1 . I had a great time with the film Turning Red, which follows Meilin, a thirteen-year-old girl who suddenly begins turning into a giant red panda.

The film was set in 2002 when I would’ve been around Meilin’s age. It was a joy for me to watch a film that I could relate to. The film illustrates the push-pull that many immigrant families face: how much of their culture to keep and how much to assimilate(融入). There are beautiful traces of Chinese culture throughout this film, including gorgeous food, time around the table, relationships with extended family, and more.

In the film, women in Meilin’s family suffer a curse(诅咒). As soon as they begin to blossom into womanhood, they transform into a giant red panda whenever they express any strong emotion. Thus, they have learned that emotional repression is the way to go. It was beautiful to watch this young girl choose the different path of emotional wellness instead of holding back her feelings.

It’s not a surprise that the director Domee Shi, who is around my age, chose this plotline. Many people my age are on that similar path Meilin finds herself on. We honor our parents and what they have done for us, but we’re also choosing to be more emotionally healthy and trying to live differently than we were taught.

The part of Turning Red I particularly loved is the ending. Though Meilin’s mom, grandma, and aunts see that it’s possible to integrate their red pandas into their lives, they don’t choose that path. Instead, they choose to bottle their pandas up once again. However, they do get a new perspective on this young, groundbreaking girl. It’s such a sweet reminder that not everyone can go on the same journey toward emotional health, and that’s okay.

If all of them had embraced their pandas, I think the ending would’ve felt incredibly cheese and taken away some of the power of the story. So we get a conclusion that is satisfying and heart-warming without being too much of a fairy tale.

1. Why did the author enjoy watching Turning Red?

A．She found a connection with the story.

B．She followed a life path similar to its director.

C．She adored the appealing design of the red panda.

D．She valued its emphasis on the beautiful Chinese culture.

2. What does the underlined word “repression” in the third paragraph mean?

A．Disturbance.

B．Control.

C．Wellness.

D．Expression.

3. What does the author think of the ending of the film?

A．Bittersweet.

B．Idealized.

C．Realistic.

D．Cheesy.

4. What is the central dilemma faced by Meilin in Turning Red?

A．“Can I embrace my true self?”

B．“Should I prioritize my family?”

C．“Can I uncover the curse’s secret?”

D．“Should I explore diverse cultures?”

2 . Music Festivals From Around the World

Music possesses a unique power to unit e people across cultures. One great way to feel this connection is by attending some of the world’s most incredible music festivals.

Sziget Festival

The Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, is a renowned six-day celebration of music and art on Obuda Island on the Danube River. Started in 1993, the festival is known for its diverse lineup, featuring top artists from genres like electronic, hip-hop, techno, and pop rock. Beyond music, the festival offers cultural experiences like art exhibitions, theater, circus performances, and film screenings.

Glastonbury

Glastonbury Music Festival is a global music fest held annually at the Worthy Farm in Somerset, England. Since its inception（开始）in 1970, it has become a touchstone for music enthusiasts worldwide, drawing more than 200,000 visitors during its remarkable five-day run. Additionally, Glastonbury is among the few festivals striving towards being completely carbon-neutral.

Rock in Rio

The beloved Rock in Rio festival was founded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1985．The brand has since expanded to other locations, including Lisbon, Madrid, and Las Vegas. Rock in Rio spans multiple days. While its roots are in rock music, Rock in Rio has evolved to include more genres to appeal to a much broader audience. One of Rock in Rio’s standout features is its commitment to environmental initiatives.

Fuji Rock

Fuji Rock is Japan’s biggest music festival, typically held in Naeba Ski Resort in Niiga ta Prefecture. Known for its stunning mountainous backdrop, this event has been running since 1997 and is celebrated for its diverse lineup that spans rock, electronic, hip-hop, and most other genres. It attracts international and local acts, creating a unique fusion of musical styles.

1. How is the Sziget Festival different from the other music festivals?

A．It is documented in films.

B．It is centered on classical arts.

C．It hosts various cultural events.

D．It features diverse music genres.

2. What do Glastonbury and Rock in Rio have in common?

A．They highlight rock music.

B．They last more than a week.

C．They undergo global expansion.

D．They adopt eco-friendly practices.

3. Which of the four music festivals has the shortest history?

A．Sziget Festival.	B．Glastonbury.
C．Rock in Rio.	D．Fuji Rock.

