1 . The Let’s Activity Campaign

The Let’s Activity campaign aimed at preserving rivers is coming. You will board at Castle Wharf, Nottingham, England. Offer to join us now.

Booking

Arrive 15 minutes before the schedule time to ensure we can get started in a timely manner. The sessions are designed for adults and children of all ages to enjoy a new experience. Parents or guardians should book tickets in advance to participate in the campaign.

Cost

This campaign is free for all participants who are also not paid. However, if you fail to cancel and simply don’t show up on the day, you must pay the standard £20 administration fee, chargeable for each ticket booked.

Therefore, if your circumstances do suddenly change and you are no longer able to attend, you must cancel using one of these three mechanisms:

1. The preferred method is via the ticket booking system. You can find the link on your ticket.

2. You can also click here to send an email to us, and know more about details of the date, time, venue and participants in your email message. Don’t email if within less than 48 hours of the campaign. Instead, you’d better use option 1 above or option 3 below.

3. In case of an unforeseen emergency within 48 hours of the campaign, telephone the staff member, which we hope won’t happen.

Donate to Let’s Activity

As part of our work, the Let’s Activity campaign is a waterway charity to help everyone get out, get active and make their lives better by learning to boat. You can now support the work our teams do with families, and make a donation on our website for the environmental protection.

1. What do we know about the campaign?

A．It requires reservation.	B．It is chargeable to adults.
C．It is a 15-minute parent-child experience.	D．It requires individual administrative capability.

2. Which is the best way to cancel the campaign?

A．Sending cell phone messages.	B．Telephoning the staff member.
C．Emailing within 48 hours of the campaign.	D．Using the booking system linked on the ticket.

3. What is the main purpose of the last paragraph?

A．To call for a visit to rivers.	B．To call for volunteering work.
C．To encourage a donation on the spot.	D．To encourage children to learn to boat.

2 . I’m 19 years old and studying at college. I’m a(n) _______ student on campus. That was because my father once said to me, “Education is a _______ weapon, for one can overcome all difficulties of life using knowledge from books.” Since then, I’ve always encouraged myself.

I used to dislike learning. My parents, who had no college education, always _______ me to study, but I didn’t understand their _______ for my bright future. _______, time taught me that my parents were demanding of me because they expected me to live a good life.

Once I was _______ by my relatives in front of my father because of my poor academic performance at school. They also blamed me. They disliked me as I was the only child in their eyes who showed no _______ in studies. When people started to _______ my family, considering us ignorant, I couldn’t stand it anymore.

From then on, I _______ to study hard to make my parents respected. I tried to read books, which gradually became my hobby. My curiosity for reading never ________. It grew and enriched my mind with priceless knowledge. I also completed my homework on time. I ________ leaving any work for the next day. One of my teachers said, “ ________ leads to success.” I believed in it and formed a ________ of working regularly.

In fact, my parents always help me when I need them. I also help them do housework ________. My parents are my world, and they have taught me ________ values: self-discipline and responsibility.

1.

A．self-motivated

B．warm-hearted

C．fun-loving

D．easy-going

2.

A．worthless

B．horrible

C．powerful

D．temporary

3.

A．allowed

B．troubled

C．invited

D．pushed

4.

A．pity

B．cry

C．explanation

D．protection

5.

A．However

B．Therefore

C．Otherwise

D．Moreover

6.

A．understood

B．mistaken

C．valued

D．criticized

7.

A．involvement

B．interest

C．comment

D．cooperation

8.

A．uncover

B．acknowledge

C．disrespect

D．possess

9.

A．resolved

B．happened

C．failed

D．pretended

10.

A．approached

B．multiplied

C．improved

D．stopped

11.

A．risked

B．avoided

C．kept

D．began

12.

A．Regularity

B．Integrity

C．Freedom

D．Reputation

13.

A．party

B．habit

C．record

D．version

14.

A．on board

B．on purpose

C．in return

D．in case

15.

A．religious

B．commercial

C．political

D．moral

3 . Are you longing for a travel experience full of iconic attractions, which is not only immersive but also intimate? Offering attentive guides, unique experiences, and the perfect combination of exploration and friendship, small group travel is redefining the holiday experience.     1    .

●Explore uncharted but safe territories. Take a journey to breathtaking destinations that might otherwise be frightening to explore independently.     2    , ensuring you don't miss out on the essence (精髓) of each destination. It can also offer exciting exclusive experiences. With smaller coaches and personalized schedule, you'll deep into local cultures and taste authentic flavors at every turn.

