Beyond the Horizon
Oshima was sitting at the sea side but the beautiful site did not make her feel good. Her face was dull and gloomy. She was staring at the setting sun without an expression on her face.
But she was not an unhappy child like this always. Six months before, Oshima was a happy child who loved playing at the beach with her brother and sister. Her brother Mittsu used to make sandcastle and Oshima and her sister Osheen collected the sea shells. Her father always shouted, “Come home, it's late”, but they would not listen. The seaside was like their second home. At house also, they were a happy family who always laughed and played and had no problems to bother for.
One day all of a sudden something terrible happened. A violent tsunami came and took the entire country in its grip. It was a huge natural disaster. Most of the houses were washed away. The cities and towns were flooded with water. Oshima’s town was near the sea and so the tsunami flooded her town as well. Her house was washed and they lost all their belongings.
Her grandmother Midori cried and cried and was totally shocked. She has not seen such destruction in her whole life. They were homeless. Oshima wept and wept and complained that why a violent tsunami hit her city. She was very angry.
The government shifted them to a refugee (难民) camp where many families shared the living space. Helicopters dropped food packets and they had to stand in long queues even for drinking water. Their life had turned upside down. Oshima could see the sadness visible in her parents' eyes. Now she did not like the sea at all and always felt that the sea had broken her trust and was very disappointed with the waves. For her the sea was very cruel who had taken her beautiful house away.
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。
One day Oshima saw two little children playing in the camp without any trace of sadness on their face.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A new ray of hope filled her spirits, making her cheer up.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2 . How to overcome travel anxiety
If you want to travel, there shouldn’t be anything getting in your way.
To cope with travel anxiety, you need to figure out specifically what is making you feel anxious about your trip. Is it that you’ll be on the road for hours, that there would be things out of your control, or that you would have to be surrounded by a lot of people at an airport? Once you understand what causes your anxiety, you can ensure to plan ahead for the best ways to handle it.
Plan out your trip in as much de tail as possible.
One reason for anxiety when travelling is that you’re out of your comfort zone and won’t have full control over everything. To help ease that anxious feeling, try to make detailed travel arrangements. That will give you a sense of control. But it’s equally as important to think of alternative plans.
Have with you things that bring you joy.
Things that generally bring you joy can be extremely useful in distracting you from your negative feelings.
Don’t forget your physical health.
| A．Predict what challenges you might face. |
| B．Understand where your anxiety originates. |
| C．Sometimes, however, there can be problems. |
| D．Thus for anything that could not go as planned, you’re prepared. |
| E．Being physically active is a great way to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. |
| F．The more you know about your upcoming trip, the more you’ll know what to expect. |
| G．These can include physical items like a book to read, or a game to occupy your attention. |
3 . Dexter lives in Ouray, Colorado, where, for the past few years, the two-footed dog has been turning heads wherever he goes. His owner, Kentee Pasek, says
When Dexter was a puppy, he escaped his yard, dashed into the
Pasek ran in to get a cup of coffee, came out and
In the six years since, Dexter has become a full-blown celebrity,
The whole thing isn’t considered as a
| A．walking | B．jumping | C．climbing | D．riding |
| A．performance | B．experiment | C．adaptation | D．promise |
| A．crowd | B．playground | C．subway | D．traffic |
| A．understood | B．assumed | C．realized | D．recognized |
| A．shelter | B．walking-stick | C．wheelchair | D．bench |
| A．finally | B．luckily | C．surprisingly | D．occasionally |
| A．covered | B．changed | C．forgot | D．grabbed |
| A．recorded | B．imagined | C．supported | D．observed |
| A．starring | B．admiring | C．waving | D．shouting |
| A．teachers | B．followers | C．designers | D．websites |
| A．peaceful | B．popular | C．humorous | D．beautiful |
| A．gesture | B．problem | C．routine | D．joke |
| A．positive | B．calm | C．serious | D．crazy |
| A．secrets | B．troubles | C．mistakes | D．chances |
| A．carried out | B．put away | C．dressed up | D．knocked down |
| A．Change his ticket. |
| B．Give the ticket to someone. |
| C．Try to catch the plane at 6:00. |
5 . Introducing Myself: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Growth
I am a unique individual, with my own passions, talents, and experiences that make me who I am.
Beyond writing, I have several other talents that bring me joy and fulfillment. I am a skilled musician and enjoy playing the guitar and singing.
My experiences have played a significant role in shaping who I am today. I have traveled to many different countries and have been exposed to a wide range of cultures and perspectives.