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。

Millions of tourists have visited the resort island of Hainan province this summer. Visitors     1    (primary)consist of young people, while families with children are also returning in large numbers, resultingin a strong demand for facilities such as accommodations     2    (tailor)to family stays and theme parks.

Apart     3     the tourism scene in the cities on the eastern coast, the western regions of Hainan, including Changjiang Li autonomous county and Danzhou city, have also seen     4     boom in tourism activity. Wearing traditional Li costumes, and fishing in streams     5    (be)among visitors’ favorite activities. Danzhou has also attracted visitors by organizing sports events.

By Aug 19, Haihua Island     6    (receive)over 1 million tourists during the summer vacation. Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, believes that    7    (emerge)forms of tourism, such as self-driving tours, recreational vehicle trips, night travel, wellness retreats,    8    (education)journeys and sports-related activities, need to be better implemented in the tourism market.

Dai suggested     9    (prioritize)academic travel for young people, health-focused tourism for the elderly as well as introducing tourism products     10     suit visitors’ preferences while meeting their budgets.

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。

International Left-Handers Day is celebrated every year on August 13 in an effort     1     (recognize) the differences and uniqueness of left-handed individuals in our society. Most of us have grown up around right-handed people. Some of us have been taught that using our left hand to carry out some essential tasks     2     (be) disrespectful. Consequently, left-handed individuals often find     3     (they) in an awkward situation in a world that is mainly right-handed. Left-handers are often ignored when it comes to design and technology     4     are tuned to suit the requirements of the right-handed majority. Even simple chores like using     5     pair of scissors or using the ATM are inconvenient for most left-handers.

International Left-Handers Day     6     (observe) for the first time in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell. On this day, left-handers are confident that having a dominant left hand is     7     (absolute) normal. Left-handedness should be recognized     8     a unique strength instead of an oddity. This day is very significant as it spreads awareness about the importance of     9     (appreciate) left-handed persons across the globe. This ensures that the historical biases (偏见) against left-handers are corrected and that the world is made as     10     (comfort) for left-handed persons as it is for right-handers.

5 . In 2015, Aldo Amenta had just started classes at Florida International University when something incredible happened. One day, while he was out ________, he dove into a shallow pool and got his neck injured ________.

Doctors told Aldo he’d never ________ again, and his life changed completely in an instant. But Aldo was not ________. He insisted on studying. Meanwhile, with the help of his ________. Guy Roman, he worked for his recovery and struggled to ________ the tough times. In 2018, Guy successfully trained him to walk across the graduation stage to ________ his college diploma by using an exoskeleton (外骨骼). The crowd ________ as he went up the steps to the stage. People were greatly inspired by Aldo’s courage and ________.

Aldo never stopped trying to take the next ________ for a bigger goal. He ________ it again! In 2021, wearing his exoskeleton, he walked on his own two feet with Guy’s help to accept his master’s degree in biomedical engineering. He called it one of the unforgettable ________ in his life, and he hopes to use his new degree to expand and develop technologies to help people with special needs like him gain ________. Aldo also wants to ________ others not to stop working toward their goals, no matter how ________ they may seem.

1.

A．climbing

B．running

C．swimming

D．riding

2.

A．surprisingly

B．frequently

C．intentionally

D．seriously

3.

A．learn

B．speak

C．walk

D．watch

4.

A．defeated

B．considered

C．accepted

D．damaged

5.

A．doctor

B．trainer

C．teacher

D．brother

6.

A．go through

B．get over

C．go away

D．get through

7.

A．present

B．receive

C．submit

D．accept

8.

A．celebrated

B．cheered

C．expected

D．shouted

9.

A．determination

B．curiosity

C．confidence

D．consideration

10.

A．note

B．step

C．control

D．interest

11.

A．produced

B．made

C．created

D．changed

12.

A．discoveries

B．challenges

C．achievements

D．moments

13.

A．mobility

B．reality

C．ability

D．possibility

14.

A．afford

B．encourage

C．remind

D．promise

15.

A．unreasonable

B．unwilling

C．unobtainable

D．unnecessary

6 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给的段落开头语续写一段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Be Like Dad

Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.

I was in my study on a cold Sunday in May 2020 when I glanced out the window and saw my dad’s car parked in our driveway. He was walking from my front door to his car, about to leave. Why would he drive all the way to my house, only to turn around and leave? Had the doorbell stopped working? I raced downstairs, opened the door and yelled “Dad! What are you doing?” I shouted.

My dad lives forty minutes away, and I hadn’t seen him since COVID-19 because we were following the health-department guidelines to self-isolate and not leave the house, so it’s strange that he would show up.

