1 . On April 8, as millions of people tried to watch a solar eclipse (日食) in North America, eye doctors across the United States would be ready to offer medical help.

That’s because, while a solar eclipse is an exciting event, it can also be dangerous. Looking at any part of the exposed sun without the right kind of protection can injure the eye’s light-sensitive retina (视网膜).

In 2017, during the solar eclipse seen across the United States, that happened to many people despite the media coverage about the danger of looking at the sun when it is anything less than fully and completely covered by the moon.

Given that more than 150 million people directly viewed either a partial eclipse or a total eclipse, however, the number of those who suffered eye problems may seem relatively small.

“We’ve got less than 100 cases across Canada and the US,” says Ralph Chou, an eclipse eye safety expert with the University of Waterloo in Canada. “But no one knows for sure how many people damaged their eyes in 2017,” he says, “because not every case gets written up for a medical journal, and people may not seek help for less serious eyesight troubles.”

“A lot of eyesight problems, if they actually happened, were probably relatively minor and, they disappeared on their own within weeks or months,” says Chou. “About half of those who experience significant eye problems on the day after an eclipse will recover almost completely.”

He notes that there are ways to enjoy the eclipse without looking up at all; everyday household objects allow you to create pinhole projectors (针孔投射) that let you watch an image of the sun. “If you do choose to look up at the sun when it is partially eclipsed,” says Chou, “make sure that you have the proper eclipse glasses.”

1. How can the solar eclipse be a dangerous event?

A．It leaves everything in the dark.	B．It could cause damage to our eyes.
C．It makes it hard to get medical help.	D．It forces us to go to a narrow space.

2. What was reported by the media in 2017?

A．The danger of seeing a solar eclipse.	B．The location of a top-class hospital.
C．The importance of exploring space.	D．The number of tourist attractions.

3. What can we learn from paragraph 5?

A．There is no need to worry about the solar eclipse.

B．Some people forgot to turn to the doctor for help.

C．It’s hard to track people who suffered eye problems.

D．Over 150 million people in the US are nearsighted.

4. What does Chou expect us to do about watching a solar eclipse?

A．Do it with our family.	B．Take pictures of the sun.
C．Admire the scene on TV.	D．Protect our eyes properly.

2 . This collection of annual events along the world’s coastlines is worth penciling in your diary.

Festa de Yemanjá, Brazil

It is an annual national party in the country’s oldest city of Salvador. Honouring the Afro-Brazilian Yoruban heritage and the history of the Bahia state capital, this cultural event sees street parades and performances as crowds are dressed in white. The food stands in the city give out fresh cakes to mark the occasion.

Biennale de Dakar, Senegal

Art takes centre stage in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, each summer season for the event. Founded in 1990, the event is the biggest and most exciting in the African art calendar. The energetic capital city makes an amazing backdrop for introducing African artists to a global audience and inviting international artists onto the streets of the city.

Printemps de la Sardine, France

The French town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie on the Atlantic coast is recognized as the sardine (沙丁鱼) capital of the country. Here, the arrival of the little fish kickstarts the party that takes over the town each spring. From tastings and walking trails to sardine-focused menus at local restaurants and discussions about their role in literature, the two-week celebration lets the delicious local speciality become a focus.

Rock Oyster Festival, the UK

With musical performances from the likes of Nile Rodgers, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Groove Armada and more, the three - day festival also showcases some of the best chefs and restaurants from around Cornwall as well as cooking demonstrations (展示) and masterclasses. Well-known chefs such as Olia Hercules and Andi Oliver share their stories, while over at Mussel Beach, there’s a celebration of live fire cooking.

1. Where does Festa de Yemanjá take place?

A．In Salvador.	B．In Dakar.
C．In Cornwall.	D．In Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.

2. Which of the following highlight Biennale de Dakar?

A．Amazing calendars.	B．Delicious cakes.
C．Street parades.	D．African art shows.