While I am proud of who I am today, I am always working hard to become the best version of myself. In the future, I hope to continue expanding my skill set, pursuing my passions, and helping others through my writing and other efforts.
| A．One of my greatest devotions is writing. |
| B．Don’t be afraid to risk and try something new. |
| C．I have also faced many challenges and setbacks. |
| D．Life is a journey, and I am excited to see where it will take me next. |
| E．My journey to self-discovery and growth has led me down many paths. |
| F．I also have a hobby for cooking and love experimenting with new recipes. |
| G．Here are some things to remember as you begin the journey of self-discovery. |
6 . The summer after my freshman year college, I had to get my first job. This was probably one of the
At first, it was very hard. I filled out dozens of
However, halfway through the third week, I finally got a call back from one of the places I
When I started, it was very clear that I was not
After working a while, I got better at orders, and always
| A．funniest | B．worst | C．hardest | D．lightest |
| A．energy | B．motivation | C．wisdom | D．ambition |
| A．questionnaires | B．surveys | C．certifications | D．applications |
| A．exactly | B．absolutely | C．partly | D．doubtfully |
| A．explain | B．claim | C．interpret | D．offer |
| A．signed up | B．applied to | C．checked in | D．headed for |
| A．interview | B．graduation | C．arrangement | D．performance |
| A．surprised | B．disappointed | C．excited | D．worried |
| A．skilled | B．frightened | C．patient | D．satisfied |
| A．avoided | B．abandoned | C．postponed | D．forgot |
| A．spend | B．last | C．continue | D．wait |
| A．ideas | B．expectations | C．jobs | D．instructions |
| A．sold | B．produced | C．kept | D．recommended |
| A．confirmed | B．received | C．guaranteed | D．become |
| A．confidence | B．importance | C．expectation | D．hope |
7 . In an era dominated by texting and messaging apps, phone calls seem to become a relic (遗物) of the past among younger generations, Gen Z in particular. A recent survey shows that a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds refuse to pick up the phone, and over half ignore calls from their parents. Why do we find phone calls so awkward, and is avoiding them damaging our relationships?
The avoidance of phone calls isn’t just a preference; it’s a display of anxiety. Phone conversations can be awkward due to the lack of non-verbal clues. In face-to-face interactions, we rely heavily on gestures, facial expressions, and body language to interpret messages, which are absent in phone conversations. This can lead to misunderstandings and a feeling of disconnect. Additionally, the pressure to respond immediately without enough time to think, as afforded by messaging apps, can increase the anxiety associated with phone calls.
Despite the discomfort they may cause, phone conversations are an important skill. In the professional world, the ability to communicate effectively over the phone remains a critical skill. As I emphasize in my teachings and workshops, clear, confident, and real-life communication can significantly impact personal and professional success. Therefore, it’s crucial for younger generations, including Gen Z, to learn how to communicate well with others over the phone, not just for professional success but also for developing personal relationships.
Relying merely on messaging apps can have harmful effects on Gen Z’s well-being and relationships. The survey indicates a growing discomfort with direct voice communication can lead to a lack of deeper, empathetic (共情的) connections. This can potentially impact their ability to form meaningful relationships and deal with situations where direct communication like phone calls is momentous.
Moreover, as I advocate in my approach to public speaking, including emotional elements into communication enhances memorability (值得记忆) and impact. Phone conversations, with their immediate and personal nature, can develop a deeper emotional connect ion than text-based communication.
1. What can we know from paragraph 2?| A．Why people are making fewer phone calls. |
| B．How young men respond to phone calls. |
| C．What impact can phone calls have. |
| D．How much further phone calls go. |
| A．Future success is mainly based on phone talks. |
| B．It's vital to acquire the art of phone conversation. |
| C．Learning how to communicate is the focus. |
| D．Much remains to be done for better personal skills. |
| A．Obvious. | B．Important. | C．Missing. | D．Temporary. |
| A．An interview. | B．A book review. | C．A lecture. | D．A diary entry. |
8 . How to improve your home’s energy efficiency
Ensuring that your home is energy-efficient possibly keeps your bills right down and helps you play your part in the fight against climate change.
Insulate (使隔热) your loft
Most of your home’s wasted energy will attempt to escape through your roof. To stop it in its tracks, you must invest in having your loft insulated.
By investing in a top-of-the-line boiler, you’ll no doubt tap into an extra of savings. What’s more, making this kind of investment will also be sure to lower your home’s carbon emissions. When choosing a new boiler, give precedence (优先) to those that fall in or near the “A” category. Whatever you do, just don’t slip towards the lower end of the scale.