He smiled and pointed beside the door, where I could see a bright yellow begonia (秋海棠) plant.

“I know it is Mother’s Day, but... I’m not a mother,” I was puzzled.

My dad smiled. “But I think you should get flowers, too, my dear son.” With that, he winked and drove off.

That evening, I called to thank him and told him how touched I was that he had driven such a long round trip just to leave begonias on my doorstep.

That’s when he let me in on his little secret. It turns out I wasn’t the only receiver of an act of kindness from him. To keep away from the loneliness during epidemic he decided to do acts of kindness to remove the social isolation (隔离，孤立), and it made him so happy to see the smiles on people’s faces.

“But why?” I continued.

It just had started a couple of weeks before, when a friend of his was having a tough day and called him to talk about it. He knew she loved ice cream, so after ringing off, he went straight to the grocery store, bought a huge ice cream, drove to her house and left it on her doorstep. Then he called from the driveway to tell her to look outside.

“She just beamed when she saw it. I don’t think leaving her a million dollars would have made her happier.”

注意：
1. 所续写短文的词数为100左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡上的相应位置作答。

After listening to story after story like this, I was inspired.

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7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入单词的正确形式。

Beijing film festival announces winners of Tiantan awards, and director Long Fei receives the Best Feature Film award for Gold or Shit.

The 14th Beijing International Film Festival was held     1     Friday night, announcing the winners of its top honor, the Tiantan Award, during     2     (it) closing ceremony.

Among the three Chinese films nominated in the final     3     (select), director Long Fei’s Gold or Shit, a comedy describing a down-and-out man’s unwelcomed return to his hometown,     4     (sweep) three awards: Best Feature Film, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay.

Director Long said,     5     (actual), he had felt stressed before finishing shooting, but now he was greatly     6     (encourage) after receiving such an honor. Huang Jia, the scriptwriter of Gold or Shit, shared     7     interesting behind-the-scenes story, telling the experiences of raising money, being advised to cast non-famous performers, but later being surprised     8     (learn) investors (投资方) had convinced stars Hu Ge and Gao Yuanyuan to play the     9     (lead) characters.

The movie marks actor Hu’s first attempt into comedy after two decades in the acting industry. Hu quoted a line from the film, where a character says “It’s always shining if it’s gold”, to express his excitement about the movie,     10     overcame many obstacles as the script came to life.

8 . The 4 Best Museums to Visit in Boston

Boston is a city filled with history, which is one of the reasons it’s a great destination to visit. Exploring Boston’s museum scene will give you a taste for what this New England city is all about. Read on for the best in the city.

MIT Museum

The MIT Museum’s main purpose is to share science and technology research and innovation. There are all sorts of shows with inventions that will spark conversation around a variety of topics related to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). Along with many hands-on experiments in the afternoon.

Hours: 10:00 a. m.-5:00 p. m. Self-guided tour tickets available for students and seniors ($5) and adults($10).

The Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts may be the most popular museum in Boston. Founded in 1870, the museum has grown over the years to now feature nearly 500, 000 works of art. The museum also hosts special events throughout the year, along with art classes for those interested in improving their skills.

Hours: Monday-Sunday 10 a. m.-5 p. m.. Tickets: Adults-$25, Students-$23, Children-$10.

The Sports Museum

Located on the 5th and 6th floors of the TD Garden is The Sports Museum. It’s here that you’ll see a half-mile worth of exhibits and learn about the history of all the Boston sports teams and their championship titles over the years. (For more information, you may click here.)

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a. m.-5 p. m. and Sunday 11 a. m.-5 p. m. Tickets (same price for each tour): Kids 6 and under-FREE, Kids 7-18-$10, Adults-$15.

The Museum of Science

One of the most popular museum s in Boston, the Museum of Science has something for everyone with over 500 shows that are both educational and interactive. The museum has a big emphasis on STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math), and you’ll see this brought to life through their exhibits throughout the year.

Hours: Saturday to Thursday 9 a. m.-5 p. m. and Friday 9 a. m.-9 p. m.

Tickets: Kids-$23, Adults -$28, Seniors -$24 for Exhibit Hall. Save $3 per ticket by purchasing Exhibit Hall tickets a day in advance online.

1. Where can a group go if they want to visit a museum with classes?

A．MIT Museum.	B．The Museum of Fine Arts.
C．The Sports Museum.	D．The Museum of Science.

