1 . How to ask good questions
Effective communication is vital for all relationship. Learning what questions to ask can improve how you work with team members, your leadership skills, and how you communicate with loved ones.
Be a good listener. When someone gives you an answer or explains something to you, pay attention.
Don’t be afraid of your questions.
Keep your questions short. A long question shows a lack of self-awareness.
A.Use silence to your advantage. |
B.Respond with follow-up questions. |
C.It can end up confusing someone more than it should. |
D.The key to an effective communication is being a good listener. |
E.Here are some tips on how you can start asking better questions. |
F.If you’re confused about something, you have every right to ask for clarity. |
G.If you don’t listen properly, you may find yourself asking already-answered questions. |
2 . In daily life, there exist some nutrition myths (谬见) that people firmly believe.
MYTH 1: Fresh fruits and vegetables are healthier
Despite the long-lasting belief that “fresh is best,” research has found that frozen, canned and dried fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh.
MYTH2: All fat is bad
MYTH 3: Potatoes are bad for you
Potatoes have been disliked because of their high GI (升糖指数). However, research has shown that potatoes can actually be beneficial for health. Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, fiber and other nutrients. They are also inexpensive and available year-round.
A.They can also be a money saver as they are cheaper. |
B.However, healthy fats can help reduce your health risk. |
C.For example, plant-based drinks are healthier than dairy milk. |
D.The healthiest ways to prepare them include baking and boiling. |
E.If you consume more calories than you burn, you’ll probably get fat. |
F.Many people replaced calories from fat with calories from added sugar. |
G.You’d better choose products with simple ingredients and no added sugars. |
It was two days before Christmas and young Maggie was told again that Paxton would not be returning.
Maggie’s father had found the weak deer a year ago and they had taken care of him. Maggie’s father, a vet, tended to the deer’s injuries and bandaged his foot. Maggie noticed that he had markings above his eyes that resembled the sun with rays of light. She named him Paxton and promised to take care of him.
Maggie couldn’t sleep that night and kept checking on Paxton from her window. The next morning, she rushed to the house to see Paxton. Paxton was still timid around her, but with time, he started eating carrots from her hand. Every morning before school, Maggie would feed Paxton.
Maggie wanted to keep Paxton, but her father explained that he was a wild animal and needed to be released after his foot was healed. Mr. Dotson could see his daughter’s affection for the little deer. That scared him, because he knew Maggie would never be able to say goodbye. So when Paxton’s foot had been healed, Mr. Dotson came home early one afternoon to set Paxton free. Maggie was overcome with sadness and called out to Paxton every day, hoping he would hear her.
In time, though, Maggie did come to understand that wild animals, even little deer, need to be in their natural habitat. But that didn’t change how much Maggie cared for and missed Paxton.
One day, as it started snowing, Maggie stood by a pond behind their house, feeling upset. The pond hadn’t frozen that winter, as the weather was warmer than usual. Mr. Dotson felt guilty about having not been more supportive of his daughter’s belief that she would see Paxton again. Although he didn’t want to give her false hope, he realized that no longer mattered, since Maggie was hurting and he wanted to help.
As Mr. Dotson walked outside to greet his daughter, he carried a pair of binoculars (双筒望远镜) with him. He and Maggie would spend the next couple of hours in the woods, where they searched for deer tracks in the newly fallen snow. As Mr. Dotson had expected, their search came up empty.
“I’m sorry we didn’t have better luck, Maggie.”
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。
Para1.
As they hiked through the snow towards home, Maggie’s heart felt heavy.
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“Daddy, look! It’s Paxton!” Maggie shouted, her voice filled with excitement.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1. What is the speaker doing?
A.Teaching a class. |
B.Reporting a study. |
C.Chairing a meeting. |
A.Reading. | B.Listening. | C.Writing. |
A.It keeps information secret. |
B.It leaves space for future use. |
C.It makes key words noticeable. |
5 . Unlike most of her peers who left their rural hometowns, 34-year-old Ning Fenfang left her job in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in 2017 and worked as a village official in her hometown— a mountainous village in Cili county in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province. Now she farms over 66.7 hectares of land.
Seeing much of the farmland had been deserted, Ning resigned from her post in 2020 and became a full-time farmer, renting the farmland and hiring villagers to work it. She founded a centre for housewives in the village to work her farmland during busy hours.
“It’s never easy,” said Ning. It is very rare for young people to become farmers in rural areas, as farming is labor-intensive and requires constant work in the mud. What’s more, farming is often seen as a job “unsuitable” for both the post-90s generation and women in general. Her decision to become a farmer confused many of her fellow villagers and farming was much more difficult than she had imagined. She experienced tremendous pain due to the intensive labour. At first, she didn’t farm much through lack of farming knowledge, so she didn’t feel pressured to succeed. Later, she decided to expand the scale and spent millions of yuan. “Most of the money is borrowed from banks, families and relatives, so there is no turning back,” she said. Weighing up the pros and cons, her husband ultimately gave up his business to work with her.