Fit double glazing (双层玻璃)
Keep an eye on your energy consumption
Only when you know how much energy you use can you take action with regards to being less wasteful and more resourceful. This means that you should make a conscious effort to keep an eye on your energy consumption.
| A．Update your boiler |
| B．Maximize the boiler |
| C．To assist you in rising to this challenge |
| D．Taking such action may demand some cost in advance |
| E．Double-glazed windows will increase your energy consumption |
| F．Take these steps, and you’ll be living in an energy-efficient home |
| G．Double glazing will make a massive difference to your annual energy bills |
9 . The next generation of scientists and inventors is already finding approaches to address society’s problems. A group of high school students and their instructor report a solution to the problem of lead (铅) pollution in drinking water — an inexpensive faucet (水龙头) attachment that removes this poisonous metal. Unlike conventional filters currently on the market, theirs includes a container made of eco-friendly plastic and indicates when it’s “used up” by turning the tap water yellow.
“A few years ago, I saw a video of a woman in Michigan turn on her tap water, and it came out brown.” says Rebecca Bushway, the project’s principal investigator. “That made me think — because there’s really no safe level of lead in drinking water, wouldn’t it be nice to have a water filter that could tell you your water is polluted, well before it turns brown because of lead?”
Bushway, as a science teacher, wondered aloud to her chemistry class if there was a little filter that they could make from inexpensive components to easily remove lead. The students were excited about the idea, and they started thinking about the project in 2020.
The students discussed designs for an attachment to screw (用螺丝固定) a filter onto a sink’s faucet. Then in the spring semester of 2021, they 3D printed the attachment and a 3-inch-tall filter housing, using eco-friendly plastic. They filled the containers with some chemical powder. Next, the students added a tiny spectrophotometer (分光光度计) with a single-wavelength LED to the bottom of the filter container. They installed an indicator light that turns on as soon as the detector identifies the yellow color of the lead iodide (碘化铅).
The team’s goal is to make and sell their filters for less than $1 each. Because the housings use eco-friendly plastic, the cost could trend a little higher, but the material would help reduce the overall environmental impact of the filter.
The process of developing the filter has been very fulfilling. “Ultimately, this experience has shown students they can make a difference to somebody, and that there are problems they can fix with science,” said Bushway.
1. What shows that the filter is running out according to the text?| A．The change of the water’s color. | B．The change of the filter housing’s color. |
| C．The times of the filter being used. | D．The flash of the indicator light. |
| A．Her personal experience in Michigan. | B．The unsafe water used by a woman. |
| C．A lack of safe drinking water. | D．The experiments carried out in her class. |
| A．Chemical powder reacts with the lead in the water. |
| B．A detector is fixed to identify the lead iodide. |
| C．The students have developed eco-friendly plastic. |
| D．The filter has an advantage over others in price. |
| A．To advertise a product to remove lead to readers. |
| B．To highlight the hardships the inventors encounter. |
| C．To praise the young for shouldering responsibilities. |
| D．To stress the importance of environmental protection. |
10 . Individuals vary in how they react to anxiety. Some bury their heads in the sand and ignore the mounting sense of anxiety that seems to occupy the society. Others are in a watchful state and can’t get enough of the up-to-the-minute news and social media feeds.
Martin Buber once stated that we related to three things around us: nature, our fellow men, and how you view the world. When we are in a burdened (忧虑的) state, we tend to take no notice of any of these. When we become unburdened from our depressed selves, we are able to discover the delights and wonders around and experience a deep sense of gratitude.
At a time when news reports are merely a click away, people’s anxiety becomes even intenser. Because of 24/7 media, the international and the interpersonal have integrated in a way that we have never seen before. It seems that we’ve lost the capacity to maintain our inner peace—and that’s not just a matter of having opposing views about issues. It’s a matter of not having the patience to involve in delightful communication and to hear each other. Transforming the situation can't be achieved overnight. It’s not accidental, which must be approached with strength. It comes from the efforts to attain understanding and calm.
Our age of anxiety presents us with challenges. But out of adversity comes opportunity. Never can we maintain calm and experience gratitude at a time when we are burdened, worried, and anxious. Like anything else, relaxation and calm take a bit of work. Attempt to limit your exposure to updates on the news and take a couple of moments to count your blessings—including the people in your life and the fortune from which you’ve benefited. As you may be aware, it is taking things for granted that robs you of the fruits of your labor. Praying for goodness and planting seeds of gratitude may be our only way out.
1. What might happen to a relaxed person?| A．Spotting the beauty in the surroundings. | B．Paying no attention to the state of mind. |
| C．Getting on well with nature and fellows. | D．Grasping the latest news items with care. |
| A．The lack of peaceful talks. | B．The information overload. |
| C．The widespread false news. | D．The opposing views online. |
| A．Methods to overcome challenges and barriers. |
| B．Steps to robbing people of their fruits of labor. |
| C．Tips on limiting the exposure to news updates. |
| D．Ways to ease anxiety and appreciate blessings. |
| A．Take Nothing Online for Granted |
| B．Watch Out for the Traps of Media |
| C．Be Grateful in an Age of Anxiety |
| D．Count Blessings Instead of Worries |
