack, or a larger one, such as helping with a project.
While all acts of kindness are good, we feel the benefits most deeply when we help others in person and connect with them, human to human. We feel joy and satisfaction when we work hard and use our talents to help others, especially when we can sense their appreciation. And when we work with others to do kind things, we feel a sense of belonging and take pride in the work we did together.
We have many ways to be kind.
| A．In both cases, the giver gains benefits. |
| B．It also helps when we ourselves make the choice to act kindly. |
| C．For example, volunteering at a care center is an excellent way. |
| D．In short, we can feel that our life becomes richer when we help others. |
| E．Therefore, it is crucial to involve young people in community service early on. |
| F．And scientists have found that being kind can even improve our physical health. |
| G．But do you know that being kind brings many benefits to the giver and to the receiver? |
4 . This past summer in the Arctic was the warmest since 1900, contributing to disasters across the wider region, recorded in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual Arctic Report Card. The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average as a result of human-caused climate change, driven primarily by burning fossil fuels. Researchers say changes in the Arctic can directly influence worldwide changes across ecosystems, from sea-level rise and new weather patterns, to altered wildlife migrations.
Another surprise in this year’s report card is salmon, the key to many of the region’s ecosystems, economies, and cultures. In western Alaska, chinook and chum salmon hit record low levels this year, but sockeye (红鲑鱼) salmon in Bristol Bay hit record highs. The abundance of sockeye had an unexpected downside for commercial fishermen —a price crash. “There’re so many salmon, and they can barely make a profit,” Thoman said. It’s unclear exactly why the salmon species are responding differently to climate change, but researchers say it’s likely linked to changing conditions in both the ocean and freshwater ecosystems central to the salmon life-cycle.
In order to address the issue, researchers started constantly monitoring these ecological changes across the Arctic, and the response of wildlife, founding a program aiming to draw upon the expertise of the region’s local residents: the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH). The group works with a network of coastal local observers to document long-term environmental change and impacts in northern Alaska. Roberta Tuurraq Glenn-Borade, a community contact for AAOKH, said local observers often provide context beyond simple data collection that can better scientists’ understanding of the environmental factors driving animal behavior—like how shifting winds and sea-ice drew a surprising number of ringed seals and polar bears to Utqiaġvik in January.
Roberta expressed optimism that AAOKH can help communities adapt to the altered environment.
1. What can we learn about climate changes in Arctic?| A．They will be limited in Arctic. |
| B．They are caused by human activities. |
| C．They can hardly impact global ecosystems. |
| D．The Arctic is warming as fast as the global average. |
| A．The water pollution impacted salmon’s population. |
| B．The impact of climate change on salmon species varies. |
| C．Fishermen can gain profit because of abundant sockeye. |
| D．Salmon is important in almost every aspect of many regions. |
| A．By collecting and analyzing data from the locals. |
| B．By tracking climate changes and wildlife’s response. |
| C．By improving scientists’ grasp of the natural element. |
| D．By studying environmental changes and consequences. |
| A．Global Heatwaves: the Warmest Summer in a Century. |
| B．Local Wisdom: Arctic Residents’ Assistance in Arctic. |
| C．Arctic Report Card: Dramatic Impacts of Climate Change. |
| D．Salmon Surprises: Economic Impacts and Climate Change. |
5 . Have you ever felt numb, overwhelmed, or excessively anxious after seeing the flooding of suffering shown on the news, Internet, and social media? I know I have — and I recently learned that this feeling has a name: compassion fatigue (疲劳).
For decades, researchers have studied compassion fatigue among health care workers, therapists, social workers, vets, and other people who are frequently exposed to other people’s trauma at work. Over time, they can develop emotional exhaustion or even PTSD-like (类创伤后应激障碍) symptoms—including difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and feeling triggered by troubling stories or memories—as a result of immersing themselves in the problems of others, studies show.
While compassion fatigue hasn’t been widely studied among the general population, experts agreed that it can affect anyone, even those who are witnessing trauma from afar. That means almost everyone is at risk these days, because of ongoing conflicts even wars between countries, frequent gun violence, and other difficult world events that are all over the news and social media. Triggers (诱因) vary from person to person, experts say, so there’s no way to know for sure what will cause compassion fatigue. If you are reacting more strongly than usual to difficult situations—perhaps by yelling at others or growing angry when you’re usually level, you may be experiencing compassion fatigue.
