1 . As we age, we find our mind is easily distracted.     1    ? In fact, like a computer that slows with use, the brain accumulates wear and tear that affects processing. This can be caused by a number of physiological stressors such as inflammation (炎症), injury to blood vessels, the build-up of abnormal proteins. And there are also other factors affecting our concentration.

    2    ? You can consider the following approaches.

●Mindfulness

“Practising mindfulness has been shown to rewire the brain so that attention is stronger in everyday life,” says Kim Willment, a neuropsychologist of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.     3    , closing your eyes, and focusing on your breath as well as the sounds and sensation around you.

●Cognitive training

Computerized cognitive training games aim to improve your response time and attention. “The goal of playing these games is not to get better at them, but to get better in the cognitive activities of everyday life,” Willment says, “    4    , pushing it to the next level can help improve it, and this may translate to everyday life.”

●A healthier lifestyle

Many aspects of a healthy lifestyle can help attention. Start with exercise and sleep. When you exercise, you increase the availability of brain chemicals that promote new brain connections, reduce stress, and improve sleep. When you sleep, you reduce stress hormones that are harmful to the brain.     5    .

A．What happened to the laser-sharp focus we once enjoyed

B．And you clear out proteins that injure it

C．If you reach a certain level of sustained attention

D．Then what are the strategies to improve attention

E．Once you master the skills of playing these games

F．And you have a more comprehensive way of thinking

G．She recommends sitting still for a few minutes each day

2 . When we think of bananas, the image of a vibrant yellow fruit comes to mind. However, there exists a unique variety of blue bananas that adds a colorful twist to this classic fruit. While not as widely available as their yellow counterparts, blue bananas offer a delightful and nutritious addition to fruit lovers. So, embrace the unexpected and seek out the extraordinary blue bananas for a truly unforgettable taste experience.

One of the most well-known blue banana varieties is the Blue Java, also called the “Ice Cream” banana. This distinctive fruit owns a pale blue or silver skin when unripe, which gradually turns to a creamy yellow when fully ripe. Its flesh has a delicate, sweet flavor like vanilla ice cream, earning it the fitting nickname.

Originating from Sri Lanka, the Pisang Ceylon banana is another interesting blue variety. Its striking blue-green skin hides a creamy white flesh that is slightly sweet of citrus. This unique banana is valued not only for its appealing color but also for its nutritional benefits.

There are other related varieties with similar coloration. These include the Namwah Blue, Kluai Khai, and Kluai Namwa Aw. Each exhibits its own distinct flavor, ranging from sweet, creamy to subtly tangy (强烈的) respectively.

Blue bananas are widely used fruits that can be enjoyed in various cooking preparations. Their sweet, creamy flesh lends itself well to smoothies, milkshakes, and desserts. Additionally, their unique color adds a visually striking element to fruit salads or tropical-themed dishes.

Like their yellow counterparts, blue bananas are abundant in vital nutrients. They are a good source of potassium (钾), which supports heart health and helps maintain proper blood pressure. Blue bananas also contain protein, vitamin C, and other beneficial antioxidants that contribute to overall well-being and immune system support.

1. What can we learn about blue bananas from the text?

A．They have become a hit worldwide.	B．They are still limited in supply.
C．They have been exported to Sri Lanka.	D．They have the highest medical value in fruits.

2. What is a characteristic of Pisang Ceylon?

A．It has light blue skin.	B．It tastes like ice cream.
C．It is as sweet as Kluai Namwa Aw.	D．It contains a lot of nutrients.

3. Why are blue bananas good for health?

A．They improve the resistance to infection.	B．They cure heart disease.
C．They strengthen the digestive system.	D．They contain less sugar.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Yellow bananas are replaced by blue ones.

B．Blue bananas are perfect for delicious cuisine.

C．We should raise the awareness of preserving blue bananas.

D．It’s time to explore the amazing world of blue bananas.

