1 . Rap music has long been the poster child for negativity in society for a number of decades. It has been criticized (批评) in the media and seen by a good number of people as a bad influence on citizens in general. The lyrics might have something to blame in this regard as they often seemingly celebrate violence as well as drugs and alcohol. The reality is that rap music is greatly misunderstood. In spite of the negativity that often surrounds it, however, rap music can have a positive influence on listeners.

One of these positive effects is that it has been used as a great unifier of diverse populations around the world. It started as a subculture among African American communities in America but it is now a phenomenon of global culture. As a matter of fact, it isn't only limited to African American communities, as non black communities make up seventy five percent of the global rap audience. Its infectious rhythms, catchy beats, and relatable lyrics hold universal attraction that goes beyond cultural and language barriers.

Rap has also been vital in promoting social and political awareness among the youth of today. Rap music educates people from different points of views and raises many social issues. Rap is channel (渠道) for people to speak freely about their view on political or social issues and by doing so, it encourages teenagers to become concerned and aware of these issues. A few of them that rap has created awareness in are racial discrimination (歧视), the importance of education and believing in your dreams.

Rap music is entertainment (娱乐) and should not be treated any differently than any other form of entertainment out there. If critics of rap music still believe that rap only sends negative messages, they should listen closer. The bottom line is that all rap music is not degenerate (堕落的) and consideration should be taken when analysing the message that the music is presenting

1. Why is rap music often connected with negativity?

A．It has long been the poster child for negativity.

B．It has shown a bad influence on citizens in general.

C．It seems to celebrate violence as well as drugs and alcohol.

D．It started as a subculture among African American communities.

2. What helps rap music gain great popularity around the globe?

A．Its positive influence on listeners around the world.

B．Its engaging music elements like rhythms, lyrics and beats.

C．Its continuous promotion of social and political awareness.

D．Its African American culture that fascinates non black communities.

3. How does rap encourage teenagers to become more aware of social issues?

A．By making social issues more entertaining.

B．By providing a platform to voice their opinions

C．By stressing the importance of education and dreams.

D．By drawing teenagers’ attention to racial discrimination.

4. What can be inferred about rap music in the last paragraph?

A．Rap music is now unfairly treated.

B．Rap music is suitable for everyone.

C．Rap music is difficult to understand.

D．Rap music is simply for entertainment.

2 . Australia Day, on 26 January, is in memory of the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of 11 British ships, arrived at Sydney Cove to mark the birth of the colony (殖民). Every year, many in this nation of 24 million people gather on beaches and around barbeques to celebrate. From boats competitions, camel races, to outdoor concerts, Australians mark a public holiday more popularly treated as a late summer festival than the serious national day its founders intended it to be — a unifying celebration of the good fortune of being Australian and the values that unite the nation: freedom, independence, a fair go, mateship.

However, not all Australians feel the same about the day. Recently there has been much controversy over the correctness of celebrating on this date. Native Australians, in particular, have long referred to this date as "Invasion (入侵) Day" or "National Day of Mourning (哀悼)" in protest of the arrival of the British peoples. They mourn their ancestors who suffered and died during colonization. There has even been a growing push to change the date of the national celebration, a move popular with younger Australians but less so with older generations.

In response to the protests, the Australian government has recognized the traditional owners of the lands on which Australia Day activities take place, in the hope that Australians from all backgrounds come together to celebrate Australia as a multicultural society. "Our desire is that Australia Day is a time for inclusion, as well as an opportunity for greater understanding," one officer from The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts said.

1. What is the original purpose of Australia Day?

A．To observe a late summer festival.

B．To honor the arrival of the British.

C．To celebrate national identity and values.

D．To mourn the natives who suffered during colonization.

2. What does the underlined word “controversy” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Debate.

B．Defence.

C．Faith.

D．Puzzle.

3. What did the British probably do to the native Australians after their arrival?

A．They mourned the suffering of native Australians.

B．They recognized native Australians’ independence.

C．They protested against native Australians’ ownership of the land.

D．They brought loss of life and hardship among native Australians.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．More Australia Day activities will be organized.

B．The date of Australia Day will soon be changed.