To protect yourself from compassion fatigue, the experts recommended taking purposeful breaks from the news to focus on personal wellnes — such as by spending time outdoors and with loved ones — and finding ways to give back to your community and remember the good in humanity.
1. What does the underlined word "trauma" mean?| A．Dilemma. | B．Fear. | C．Embarrassment. | D．Injury. |
| A．Being lost in the possible failures. |
| B．Having difficulty in sleeping well. |
| C．Involving themselves in others’ pain. |
| D．Feeling much worried about something. |
| A．Everyone is possibly affected by compassion fatigue. |
| B．Compassion fatigue has been researched worldwide. |
| C．Social media is the main cause of compassion fatigue. |
| D．Bad-tempered people are easier to experience compassion fatigue. |
| A．Pay more attention to good news. |
| B．Read plenty of books on humanity. |
| C．Stay with the ones like parents and friends. |
| D．Make every effort to build a better community. |
Among the various types of Chinese green teas, Enshi Yulu (恩施玉露) stands out as
This exquisite (精美的) tea
The versatility (多功能性) of Enshi Yulu are evident in its ability
Originating from Enshi in Hubei province, the history of Enshi Yulu
In 2022, the
7 . On some late November dawn, I find myself draw n to the leisurely pursuit of baking a loaf of bread. Not by hand, but by following the bread machine’s step-by-step instructions.
But on this morning, three hours later, all I’ve got is a problem. I’d forgotten to insert the mixing blade into the bottom of the bread barrel. The result: a pile of unmixed dough that neither looks nor tastes like bread. Complaining, I dump the dough and prepare to start a new one.
I reach for the flour, only this time — I fall far short of the necessary four cups. I’ve got one cup at most, along with a freshly emptied flour bag. No matter, I think. I’ll simply drive to my parents’ house to borrow a bit of theirs. Upon my arrival, I decide not to wake them. Instead, I cat burgle my way through their front door, silently search through their cabinets, and discover their own bit of flour supply. I steal all of it and return home so that I might begin again the leisurely pursuit of baking bread.
I follow the instructions, and then, I consider the whole experience before breakfast. How I managed to turn a one-second oversight into an hour-long adventure that cost me more time and money than any loaf of bread could ever be worth. Somewhere, an apron reads, “Baking is my therapy.” I want the one that reads, “Baking sends me to therapy.”
As my bread machine bread begins to rise, I’m struck by an inconvenient truth: had I done nothing that morning, I’d have managed a more favorable outcome.
Meanwhile, I notice something new: the mixing blade works intermittently rather than continually, meaning that for the bread to rise to its full potential, it requires both motion and rest. Work has its place, but so must leisure. The recipe calls for both.
1. Why did the writer fail the first time in the baking?| A．He left out a key step. | B．The flour has run out. |
| C．The bread machine broke down. | D．The dough doesn’t taste like bread. |
| A．He went out to buy some. |
| B．He borrowed some from a friend. |
| C．He got some from his parents by himself. |
| D．He found another bag of flour in his own house. |
| A．How to bake bread |
| B．An unforgettable experience |
| C．Work has its place, but so must leisure |
| D．Breaking bread: A morning adventure in baking |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．Well begun is half done. |
| C．Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. | D．All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. |
(1)说明该举措的意义；
(2)发表对此事的感想。
注意：(1)词数80左右；
(2)请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
参考词汇：floating holiday 浮动假期 resolution 决议
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9 . My obsession with literature exploded in my early teens. Back then, my reading consisted mostly of whatever classics I could find, novels by Jules Verne, poetry by Mario Benedetti, and a lot of horror novels by Stephen King, Richard Laymon, and Bentley Little — all of which I was too young to read. When I heard John O’Connor’s The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster was coming, I knew I had to read it.
Fascinated by Bigfoot, he spent a year tracking Bigfoot in the untamed region of the Pacific Northwest. The Secret History of Bigfoot is a wonderfully immersive journey not only into the history of Bigfoot in North America and the culture around but also a deep look at the people who obsess about it. The result is one of the most attractive nonfiction books you’ll read this year.