3 . Steven Elliot grew up in a poor town in China. He knew he wasn’t in the same _________ as the other kids of his age. For one, Steven’s parents had so little to support their children _________ and they could barely afford to survive. _________, Steven never resented (憎恨) this and was grateful for all his parents provided. Like any kid of his age, he wished one day that he could also have a _________ of his own to play with.

Steven’s uncle decided to do something to help. Finally, in the _________ job market, he managed to get a job. After working a full-time job, his monthly salary _________ merely $400 dollars. Yet, despite the horrific pay for the exhausting _________, Steven’s uncle worked hard day and night with one purpose in mind — to buy a PS2 for the nephews. He _________ it. The cutting-edge gadget (小玩意儿) became the _________ of Steven’s childhood.

For a kid like Steven, growing up in a modest environment, toys weren’t just a fun __________ — they were a creative outlet, too. When they played, their imagination grew and when their imagination grew, they could begin to __________ the seeds for the impossible.

Now, since he is on the cover of Forbes, Steven has __________ it. He gifted his uncle a big “toy” — a brand new SUV. Even better, he has his own company. It’s easy to see how Steven’s upbringing __________ the vision he has behind his company. As a(n)__________, his “affordable luxury” business model is informed by his childhood and wanting to be the change he wanted to see in the world. That is the art of hoi sum(Cantonese)Steven has __________ — living with an open heart.

1.

A．shape

B．situation

C．direction

D．field

2.

A．heartily

B．orally

C．financially

D．mentally

3.

A．Therefore

B．Otherwise

C．Also

D．However

4.

A．game

B．friend

C．pet

D．toy

5.

A．competitive

B．international

C．civil

D．dynamic

6.

A．led to

B．amounted to

C．submitted to

D．referred to

7.

A．adjustment

B．assessment

C．labor

D．life

8.

A．mended

B．hit

C．made

D．revealed

9.

A．intention

B．highlight

C．target

D．exhibition

10.

A．escape

B．assistant

C．reminder

D．work

11.

A．harvest

B．observe

C．store

D．plant

12.

A．missed

B．proved

C．estimated

D．overstated

13.

A．changes

B．displays

C．influences

D．forecasts

14.

A．businessman

B．interviewer

C．employee

D．player

15.

A．practised

B．anticipated

C．memorized

D．reserved

4 . 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。

Five years ago, a homeless kitten wandered in a park, its fur matted and eyes wide with fear. Hunger bit its tiny body. Accidentally, a kind-hearted woman Shelley Hall spotted the trembling ball of fur and felt a tug at her heartstrings. Approaching slowly, she extended a gentle hand, offering food and warmth. Feeling Shelley’s kindness, the kitten accepted her food and home offer. At home, Shelley named the kitten Sophie. In the warmth of Shelley’s care, Sophie transformed from a scared wanderer to a beloved companion, seeking out affection and purring contentedly in her arms.

For the past two years, Shelley would go for daily walks in the woods with a cat carrier attached to her back and Sophie would peer out. “I tell her that her job is to bring joy - and she does,” Shelley said, recalling how her cat would greet the people they passed. “She’s very sweet and social.”

Sophie was also very confident, until that day last summer when the cat jumped out of her carrier and an energetic dog chased her away. Shelley searched for Sophie all day, but the cat didn’t come back.

“It was the worst day of my life,” Shelley said. She found herself experiencing the worst weeks of her life. After putting up posters, posting on social media, and searching the 565 acres of forest surrounding Royal Roads University every day from dusk until dawn, there was no sign of Sophie. “It is like she vanished into thin air,” Shelley said. “It does get harder and harder to believe that you are going to find her.” But then a former neighbour, Marilyn Hanner, stepped up to help. “There’s nothing to think about,” Marilyn said after being asked why she joined the daily search for Sophie. “You have an animal in danger, you jump in.” Marilyn and her husband also bought four trail cameras to set up around the forest. “If you have the means, why wouldn’t you?” Marilyn said.