C．The protests of changing the date have already been settled.

D．Australia Day should be celebrated with understanding and respect.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the talk aimed at?

A．Children.

B．Teenagers.

C．Adults.

2. What does the speaker say about the programs?

A．They offer courses for beginners only.

B．They provide flexible language lessons.

C．They give online learning materials for free.

3. What kind of teachers are available?

A．Native speakers.

B．Qualified professors.

C．Experienced travelers.

4. What’s the purpose of the talk?

A．To teach communication skills.

B．To promote courses.

C．To discuss a program.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why did Nina throw snow at Alex?

A．Alex knocked down her snowman.

B．Alex hoped to have a snowball fight.

C．Nina only wanted to play with snow.

2. What will Nina probably do next?

A．Apologize to Alex.

B．Go to the bathroom.

C．Take a good rest.

3. What was Betty invited to do?

A．See a film.

B．Go around Nina’s home.

C．Pay a visit to Alex.

5 . Torsongan Bullik, a 28-year-old athlete, has gone from being an amateur (业余的) cyclist to a professional cross-country skier. In Wenquan county he spent his childhood, when his athletic _______ began to show. In 2009, as a freshman in junior high, he was good at long-distance running and by 2016, he had _______ third in the Xinjiang Wusu International Marathon. His passion for cycling _______ during the Tour of Sayram Lake, which raised his _______ in the sport.

In 2012, his father _______ him a mountain bike worth 5,000 yuan. Torsongan used it frequently and participated in his first competition two years later, despite not having a _______ race due to losing balance on a steep slope.

But he was determined and kept testing his _______, which eventually resulted in winning medals in cycling competitions across all levels in China. On October 18, 2018, he _______ a striking victory by being the first to finish a high-altitude bike race in the Xizang autonomous region.

_______, his endurance (耐力) caught the attention of the national cross-country skiing team, who were _______ new talents for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Joining the team was a(n) _______ moment for Torsongan, yet it came with its own_______. He had to go through strict training during the day and improve his upper-body strength in the gym at night to _______ the team.

Although he didn’t make the final list for the Winter Olympics, he _______ as a technician helping with the operations of the event. Now, Torsongan remains enthusiastic about future competitions. “I will _______ with my efforts. As long as I don’t give up, I still have a chance to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics,” he says.

1.

A．spirit

B．talent

C．strength

D．figure

2.

A．elected

B．scored

C．finished

D．missed

3.

A．reduced

B．grew

C．disappeared

D．promoted

4.

A．interest

B．curiosity

C．emotion

D．awareness

5.

A．awarded

B．lent

C．borrowed

D．gifted

6.

A．successful

B．demanding

C．tough

D．meaningful

7.

A．fitness

B．pains

C．limits

D．confidence

8.

A．celebrated

B．achieved

C．expected

D．announced

9.

A．Frankly

B．Obviously

C．Generally

D．Surprisingly

10.

A．looking for

B．picking up

C．watching over

D．trying out

11.

A．familiar

B．typical

C．alarming

D．significant

12.

A．rewards

B．problems

C．challenges

D．risks

13.

A．keep up with

B．come up with

C．put up with

D．make up with

14.

A．pretended

B．served

C．applied

D．competed

15.

A．survive

B．share

C．continue

D．recover

6 . In the forest on Washington state’s outer coast, streets and sidewalks have appeared in recent weeks, representing the future of the Quinault Indian Nation. The coastal tribe (部落) has done more to deal with that hotter future than most places in the U.S. It is gradually becoming one of the first American communities to move inland as sea levels rise.

Each winter, the highest waves of the year threaten to flood Taholah, the largest Quinault village of 800 people. Flood forced the government to start the relocation of Taholah in 2022 to an upland site. In December, 2023, the Quinault government reached a milestone (里程碑) in its long push to provide safe housing for its people. While fully relocating the village is expected to take at least another decade, tribal officials hope the first Quinault elders can begin moving into new homes in the next year or two.