There are two elements that make this is fantastic read. The first is O’Connor’s voice. Knowledgeable and funny, O’Connor quickly turns into the perfect narrator for this adventure. His pursuit for understanding is powerful, and he presents every person in this book with the same gravitas (庄严).
The second element is the scope of this book. This is about Bigfoot, about its history and the people trying to find him, but O’Connor somehow manages to take the discussion into unexpected places but still leave the creature at the core of the narrative. You’ll learn things reading this book, but you’ll never feel like he’s trying to teach you something or preaching about his own beliefs.
The Secret History of Bigfoot is a wonderful book about one of the most ubiquitous myths in the U.S. and around the world: a wild man, a hair y beast stalking the woods, a magic al creature that remains untouched by the mess we’ve made. It fully embraces the fact that we sometimes need to believe in something bigger and freer than us. Bigfoot is all of that and more. Bigfoot might be out there, but its presence is all over this book. I assure you it’s an amazing adventure you can start without leaving your house.
1. Why does the author mention the names of some writers in the first paragraph?| A．To show his passion for literature. | B．To introduce the main topic: Bigfoot. |
| C．To encourage readers to read more books. | D．To introduce some famous writers he knows. |
| A．He presents the core of the narrative in a funny voice. |
| B．O’Connor’s book is in fact a wonderfully immersive journey. |
| C．He describes every person in the book with the same gravitas. |
| D．You can find out he tries to teach you something about his own beliefs. |
| A．Ambiguous. | B．Indifferent. | C．Universal. | D．Impressive. |
| A．Bigfoot just exists in writer O’Connor’s books. |
| B．The habitat of Bigfoot is influenced by humans. |
| C．Believing in something stronger is sometimes essential. |
| D．We all should have an adventure to seek the Bigfoot. |
10 . Polar bears normally feed on ringed seals that they catch on ice floes (浮冰) offshore. But as the ice disappears in a warming world, many bears are spending greater amounts of time on shore, eating birds’ eggs, berries and grass. However the animals rapidly lose weight on land, increasing the risk of death. The polar bear has become the victims for global climate change, but the reality of the impact on this species is complicated.
Increasing global temperatures are now seen as their biggest threat. That’s because the frozen Arctic seas are key to their survival. The animals use the sea ice as a platform to hunt ringed seals, mostly in late spring and early summer. But during the warmer months many parts of the Arctic are now increasingly ice-free.
To understand how the animals survive as the ice disappears, researchers carried out a study, where they followed the activities of 20 polar bears during the summer months over a three-year period. As well as taking blood samples, and weighing the bears, the animals were fitted with GPS-equipped video camera collars. This allowed the scientists to record the animals’ movements, their activities and what they ate.
In the ice-free summer months, the bears adopted different strategies to survive, with some essentially resting and conserving their energy. The majority tried to search for vegetation or berries or swam to see if they could find food. Both approaches failed, with 19 of the 20 bears in the study losing body mass, by up to 11% in some cases. On average they lost one kilogramme per day. “Regardless of which strategy they were trying to use, there was no real benefit to either approach as far as being able to prolong the period that they could survive on land,” according to lead author Dr Anthony Pagano, from the US Geological Survey in Alaska.
“It is likely that polar bears will disappear from areas where sea ice will be lost in future, but difficult to say just when and where,” said Jon Aars from the Norwegian Polar Institute who was not involved in the study.
1. Why is global warming seen as the biggest threat to polar bears?| A．Polar bears can not survive in warm environment. |
| B．Polar bears can not find bird’s eggs, berries, and grass. |
| C．There are fewer ringed seals in warm environment. |
| D．There are fewer ice floes for polar bears to hunt for food. |
| A．To record the polar bears’ health condition. |
| B．To figure out how the bears survive without sea ice. |
| C．To observe the daily activities of these polar bears. |
| D．To fit the bears with GPS-equipped video camera collars. |
| A．The bears haven’t found ways to live on land. |
| B．It’s efficient for the bears to rest and conserve energy. |
| C．All the bears in the study lose weight greatly. |
| D．The bears can not survive without ice floes. |
| A．A science fiction. | B．A book review. |
| C．An entertainment magazine. | D．An environmental journal. |
