1 . The existing coffee market is dominated by Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. Unfortunately for them, coffee bushes grow best in a rather narrow range of temperatures, so their cultivation is threatened by a changing climate. But a chance discovery by Aaron Davis from Britain, published in Nature Plants, may offer a way out. Dr Davis and his colleagues report that they have tracked down a type of wild coffee which is both pleasant to taste and tolerant of higher temperatures.

Dr Davis, however, came across a paper written in 1834 by George Don, a Scottish scientist, which described a species from warmer areas. Don named it stenophylla, and wrote that it had a flavour superior to arabica’s, and it was farmed up until the 1920s, after which canephora, which had higher yields, took over. Stenophylla was then gradually forgotten.

The crucial question was, was Don’s praise to its flavour justified? To find out, Dr Davis arranged a competition involving 18 professional coffee tasters who assessed, in a blind comparison, a set of samples that included stenophylla, two types of arabica and one of canephora.

Stenophylla performed well. It was rated as having higher fruitlike qualities than a Brazilian arabica and an Indonesian canephora, and also a more favourable acid ity and more complex flavour profile, though slightly less desired than an Ethiopian arabica. It had nearly the same body as the others, and lacked an unpleasant, earthy bitterness found in the Brazilian arabica and the Indonesian canephora. When asked if what they were tasting was arabica, the judges said “yes” 81% of the time for samples of stenophylla, compared with 98% for the arabica from Ethiopia. They identified the Brazilian arabica as such only 44% of the time, and misidentified the canephora as arabica on 7% of occasions.

Stenophylla does taste like arabica and tolerates higher temperatures than either arabica or canephora. That opens two possible courses of action. One is to cultivate it directly, though this might run into the yield problem which led to its abandonment in the first place. The other is to crossbreed it with existing species, to provide those high-yielding varieties with its heat tolerance.

1. What is the purpose of the research into a type of wild coffee?

A．To promote the habit of drinking coffee.	B．To deal with global warming problems.
C．To help coffee farmers make more profits.	D．To save coffee production from global warming.

2. According to 18 professional coffee tasters, what can we learn about the four types of coffee?

A．Ethiopian arabica is more appealing than Brazilian arabica.

B．Indonesian canephora tasted best among four types of coffee.

C．Stenophylla has less taste of bitterness than two types of arabica.

D．Stenophylla has a more favourable acidity than Ethiopian arabica.

3. What are presented in the last paragraph?

A．Historical factors.	B．Theoretical bases.
C．Statistical analyses.	D．Practical solutions.

4. Which section of a magazine is the passage most probably taken from?

A．Business.	B．Agriculture.
C．Finance and economics.	D．Science and technology.

2 . In 2001, Nathan Ogden raced down an Oregon ski slope, launching himself off a jump over 30 feet into the air. While he had done this many times, something was ______ on this day. He jumped further than planned, causing his body to fall hard against the ski slope. He tried to stand, but his legs wouldn't move. It was soon ______ that his neck was badly injured.

Over the next few months, he remained _______ that he would walk again, despite what the doctors said. Gradually, as he ______ sense to his legs and a little independence, his doctors called his progress“miraculous.”

But he wanted to progress faster. He worked ______ to regain use of his upper body, and while he could hardly move his legs, he was ______ that one day he would walk again. He eventually regained 50% of his body movement, but more _______ was yet to come. In 2003, Ogden caught pneumonia (肺炎) and fell unconscious in his sleep.

When his wife couldn't wake him, he was ______ to the Emergency Room, where technicians ______ dropped him to the floor while x-raying his lungs. For the second time, Ogden had ______ his neck. But this time, the break was higher up,______ his permanent loss of bodily movement below the chest.

Sometimes Ogden felt ______. He noted being physically disabled was extremely difficult and that he lost his job, friends and almost his marriage. But Ogden tried to be ______ throughout the coming years.

He continues to fight a daily battle against ______. With his wife and children supporting him,he has been skydiving, snow skiing and water skiing. He is even writing a book to inspire as many as possible to believe in hope and _____. While he might never leave the wheelchair in this life, his spirit is rising higher than his legs could ever take him.

1.

A．pleasant

B．ordinary

C．different

D．realistic

2.

A．confirmed

B．anticipated

C．suggested

D．recognized

3.

A．delighted

B．frustrated

C．confident

D．confused

4.

A．lost

B．caused

C．produced

D．gained

5.

A．tirelessly

B．efficiently

C．effortlessly

D．painfully

6.

A．told

B．convinced

C．informed

D．reminded

7.

A．advance

B．trouble

C．fortune

D．question

8.

A．led

B．attached

C．accompanied

D．rushed

9.

A．casually

B．deliberately

C．accidentally

D．occasionally

10.

