1 . Art Builds Understanding
Despite the long history of scholarship on experiences of art, researchers have yet to capture and understand the most meaningful aspects of such experiences, including the thoughts and insights we gain when we visit a museum, the sense of encounter after seeing a meaningful work of art, or the changed thinking after experiences with art. These powerful encounters can be inspiring, uplifting, and contribute to well-being and flourishing.
According to the mirror model of art developed by Pablo P. L. Tinio, aesthetic reception corresponds to artistic creation in a mirror-reversed fashion. Artists aim to express ideas and messages about the human condition or the world at large.
In addition, art making and art viewing are connected by creative thinking. Research in a lab at Yale University shows that an educational program that uses art appreciation activities builds creative thinking skills. It showed that the more time visitors spent engaging with art and the more they reflected on it, the greater the correspondence with the artists’ intentions and ideas.
Correspondence in feeling and thinking suggests a transfer — between creator and viewer — of ideas, concepts, and emotions contained in the works of art. Art has the potential to communicate across space and time.
| A．The viewers gain a new perspective on the story. |
| B．The theory of aesthetic cognitivism describes the value of art. |
| C．This helps to create connections and insights that otherwise would not happen. |
| D．To do so, they explore key ideas and continually expand them as they develop their work. |
| E．After spending more time with the work, the viewer begins to access the ideas of the artist. |
| F．For example, in one activity, people are asked to view a work of art from different perspectives. |
| G．Participants were more original in their thinking when compared to those who did not take part in the program. |
Anthony was born in a beautiful town. The local environment was particularly good and the people were caring and attached importance to hygiene (卫生). In the blink of an eye, Anthony was in high school. For more than a decade, he developed the habit as the other people in the town.
Then he went on to university. He got along with his classmates because he had a kind heart and was always ready to help others. He even set up an organization aimed at guiding people to pay attention to the hygiene in the campus. He received an award from the school for this.
After graduating from university, Anthony came to New York to attend an interview for a job. He wanted to work for a software design company. But it would be difficult for him because the company was very famous and there were many people going for the interview. But Anthony did not feel discouraged and wanted to give it a try. He prepared a lot in advance, including the history, the culture and the current situation of the company.
The day of the interview came quickly. As he had expected, there were many interviewees. He was told that there were only 10 positions available, but he still felt confident. The interviewees were all waiting on the ground floor and the office where the interview took place was located on the third floor. The interviewees went to the interview in turn. One by one, they went upstairs but came down quickly. Anthony thought to himself that the interviews were too fast and felt worried.
Finally it was Anthony’s turn. He stood up and headed upstairs. At the corner of the second floor stairs were an empty bucket and two mops (拖把). One of them was dry and the other one was wet. The wet one was on the floor, slowly dripping (滴落) down with dirty water.
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。
Anthony saw it and walked up to it.
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The interviewer looked at Anthony with a smile.
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Michael kept looking at the clock on the classroom wall. He couldn’t wait for his Science lesson to end so as to get to his basketball practice on time. As soon as the bell rang to end the lesson, Michael grabbed his bag and dashed out of the classroom. As he turned the corner, he ran straight into a classmate, scattering the school books he was carrying all over the floor. No sooner had he said sorry and picked up all his belongings than he started to run again.
After the basketball practice, Michael hurried to join the other members of the school Debating Club. They had an important debate that day. To nobody’s surprise, Michael arrived late again, still wearing his sports clothes and sweating from basketball. Unfortunately, Michael hadn’t prepared his arguments properly and performed badly, letting his team down. Eventually, at the end of a long day at school, Michael arrived home, tired and unhappy.
In his bedroom, Michael sat down at his desk and sighed heavily as he looked at all his schoolbooks. He had to make preparations for the upcoming exams, but he could barely keep his eyes open. The next thing he remembered was his mother waking him up. He had fallen asleep with his head on the desk. As he sat up, his mother gently removed a sheet of paper that had stuck to his cheek. She smiled lovingly at her son and smoothed his untidy hair.
“So”, she began, “how was school today?”
Michael looked nervously at her and took a deep breath. “Well, to be honest, not so good, he said sheepishly. “I couldn’t focus on my lessons, I ran into a classmate and I let my debating team down. It doesn’t really get much worse than that, does it?”
“Well,” Michael’s mother said gently but seriously, “I think you have been taking on too much.”
Later that evening, before he fell into a restless sleep, Michael realized that things could not continue the way they were.
