1 . In the old-fashioned town of Willowbrook, two friends named Emma and Liam shared an intimate bond. They were inseparable and spent every moment together, laughing, exploring, and creating unforgettable memories.

One cold winter morning, as the first snowflakes gently fell from the sky, Emma woke up with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. She tried to brave it and get ready for school, but her body felt weak and achy. Unwillingly, she called Liam to let him know she couldn’t make it to school that day.

Liam was concerned when he heard the tiredness in Emma’s voice. “Don’t worry, Em. I’ll take care of everything at school for you,” he assured her. Feeling grateful for Liam’s understanding, Emma forced a smile and replied, “Thank you, Liam. You’re the best friend anyone could ask for.”

After school, Liam hurried to Emma’s house, carrying a meal he had prepared for her. He knocked on the door, and Emma’s mother welcomed him with a warm smile. “Oh, Liam, you’re such a thoughtful friend,” she said.

“I brought some soup and tea for Emma. I hope it will make her feel better,” Liam replied, some concern in his eyes. Entering Emma’s room, Liam found her curled up under a blanket, looking pale but relieved to see him. “Hey, I brought some comfort food to cheer you up,” he said, setting the food on her bedside table.

Emma’s eyes lit up, and she smiled weakly. “You didn’t have to, but thank you. This means the world to me,” she whispered. Sitting by her side, Liam kept her company, chatting softly and making her laugh despite her illness. The warmth of their friendship enveloped the room, bringing a feeling of comfort to Emma’s tired soul.

As Emma regained her strength, she realized just how lucky she was to have a friend like Liam. His unwavering presence and kindness had made her recovery easier and brighter. Their friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and from that moment on, they knew they would be there for each other through thick and thin.

1. What does the underlined word “intimate” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Satisfactory.

B．Informal.

C．Close.

D．Temporary.

2. Why didn’t Emma go to school that morning?

A．It was too cold to go outside.	B．Liam failed to pick her up.
C．She was in a bad condition.	D．School was closed for the heavy snow.

3. Which of the following can best describe Liam?

A．Considerate and caring.	B．Brave but lazy.
C．Selfless and active.	D．Independent but stubborn.

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．Emma’s illness.	B．A precious friendship.
C．Liam’s company.	D．How to help a friend.

2 . Binge-watching (刷剧) is when a person watches more than one episode of a show in a row. With developments in the speed and connectivity of the Internet, increases in technology and the rise of on-demand entertainment companies, people can now have their favorite shows stream (流播) directly to their television at their convenience.

This behavior is nothing new. In fact, binge-watching has been officially listed in dictionaries since 2015. The entertainment companies recognize this behavior and many take steps to encourage it. Often, instead of releasing each episode on a week-by-week basis, an entire series will become available concurrently. Once the episode finishes, many platforms will display pop-ups with “you might like” suggestions, or will automatically play the next episode.

However, recent research suggests that out of the more than half of British adults who watch more than one episode of a show back-to-back (一集接一集地), almost a third have admitted missing sleep or becoming tired as a result; and 25% have neglected their household chores (家务活). Next we’ll be missing work!

Bingeing has other connections — binge eating, binge drinking and binge smoking. All of them are often associated with a lack of control and a possible route to addiction. Lindsey Fussell, consumer group director, said, “The days of waiting a week for the next episode are largely gone, with people finding it hard to resist (抗拒) watching multiple episodes around the house or on the move.” If people find binge-watching hard to resist, are we witnessing the birth of a new type of addiction?

The countless number of information and entertainment that television and online media can bring us is, many would say, a good thing. However, when the activity begins to bleed into other areas, causing us to stop functioning, then it becomes a problem. So, what’s the answer? Moderation! Neither a tiny amount, nor too much. After all, as the old proverb says, “A little of what you fancy does you good.”

1. How did the writer develop the first paragraph?

A．By giving a definition.	B．By telling a story.
C．By listing some examples.	D．By analyzing the cause and effect.

2. Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “concurrently” in Paragraph2?

A．For convenience.	B．At the same time.
C．In detail.	D．Free of charge.

3. What Lindsey said in Paragraph 4 implies that ______.

A．people can’t control their feelings	B．people can’t resist the temptation of Bingeing
C．people have no patience to do work	D．people are addicted to waiting for a new episode

4. What advice did the writer give at last?

A．To keep online media from stopping functioning.

B．To enjoy entertainment as much as possible.

C．To learn life lessons from the episodes.

D．To watch episodes in a moderate way.

3 . Hong Kong and Macau are home to several well-known universities that offer diverse courses and programs to students. Here are some of the universities and their key information.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

This university is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Asia, offering undergraduate, graduate, and research programs in various fields. Popular majors include business, engineering, law, and medicine. Admission requirements vary depending on the program, but all applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be fluent in English. HKU offers scholarships and financial assistance to both local and international students.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

This university is famous for its programs in science, engineering, and business. It also offers programs in social sciences and humanities. Admission requirements include high academic achievement and language proficiency (English). HKUST provides a range of scholarships and financial aid packages to deserving students.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

This university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, science, social sciences, and humanities. Admission requirements include academic performance, language proficiency (English and Chinese) and personal qualities. CUHK provides scholarships for students from different backgrounds and regions.