3. What do the last two festivals have in common?

A．They focus on literature.	B．They last for two weeks.
C．They provide tasty food.	D．They have online training.

3 . 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。

Home chefs long for it. Restaurants turn it into new recipes. It’s chili (辣椒). The Chinese condiment (调料), which includes chili peppers, oil and others, is a kitchen powerhouse known for its     1     (difference) purposes. But how did the must-have get started?

Chilis weren’t always in China, says Brian Dott, a history professor at Whitman College and the author of The Chile Pepper in China: A Cultural Biography.     2     (original) from Central and South America, the plant was unknown in China until around the 16th century, when the rapid     3     (grow) in exploration and trade brought chilis to China.

The first     4     (write) record of chili in China dates from 1591. Gao Lian, a playwright in the Ming Dynasty, wasn’t all that excited about the new condiment, Dott says of his account. Instead, he used it     5     a decorative plant.

While elite (精英) Chinese admired chili peppers in     6     (they) decorative gardens, most people     7     (begin) eating and enjoying the fruit of the plant. Chili peppers were passed from person to person and raised in small crops, says Dott,     8     (fall) into the hands of skilled farmers     9     developed even better chilis over time. These chilis — and the condiment made by frying them in oil — became a must for cooking all over China. Finally, they have become so common that they were considered part of     10     nation’s symbol.

4 . “After snow is long gone, before plants begin to grow, roadside rubbish seems eye-catching. Who are these people with the thought, ‘Oh, somebody will collect it?’”

That question led Kevin Keehn, head of Bike Palatine Club(BPC), on a personal mission of cleanup along Northwest suburban (郊区的) roads where he cycles a couple thousand miles every year.

Since 2021, his club has scheduled its spring trail cleanup in the Paul Douglas Forest Preserve. The next one is starting next Saturday. Armed with work gloves and plastic bags, hundreds will snatch plastic bottles, glass bottles and energy drink cans along the Northwest suburban roads. The goal is to clean the entire trail. Volunteers registering on the BPC cleanup page indicate a preferred area along the main roads. One of over 20 site coordinators (协调员) then contacts the volunteers and provides plastic bags.

Keehn notes, “For the last few years, a couple hundred volunteers have registered online to collect garbage along the trails. Groups come from all walks of life, including schools, friends and family groups, and company workers. We do our best to spread out the effort to cover all areas.”

“Groups don’t all come together until about 10 days before the event,” Keehn says, adding weather, not surprisingly, is a factor. “We put off this cleanup until next Saturday,” he continues, “hoping that more people will attend the event.”

“The funniest thing about all the cleanups is to see photos of smiling people surrounded by bags of rubbish,” Keehn says. “Funny, but true. We always compete to see who finds the most interesting rubbish. One year I found a case of model cars, hidden deep into the bush (灌木丛). Perhaps kids forgot where they’d hidden their treasure.”

1. What can we learn about Keehn?

A．He left the bike club in 2021.	B．He preferred to ride a bike in winter.
C．He used to work as a cleaner.	D．He started the mission of the road cleanup.

2. What does the underlined word “snatch” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Depend on.

B．Pick up.

C．Trip over.

D．Figure out.

3. Why is the cleanup put off this year?

A．To post more creative photos.	B．To ensure the event is covered.
C．To bring in more volunteers.	D．To make the activity last long.

4. What does Keehn want to show by mentioning the model cars?

A．The funny moments in the cleanup.	B．The prize offered in the competition.
C．The way to get unexpected payment.	D．The meaning of the volunteers’ effort.

5 . Top tips to study in the US

Studying abroad as an international student is an exciting and life-changing experience, but it also comes with some challenges. Here is a list of practical tips that can give you a hand.

    1    

One of the first and most crucial steps for international students is to create a budget. Understand your source of income, including scholarships, part-time jobs, or financial support from your family. Then, make a complete list of expected expenses, including tuition, accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. This budget will be your financial roadmap and help you avoid overspending.