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。
The next day, Michael set about making changes to his busy schedule.
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After Michael put his new schedule into practice, things began to improve.
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I had run away from home after finishing high school. My parents had insisted I go to college, but I was tired of school. I hated it. I was determined not to go. And, besides, my father was too strict. I had too many chores to do around the farm. I haled the work!
There had been a quarrel between my father and me. I threw some things into a bag and left angrily, as my father shouted after me, “If you leave, don’t come back!” My mother cried openly, and I had seen those tears during a hundred sleepless nights.
Then it was time to write a letter to my father.
Dear Dad,It’s been more than a year now. I’ve traveled east to west. I’ve had dozens of jobs. None of them amounted to very much. Always the same questions: “How much education have you got?” It seems they always want college men for the good jobs.
Dad, you and Mother were right about everything. I know now that the work on the farm didn’t hurt me, and I’m convinced I need college. I’m also convinced that both of you loved me.
Dad, I’ve learned a lesson. I want to come home. I know you said if I left, I couldn’t come back, but I’m praying you’ll change your mind. I want to come home and be a part of the family again.
Give my love to Mother and the girls.
Love,Your son
As I folded the letter and put it into an envelope, I felt a refreshing relief. It was as if a heavy load had been lifted from my shoulders. And I had to be on my way home.
I started down the desolate road—the long road home. Fortunately, a car picked me up, and it was good to have someone to talk with. The driver was a salesman and very pleasant.
“Where you going, boy?” he asked good-naturedly.
There was a long silence before I said, “Home.”
“Been away from home long?”
I smiled, a little self-conscious, and said, “One year, one month and two days.”
注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Having heard my story, he expressed his support for my final decision and told me something surprising.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Finally, I arrived home when. it was completely dark.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In a small village called Brightville, there lived three friends: Kimberley, John and Alicia. They were all students at Brightville High School. Kimberley was a hardworking and determined girl; John was a curious and creative boy; and Alicia was a kind and helpful girl. They shared a common dream of achieving their goals through education.
On a sunny day, the three friends gathered at their favorite spot near the village river. They often met there to discuss their dreams and motivate each other. Kimberley always emphasized (强调) the importance of studying and setting goals. John loved exploring new things and finding creative ways to learn. Alicia, with her caring nature, always supported and encouraged her friends.
One day, they came across an old abandoned library in the heart of Brightville. The library was filled with dust-covered books. Kimberley saw this as an opportunity for their dreams to come true. She suggested turning the library into a learning center for the village.
The three friends spent months cleaning, organizing and renewing the library. They reached out to the villagers, and soon, volunteers joined them to set up the learning center. They created a friendly and welcome environment where students could come to study, read books, and seek help.
Word about the learning center spread throughout the village. Students from all ages and backgrounds started attending. Kimberley, John and Alicia devoted their after-school hours to tutoring (指导) the students. They understood that education was not just about memorizing facts but also about nurturing curiosity and passion for learning.
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。
As days turned into months, they saw the effect of their hard work.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The success of the learning center in Brightville caught the attention of the local government.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The wooden door creaked open, an elderly lady cautiously stepped into the grocery store. With trembling hands, she lifted some candy bars and a bottle of water from the shelf and shakily walked towards the checkout. “That would be $15, ma’am!” the cashier, Mr Andrews, who was also the store owner, said with a smile.
“$15? That’s too much. I don’t have that much money,” the elderly lady said, and her face was filled with disappointment. She reached into the depths of her faded purse and searched for the change, only to realize all she had was her last $5… “I’ll just have the bottle of water, please,” she sadly said as she extended the coins to the cashier, then leaving the Tstore and sitting onto the wooden bench outside.
It was half past five in the snowy evening as Mr Andrews stepped out of the store, ready to call it a day. His eyes fell upon the elderly lady, who was still sitting on the bench, all alone and shivering (颤抖). She had been sitting there for the past five hours, and at first, Mr Andrews ignored her the few times he vaguely (模糊地) looked out the glass wall of his store. He had assumed the old lady had just retired on the bench for some rest or was waiting for someone. But something bothered him when he approached her and noticed her tear-stained face.
“Is everything alright, ma’am? I saw you have been sitting here since afternoon… It’s getting late and colder…Are you waiting for someone? Is there something I can do to help you?” he asked.
The elderly lady looked up at Mr Andrews. Tears wouldn’t stop flowing from her eyes, which worried Mr Andrews even more. “Ma’am? Are you alright? Do you mind telling me why you’re crying?” he asked, his tone heavy with concern as he sat beside the old lady. The old lady snapped away her tears and said her name was Rose. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she looked at Mr Andrews.
