1. What will the weather be like tomorrow?
| A．Hot. | B．Cold. | C．Wet. |
| A．Rail travelers. | B．Air travelers. | C．Car travelers. |
| A．High winds. | B．A drought. | C．Floods. |
| A．Every hour. | B．Every two hours. | C．Every three hours. |
An old and fragile woman approached a very busy road intersection. She stepped slowly forwards. She paused at the sidewalk’s edge, grasping a heavy bucket filled with fresh red apples. She aimed to cross the street.
The way to the intersection before her seemed like a tough journey. The traffic lights changed regularly, and the flow of cars seemed to be non-stop for the old woman. She knew she had to cross the street to reach her destination, a small grocery store on the other side, where she sold her apples to make ends meet.
As she slowly made her way to the crosswalk, she held the handle of the bucket. A kind-hearted driver in the first car, recognizing her struggle, stopped well before the sidewalk, allowing her to cross safely. Grateful for this act of kindness, the old woman nodded and offered the driver a slight smile as she inched forward.
A second car, in the next road, also came to a stop. Its driver also witnessed the old woman’s slow progress. The kindness of strangers warmed her heart, and with their help, she moved another step closer to her destination.
However, the third road was a different story. As the old woman moved carefully further into the road, a speeding car approached, its engine making loud sound like a beast. Panic flowed through the old lady as she realized the approaching danger. The driver of the third car had not noticed her until the very last moment.
With a jolt (颠簸) of terror, the old woman’s holding on the bucket weakened, and the bucket slipped from her weak grasp. The bucket fell to the ground, releasing its goods of apples, which scattered (散开) in all directions. The sound of the crashing bucket and rolling apples echoed through the busy city traffic.
In the emergent time, the driver of the speeding car stepped on the brake to a stop just inches from the old woman. The drivers’ heart pounded in their chest as they realized how close it had come to a tragedy.
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。
Shaken but unharmed, the old woman stood frozen, her eyes wide open with fear.
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Eventually, with all the apples collected, the three drivers helped the old lady cross the road.
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3 . When Kurt Benirschke started collecting skin samples from endangered animals in 1972, he didn’t have a firm plan on what to do with them. As a researcher at the University of California San Diego, he believed that one day these samples would be used to save these animals. A few years later, he moved his collection to the San Diego Zoo, and called it the Frozen Zoo.
For a long time, it was the only project of its kind; however, in recent years, similar conservation efforts have spread globally, and tools that Benirschke didn’t yet have are now available. Today, the Frozen Zoo is the world’s largest animal cryobank(生物冷冻库), holding samples from over 10,500 individual animals from 1,220 species, in the hope that one day science can bring them back as a species.
The Frozen Zoo’s advanced technology is the key to its success in saving species from extinction. By using cryopreservation techniques, the zoo can store cells and tissues from endangered animals. The stored genetic material can be used for research, breeding(繁殖) programs, and potentially even cloning or genetic engineering to restore endangered species.
By protecting the genetic heritage of endangered animals, the Frozen Zoo provides hope for the survival of species that would otherwise be at risk of dying out, and the preservation of Earth’s precious biodiversity. It has inspired the establishment of similar cryobanks worldwide, expanding efforts to conserve endangered species. These cryobanks contribute to the global network of genetic resources, improving cooperation and knowledge exchange. By demonstrating the potential of technology in the preservation of biodiversity, the frozen zoo serves as a powerful tool in raising awareness and driving change.
The Frozen Zoo is like a time capsule, preserving the genetic heritage of endangered species for future generations. It reminds us about the importance of conservation and offers a window into a world that could otherwise be lost forever.