Select a place to live

Choosing the right place to live is very important. University accommodations are often convenient but can be expensive.     2    . They can be more cost-effective and offer a richer cultural experience. Be sure to research local housing laws, and thoroughly examine any rental property (房地产) before signing a contract.

Understand your insurance (保险)

Healthcare systems are greatly various from one country to another. Ensure you have the necessary health insurance coverage (覆盖范围). Many universities offer affordable student health plans.     3    .

Manage your time

Balancing study, part-time work and personal time can be challenging.     4    . Time management apps and tools can help you stay organized.

Be open-minded and adaptable

Living independently in a foreign country can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. Be open to new experiences, embrace cultural differences, and try to be adaptable in the face of challenges.     5    . But with time, you’ll adapt yourself to your new environment.

A．It’s normal to feel homesick at times

B．Forget the difficulty of studying abroad

C．Make a good arrangement for your money

D．Consider some choices like shared apartments or homestays

E．It can ensure that your study abroad can be both safe and rewarding

F．Create a schedule that focuses on your schoolwork but also allows for leisure and exploration

G．Be familiar with local medical facilities, and have some emergency (紧急情况) contact information

6 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

My brother was an excellent student at high school. However, I always felt stressed because of him. How I wished my brother weren’t so perfect. It made me work twice as hard to prove myself.

One afternoon I got a biology test. “I badly needed an A,” my mind kept repeating. I studied till the last minute of lunch and rushed to class.

Good, I thought, looking through the first page. I quickly filled in the answers, smiling with confidence. When I reached the last page, my mind went blank (空白). I read the questions over, but the words started to jumble (混乱). Although I could picture the pages of the book, I could not remember the text. My mind wouldn’t function. “Concentrate, Lara, you studied it this morning,” I tried to remember what was written in the book. The clock ticked away the minutes. I took a look at the clock. There was only three minutes. Soon everyone left, and I was still watching the paper.

“Lara, I need you to hand in your test,” Mrs. Phloem said. I quickly placed my name in the blank spaces and handed her the test.

After school, I quickly walked home. That night after dinner I sat down to finish The Great Gatsby. I thought “Great American Novels” would inspire me to brave hardships. However, the book truly felt like a waste of my time. Yet the fact remained that I was afraid to open my biology text and check the answers, although I refused to believe I might have done poorly on the test.

It was a rainy day when I got my biology test back. I looked at the red mark: C. It was not even a B minus, my mind screamed (尖叫). It was over.

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。

Upon arriving home that night, I shouted at my brother.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Seeing what happened, my brother came to me with a smile.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . 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。

When Renee Butts was little, her dream was to become a volunteer firefighter because her father was one. Though her father’s work was hard and full of danger, he never made a     1     (complain) about it and fell in love     2     the job quickly. Sadly, at the age of 14, one afternoon Renee returned home, only     3     (tell) that her beloved father had passed     4     and she was never able to do volunteer work with him due to her dad’s death. However, Renee’s story didn’t end there. She was so determined and     5     (energy) a girl and never gave up, which made her dream a reality.

Now Renee, who used to be an astronomer, is a member of the Carme Fire Department now, where she is required to be an Emergency Medical Technician. Once a reporter asked her, “I wonder if all the skills necessary to act as a firefighter have been mastered by you so far.” She replied, “I seem to have. Now a summary     6     (write) last week about my training will be published tomorrow.” The reporter     7     (make) a response, “You must have trained hard and     8     (effective) in the past, haven’t you?” Renee should also be ready to deal with any emergency, like fighting a fire, dealing with a car accident or helping someone who is sick.

Asked what the best part of her job was, Renee replied, “Helping people and saving lives.” I think that shows signs of being a true hero. Renee says that to some extent, her job is frightening at times, but extremely exciting. “To tell you     9     truth, the worst part of my job is that I see deaths and serious injuries. Actually, sometimes people die in an accident and some fires and large amounts of property (财产) are lost, for     10     I am very sorry.”