A．healed

B．broken

C．examined

D．shaken

11.

A．making up

B．bringing in

C．resulting in

D．building up

12.

A．trapped

B．deleted

C．interrupted

D．blamed

13.

A．active

B．positive

C．negative

D．passive

14.

A．discipline

B．competition

C．criticism

D．adversity

15.

A．liberation

B．recognition

C．reputation

D．progress

3 . Our old, artificial Christmas tree was in rough shape by the time we retired it. At least a decade had passed since my wife and I bought the tree, a medium-size fake tree with built-in lights, at a Target in Brooklyn and carried it on the subway to our tiny apartment. Over the years, we dragged that tree from apartment, jammed it onto a moving truck to Los Angeles and later packed the weathered box onto another moving truck, this time to Chicago and our current home. By the end, layers of duct tape (强力胶布) held the box together, the wear and tear of a decade of delivering holiday cheer.

Our little tree looked run down, but it was the only tree our family ever knew. It stands proud and glowing in the background of photos of me and my pregnant wife during our last Christmas in Brooklyn without children. Our oldest was born a month later during a January snowstorm. The tree shows up again in the next year’s photos, this time surrounded by holiday gifts for a boy about to turn 1. Then it appears in photos of our son and his 1-month-old brother, this time with California palm trees just outside the door. And in more recent photos, our tree lights up windows overlooking shining Chicago snow. This year, after much debate, we decided to retire our dear old tree, with its bent branches and the lights that had burned out years ago. Rather than feel depressed, we used the moment to launch a new family tradition: our first real Christmas tree.

So here’s a toast to all your family’s traditions—the old and the new. I hope you enjoy this issue, which we have filled with stories of seasonal joy and holiday cheer. Happy holidays!

1. Where is the author’s present home?

A．In Chicago.

B．In Brooklyn.

C．In California.

D．In Los Angeles.

2. Why did the author keep the old tree for so long?

A．His budget was tight.	B．He was attached to it.
C．It was in good condition.	D．It was environmentally-friendly.

3. Who is probably the author?

A．An editor.

B．A salesman.

C．A delivery man.

D．A home designer.

4. What can we learn from the story?

A．The finest diamond must be cut.

B．Out with the old, in with the new.

C．Old friends and old wine are best.

D．All things in their being are good for something.

4 . 4 Poetry Collections to Read and Enjoy

In honor of National Poetry Month, celebrated every April, we’re sharing a roundup of poetry collections that have been published within the last year.

Black Girl You Are Atlas
By Renee Watson,
illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Renee Watson, the best-selling author of Ways to Make Sunshine, draws from her childhood for some of these poems, which include haiku and free verse. The subjects range from racial injustice to self-love. The artwork is spectacular.
Ages 12 and up
In and Out the Window
By Jane Volen,
illustrated by Cathrin Peterslund
In addition to being the author of more than 350 novels, Jane Yolen is an esteemed poet. This new collection includes more than 100 of her works on popular childhood topics including school, animals, and sports. One title: “On My Toes: A True Story. ”
Ages 8-12
Poetry Comics
By Grant Snider
illustrated by Leo Dawson
The dozens of short poems in this collection are written and illustrated in comic panels. The book contains four chapters—one for each season of the year. Titles for the spring poems include “Bubbles,” “Balloon Story,” and “Tadpole.” The subjects for the poems feel fresh and fun.
Ages 8-12
She’ll Be the Sky
By Ela Risbridger,
illustrated by Anna Shepeta
Dozens of female poets, including Amanda Gorman, contributed to this collection. Topics range from animals to activism. Most poems are accompanied by a full-page color illustration.
Ages 8 and up
1. Which book is tailored for readers who are over 12 years old?

A．Poetry Comics.	B．She’ll Be the Sky.
C．In and Out the Window.	D．Black Girl You Are Atlas.

2. What is Poetry Comics about?

A．Animals and activism.	B．Four seasons of the year.
C．Popular childhood topics.	D．Racial injustice and self-love.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To fascinate poetry-goers.	B．To advertise 4 poetry collections.
C．To celebrate National Poetry Month.	D．To comment on 4 poetry collections.

5 . 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。

The newfound team, now officially known as the Wildcats, started their basketball journey with a mix of eagerness and anxiety. The community center’s basketball court became their arena (竞技场), a place where failures were just stepping stones to success, and every dribble (运球), pass, and shot was a lesson in disguise.

Under Mr. Jordan’s guidance, practices became more than just learning how to play basketball; they were about discovering the strengths within and the power of unity. He had an approach to seeing the potential in every player.

