1 . Top Piano Players in the World

Martha Argerich

Martha Argerich could be considered the next Beethoven, as she is one of the most outstanding pianists ever to play. Argerich preferred being on stage with others instead of performing solo; therefore, she has been performing in a concerto format since the 1980s. Argerich was not one for the spotlight, as she often avoided public appearances such as interviews; however, her great talent was all the publicity she needed, standing out during concertos and sonatas.

Leif Ove Andsnes

Known for his appealing performances of Edvard Grieg’s works, Andsnes has won praise for his performances at some of the world’s most famous concert halls. Andsnes has certainly made his mark in Norway, as he is the founding director of Norway’s Rosendal Chamber Music Festival. Because of his unique voice and interesting approach, he was praised by The New York Times as a “pianist of authoritative elegance, power, and insight.”

Alfred Brendel

Known for his beautiful interpretations of Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert and Mozart, Alfred Brendel was considered one of the greats. He played in various concertos throughout his career and became known for his interpretive coldness in recreating these works. Brendel was considered one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, as he made his mark in the classical music industry. Brendel was self-taught and learned his love of piano at an early age.

Arthur Rubinstein

Arthur Rubinstein was certainly one of the greats. His career began in the early 20th century when he began to come into contact with some of the world’s most important composers, such as Maurice Ravel, Paul Dukas, and Jacques Thibaud. He made various trips worldwide and visited nearly every continent, where crowds met him with great praise and encouragement.

1. What does the female pianist focus on in her career?

A．Skills in hosting concertos and sonatas.	B．Cooperation with other musicians.
C．Close relationships with the media.	D．Unique ways to interpret music.

2. Who learned music by himself or herself?

A．Martha Argerich.	B．Leif Ove Andsnes.
C．Alfred Brendel.	D．Arthur Rubinstein.

3. How is Arthur Rubinstein different from the other pianists?

A．He was the director of a Norwegian festival.

B．He made a difference in classical music.

C．He was the best musician of the 20th century.

D．He got in touch with some famous composers.

2 . In the last months of Dad’s life, my brothers and I moved him to a local nursing home nearby. I spent as much time as I could ______ him there. Cancer had damaged his body badly and was now ______ his mind.

During one visit, I entered his room, only to find him in a ______ sleep. I sat by his side for a while ______, wishing for more time with him and also ______ I hadn’t made the most of all the years we had together. Then I got up and walked out.

A light rain was starting to fall and it matched my ______. As I walked to my car, I saw a woman in a wheelchair ______ to move herself out of the rain. I ______ walked over and helped push her inside. She thanked me and gave me a ______ smile. At that moment, I felt a light shine into my soul and a sense of ______ return to my heart. I walked back out, letting the rain wash over me, and thanked all the years I had with Dad. I also knew even if Dad died, the love we shared would ______ continue.

I now still think of that ______ of loving kindness. It reminds me that while we might not be able to live every moment to the fullest, we can still ______ the moments we do have. Life is

______ for love and kindness, which go beyond even death and are ever-lasting ______. May you fill your days with them.

1.

A．inspecting

B．observing

C．joining

D．visiting

2.

A．eating away at

B．keeping away from

C．living up to

D．getting rid of

3.

A．disturbed

B．light

C．broken

D．deep

4.

A．silently

B．impatiently

C．secretly

D．nervously

5.

A．recalling

B．understanding

C．regretting

D．denying

6.

A．image

B．mood

C．taste

D．character

7.

A．hesitating

B．pretending

C．refusing

D．struggling

8.

A．quickly

B．randomly

C．curiously

D．anxiously

9.

A．forced

B．beautiful

C．fixed

D．humorous

10.

A．fun

B．warmth

C．amazement

D．commitment

11.

A．almost

B．hardly

C．still

D．even

12.

A．period

B．adventure

C．performance

D．moment

13.

A．value

B．pick

C．change

D．create

14.

A．tested

B．kept

C．meant

D．used

15.

A．belongings

B．treasures

C．goods

D．possessions

3 . Johnny Agar had always dreamed of competing in triathlons (铁人三项赛) as an athlete. Unfortunately, he’d been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (大脑性瘫痪) shortly after he was born. This disorder makes it difficult for the now-28-year-old to get around. However, he and his father are proving that where there’s a will — and a lot of love — there’s a way!

Jeff Agar, 59, is helping Johnny experience life to the fullest by entering triathlons by his side. As a team, they’ve completed over 200 races, including a full ironman triathlon that required them to swim, bike and run 140 miles in just 17 hours.

“I’m not a fan of triathlon,” Jeff joked. “I’m doing it not because I love it. This is Johnny’s dream and I’m giving him the legs and the power to do it.” Although Jeff typically provides the majority of the manpower, it was important for Johnny to cross the finish line on his own legs. “Walking in races was my way of telling Dad, ‘Okay, I’m not just going to say thank-you anymore; I’m going to actually put words into action,’” Johnny said.