She has tried to turn farming into a “trendy” job. Instead of traditional farming methods which rely on human labor, Ning promotes mechanized farming, such as using harvesters, cultivators and drones. She also plans to explore the agricultural tourism resources in Zhangjiajie for children living in urban areas to experience farming.
Being elected to the 14th National People’s Congress has motivated Ning to feel responsible for fellow farmers. “NPC deputies from the grassroots need to consider rural farmers’ needs and bring their voices to the two sessions,” Ning said.
1. What can be inferred from the passage?A.Ning facilitated the development of local agriculture. |
B.Ning was once elected to the 14th National People’s Congress. |
C.Ning was pessimistic about her work and her future in Hangzhou. |
D.The locals found her decision to become a farmer realistic at first. |
A.Ning gradually expanded the scale of her business. |
B.Ning lacked adequate knowledge about agriculture. |
C.Ning did what it took to invest heavily in her business. |
D.Ning faced more challenges in farming than she had figured. |
A.The expansion of agricultural dimensions. |
B.The restriction of agricultural implements. |
C.The employment of agricultural machinery. |
D.The exploration of agricultural tourism resources. |
A.Desperate and considerate. | B.Humble and dynamic. |
C.Persevering and innovative. | D.Sensitive and aggressive. |
6 . The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Buds (小满), the 8th solar term of a year, begins on May 21 this year, and ends on June 5. It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe. Let’s see what we can do during the “Grain Buds” period.
Eating herb of common sow thistle
Grain Buds is a season for eating the herb of the common sow thistle, which is one of the earliest edible potherbs in China. It tastes a little bitter, but also sweet. People in Ningxia Hui autonomous region like to eat it mixed with salt, vinegar, peppers or garlic. It tastes delicious and helps people feel refreshed. Some people boil the herb with water and then squeeze out the juice, which can be used to make soup.
Key period for flower management
This time is a good period of the quick growth of flowers. It is also a season when plant diseases and pests are at an all-time high, which makes caring for your garden even more critical. Flowers need a lot of water and extra care to stay healthy. Weeding should be done as they grow quickly and have to be extirpated in order to keep the soil loose and from competing with the flowers for nutrients.
Celebrating silkworm deity birthday
Silkworm rearing is a traditional byproduct for people in regions south of the Yangtze River. People in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces regard this season as the birthday of the silkworm deity. Those who engage in the silk industry thank the deity by offering sacrifices and staging performances. They pray to the deity for blessings and a boom season for the silk business.
1. Which of the following is true about Grain Buds?A.It is seen as the birthday of the flower deity. |
B.It is an essential period to tend to the garden. |
C.It means that the seeds from the grain are mature. |
D.It begins on May 21 this year, and ends on July 5. |
A.offer sacrifices to ancestors | B.pray for a close season |
C.learn to count their blessings | D.give shows to thank the deity |
A.Entertainment. | B.Economics. | C.Politics. | D.Culture. |
7 . Ireland: The Emerald Isle
Travelling in the Republic of Ireland is like stepping into a vivid painting where lush green landscapes meet charming villages.
Dublin
Start exploring in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, which blends the old and new. The city is steeped in history, and you can enjoy its past at landmarks like Trinity College, founded in 1592. It’s home to the Book of Kells, a medieval (中世纪的) masterpiece. After that, take a walk around Dublin Castle, a symbol of Ireland’s historical power. Then head to The Temple Bar, with its cobblestone streets and lively pubs, to experience Dublin’s contemporary culture.
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry, 1,179-kilometer circular route, showcases Ireland’s beauty. You’ll encounter green meadows, peaceful lakes and dramatic coastal cliffs. Each turn in the road reveals breathtaking views that will leave you in awe.
Cliffs of Moher
You can’t say you’ve been to Ireland if you haven’t checked out the Cliffs of Moher. These towering cliffs on the west coast rise from the Atlantic Ocean, reaching heights of over 200 meters. The sheer size of the cliffs and the roaring waves below create a fascinating and humbling experience.
Inishmore
Take a ferry to Inishmore, one of the rugged Aran Islands. Upon your arrival, you will immediately notice the hard life of the local people. At first there was no soil on the island, so over the centuries, they made their own — from seaweed and sand. Now about 2,400 kilometers of rock walls spread around the land. Take a tour or ride a bike around the island. Then enjoy an Irish coffee before heading back to the mainland.
1. What can you probably see in the Ring of Kerry?A.Some historical landmarks and old castles of Ireland. |
B.A circular route with views of lakes, meadows and cliffs. |
C.The special soil made from seaweed and sand by local people. |
D.The towering cliffs on the west coast from the Atlantic Ocean. |
A.By plane. | B.By ferry. | C.By subway. | D.By bike. |
A.A travel journal. | B.A research paper. |
C.A travel brochure. | D.An autobiography. |
8 . Being bored is no fun, especially at work. But new research out of the Research School of Management at Australian National University argues that while boredom is certainly boring, it isn’t all bad. The disliked mental state can actually spark precious creativity.