●Be guided by the local guides.     3    . Small group tours are led by knowledgeable guides who not only speak the language but also offer insights into the culture, history, and hidden treasures of each region. These guides ensure your journey is enriched with authenticity and discovery.

●     4    . Whether you're travelling alone or with friends, small group travel fosters a sense of community. With groups typically including fewer than 30 people, you'll have the opportunity to form meaningful connections and create lasting memories with fellow adventurers. From shared experiences to newfound friendships, it cultivates a sense of friendship that enhances the overall holiday experience.

●Start your adventure with peace of mind. Small group tour operators take care of everything. With convenience at the forefront, you can explore outside your comfort zone, knowing that every detail has been thoughtfully arranged.     5    , offering assistance in case of emergencies and give you peace of mind through licensed and bonded services.

A．Bond with like-minded travelers

B．It is a unique experience to visit a packed place

C．Take a look below to find what you can do on the trip

D．Travel alone to find more opportunity to enjoy yourself

E．A small group tour offers access to off-the-beaten-path places

F．You can experience the true essence of a destination with their guidance

G．Besides, reputable small group travel companies ensure your protection and security

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。

My mother, a kind and considerate lady, would help others in need, though our family was not rich. When I was young, she worked as a housekeeper in the home of a wealthy businessman.

Every day, after tidying up the rooms at the businessman’s house, she would cross the street to buy groceries. As she passed by a row of low rented houses, she would always have a look at an elderly man who collected scrap (废品). The old man, in his seventies, always carried a bag. He lived in a tiny house with a small window. My mother couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy whenever she saw the old man eating dry bread, accompanied by a bowl of water. Thus, she would bring him old newspapers, empty cans and beer bottles, along with some food. To the old man, those were precious gifts. The businessman saw my mother’s good behavior and kept it in mind.

I learned from my mother that the poor old man lived alone. His small room was almost empty except a worn mat and a pile of collected scrap. His only way of showing gratitude to my mother was through a humble smile on his face. I once asked my mother, “Why are you so nice to the old man?” She looked at me and answered affectionately, “Because he looks like my father in the countryside.”

As the New Year approached, the businessman visited his relatives abroad, leaving my mother to watch over his house. He paid my mother double wages for her efforts, and prepared extra money for the old man.

The old man frequently appeared in various neighborhoods with his bag, and his business seemed to be going well. He not only collected plastic and cardboard boxes left at doorsteps but also threw the litter beside them into the bins. Watching him walking away, with his white hair blown in the cold wind, my mother’s heart ached.

My mother told me that she decided to knit (编织) two woolen sweaters, one for her father and the other for the old man. “Perhaps the old man had no children, but it was the New Year, and he deserved a gift, too,” she 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。

On the first day of the New Year, my mother approached the old man’s door, with her knitted sweater, food and some money.

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“I asked many people to find out where you live,” the old man said, holding the sweater my mother had given to him.

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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。

International students from the Beijing Language and Culture University were busy preparing for the 2023 Competition for the Transmission and Promotion of the Beijing Central Axis, with three songs     1     (highlight) heritage sites along its length.

The competition, hosted     2     (annual) by the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the Beijing Municipal Office for Conservation and Management of the Beijing Central Axis, includes five categories, one of     3     calls for participants to present the heritage sites using different art forms.

Three groups of international students from 13 countries participated with songs about the Wanning Bridge, the Temple of Heaven and Jingshan Park. The students, most of whom were Chinese language     4     (major), took an elective course that taught songs     5     (adapt) from ancient Chinese poetry.

“I think this song about the Wanning Bridge is very beautiful. When I was learning the lyrics, I got to know about the bridge’s history and architectural style. I feel that I’m very     6     (fortune) to participate in this course and the competition, because they have allowed me     7     (learn) more about Chinese culture and history,” said one of     8     students.

It was the first time Chinese folk music     9     (know) by so many students through these courses. And       10       the competition, they took their instruments home to introduce their friends to Chinese music. Through art, they became international narrators of China’s stories and practitioners of the cultural exchange between China and their homeland.

6 . Rodney started mowing (割草) yards for free in 2015 to help neighbors in his community, including senior citizens, single parents and individuals with disabilities. The idea _________ him when he drove past an elderly neighbor _________ to mow his lawn. Rodney _________ and offered to finish the job for his neighbor. He soon set a goal of mowing 40 lawns by the end of that winter, but increased that goal to 100 lawns as he quickly surpassed his _________ target.

“I’m _________ of cutting grass because I’m young and strong,” explained Rodney. Once he reached his 100-lawn goal, he realized he could _________ more people by creating a program that included youths as _________. He founded the Raising Men Lawn Care Service and began recruiting (招募) local youths aged 7 to 17, as he said, “Show them the importance of _________ their community.”