To deal with the human-driven climate change that coastal communities are facing, such an approach can cost millions of dollars and cause huge emotional distress. It’s been a long process to persuade tribal members to move to higher ground. One tribe member Lia Frenchman said there’s a generational divide, with some elders doubting whether the move would be necessary in their, or their children’s, lifetimes. Frenchman said she looked forward to moving uphill and protecting her family from the rising ocean. Still, she would miss the sounds of the surf and eagles overhead.

Despite the challenges, the approach of Taholah gives us a possible way-out. Global sea levels have risen about 7 inches over the past century due to heat-trapping pollution, with a similar rise forecast in just the next 30 years. Many communities may find this approach necessary as the Earth continues to warm and sea levels continue to rise.

1. Which is the challenge faced by the Quinaut government?

A．The safe places are hard to find.

B．The moving process is longer than expected.

C．The sea level rises too fast for the tribe to move.

D．Not all tribe members welcome the relocation.

2. What can be learned from Frenchman’s words?

A．She was concerned about eagles.

B．She was doubtful about the move.

C．She was unwilling to move inland.

D．She was aware of the existing danger.

3. What’s the author’s attitude toward the approach of the Quinaut tribe?

A．Supportive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Indifferent.

D．Negative.

4. What’s the main idea of this passage?

A．The rising sea level will continue in the future.

B．The rising sea level is threatening coastal tribes.

C．A costal Indian tribe is escaping from a rising sea.

D．A costal Indian tribe is rebuilding houses for safety.

7 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

Rice is perhaps the most fundamental food in Laos,    1    (form) the basis for every meal. It’s often the first dish that home     2    (cook), usually women, learn to make. Luangrath, for example,    3     (learn) from her grandmother how to make khao niew, or sticky rice when she was young.

There are more than 40 ethnic groups in Laos, each with its own food    4     (prefer) and traditions. However, for many people in Laos, sticky rice is the first choice, partly due to     5    fact that Lao people eat with their hands.

In Laos, sticky rice is cooked in a thip khao,    6    literally means “rice basket” . These flexible baskets,    7     (make) from sustainable bamboo, are both functional and environmentally friendly. The sizes of thip khao vary, from small and personal     8    large enough for an extended family, although cooking is more     9    (common) done in larger versions. In restaurants, thip khaos     10    (decorate) with delicate patterns are usually used as serving containers.

8 . At eight o’clock on Christmas morning, Dad said he wanted to listen to the _________. My 11-year-old self was wondering why _________ grown-ups would be interested in the news when there were important things to be done, such as handing out _________. And then, while I was only half-listening to the radio broadcast, something _________ happened: the boring newsreader began talking about a Christmas message. Hadn’t we heard that report earlier?

It’s a tape recorder! My heart missed a beat when I finally _________ what was happening. My dad had _________ the news and were playing it back.

The thing is, I was born _________. In the late 1950s, tape recorders were definitely the _________ choice for blind kids like me, especially with the _________ of rock ‘n’ roll. __________, the new toy dominated (占据) the rest of the Christmas holidays. I recorded everything: my parents, the milkman, the dog... I even made my own radio programme, where I talked about my thoughts in the __________ of the voices I heard on the video.

Ten years later, I drew on the confidence gained from early __________ of the sound and walked into a radio station, in the hope of __________ myself as a broadcaster (电台主持人) in a weekly programme for blind people. Twenty-five years later, I presented my first report for BBC’s $ix O’clock News, a programme my dad had never __________. Although by then he’d been dead for more than a decade, I like to think he’d have realized that his Christmas present had __________ my life.

1.

A．music

B．programme

C．news

D．noise

2.

A．in general

B．in reality

C．on occasion

D．on earth

3.

A．presents

B．goods

C．books

D．cash

4.

A．typical

B．strange

C．romantic

D．exciting

5.

A．made out

B．figured out

C．set out

D．tried out

6.

A．recorded

B．followed

C．heard

D．repeated

7.

A．creative

B．deaf

C．curious

D．blind

8.

A．tough

B．easy

C．top

D．right

9.

A．threat

B．surrounding

C．app

D．rise

10.

A．Surprisingly

B．Thankfully

C．Naturally

D．Luckily

11.

A．company

B．style

C．hope

D．middle

12.