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。

As weeks turned to months, the cameras captured countless other creatures—from slugs(鼻涕虫)to a cougar(美洲狮).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sophie and Shelley were reunited after being apart for more than three months.

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5 . 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。

Heading off to the train station straight after work on Friday, checking in     1     least eight tourism attractions in one day for three continuous days, hopping on a late-night train and returning to work or lectures at 8 o’clock the next morning — the travel practice of visiting as many sights as possible within the     2    (short)period of time is known as “Special Forces” style tourism. Lately, the style     3    (become)a popular trend among China’s young tourists,     4    (allow)them to make the most of their short holiday breaks.

Last May Day witnessed the peak of this intense travel practice, as the number of tourists reached a record high of 200 million. The hashtag(标签) “Young People’s Special Force Style Tourism during May Day Holiday” enjoyed more than 3. 3 million     5    (view)on China’s largest micro-blogging site Weibo.

Many people flocked to the online space to share     6    (they)experiences of “Special Force” style tourism including two vloggers,     7     documented the three-day climbing experience of Wuyue. During the trip, they covered a distance of 4,600 kilometers with less than 10 hours of sleep.

This     8    (physical)demanding travel becomes a trend because of a video showing a group of university students travelling to the Tibetan capital Lhasa by taking an old-fashioned train. Although     9     entire journey took them 54 hours with only hard seats available, students     10    (see)to be in high spirits chanting “Youth is priceless, and hard seats take us straight to Lhasa!”

6 . Pawn shops (典当行) have long been known as treasure banks of unexpected finds. From musical instruments to electronics, these establishments offer a diverse range of items that motivate the imaginations of both buyers and sellers. In this article, we explore the fascinating world of popular items frequently pawned at shops. Now, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a journey through the fascinating stock of pawn shops.

In today’s digital age, electronics have become an essential part of our lives. From smartphones and laptops to gaming devices and home entertainment systems, pawn shops have become hotspots for tech enthusiasts seeking bargains and unique finds. These shops are packed with the items that have bridged distances, captured memories, and entertained us in various ways.

Guitars have a magnetic charm, attracting musicians and enthusiasts alike. From vintage classics to contemporary models, pawned guitars arouse a sense of nostalgia and craftsmanship. They have been the backbone of countless melodies and the catalyst (催化剂) for musical dreams. Whether it’s a legendary electric guitar that once rocked a stadium or a humble acoustic (原声吉他) that accompanied close and friendly performances, each guitar carries a unique tale of passion and creativity.

Pawn shops are also renowned for their dazzling arrays of jewelry. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches — these delicate pieces hold sentimental value and timeless beauty, carrying stories of love, milestones, and cherished memories. From vintage heirlooms to modern designs, the jewelry section of a pawn shop offers a remarkable mixture, where you can find unique and eye-catching pieces and appreciate the charm and craftsmanship of fine decoration.

So, the next time you find yourself near a pawn shop, step inside, explore the aisles, and let your imagination roam. You never know what hidden treasures you might uncover, or what remarkable tales you might encounter in the attractive world of pawned items.

1. Who would most probably enter a pawn shop?

A．A research chemist.	B．A travel planner.
C．A wedding food provider.	D．A family party organizer.

2. What can we do in pawn shops?

A．Conserve the antiques.	B．Appreciate fairy tales.
C．Practice with the craftsman.	D．Experience the history and love.

3. What does the underlined word “sentimental” mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Emotional.	B．Social.
C．Economic.	D．Decorative.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Legends behind Pawned Items Never Disappear

B．Hidden Treasures in Pawn Shops Speak

C．Try Various Pawn Shops to Meet Your Beloved

D．Borrow Attractive Old Things from Pawn Shops

7 . Tilly Williams, a Parkside primary student, has broken a world distance running record, beating other girls who were eight years older than her to run 5,000m in just 17 minutes and 22. 7 seconds.