Rodney started the nonprofit lawn program while still in college. He now holds a master’s degree in social work and _________ his nonprofit organization full time. Children can get __________ by sending in a photo of themselves holding a sign that reads, “I accept the 50-yard challenge.” __________ participation, the organization will send the child a shirt, safety glasses and ear protection. Once the child completes the __________, the organization delivers them a brand-new lawn mower.

The program provides a valuable service for community members who have difficulty __________ mowing their own yards. The lawn challenge also provides an opportunity for youths to build a __________ with neighbors. The service is a __________ for the youth volunteers and community members.

1.

A．terrified

B．struck

C．impacted

D．navigated

2.

A．managing

B．pretending

C．struggling

D．guaranteeing

3.

A．turned around

B．came down

C．walked away

D．pulled over

4.

A．initial

B．immediate

C．direct

D．sudden

5.

A．afraid

B．tired

C．capable

D．aware

6.

A．disturb

B．serve

C．refresh

D．secure

7.

A．volunteers

B．captains

C．employees

D．inspectors

8.

A．forming

B．restricting

C．advertising

D．repaying

9.

A．witnesses

B．joins

C．runs

D．admires

10.

A．trapped

B．organized

C．permitted

D．involved

11.

A．In return for

B．On behalf of

C．In charge of

D．In contact with

12.

A．assessment

B．commitment

C．surgeon

D．reform

13.

A．mentally

B．socially

C．physically

D．financially

14.

A．bond

B．defence

C．model

D．system

15.

A．motivation

B．reflection

C．to-do

D．win-win

7 . You may be feeling a mix of emotions — nervousness, depression and maybe even a little bit of fear about your coming exam.     1     But remember that you are not alone in these feelings. Your family, friends and teachers are all here to support you every step of the way. Here are a few strategies to help you with the big feelings.

It’s normal to have those big feelings ahead of a big event. When they start to bubble up inside you, remember to take a deep breath. Think about the times when you’ve overcome challenges before and how proud you felt afterwards. You are capable of so much more than you realize.     2    

If you’re stressed about an exam, try talking to someone who tend to be laid back, empathetic, and supportive, whether it’s a parent, teacher, or friend. Open up about how you’re feeling and ask them for support.     3     It can make them feel a little less overwhelming.

You must find a balance between your schoolwork and your life. Try doing something you enjoy, like listening or dancing to music, drawing, going for a walk, or hitting or kicking a ball outside. Take breaks and do things that make you happy.     4     You could also try practising some relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or mindfulness meditation (冥想). Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a calm and peaceful place, where all your worries melt away.

    5     It’s okay to feel nervous or worried, but try not to be too hard on yourself. You are doing the best you can and that’s all anyone can ask for.

A．Get those emotions out in the open.

B．You are amazing just the way you are.

C．Those can help keep those big feelings in check.

D．Remind yourself of all the things that make you special.

E．The exam is just one small part of your learning journey.

F．It’s normal to feel this way when faced with something challenging.

G．Most importantly, remember to be kind to yourself during this time.

8 . Four Genius New Inventions

A brain implant

Advances in technology are bringing hope to those with spinal (脊骨的) injuries. One man can probably walk again simply by thinking about it, thanks to a digital brain-spine device, which boosts nerve signals damaged by the injury. Electronic implants in his brain allow him to transmit his silent intentions to a receptor implanted in his spine. The implant then enlarges and sends signals to his legs and feet through his nerve cells.

Extract from mushrooms

David Brown and Natasha Jean, two chemists, were aware of how bad for our bodies the chemicals to prevent foods in supermarkets from going bad can be. With a goal of developing a chemical-free alternative, they bought mushroom stems from farmers who would otherwise throw them out and released mushroom-fibre extract that helps ensure food safety, helping reduce food waste emissions.

Paint that cools

Xiulin Ruan, a professor, has come up with a special formula that boosts the reflective power of white paint, reducing the temperature of the roof’s surface by up to 13℃ at midday. Ruan’s paint could reduce air conditioning needs by up to 40 per cent. While typical white paint will help keep things cool by reflecting 80 to 90 per cent of sunlight, this formulation reflects 98 per cent.

A trash-catcher for oceans

There are as many as 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating around in our oceans. What can be done to stop this flow of trash, most of which comes from rivers polluted by communities? German industrial designer Mauritz Schulz has designed a kind of floating barrier, which stretches the width of a river and acts as a net, blocking throw-away bottles and bags before they can drift out to sea.