Johnny and his dad now form Team Agar, using their story and the power of motivational speaking to inspire others. “When we completed that 140-mile Ironman together, it had an amazing impact on many people who had seen our story. We began to see that competing isn’t just about us crossing the finish line; it’s about helping others leave uncertainty in the dust — even those facing greater obstacles than we did.”

Earlier this month, they received some incredible news. They were invited to compete in one of the toughest triathlons: the Ironman World Championship! What made the occasion even more special was a pre-recorded video message from Johnny’s idol, athlete Peyton Manning. “Rumor has it that you’re a big fan of mine,” Peyton said, “I’m a big fan of yours as well! You guys are incredible; you’re a true inspiration.”

1. What can we learn about Jeff from the text?

A．He has a great passion for triathlons.

B．He is upset about Johnny’s severe illness.

C．He goes all out to help his son achieve his ambition.

D．He crosses the finish line with his son in competitions.

2. Why did Jeff and Johnny set up Team Agar?

A．To give motivation to other people.	B．To encourage more people to join them.
C．To make themselves more competitive.	D．To participate in more competitions as a team.

3. What does the author want to convey in the last paragraph?

A．Peyton will record more videos of Johnny and Jeff.

B．Jeff and Johnny have influenced people positively.

C．Johnny and Jeff have been getting along well with Peyton.

D．Peyton has provided Johnny with material assistance.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．An Old Father’s Love for Triathlons

B．A Disabled Competitor Works Wonders

C．Dad Helps Son With Cerebral Palsy Achieve His Dream

D．Great Achievements Made by Dad and Son in Sports

4 . You’ve heard the phrase “home for the holidays”, but I would like to introduce a new phrase: hygge for the holidays. A hygge holiday is all about peaceful, quiet and cozy(温暖舒适的) surroundings. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Holiday hygge is easy and comforting. Most people are already doing at least some of these simple hygge holidays without even knowing it.

Hygge is a Danish word originally coming from an old Norwegian word meaning well-being and protection from the outside harm. It’s known that winters in Denmark are severe and last long. The concept of hygge has been used by Danish people to keep themselves mentally positive in the dark winter season and fill their homes with comfort and love.

Hygge is a very important word to Danish people, often used to describe what their culture is all about and it is not necessarily a thing, something you can buy, but rather more of something you feel. Hygge really is a reflection of one aspect of Danish living, and, happily, in the last five years the concept of hygge has made its way to the US and many other countries. I mean what’s not to like about nurturing(培育)peace and quiet and coziness?

Here are some more descriptive words for hygge: comfort, familiarity, friendship, laughter, and even seasonal homemade food and drinks. While it is possible to achieve hygge any time of the year with hygge activities-an outdoor BBQ with friends and a movie under the stars with family are good examples of summertime hygge, it is most commonly associated with the colder months because of its ability to lift one’s spirits during dark winter months.

Hygge is the most suitable for the November and December holiday season because it’s all about peaceful and cozy surroundings that fill you with contentment. There is indeed something you can do to bring holiday hygge into your home this season.

1. Why do Danish people choose a hygge holiday?

A．To deal with cold and long winters.	B．To follow the latest holiday trend.
C．To fight against nature physically.	D．To spend more time with their family.

2. How does the author find hygge?

A．It reflects Danish living totally.	B．It is mainly about some feeling.
C．It is limited to Denmark and the US.	D．It represents ancient Danish culture

3. What message is conveyed in paragraph 4?

A．People do hygge in more ways.	B．Hygge is preferred in summertime.
C．Hygge is still perfect for winter.	D．People access hygge in certain time.

4. What might the author go on to talk about?

A．Ways of hygge celebrations.	B．Tips on achieving hygge.
C．Different opinions about hygge	D．Benefits of bringing hygge into home.

5 . Everyone wants to keep their kitchen clean and have a healthy pantry(食品储藏室)that offers healthy food options year-round. You already do so much for your family’s health.     1    

You can smarten up your storage. Whenever possible, you can store pepper, grains, and other pantry foods in glass containers.    2     Plastic food storage containers are a good second best, though plastics are always less desirable from an environmental angle.

It’s time to sharpen your knife skills. Grocery stores offer pre-cut vegetables, which is a wonderful innovation for the short-on-time among us. But if you are able, buying a whole vegetable will save you some money-and your produce will last longer if you don’t cook it immediately.

    3     Some foods, like tomatoes, should never be refrigerated, while others, like cucumbers, stay fresh longer if they’re stored in cold conditions. Knowing where each food is happy will help you use your cooling equipment to maximum benefit.