2. What do MIT Museum and The Museum of Science have in common?

A．They open until 9 p. m.	B．They provide discounts online.
C．They offer chances to do experiments.	D．They are concerned with science.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A travel brochure.

B．A research paper.

C．A website page.

D．A course plan.

9 . Over the years, April Fools’ Day has become larger than life. While it may be seen as just a bit of fun, there is more to jokes and humour than may be obvious, begging the question: are the jokes on the 1st of April a good or a bad idea?

Every year, individuals and newspapers present jokes on the 1st of April that may be funny, yet sometimes causing an unexpected upheaval. One radio announcement made in 1949, that a mile-wide swarm of wasps (一群黄蜂) was heading for Auckland, was taken a bit too seriously. The news even came with advice on how to prepare for the incoming insects, resulting in all residents walking outdoors tucking (塞) their trousers into their socks, wearing masks (面罩) as well as setting honey traps outside their doors.

What makes things funny? This is a million-dollar question and one that’s not easily answered. First, it’s influenced by the context, the culture, and personal opinions, meaning that it’s not consistent (一致的) across populations. Besides, if a joke is violating (违反) a norm or rule, it’s more likely to be regarded as funny. Such violations need to be harmless, as they can otherwise be considered unpleasant. In terms of personal experience, serious events may be considered funnier over time, while stubbing (踩) a toe, considered a small violation, would lose its comedic effect over time. Interestingly, people, children, in particular, have been found to be more likely to laugh when they are near others compared to when alone.

Jokes may not seem serious but can actually serve social functions like managing emotions and also be used to deal with matters in work. For example, studies have found that there is a meaningful function of humour in healthcare settings, as it strengthens the connection between medical staffs and patients as well as relieves stressful situations linked to end-of-life care among nursing professionals.

However, it’s suggested that jokes be used cautiously. For example, David Letterman gained reputation (名声) for an interview he had done with Lindsay Lohan in 2013, when the audience had laughed loudly at his repeated questions about her going to receive treatment. However, 8 years later, his comments were seen as offensive (冒犯的). So it’s important to ensure that any violations made are not significant enough to damage your future fame.

1. What does the underlined word “upheaval” probably mean in paragraph 2?

A．Upset.

B．Fun.

C．Annoyance.

D．Popularity.

2. What can we learn about jokes from the passage?

A．People’s opinion of jokes differs.	B．Jokes remain humorous all the time.
C．Jokes can strengthen our connection.	D．Children are more likely to laugh than adults.

3. How does the author mainly share her understanding of jokes with us?

A．By listing figures.	B．By making comparisons.
C．By giving examples.	D．By answering questions.

4. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To tell us the function of jokes.	B．To provide information about jokes.
C．To help make up funny jokes.	D．To propose telling jokes carefully.

10 . 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。

As I unzipped my lunchbox, the whole place was turned into a spicy curry (咖喱) dream. I immediately hid it under my seat, hoping no one would take notice.

Mom had really outdone herself with masala — our family’s all-time favorite dish back in India. But today, it wasn’t just about me and my lunch. A warm smile on his face, Ricky invited me, a new transfer student from India to New York city, for lunch.

“Ava, come sit here!” Ricky called out, gesturing towards a vacant seat.

As I made my way over, memories of those awkward lunchtimes when I studied in Kansas, one of the most conservative states, flooded back. I could still recall how everyone would wrinkle their noses and stare curiously when I unpacked my Indian food. It always made me feel like an outsider, like I didn’t belong.

Therefore, before my first day in this school, I had demanded my mom pack “normal” western-style food for me. I still remembered the look on her face upon hearing it, as she signed in disappointment and confusion, “Isn’t there a moment when you feel proud of your origin?” That was hurting, but not more hurting than others’ giggles and whispers. Honestly, long queues were common in Indian restaurants in New York city, a cultural melting pot, but I wouldn’t take that risk.

Unfortunately, this morning, Mom had forgotten to make sandwich or any “normal” food, so I had to bring leftovers from our dinner. At the thought of the possible oh-no-second (社死), I felt like being thrown into darkness.

However, before I came back to reality, Ricky noticed my sneaking (躲躲藏藏). “What do you have for lunch?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with interest. I tried to brush it off (搪塞), claiming I wasn’t hungry. But Ricky wouldn’t let it go, and before I could protest, he had the lid of my lunchbox open and I prepared myself for such familiar responses as “Ew” or “What is that?”

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。

However, I did not get what I was expecting.

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After school, I found Mom preparing sandwich for tomorrow’s lunch.

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