1. Who will benefit from the brain implant according to the text?

A．People with brain nerve injuries.

B．People with nerve damage to the spine.

C．People whose feet can’t pick up nerve signals.

D．People whose legs can’t transmit nerve signals.

2. What is the function of the extract from mushrooms?

A．Improving the taste of food.	B．Increasing mushroom production.
C．Extending shelf life of food.	D．Reducing chemicals in mushrooms.

3. What do the last three inventions have in common?

A．They contribute to food safety.

B．They prevent environmental pollution.

C．They help fight against climate change.

D．They protect people’s living environment.

9 . What’s your favorite book? Think of all the books you have ever read. Now imagine if you had not read any of them, how would your life be different?

Out of 7.8 billion people in the world today, 12% are illiterate (文盲的). This means that 1 in 5 adults are incapable of writing their own name, let alone reading a line out of a book. While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights expressly states under its 26th article the right to a free education “at least in the elementary and fundamental stages”, marginalized (边缘化的) populations are often denied this basic right.

September 8 is International Literacy Day, established by UNESCO in 1966 to raise awareness on the issue by giving rise to support worldwide. In 1965, the World Conference of Ministers of Education (WCME) met in Tehran, Iran to discuss future plans which would involve the eradication (消除) of illiteracy. As a way to honor the opening of this meeting,the conference decided that September 8 would be announced as International Literacy Day.

This year’s theme for the day is “Literacy And Sustainable Societies”. But what exactly does that mean? Literacy has been associated with the reduction of poverty as it offers skills for gaining knowledge, values, and attitudes for expanding societies in a sustainable way. At the same time, the promotion of literacy boosts agriculture, health, and vocational skills, leading societies to become more efficient and environmentally literate.

So how can you raise awareness and promote literacy on this day? Host a reading competition at your school or simply exchange books with friends. You could create a book club or even start a writing competition. Be an active global citizen by commitment to raising awareness so that we can eradicate illiteracy.

1. What can we learn from the text?

A．7.8 billion people in the world are illiterate.

B．One’s life would be different without reading.

C．1/5 adults are capable of writing their own name.

D．Marginalized populations can also receive free education.

2. Why did UNESCO establish International Literacy Day?

A．To raise money for the WCME.

B．To offer free education to all people.

C．To make people recognize the illiteracy issue.

D．To discuss future plans involving the end of illiteracy.

3. What can we say about the theme of this year?

A．Literacy can make for poverty increase.

B．Literacy will thoroughly eradicate poverty.

C．Literacy may directly lead to sustainable societies.

D．Literacy has close connection with sustainable societies.

4. What does the author try to express in the last paragraph?

A．Do your part to help the eradication of illiteracy.

B．It is everyone’s duty to be an active global citizen.

C．Hosting a reading competition is the only way to improve literacy.

D．Only depending on UNESCO can not eradicate illiteracy.

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。

On a sunny day with no clouds, Sally sat on a chair in the garden, hemming (缝边) a handkerchief. All of a sudden, there came a little ant. It was in such a hurry. Finally it ran across the small stone table and stopped by her side. The sewing was not done, for Sally easily got a little bit distracted by this little ant. Suddenly, she dropped her thimble (顶针) over the little ant by accident while she was looking at it.“Can it mind? But it is only such a little tiny thing,”said Sally in doubt.

Then Sally ran away, for her mother called her to have lunch, and she forgot all about the ant under the thimble and the handkerchief outside. There the little ant was, running round and round in the dark place, with little horns on its head quivering, little perfect legs bending as beautifully as those of a racehorse, and it was very scared.

If Sally had remembered the ant, she would have heard this little ant say, “I can’t get out! I can’t get out! Is there anyone out there? Can someone help me out?” But unfortunately, till the bedtime, Sally failed to hear the little ant's silent calling and just went to sleep. In the midnight, there was thunder, lightning and heavy rain. The next day, when Sally woke up, she came to the garden, only to find the handkerchief was soaked (湿透的) as if somebody had been crying very much. When she was about to fetch it as soon as the sun shone, it suddenly came to her who was under the thimble. “Oh, how could I forget that little ant? I hope the little ant is doing fine,”said Sally, running with her worried face.

But when she lifted up the thimble, what came to her sight was the little tiny an t lay stiff and still. It seemed like this little poor thing was away from this world. “Oh, did it die of being under the thimble?”Sally said aloud with her trembling voice. “Why did you do that, Sally?”said her father, who was close by and looked unsatisfied.

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。
“Dad, I didn’t mean to,” said Sally.
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“Where is the ant in such a hurry to go, Sally?” said her father.
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