The study asked 52 subjects to do a pretty boring job: sort apart a bowl of red and green beans with just one hand for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, 49 other subjects — the control group — were instructed to create art projects with paper, beans and glue. Once the 30 minutes was over, each group was instructed to spend five minutes on a creative task: they had to come up with reasons why a hypothetical (假定的) person was two hours late for a meeting.
The bored group came up with not just more ideas than the control group, but more creative ideas than the control group, too. The quality and quantity of production was higher for people who were bored than those who were not. Creativity itself was measured under a standard that balanced novelty and practicality. Ideas had to fit both criteria to be considered creative.
Guiyun Park, the study’s lead author, readily admits that not every type of job permits the fun of boredom, and it can really be harmful to some important work. But for designers and anyone in a creative field, boredom is not something to fear, but to embrace. Sometimes, the best way to be productive is to expect nothing of yourself at all.
1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?A.The process of the research. | B.The benefits of the research. |
C.The reasons for the research. | D.The disadvantage of the research. |
A.Boredom can do harm to some work. |
B.All types of jobs can embrace boredom. |
C.Boredom is not always something to fear. |
D.Boredom can be favourable to art designers. |
A.Concerned. | B.Negative. | C.Positive. | D.Indifferent. |
A.The Role of Boredom in Increasing Productivity |
B.The Negative Impact of Boredom on the Workplace |
C.Why Boredom Should Be Avoided in Creative Fields |
D.Unlocking Creativity: The Unexpected Benefit of Boredom |
9 . In Oak Ridge, Texas, there lived a man named Samuel who was known for his
Samuel worked in the town’s bookstore. His life had been
With a newfound determination, Samuel decided to
And so, in the little town of Oak Ridge, Samuel became a beacon of light, whose life was
A.unwillingness | B.uneasiness | C.discomfort | D.disagreement |
A.led | B.forced | C.encouraged | D.persuaded |
A.admirable | B.challenging | C.tiring | D.predictable |
A.announced | B.clarified | C.explained | D.demanded |
A.welcoming | B.anticipating | C.facing | D.awaiting |
A.take after | B.climb after | C.look after | D.go after |
A.on hand | B.by hand | C.in hand | D.at hand |
A.collected | B.penned | C.drew | D.reviewed |
A.characters | B.actors | C.directors | D.dancers |
A.Subsequently | B.However | C.Therefore | D.Eventually |
A.refreshed | B.astonished | C.charmed | D.entertained |
A.actually | B.immediately | C.practically | D.literally |
A.transported | B.translated | C.transformed | D.transmitted |
A.different from | B.similar to | C.composed of | D.contrary to |
A.happiness | B.purpose | C.recognition | D.welfare |
Sizzle, sizzle (咝咝声)! The egg bubbled (冒泡)on the frying pan. I watched as its edges turned slightly brown then a bit black. Unfortunately, my head was stuck in the clouds, wondering if my parents would like my first attempt at cooking. I tried something simple, as I was still learning this new skill. When will the pots and pans respond to my call? How can I master steaming, boiling, frying, and the types of ingredients?
“Ah! No! My egg!” I shouted.
I quickly turned off the stove and slid (滑到)the blackened egg onto a plate. The color contrasted with the beautiful egg I had seen on YouTube previously. Mine looked nothing like the one online. Again, I wondered if my parents would appreciate the egg.
I split the egg right down the middle, hoping to see the yolk (蛋黄) flow out. To my disappointment, I discovered a firm yolk inside. I let out a frustrated sigh, turned and walked out of the kitchen with the plate in my hands.
At first, my parents were relatively pleased that the egg looked more or less like what they had imagined. But when they put it into their mouths, they tried to hide their discomfort. My Mom forced out a smile as she swallowed the egg.
“Good attempt Daniel!” she exclaimed cheerfully.
“It tastes delicious!” my Dad added in.
I could visibly see that their faces were twisted (扭曲)in disgust. It was painfully obvious that my egg tasted horrible.
“It’s fine,” I sighed. “I know the egg tastes bad.”
Disappointed, I trudged (费力地走) back into my room, unable to contain the feelings of failure bursting inside of me.
Don’t give up! I told myself. This is only your first attempt and if you persevere, you will surely improve!
With determination burning in me again, I turned on my laptop and searched for any cooking techniques I needed to master in order to cook. YouTube videos gave me a bit of reference, but I needed to seek advice.
注意: 1. 续写词数应为150左右;2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1: My sister Anne is an expert at cooking! I thought.
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Paragraph 2: After studying with Anne for a few months, I attempted once again to impress my parents.
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