Clean up your cleaning products. Most kitchen cleaning work can be handled without products that have powerful but damaging chemicals which come in plastic containers and put eco-unfriendly substances into the air and near your food.    4     You can use baking soda(小苏打)to clean counters, sinks, and stovetops. Lemon juice, essential oils, and even large pieces of sea salt for cleaning can also help with your cleaning routine.

Share with your local food pantry. A quick online search or phone call can put you in touch with your local food pantry. Learn what they need most and seek out items in your pantry that are not yet past their best-before date or that you aren’t likely to use in the near future.    5     Both sides will get a benefit.

A．You should manage storage temperatures.

B．Then how can you keep just what you need?

C．Extend your foods’ shelf life as long as you can.

D．Seek out some simple and mild solution “recipes”.

E．You’ll be reducing your waste and feeding your neighbors at one go.

F．The see-through material will show you when things are running low

G．But could you also pay some attention to keeping an eco-friendly pantry?

6 . 假如你是李华，明日你班英语课课前3分钟自由表达的主题是“如何高效学习”。请你以“How to Study Effectively”为题，用英语写一篇短文，谈谈你对高效学习的看法。内容包括：
1. 你对高效学习的理解；
2. 你的建议。
注意:
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 请在答题卡的相应位置作答。

How to Study Effectively

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . In July, in Moss Point, Mississippi, a heroic act unfolded. Three teenage girls found themselves in a(n) _________ situation when they drove their car off a boat ramp (舷梯) and into the Pascagoula River. The driver had blindly _________ incorrect GPS directions, leading them into the _________.

Corion Evans, a 16-year-old who was hanging out with friends nearby, saw what happened and realized he _________ to help. In the dark, Evans and two brothers made their way to the river’s edge and saw the _________ catching the roof of the sinking car. Evans _________ jumped into the water, even though he _________ there were alligators (鳄鱼) in the area. He _________ brought the first girl to safety on the shore.

A police officer named Garry Mercer _________ and also jumped into the river to assist. However, one of the girls __________ and pulled Mercer underwater. Evans didn’t hesitate to jump back in and help both of them until they could stand. __________, another girl, Cora Watson, who couldn’t swim, was struggling to stay afloat. Evans heard her cries for __________ and managed to save her as well.

All three girls and Officer Mercer were taken to the __________ but were eventually released. Evans’ mother, Marquita Evans, wasn’t __________ with him for breaking curfew (宵禁) because he had a good reason — __________ lives.

1.

A．complex

B．dangerous

C．embarrassing

D．unusual

2.

A．recorded

B．changed

C．followed

D．abandoned

3.

A．water

B．car

C．house

D．beach

4.

A．promised

B．learned

C．refused

D．needed

5.

A．drivers

B．boys

C．girls

D．officers

6.

A．carefully

B．finally

C．suddenly

D．immediately

7.

A．imagined

B．knew

C．hoped

D．dreamed

8.

A．successfully

B．calmly

C．anxiously

D．warmly

9.

A．waited

B．arrived

C．fell

D．left

10.

A．apologized

B．disappeared

C．panicked

D．agreed

11.

A．At the same time

B．After a while

C．From now on

D．In the future

12.

A．fight

B．peace

C．action

D．help

13.

A．school

B．hospital

C．home

D．river

14.

A．strict

B．pleased

C．upset

D．patient

15.

A．ending

B．losing

C．endangering

D．saving

8 . Best Cheap Beach Vacations for Fun in the Sun

Olcott

This lively family destination located on the shores of Lake Ontario is a great destination for fishing, and it’s just a short drive to the beautiful waterfalls at Niagara Falls State Park. While in the area, don’t miss the caramel corn from Bye’s Popcorn. There may be a line, but it’s worth the wait!

Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan is an incredibly popular vacation destination in Washington, and for good reason. The 55-mile-long lake is a stunner surrounded by vineyards and mountains. One of the most beautiful lakes in America for swimming, it’s also a big destination for camping, fishing and wine tasting. Other standouts in the area include Lakeside Surf, a surfing facility that’s home to the world’s largest standing wave.

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi stands out for having an incredible selection of truly terrific beaches, affordable lodging options, beautiful parks and lots of free activities. While you’re there, explore the largest undeveloped barrier island in the world, the Pad re Island National Seashore. Local highlights include the free Texas Surf Museum, tours of the museum housed within the USS Lexington, and the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach may be famous for racing, but it’s also home to 20 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches that rank as some of the best beaches in Florida. In fact, visitors can even buy a pass to spend the day driving on the beach. Of course, it’s hard to ignore the legacy of racing here, since Daytona Beach is home to Daytona International Speedway, host of the Daytona 500.

