1 . Ever thought making a baby cry or even chasing after cheese would become a widely celebrated festival? Check out the most unusual, unique festivals from around the world.

Las Bolas de Fuego, El Salvador

Each year on 31st August, residents of Nejapa gather around to throw fireballs in memory of the 1658 El Playon volcanic eruption. Participants divide themselves into two teams to paint their faces like skulls and begin the festival by throwing fireballs at each other. Though dangerous, Las Bolas de Fuego has been running for more than 100 years now.

Viewing: Free Entry

Underwater Music Festival, Florida

Florida Underwater Music Festival held in July has been running for more than 25years, welcoming divers all over the world with the aim to create awareness for coral preservation. The event houses ocean-themed songs streaming live from underwater speakers along with musician-divers playing odd instruments giving a visual treat for all.

Participation: Ticketed Event

Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea

200 kilometres from Seoul, Boryeong is widely popular for its mud. cosmetics (化妆品). What began as marketing event in 1998 later turned into a famous festival, drawing in millions of visitors every year. The annual festival held in July runs ten days straight housing a series of activities such as mud pools, mudslides and mud skiing.

Participation: Ticketed Event

Lopburi Monkey Banquet, Thailand

With the aim to bring good luck to the area and its people, the Lopburi Province prepares a grand feast made up of 4,000 kilograms of fruits and vegetables that feed 2,000-3,000 macaque monkeys every year. The festival first occurred in 1989, run by a local businessman who thought of this unique way to pay gratitude to monkeys and also bring in tourism — luckily for him and the monkeys, it worked!

Viewing: Free Entry

1. How do people in Nejapa celebrate Las Bolas de Fuego?

A．By painting volcanoes.

B．By throwing fireballs.

C．By running races.

D．By making faces.

2. What is special about Underwater Music Festival?

A．It has various themes of music.

B．It treats visitors to sea food.

C．It is held in the water.

D．It is free of charge.

3. What do the last two festivals have in common?

A．They are held in autumn.

B．They boost local tourism.

C．They last for a whole week.

D．They charge no entrance fees.

2 . “How did you publish so much as an immigrant (移民) ?” _________ I wasn’t a native English speaker, people asked this question countless times as I interviewed for jobs last year. I knew that telling my struggles was unlikely to _________ me a job, so I would laugh and say, “I enjoy writing!” But the _________ is that writing did not come easily.

From early on I wanted to pursue an _________ career. But my first applications for Ph. D programs were _________. After learning I would be a stronger _________ if I had some publications, I decided to pursue a project in my undergraduate professor’s lab, hoping for publishable findings. When I had results to write up, I _________ to write a well-structured research paper. I was _________ that my professor’s revisions were less significant than they had been on my paper, highlighting my growth.

Still, the paper was rejected (拒绝) from three journals and I was getting rejected by more Ph. D programs. But I didn’t give up. _________,I tried to focus on what I was learning: Revisions and rejections are a normal part of the scientific process, and what __________ was how I adapted and grew from them.

Learning how my professor __________ writing helped me find my voice. I went on to publish several first-author papers and grew more __________. I finally dared to apply to Ph. D programs again, and was excited to get in. I’m sure many __________ on my CV helped me win the place.

As my Ph. D program neared its end, my publication record made me stand out and improved my confidence during job __________. Writing helped me grow from an uncertain immigrant feeling like a (n) __________ in academia (学术界) to a confident researcher whose background is a source of pride and strength.

1.

A．Arguing

B．Realizing

C．Predicting

D．Declaring

2.

A．show

B．teach

C．land

D．ask

3.

A．secret

B．response

C．comment

D．truth

4.

A．original

B．unusual

C．academic

D．impossible

5.

A．turned down

B．sent in

C．given up

D．put off

6.

A．applicant

B．athlete

C．employer

D．editor

7.

A．offered

B．happened

C．expected

D．struggled

8.

A．pleased

B．annoyed

C．determined

D．worried

9.

A．Meanwhile

B．Instead

C．Besides

D．Therefore

10.

A．appeared

B．suffered

C．mattered

D．differed

11.

A．recorded

B．began

C．taught

D．approached

12.

A．confident

B．anxious

C．silent

D．honest

13.

A．scores

B．publications

C．measures

D．recommendations

14.

A．researches

B．titles

C．cuts

D．interviews

15.

A．supporter

B．overseer

C．outsider

D．professor

3 . 阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。

Shelly was a teenage girl full of energy and curiosity. She found herself in a familiar yet exciting situation as New Year’s Eve drew near. Her parents, busy doctors in the emergency department, were eager to spend the festive occasion with family at her grandparents’ house. Jason and Judy, Shelly’s loving grandparents, were excited to host the joyous celebration.

In the midst of the busy preparations, Shelly found herself alone in the attic(阁楼) , filled with old trunks and forgotten relics. As she searched through the dusty relics in the attic, her eyes caught a bronze item among the forgotten treasures. It was a Scout badge(童子军徽章) , her father’s from his youthful days as a Scout. This badge held a profound meaning, symbolizing her father’s adventurous spirit and dedication to service.

Eager to share her find, Shelly carefully put the badge into her pocket and rejoined the celebration. As the evening progressed, she proudly showed off the badge to her friends in the neighborhood, sharing tales of her father’s Scouting adventures. However, time flew by with laughter and joy. It was then that the badge slipped unnoticed from her grasp, disappearing into the dark night.