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。
Rose began to explain what she had gone through.
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Hearing that, Mr Andrews was determined to join Rose in finding her beloved dog.
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7 . When you look ahead at the year to come, I hope you focus on all the positives even if the negatives exist, because positive thinking can help you get where you want to go.
Positive thinking is not the same as optimism. Being optimistic means believing that everything is going to work out great. But positive thinking is more than that. It’s a mindset or a way of looking at the world and what you do.
To think positively, first of all, we need to look at problems, mistakes and failures as normal. Imagine you bomb a big job interview. A negative thinker will be upset by the fact that he didn’t get the job.
One trick to positive thinking is to imagine how you’ll think back to things that are happening now.
Positive thinking is a mental habit. It takes practice. Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves to focus on the future and on possibility.
| A．A positive thinker will learn from the experience. |
| B．Negative thinkers will look at failures as end points. |
| C．Positive thinking often means separating the past and the future. |
| D．It’s a belief in possibility, solutions to problems and the big picture. |
| E．Sometimes, it’s hard to learn from our failures or see the big picture. |
| F．We can see the power of positive thinking when it comes to problem-solving. |
| G．You know from experience that the passing of time brings a fresh perspective. |
1. Why does the speaker organize the activity?
| A．To prepare for Children’s Day. |
| B．To celebrate the end of the school year. |
| C．To welcome children in the neighborhood. |
| A．Looking for the hidden gifts. |
| B．Hiding around the center. |
| C．Having a group discussion. |
| A．Find the flags. | B．Write their names down. | C．Stay together with their parents. |
| A．The preschool children. | B．The third-grade children. | C．The fourth-grade children. |
At the time of this writing. I have reached the age of 105. As I look back, I think of the many wonderful things that have happened in my long life. many of which have served to strengthen my belief that miracles really do happen. One of these that I recall today happened many years ago but is still as fresh in my mind as if it had happened yesterday.
Peter was a Russian Wolfhound (Borzoi) with the typical tall, long-legged build of the hunter he was supposed to be but never was. He weighed close to eighty-five pounds and had the long nose and narrow head of the Borzoi, so narrow that it didn’t seem to have much room for brains. In Peter’s case, it didn’t. He became easily confused, but his gentle nature made up for his lack of intelligence.
On the day in question, I had gathered up my dogs. one Old English Sheepdog, one Whippet rescue, and Peter. They were all settled in my covered pickup truck bed, and was headed out for our daily exercise, six miles into the country where there was no leash (绳) law and they could run free. They were all trained not to chase wild animals, to stay reasonably close. and to come when called.
After I had walked for about ten minutes, I noticed one dog was missing. Peter, of course! It seemed obvious that he had stopped to investigate some irresistible (不可抗的) smell, and then, becoming confused, had turned back the way we had just come, He would easily be able to follow our track, but in the wrong direction. And when a Borzoi runs, he covers a lot of ground in a very short time.
Feeling guilty, knowing I should have kept a closer watch on him, I retraced (折返) my steps, calling and whistling, but there was no sign of him. It was winter and would soon be dark. In desperation, I started to pray. “Please God, keep Peter safe.”
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。
After half an hour of calling at the top of my voice. I finally decided to drive the two other dogs home.
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Upon reaching home, I discovered a long nose waiting at the doorway.
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10 . How to Design a Small Garden
Even if you don’t have a large area in your yard, you can still make a beautiful garden that maximizes the space you have by following tips.
Plan the layout for your garden by drawing the outline on the paper. Start by sketching longer rectangles（矩形）for your garden beds so they’re to scale for the actual size you want them.
Arrange your design so there are focal points. Aim to have several aspects of your garden design unique so they stand out from the rest of your plants.
Put similar plants across from one another to create rhythm and symmetry(对称). Rather than put different plants in each of your garden beds, choose to use the same plant or ones that have similar textures or colors so they’re across from one another.
| A．And avoid any inconvenience caused by difficult access |
| B．Try to position smaller plants in between larger ones |
| C．Pick a place where you can easily get to your garden |
| D．You may still be able to measure the length of the rectangles |
| E．Then divide the rectangles into smaller sections for different plants |
| F．This could be a statue or a fountain placed in the center or on either side |
| G．That way, when you look at your garden, it will look inviting and make the area feel more balanced |