One afternoon, as the team gathered around Mr. Jordan, he introduced a new drill that focused on passing and communication. “Basketball is a language,” he explained. “If you can’t communicate, you can’t win. This drill will help you understand each other without words. ”

The drill was a disaster at first. Passes went wrong, and frustration mounted. Jasmine’s quick passes were too swift for Mia, and Lucas’s attempts at humor during the drill only led to more confusion. Eli, ever the observer, noticed the tension and suggested a simple system of hand signals they had discussed in a previous practice. Gradually, the team began to find their rhythm, learning to anticipate each other’s moves and communicate more effectively.

It wasn’t just basketball skills that the Wildcats were developing; it was a sense of belonging and trust in one another. Each practice ended with a team gathering, where Mr. Jordan shared stories from his coaching days, emphasizing the lessons learned from losses more than wins.

注意：(1)续写词数应为150左右；(2)开头已给出。
Paragraph 1: Soon came their first real game against a more experienced team.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: The second half saw a different Wildcats team.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . 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。

As the world’s largest energy consumer, China plays a vital role in shaping the global energy market, said Sobotka, who serves as the co-chair of the Global Battery Alliance. China’s rapid economic growth and urbanization have led to     1     increase in energy demands across various sectors     2     (include) industry, transportation, and residential use, he said. He added that China’s energy consumption affects not only market prices but the demand for different energy sources worldwide. Regarding coal, China is     3     (current) the world’s largest consumer and producer of coal, according to data from the International Energy Alliance. Despite     4     (consist) efforts on energy transition, coal is about     5     (dominate) China’s energy mix due to its abundant domestic reserves and     6     (affordable), he said, adding that this reliance contributes to a high level of greenhouse gas emissions. It is not only China’s energy policies, but its domestic production and imports that have a profound effect     7     global energy markets, he said. In recent years, China     8     (make) substantial investments in renewable energy such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

Sobotka attended the China Development Forum 2024 in Beijing from Sunday to Monday, during     9     he shared his views with Chinese government officials and entrepreneurs from all over the world. The forum is hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council     10     organized by the China Development Research Foundation.

7 . Knowledge is power, and the more you learn about mental health, the better the position you may be in to help those facing mental health battles. Consider doing the following things to support those closest to you.

Attend a training course

    1    . In fact, anyone can benefit from depression awareness training that focuses on supporting those at risk. You might be a teacher that manages youth or a sports coach wanting to pick up on depression risk signs in your players. You may even be a worried parent who wants to make sure your children can tell you anything. Depression awareness and prevention courses teach you both theoretical and practical skills to recognize warning signs and behaviors.     2    .

Listen

If someone approaches you in their time of need, it’s not always easy to know what you’re supposed to do, and it may be more beneficial for you to just listen.     3    . They may just need to get what they are feeling off their chest and to feel valid at that moment. Try your best not to interrupt, but ask questions if you require clarification. The more listening you do, the better your position in deciding what to do next.

    4    

While being a listening ear is sometimes all someone needs to feel better, you can also become an ongoing source of support. Check in with the person experiencing a mental health problem like depression so that they know you are always there for them. Make contact with them regularly to see how they are feeling. Just knowing someone cares can make a world of difference.

Call emergency services

Your support, guidance, and listening ear can be of great value to anyone going through a tough time.     5    . If someone you know is experiencing self-abuse thoughts or tendencies, don’t delay in seeking emergency help. The faster you act, the safer your friend or family member may be.

A．Check in with them

B．Suggest support services

C．However, it’s essential to know your limits

D．Such a course may just help you to prevent someone’s depression

E．They may not need you to offer solutions or even give them a hug

F．Sometimes, the best thing you can do is encourage them to seek professional help

G．You don’t have to be in a professional health role to attend depression prevention training

8 . 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。

I am not a gamer. I’ll be honest: video games and I don’t really see eye to eye, and I have no ambitions to become better. I never have the experience playing against my kids and winning. And that’s okay. Board games, on the other hand, are a different story. At least there, I stand a chance of victory.

One day, my 12-year-old son begged me to play a game with him. He held out a game controller and begged, “Just one game with me? You can use it to control the game through your movements.” His eyes were full of anticipation and I could see the excitement welling up within him. How could I possibly resist such a sincere and heartfelt request? “Just one game.” My son’s face lit up. In a matter of minutes, we were standing in our living room, virtually bowling away.

My son’s amusement at my lack of gaming skills was evident. I could see the struggle on his face as he fought to hold back his laughter. The game controller felt awkward and unfamiliar in my hand, but I did my best to copy my son’s movements and follow his lead. At one point, my son said, “No, Mom. You really have to put some force into it. Like this.” With that, he threw his arm back, stepped forward, and with plenty of force extended out his arm that was holding the controller. Instead of sending the virtual bowling ball flying, the controller went off his hand and broke the TV screen. The impact was immediate and destructive. The screen cracked, sending a crazy mosaic (马赛克) of colors dancing across its surface. It looked like something straight out of a dream.