The University of Macau (UM)

This university is the only public comprehensive university in Macau, offering programs in business, science, social sciences, humanities, and education. Admission requirements vary depending on the program, but all applicants must be fluent in English or Portuguese. UM offers scholarships only for local students and does not provide accommodation for any students.

1. What majors are liked and chosen more at the University of Hong Kong?

A．Science, engineering, and business.	B．Al technology and English.
C．Business, engineering, law, and medicine.	D．Business, science, social sciences, and humanities.

2. Which of the following statements about the University of Macau is CORRECT?

A．UM does not provide financial aid to international students.

B．UM is one of the best public universities in Macau.

C．UM has the best business program in Macau.

D．UM does not admit international students.

3. What do the four universities mentioned in the passage have in common?

A．They all have high tuition fees.	B．They all offer great scholarships.
C．They all have high-quality dormitories.	D．They all have language requirements.

4 . Last year I ruined my summer vacation by bringing along a modern convenience: the iPad.

Instead of looking at nature, I _______ my e-mail. Instead of reading great novels, I stuck to reading _______newspapers each morning. And that was the problem: I was acting as if I were still in the office. My body was on vacation but my _______ wasn’t.

So this year I made up my mind to try something _______: getting away from the Internet. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, _______ I’m not good at self-control. But I was _______. I started by handing the iPad to my wife. Then, a stroke of luck: The mobile phone _______ at our cabin was worse than in the past. I was _______, forced to carry out my plan. Largely cut off from e-mail and my favourite newspaper websites, I had little way to _______ the world. I had no ________ but to do what I had planned to do all along: read books.

With determination and the strong support of my wife, I succeeded in my vacation struggle against the Internet. I finally ________ that it was me, of course, not the iPad, that was the ________.

I knew I had ________ when we passed a Starbucks and my wife asked if I wanted to stop to use the Wi-Fi. “Don’t need it,” I said. ________, as we return to work, a test begins: Can I survive when I’m back at work? I don’t plan to ________ my iPad completely. But I hope to resist the temptation (抵抗诱惑) to use it every five minutes.

1.

A．received

B．selected

C．checked

D．removed

2.

A．online

B．informal

C．local

D．traditional

3.

A．opinion

B．mind

C．identity

D．curiosity

4.

A．attractive

B．logical

C．magical

D．different

5.

A．as

B．unless

C．though

D．so

6.

A．generous

B．capable

C．eager

D．determined

7.

A．battery

B．button

C．signal

D．function

8.

A．grateful

B．tough

C．stuck

D．puzzled

9.

A．rely on

B．go through

C．connect to

D．adapt to

10.

A．method

B．goal

C．trick

D．choice

11.

A．expected

B．realised

C．permitted

D．suggested

12.

A．approach

B．sign

C．evidence

D．problem

13.

A．won

B．forgotten

C．suffered

D．recovered

14.

A．Somehow

B．Anyway

C．However

D．Therefore

15.

A．take apart

B．give up

C．turn up

D．go off

6 . Why does Amy plan to go to Rome?

A．To work.

B．To travel.

C．To study.

7 . What did the man plan to do on March 1st?

A．Apply for some classes.

B．Call the travel agent.

C．Go to the mountains.

8 . What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A．Gary’s works.

B．Gary’s application.

C．Gary’s list of samples.

9 . As we close out the final days of this year, treat yourself to a deliciously distracting new book —a book that you can dip into and out of throughout the holidays. Read up, rest up, and enjoy yourself.

Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and beyond

A must-have guide for yoga-loving mamas, Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond offers helpful relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that are tailored to each pregnant woman. The book also lays out valuable techniques for labor and staying in touch with your body as it continuously changes.

Mindfulness Activities for Kids

We could all use a little more peace in our lives. Uniquely suited for children and parents to do together, the 40 mindfulness exercises recommended here —from pausing to fully enjoy a tasty sandwich to taking chalk walk together—will not only teach children calm and gratitude, but also bring grown-ups and their littles closer together.

Before She Disappeared

Frankie Elkin is a recovering alcoholic who devotes her time to solving cold cases, especially those involving people of color. A new investigation brings her to Boston, searching for a Haitian teenager who disappeared months ago. But as Frankie starts asking questions, someone else will stop at nothing to keep the answers hidden.

Oak Flat

Lauren Redniss’ Oak Flat tells the story of the land near the San Carlos Apache Reservation through an Apache family fighting to protect the land which the U. S. government and two world-power mining enterprises are attempting to seize and destroy for its copper resources. Visually striking and deeply reported, Oak Flat tells a larger story of endless westward expansion and native resistance.

1. Which book can help to improve family relations?

A．Oak Flat.

B．Before She Disappeared.

C．Mindfulness Activities for Kids.

D．Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond.

2. What do we know about the book Oak Flat?

A．It’s a brief account of mining enterprises.

B．It centers on an Apache family’s struggle.

C．It sings high praise of the US government.

D．It supports westward expansion and native resistance.

3. Who are the target readers of the four books?

A．Teenagers.

B．Men.

C．Kids.

D．Grown-ups.

10 . What is the relationship between the speakers?

A．Teacher and student.

B．Nurse and patient.

C．Boss and employee.