1. What do we know about the Frozen Zoo?| A．It is the world’s oldest and largest animal cryobank. |
| B．It started with a detailed plan led by Kurt Benirschke. |
| C．It is a project to explore the evolution of animal species. |
| D．It was established to protect animals in the San Diego Zoo. |
| A．By expanding their natural habitats. |
| B．By raising their survival rate with genetic technology. |
| C．By preserving their genetic material for further research. |
| D．By innovating breeding techniques to increase their population. |
| A．To stress the importance of the Frozen Zoo. |
| B．To explain the urgency of saving endangered species. |
| C．To prove the potential value of preserving biodiversity. |
| D．To show the necessity of cooperative conservation efforts. |
| A．Costly and controversial. | B．Profitable and instructive. |
| C．Conservative and effective. | D．Pioneering and significant. |
4 . My world changed when I was visiting my best friend Becky three years ago. Her dog had
The puppy was so
When getting home, it was very clear that my two cats were not so enthusiastic about the new
Timmy is now three years old and I love
| A．abandoned | B．identified | C．seen | D．had |
| A．puzzling | B．fascinating | C．depressing | D．uplifting |
| A．attached | B．occupied | C．frightened | D．amused |
| A．witnessed | B．reported | C．happened | D．implied |
| A．contribution | B．generation | C．combination | D．addition |
| A．shelter | B．rhythm | C．feature | D．manner |
| A．energetic | B．generous | C．brilliant | D．considerate |
| A．precious | B．significant | C．dependent | D．essential |
| A．hopefully | B．fortunately | C．rarely | D．definitely |
| A．patterns | B．holes | C．buttons | D．paints |
| A．leave | B．seek | C．tailor | D．drag |
| A．cutting in | B．fading out | C．showing up | D．hanging out |
| A．shadow | B．dog | C．friend | D．thief |
| A．capability | B．position | C．personality | D．diversity |
| A．cheat | B．picture | C．reflect | D．suggest |
“Is this all I got?” my daughter, Allison, asked. “I asked for a new cellphone and a laptop! ”
My son, Blake, joined in, asking, “Where are the rest of the presents? I wanted a set of golf clubs and a skateboard! ”
My children, Allison and Blake, were filled with disappointment on Christmas morning. They expected fancy presents, but money had been tight since their father passed away. As a single parent, I was doing my best to provide for them, but I could no longer afford our previous lifestyle. I knew we had spoiled them, but I never realized it was this bad. Their reactions shocked and hurt me, but I tried not to show it. “Next year, we’ll be celebrating Christmas differently!” I told them firmly.
Over the following months, I planned our next Christmas celebration. I found a family in need, living on a farm about an hour away. The father had lost his job, and they were struggling to make ends meet.
As Christmas approached, we carried out our usual traditions of decorating the tree, baking cookies, and singing carols. Yet, there were no gifts under our tree. My children grew curious and asked where the presents were. Then I explained that we would be giving gifts to a family that truly needed them. They needed to see what it was like to need essentials such as clothing and food.
We went shopping to purchase essential items like coats, hats, gloves, socks, and shoes for the family. We also selected age-appropriate toys for their children. Next, we headed to the grocery store and filled our carts with everything they would need for a delicious Christmas dinner. We even bought extra items to help them through the winter.
Blake and Allison didn’t seem thrilled by the situation, but I hoped they were reflecting on their attitudes from the previous Christmas. I had a couple of gifts hidden in my closet, ready to reward them if they showed respect and kindness.
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: On the day before Christmas Eve, we set off to deliver the gifts and food.
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Paragraph 2: As it grew late, we said our goodbyes to the family.
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6 . Poaching (偷猎) is a major cause of decline for elephants, with a total decrease to about 415,000, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The research team found that poaching occurred more frequently in Central Africa and near the Mozambique-Tanzania border. In recent years, Garamba National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saw more than 860 elephants die at the hands of poachers, and Selous Game Reserve, in Tanzania, more than 750. Researchers discovered that the household wealth of those surrounding areas was relatively low and they hold a mid-level health.
Researchers said, “Illegal killings are driven by criminal networks who recruit poachers rather than by opportunistic hunters. When a lot of Africa’s national parks were established, people were often forced to be evicted from the land that was now designated a protected area. Local people who had been lived on hunting suddenly became described as poachers.”
“People living within about five miles of wildlife protected area in Tanzania also reported losing up to half their income. A local survey showed the destruction of their crops by elephants and killings of their livestock by lions.” Someone added, “If you’re closest to the park, you really do suffer more cost than benefit of the protected area.”
Researchers also noted, “When local communities enjoy the benefits of conservation, it will reduce incentives (诱因) to poach. When governments ensure that local communities are not subject to carrying the burden of the costs associated with this wildlife, they will have more access to income-generating opportunities that can help to lift communities out of poverty.”
Conservationists have to think creatively, carrying out strategies such as reducing demand in ivory-consuming countries, improving educational standards and medical facilities, and increasing support for wildlife rangers. “When we are looking to protect wildlife, we can’t do that without thinking about the well-being of people,” researchers said.
1. What do the numbers in Paragraph 2 imply?| A．Elephants mainly appear in Africa. |
| B．Poachers have found the track of elephants. |
| C．Elephants living in the protected area are facing a decline. |
| D．Hundreds of elephants in Africa die at the hands of poachers. |
| A．Leave. | B．Return. | C．Wander. | D．Seek. |
| A．Elephants poaching is likely driven by need, not greed. |
| B．Household wealth of people in the protected area is relatively high. |
| C．Wildlife protection and people’s well-being should go hand in hand. |
| D．People living close to the wildlife reserve lose nearly half their income. |
| A．A health column. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．A geographic magazine. | D．A news story. |
1. Where should the man go for a basketball course?
| A．To the Exercise Hall. | B．To the Sports Hall. | C．To the Exercise Studio. |
| A．Boxing. | B．Fencing. | C．Gymnastics. |
| A．$320. | B．$300. | C．$240. |
| A．His membership card. | B．His full name. | C．His ID card. |
8 . We need art in our homes. Here are four reasons you should know about art.