The air stood still at that moment. The look on my son’s face was a funny mixture of horror, disbelief and guilt. He stayed absolutely frozen for a long moment. Then, slowly, he turned to me. “Mom...” with a weak smile, “Did I just... break the TV?”

注意：
1. 续写的词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡上的相应位置作答。

Surprisingly, I wasn’t angry at all.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

But my son insisted on keeping the broken TV.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . Short-form videos, also known as Shorts, have gained great popularity, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.     1     However, there’s a growing concern that watching too many Shorts can affect children’s brains.

The phenomenon known as “TikTok Brain” arises from the app’s short and addictive videos. Similar to candy, these videos generate rapid dopamine (多巴胺) releases, stimulating the brain’s pleasure center. A study was conducted to investigate the impact of Shorts on the teenage brains.     2     They stimulated the brain’s reward centers more intensely than random videos.

Our brains process visual information faster than text, which explains why videos tend to outperform text-based content online. Due to their underdeveloped reading skills, children are more easily to become addicted to visual stimuli. Remarkably, social media platforms can do a lot harm to the development of reading habits among younger users.     3    

According to Jessica Griffin, a professor of child psychology, Shorts affect the developing brains of children and teenagers. The prefrontal cortex (前额叶皮质) is responsible for attention, self-control, memory, and learning flexibility.     4     This delayed development makes young individuals more easily influenced by Shorts.

In conclusion, the constant exposure to fast-paced and stimulating content in Shorts can impact children’s attention. To address this issue, parents can have open conversations with their children about the potential risks.     5     Furthermore, encouraging physical activities and outdoor experiences is also crucial to develop a balance d lifestyle.

A．Some even do not include text at all.

B．TikTok’s feed is created addictive by design.

C．But it does not fully mature until around the age of 25.

D．It is helpful to use screen time management tools for Shorts.

E．Short-term memory and the ability to concentrate are affected.

F．It revealed that these videos are personalized, selected and fed to users.

G．They’re brief attention-grabbing videos that can be entertaining and addictive.

10 . “Red tide” is a natural phenomenon that frequently occurs in many places around the world. The phenomenon is the result of extreme growth of tiny algae (海藻) called K. Brevis, which has a red color, giving the water surface a very noticeable red color. K. Brevis will give off chemicals that can attack the nervous systems of animals, which often leads to deadly results.

Florida citizens are no stranger to “red tide”, which occurs along the state’s Gulf Coast annually. However, the most recent outbreak of red tide has so far lasted much longer and spread across nearly 145 miles of the coastline in southwestern Florida.

The long season has caused the death of tons of fish and other animals which were washed up on the beaches all the way from Tampa to Naples. The smell of the dead animals has kept away thousands of locals and tourists that frequent the area’s long beaches. In view of that, in August, Florida declared a state of emergency for the seven places where K. Brevis has been growing quickly, providing $ 3 million to help with research, cleanup, and wildlife rescue.

Recently, the situation of red tide in Florida may be exacerbated due to an outbreak of algae Trichodesmium in the waters offshore of Manatee County. Trichodesmium floats on the water’s surface sucking nitrogen (氮) from the air while K. Brevis lives below the surface obtaining nitrogen from the water. If these two masses of algae mix, the dying Trichodesmium may end up providing nitrogen for K. Brevis, lengthening its stay in the area.

Researchers recently are exploring the idea of introducing other algal species to Florida. Among the possibilities is the Diatom. It’s a kind of algae that can grow quickly in the water. Its growth will consume a large amount of nitrogen from the water. So it competes with K. Brevis for nitrogen. Another possibility is algae known to give off chemicals that stop the growth of red tide.

The 10-month-long red tide outbreak in Florida may be the result of a combination of heavy rainfall, warmer ocean temperatures, and pollution. Now it’s time for us to do something.

1. What can we learn about K. Brevis?

A．It’s caused by red tide.	B．It can harm ocean life.
C．It’s facing dying out.	D．It exists mainly on land.

2. What’s Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The researchers’ study of algae.	B．The tourism potential in Florida.
C．The possible ways to deal with red tide.	D．The consequences of red tide in Florida.

3. What does the underlined part mean?

A．Worsened.

B．Studied.

C．Handled.

D．Ignored.

4. What’s the possible function of the algae Diatom?

A．To change the color of K. Brevis.

B．To help reduce K. Brevis’ food supply.

C．To damage K. Brevis using some chemicals.

D．To increase fishes’ resistance to K. Brevis’ attack.