A．exploration

B．investigation

C．composition

D．imagination

13.

A．identifying

B．assuming

C．selling

D．dressing

14.

A．hosted

B．missed

C．intended

D．clicked

15.

A．affected

B．controlled

C．ruled

D．shaped

9 . With iconic landmarks (地标) and architectural marvels, Seattle is one of the best places to visit in the Pacific Northwest. The following best-selling tours will make your trip a trip to remember.

Sightseeing Bus Tour
☆3.6 (647 reviews)

This tour will give you the chance to see the highlights of Seattle at your own pace. With a one-day or two-day ticket, you can hop on and hop off the open-top double-decker bus at any stop and listen to an audio guide throughout the journey.

Chef Guided Food Tour
☆4.9 Exceptional (902 reviews)

This chef-guided food tour will take you to explore Seattle’s food culture in two hours. You will start with a bite of yogurt featuring local dairy. Next, you stop by for a quick snack of dried apples and cherries, followed by tasting a cup of award-winning thick soup. You will also learn where the chefs get their produce from, and see the production of cheese on-site.

Harbour Cruise Tour
☆4.7 Exceptional (730 reviews)

Starting from Seattle’s central waterfront, this one-hour Seattle harbour cruise will take you along the shoreline, enjoying views of the Seattle skyline. You’ll view the Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle Aquarium, Olympic Sculpture Park and Myrtle Edwards Park from the boat. Additionally, you’ll see the Olympic Mountain range and a 14,410-feet-tall volcano, located 60 miles southeast of Seattle.

Underground History Tour
☆4.6 Fabulous (1224 reviews)

This two-hour, small-group tour will take you into the attractive world beneath Seattle’s streets. You’ll travel along the underground pathways constructed over a century ago and learn interesting details about Seattle’s early history from your knowledgeable guide.

1. Which tour is the best choice if you are a foodie?

A．Underground History Tour.	B．Chef Guided Food Tour.
C．Harbour Cruise Tour.	D．Sightseeing Bus Tour.

2. What can visitors do in the Harbour Cruise Tour?

A．Admire various landmarks.	B．Go on a hike.
C．Learn Seattle’s history.	D．Listen to an audio guide

3. What’s the text?

A．A blog post.	B．A travel journal.
C．A tour advertisement.	D．A news report.

10 . The Great Smoky Mountain area is one of the most gorgeous vacation destinations in the USA. It would be no surprise if guests here book one of the amazing hotels.

Black Fox Hotel

Rooms at this lovely hotel come equipped with great amenities (便利设施) and feature s to make your stay as stress free as possible. Take a relaxing dip in the indoor swimming pool before heading back to your room. Guests will also enjoy taking advantage of the on-site restaurant and the fitness center.

Smoky Getaways Hotels

Smoky Getaways Hotels offer free parking, microwaves and fridges in all guest rooms! Each room comes equipped with a full kitchen and a grill — plus, they are pet friendly! Smoky Getaways Hotels are located close to Dollywood Amusement Park, so it is perfect for a family getaway.

The Resort at Governor’s Crossing

Here guests can enjoy a wide variety of exciting water park rides in both indoor and outdoor parks. From water basketball and water slides to a hot tub and a lazy river, utmost recreation and fun await at the indoor and outdoor pools, making it perfect for a family vacation.

Quality Inn Creekside

This hotel is sure to add comfort and convenience to your amazing trip. Guests will be able to enjoy a fun outdoor pool as well as amenities such as a mini-bar, a fitness center, and bicycles to rent. It is close to some amazing shopping centers and restaurants as well.

Browse through all of the hotels and the perfect one is just a click away!

1. Which hotel best suits pet lovers?

A．Black Fox Hotel.	B．Smoky Getaways Hotels.
C．Quality Inn Creekside.	D．The Resort at Governor’s Crossing.

2. What do Black Fox Hotel and Quality Inn Creekside have in common?

A．Both have restaurants within the hotels.

B．Both are close to the downtown shopping center.

C．People can work out in the fitness center of the hotel.

D．People can have easy access to swimming pool in the open air.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a travel brochure.

B．In a magazine.

C．On a newspaper.

D．On a website.