Tilly started running just three years ago and has already shot straight to the top. When some of her friends told her about the international record, she decided to give it a go while competing at the SA State Championships.

“Some of my running friends told me about it and I was like, wow, it would be crazy if I got that and here I am,” Tilly said. “I am the kind of person who really enjoys the challenge,” she added, “I really love surfing and I love bike riding and hiking - all different kinds of adventures and sports.”

She started running in 2021 when she joined her school’s cross-country team. Since then, she has run two to three times a week with her dad, Mark Williams, or at the Adelaide Harriers Athletics Club.

Tilly said, “It’s good knowing that my family’s on my side and my friends are on my side as well. Usually I just go out and run with my running group and with my dad as well because it is like a bond.”

Tilly doesn’t follow a strict diet, so her favourite food is still on the menu - her dad’s home-cooked pizza. “I do love pepperoni pizza,” she said.

“You never think that anyone’s going to get a world record at this age, at any age really. It’s just surreal,” Mr. Williams said, “It’s very important to recognise these achievements, but also to stay very much grounded and just enjoy the other pursuits that she likes. She loves her running, but she does so many other things as well and I think it’s really important that the focus is on life rather than just one thing.”

1. What do we know about Tilly?

A．She prefers surfing to bike riding.

B．She failed at the SA State Championships.

C．She holds the 5000m record of her age.

D．She’s lucky to have her dad as her coach.

2. What might Williams agree?

A．We’d better concentrate on a single thing.

B．Tilly deserves the reputation and praise.

C．Tilly should make efforts to keep her record.

D．People should consider needs more than hobbies.

3. Which of the following can best describe Tilly?

A．Gifted and persevering.	B．Optimistic and careful.
C．Determined and humorous.	D．Dynamic and warm-hearted.

4. Where can we find this text?

A．www. naturewatch. com.	B．www.thecookinghouse.com.
C．www. kidsnews. com.	D．www.adventuretours.com.

8 . Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery with Saskia Wilson-Brown

Course Description

Led by Saskia Wilson-Brown, the founder and director of The Institute for Art and Olfaction, this course will provide an expansive overview of perfumery. Starting with the important social context for the global history of perfumery, the class will go on to cover fragrance families and classification, materials of natural and synthetic (合成的) origin, diluents, and the basics for a safe practice. Importantly, we’ll do the fun work of smelling, discussing each material in the kit through a process of sensorial evaluation. Finally, we’ll create several introductory perfume formulas and end the course with a glimpse into the perfume industry with a focus on independent and experimental practices.

Syllabus
Session 1(7: 00-9: 00 pm, Mar. 18): Lah Basics: Safety, tools, and fragrance families
Session 2(7: 00-9: 00 pm, Mar. 25): Materials and Strategies
Session 3(7: 00-9: 00 pm, Apr. 1): Industry: Mainstream vs. artisan practice
Price
$215 per person(course only)
Course Materials

We offer a material kit containing 18 aromatic materials and some tools, which costs $75. We recommend ordering your kit instantly you have purchased the course to ensure your receiving it in time for class, though it’s not strictly necessary to have received it by the first sess10n.

Please note that these are professional-grade perfume materials and although we have carefully selected all our materials to prevent allergens, there is nevertheless a slight possibility that you may experience a sensitivity to one or two of them. We request you not work with your material kit until our first class, in which we will cover health and safety tips. If you’re highly sensitive to fragrance, we recommend you not take this class.

Please contact us at experiences@atlasobscura. com if you have any questions.

1. Which is covered in this course?

A．Strategy of selling fragrance.	B．Distribution of global perfumery.
C．Smelling scents.	D．Evaluating perfume formulas.

2. When can we take the fragrance classification class?

A．On Mar. 25.

B．On Mar. 18.

C．On Apr. 1.