1. What do Olcott and Lake Chelan have in common?

A．They are close to the park.	B．They are suitable for fishing.
C．They have mountain s nearby.	D．They provide visitors for camping.

2. What can tourists do in Corpus Christi?

A．Explore mountains bravely.	B．Enjoy delicious food freely.
C．Take part in activities for free.	D．Go surfing on the Padre Island.

3. Which place will you choose if you are interested in the competition of speed?

A．Olcott.	B．Lake Chelan.
C．Corpus Christi.	D．Daytona Beach.

9 . Tourists visiting La Gomera and EI Hierro in the Canary-Islands can often hear locals communicating over long distances by whistling-not a tune, but the Spanish language. The locals are communicating in Silbo, a whistled Spanish language.

Whistled languages are almost developed in rough, mountainous regions or in thick forest. That’s because whistled speech carries much farther than ordinary speech or shouting. As a result, whistled speech can be understood up to 10 times as far away as ordinary shouting. That lets people communicate even when they cannot easily approach close enough to shout. On La Gomera, for example, a few traditional shepherds (牧羊人) still whistle to one another across mountain valleys that could take hours to cross.

Whistled languages work because many of the key elements of speech can be produced in a whistle, says Meyer. We distinguish(区分) one speech sound from another by small differences in their sound frequency patterns. A long e, for example, is formed higher in the mouth than along o, giving it a higher sound.

To language scientists, such languages are more than just a curiosity. By studying whistled languages, they hope to learn more about how our brains get meaning from the complex sound patterns of speech. Whistling may even provide a chance to know one of the most dramatic jump forward in human evolution(进化): the origin of language itself.

Despite their interest to both language experts and casual observers, whistled languages are disappearing rapidly all over the world, and some, such as the whistled form of the Tepehua language in Mexico, have already disappeared. “...now you still find whistled speech only in places that are very, very remote, that have had less contact with modernity and less access to roads,” Meyer says.

Fortunately, there is still hope. UNESCO, the UN cultural organization, has listed two whistled languages, Silbo, and a whistled Turkish, as the world’s cultural heritage. Such attention can lead to conservation efforts.

1. What led to the development of whistled languages?

A．Geographic inaccessibility.	B．Rapid increase in tourism.
C．Greater information capacity.	D．Interest of language experts.

2. Why are a long “e” and a long “o” mentioned in paragraph 3?

A．To show what key elements speech has.

B．To explain the differences between speech sound frequency patterns.

C．To prove the popularity of whistled language in the world.

D．To compare whistled languages and ordinary languages.

3. What might be a reason for the disappearance of whistled languages according to Meyer?

A．Construction of cities.	B．Lack of attention.
C．Expansion of other cultures.	D．Modernization.

4. Which of the following could be the best title for the text?

A．Why People Used Whistled Languages	B．When Whistles Languages Disappeared
C．How Whistled Languages Developed	D．Why Whistled Languages Matter

10 . In this post, we’ll introduce some top robotics competitions open to high schoolers. Keep reading to learn more.

Botball Educational Robotics Program

Level: Regional and national competitions available

Grades: 9th, 10th. 11th, 12th

Over a period of about seven weeks, students learn to code(编程) and develop complex strategies to use artificial intelligence. This allows them to create an autonomous robot together that competes in an annual game challenging against other teams in competitions at various levels across the country.

FIRST: Robotics Competition

Level: Local, regional and national competitions available

Grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Teams work together with professional teachers to design, assemble(装配), and test an industrial-sized robot .The robot then competes in a head-to-head field game against other teams.

Robo Games

Level: International

Grades: All ages and backgrounds

This self-claimed “Olympics of robots” and current largest open robot competition challenges participants in a wide variety of events to display various skills. Amateurs, professionals, young and old alike are invited to participate with the goal of winning prizes, expanding educational service, and recognizing robot-builders in the public eye.

Zero Robotics High School Tournament

Level: International, including the U.S. and member countries of the European Space Agency

Grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

This fascinating competition begins with robots called SPHERES inside the International Space Station. The first phase of the competition is entirely online, in which competitors code the SPHERES to meet a yearly challenge. Finalists compete in person, onboard the International Space Station, conducted live in microgravity by a real astronaut!

1. What do the first and second robotics competitions have in common?

A．Teamwork is a must in competitions.

B．They have the same goals and rules.

C．The robot is tested before competitions.

D．They are completely of the same level.

2. Which of the competitions has no age limitation?

A．Bot ball Educational Robotics Program.	B．FIRST: Robotics Competition.
C．Robo Games.	D．Zero Robotics High School Tournament.

3. What can we learn about Zero Robotics High School Tournament?

A．It is held by the European Space Agency.

B．It is a local robotics competition.

C．The whole competition is conducted online.

D．The final competition is held at the International Space Station.