Art breathes life into a home.
Your home is “your place,” and that’s why decorating it to your liking is so important.
Plus, from a functional design standpoint, art acts as a focal point, makes a room appear finished, and immediately shows off your interests and ideals to visitors.
Art lets you express yourself and encourages dialogue.
Without needing words, art can be the perfect way to express who you are to both yourself and others. Why?
Whether it’s your personality or what you value in life, art can be the perfect translator. This lets you form deeper connections with those who come into your home.
Art reminds us of what is possible.
A piece of art can produce powerful emotions when we look at it. Art can cheer us up after a bad day, make us remember, or inspire us to do more in life. It can provide comfort that we are not the only ones feeling a certain way. It also provides a reflection back to us that enables us to chew on our own reactions, emotions, and thoughts.
| A．Art tells a story. |
| B．Art also opens us up to criticism. |
| C．Art helps us recognize our emotions. |
| D．You need to feel comfortable in your space. |
| E．Seeing other people do what they love is inspiring. |
| F．An artwork serves as a reminder that we should question our habits. |
| G．By choosing to live with art, you are choosing to bring more life into your home. |
In my childhood, my teacher Mrs. Hunter announced that our class would complete a pen-friend project. We would write letters to children in some African countries to make friends with them. So all of us needed to bring stationery (信纸) to school the next day.
Finding some beautiful stationery which was designed with lovely cartoon characters, such as Minnie Mouse and Snow White in the store, I asked my mother to buy it for me. At the store, we learned that a pack of ten pieces of such stationery cost close to seven dollars.
“You’ll have to use common paper,” my mother said. Then, she bought a pack of cheap common paper for me. Obviously, there weren’t any cartoon characters on the paper, so I was upset and disappointed. At that time, I didn’t know my mother was facing some financial (财政的) problems and was trying hard to support the family.
That night, my mother, a lover of schedules, sent me to the bed at the usual time of 9：30. But then instead of going to bed as she normally did, she remained in the living room. When I didn’t hear the voice of a news host through the TV, I wondered what exactly kept my mother up past her bedtime. Walking up to her I found she bent beneath our single lamp, sketching (画素描). When I asked what she was drawing, my mother just covered the page with her arms and ordered me to return to my bed. A week ago, I had begged her for a new box of crayons and she refused. Now I wanted beautiful stationery and she refused again. That night, I lay in bed looking at the moon, believing I was the unluckiest girl in the world.
The next morning, my mother’s eyes were black-ringed, and she looked so tired while preparing the breakfast of oatmeal (燕麦糊) in the kitchen. “Drink it before school,” she said, pointing at the food.
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：
“I don’t want any,” I said unhappily, still upset she didn’t buy beautiful stationery for me.
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Paragraph 2：
“Mom, the cartoon characters are so beautiful”I said, with a smile.“Thank you.”
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It was a winter holiday morning. The weather was becoming colder, so I pulled out my coat which was bought last winter. I was about to put it on when I found it was a little small for me, a teenager in a period of rapid physical growth. It was still in pretty good shape because last year, it got warmer before I wore it. Actually, every winter, my mother and grand-mother would each buy me a coat, so I always had a few to choose from. But this time, I tried all my coats and found some didn’t fit me any longer.
“Mum, I have already outgrown some of my coats,” I said to my mother who was cleaning the room. She looked me over and replied, “You grew up a little bit this year. Give the unsuitable coats to me, baby.” So I picked out some small coats from my closet and handed them to her. Meanwhile, I chose to wear a big one. But she was perplexed (困惑的) about how to deal with the clothes at first. She was lost in thought. There were some clothes I’d never worn. It was a pity to throw them away. “Why not give them to those in need?” I suggested to her. She agreed with me and said, “That’s a good idea. Great minds think alike.”
In the afternoon, my mother drove me to a local charity shop. I knew that people there who couldn’t afford coats could get my old ones. I dropped my coats off, chatted happily with the staff for a bit and walked out of the door. As I did so, I saw a shivering (颤抖的) man in only a thin shirt walking in. I thought he might end up in my old coat. Then I smiled and went home with a sense of satisfaction.
Back home, I had one more idea in my mind. I told my mother that I wanted to give clothes to homeless people on the street in person and that I needed her to help me collect clothes. Of course, she agreed.
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。
Then my mother set up an online platform, asking people to donate their spare clothes.
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The new year came, and it’s time for us to give our selection of clothes to the homeless.
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