D．On May 18.

3. What can we say about the course?

A．The kit should be opened in advance.	B．The materials are safe for they are natural.
C．We need to pay $290 for the experience.	D．It is suitable for those sensitive to fragrance.

9 . Some Innovative Buildings

Cube Houses (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Inspiration: Trees in a forest
Size: About one-fourth the size of a basketball court

As a popular attraction, the 38 Cube Houses are also real houses that people live in! The cubes have concrete foundations and floors with a wood-frame living space on top. The furniture is tailor-made to fit the odd angles. Architect Piet Blom designed the homes based on the idea of “living as an urban roof”.

Wonder Works (Pigeon Forge, the USA)
Inspiration: A laboratory in an Italian-style villa
Size: About nine-tenths the size of a football field

Looking at the cracks in this building, you might think, Is it about to collapse? And how do they get palm trees to grow upside down? But the upside-down features are just for show. This indoor amusement park is actually pretty normal with more than 100 hands-on science exhibits and activities.

Guangzhou Opera House (Guangzhou, China)
Inspiration: Erosion (侵蚀) of rocks and landscapes
Size: About 13 times the size of a football field

The Guangzhou Opera House was designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid. Though nature inspired the architect, she used 21st-century construction and design methods to make her design a reality. GPS positioning and laser techniques helped shape the structure.

Bubble Palace (Cannes, France)
Inspiration: “Habitology”—the idea that habitats should use nature’s curves (曲线)
Size: Almost three times the size of a basketball court

This house may look like a space settlement, but it’s really a 10-bedroom palace. Made of cave-like bubbles, it also has ponds, waterfalls, swimming pools, an outdoor theater and views of the Mediterranean Sea. Architect Antti Lovag had the bubbles built out of iron bars covered with wire web and concrete, and then coated with a mix of fiberglass and plastic.

1. Which building involves a visual trick?

A．Cube Houses.	B．Wonder Works.
C．Guangzhou Opera House.	D．Bubble Palace.

2. What inspired the design of Zaha Hadid?

A．Trees in a forest.	B．A laboratory in a villa.
C．A concept on habitat.	D．A geographic phenomenon.

3. Where is the smallest building of the four located?

A．In China.

B．In France.

C．In Netherlands.

D．In the USA.

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

Javon was the shortest kid in the class. Since the third grade, he had been smaller than every boy and all of the girls. He’d had to ask Ms. Haygood to get his gym locker changed so that he didn’t have to stretch so much to reach it. For most kids, being short would be a problem, but Javon just never let it bother him. Whether he would grow or not, there was nothing he could do. Javon held a similar attitude to most things.

The one exception was school work. Right before the first day of middle school, his dad had a serious talk with him about college. More precisely, his dad told him that college was expensive. College cost more money than a year’s rent on their apartment and the yearly income of either his dad or his mom. Given that, Javon didn’t understand why anyone would want to go to college. His dad explained some people who worked really hard and got good grades paid less or nothing at all for college. It was called a scholarship. Javon nodded, promising his dad that he would work hard and get a scholarship.

And Javon had worked hard. By middle of seventh grade, Javon was one of the top kids in the class. He was still the shortest, but now he also got called one of the smartest. So, he hadn’t been too concerned when Mr. T announced they were starting a new unit in math. The class started normally enough. But then Mr. T threw a letter into his math problem. He smiled at the class like using letters in math was perfectly normal.

For Javon, math used to be easy. But he could not wrap his mind around using these letters. He couldn’t remember the rules Mr. T had given and he didn’t even understood the ones he did remember. Whenever Mr. T tried to explain, Javon seemed to focus so hard on wanting to understand that he didn’t actually hear what Mr. T said. Before he knew it, he was hopelessly lost in math class. Soon the chapter test came.

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。
The test was cruelly challenging for Javon.
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Following his parents’ advice, Javon knocked on the door of Mr. T’s office.
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