Panic stricken and heartbroken, Shelly quickly searched for the lost badge, checking every corner she had been. But the badge was nowhere to be found. Tears streamed down her face as she knew how disappointed her father would be if he knew she had lost his precious Scout badge. The loss of the badge was not just a physical loss, but a symbol of the connection she felt with her father and his past. Shelly’s world felt incomplete, and she prayed that somehow, she would find the badge and restore the broken bond. She decided to search the neighborhood again.

注意：
1．续写词数应为150个左右；
2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
But as time passed, Shelly’s hope of finding the badge began to fade.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Together, father and daughter set out for the search.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4 . In a highly technical world, there is something quite magical about the timelessness of the public library. And the impact and importance of libraries extends across decades, centuries even, dating back to 4th century BC in Athens.     1     They serve as community cornerstones and giving free access to books, resources, and information.

A study by Pew Research Center found that 94% of Americans agreed that having a public library improves the quality of life in a community, and 95% said that libraries give everyone a chance to succeed and promote a love for reading.     2     Here are a few of the reasons why they are so important.

Libraries promote education.

Beyond the free access to books and computers, many libraries also offer valuable services including tutoring, learning camps, and homeschooling resources. Many libraries host STEAM events for kids where they get to experience life as an astronaut, learning about the solar system and working together to build robotic, space-related projects.     3    

Libraries build a sense of community.

    4     So, whether you join a monthly book club or read book submissions from local authors, you’re broadening your horizons, making connections, and learning from other members — ones who you may have never crossed paths with otherwise.

    5    

Original documents are digitized and maintained at libraries. This helps preserve the nation’s cultural heritage, as well as provide an opportunity to better understand others’ points of view. If you ever get the chance, visit the New York Public Library to explore its database of over 1,800 newspapers, magazines, and journals, all published between 1740 and 1940.

A．Libraries preserve history.

B．Libraries restore valuable documents.

C．Also they can work well for homeschooling families.

D．But the impact of public libraries is greater than expected.

E．Libraries are gaining popularity among young people today.

F．Libraries can break down barriers and bring people together.

G．Over time, libraries have developed into what we know them as today.

5 . When we think about what makes humans different from other animals, the word “conscience” often appears. Conscience is the feeling you get when you assess (评估) if you’ve done something “correct” or “wrong”. It is with the help of our conscience that we understand the moral principles we hold. This motivates us to act on them and therefore helps us assess our character and behavior. Eventually, it helps us judge ourselves against those principles, in terms of how well we follow them. Accordingly, you avoid certain desires (i. e., eating in class) and follow the behavior that is considered correct or “right” (paying attention to what the teacher is teaching) .

Consciousness, on the other hand, reflects how aware you are of your surroundings. A good way to understand this is to think of the human mind as an iceberg, as proposed by Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. The part of the iceberg on the surface represents your conscious awareness. It refers to all the things you are aware of and can easily describe. For instance, right now, while reading this article, your conscious mind is helping you make connections. The deeper level of the iceberg is your unconscious mind. It refers to aspects that you are unaware of, including your fears, violent motives, and strong desires that are hard to describe.

Many researchers, like Freud, propose that morality or conscience develops when a child internalizes (内在化) the rules that their, parents set when the child was growing up. However, some psychologists, like Paul Bloom, argue that morality is something we are all born with. Bloom argues that all babies are born with a sense of fairness. The claim came from studies of adopted children with genes, who were twins and separated at birth. If they possessed the “gene” to be kind, they would continue to be kind, despite being brought up in different family environments.

So, which opinion is true? We truly don’t know. While there is more evidence in the studies claiming that conscience is developed through learning and socialization, the newer ideas of it being genetically acquired from birth look promising as well!

1. What is a function of conscience?

A．It motivates us to act quickly.

B．It keeps record of our behavior.

C．It assesses our moral principles.

D．It helps us tell right from wrong.

2. In which situation does your unconscious mind work?

A．You apply what you learn to practice.

B．You appreciate the beauty of poetry.

C．You have a fear of public speaking.

D．You describe violent scenes in a book.

3. What may Freud agree with?

A．Genes affect kids’ consciousness.

B．Kids acquire conscience with age.

C．Genetic studies promote his theory.

D．Parents should set strict rules for kids.

4. What may be a suitable title for the text?

A．New theory uncovers the secret of our mind

B．What helps tell human being from animals?

C．Is conscience gained at birth or with age?

D．Consciousness improves our moral level

6 . I love watching football games and couldn’t help but notice how many footballers chew gum while playing! I always thought of it as a choking danger, so why would they risk it?

When we chew something, the receptors in our mouth that sense taste and pressure from the jaw movements start firing and sending electrical signals to the brain. These electrical nervous system signals move to the brain, which works to understand these signals. This added brain activity places the mind in a more attentive state, which is why focus and concentration are improved.

Additionally, chewing gum has been reported to decrease stress and anxiety levels. The brain activity stimulated (刺激) by chewing gum occurs mainly in the prefrontal cortex, the front part of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation. When chewing gum, the prefrontal cortex is activated, leading to the release of a “feel-good” neurotransmitter called dopamine (多巴胺). Dopamine is known to promote a sense of pleasure and reward, helping to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety.

So does this mean that the harder you chew, the better the focus levels? Yes…to an extent. Chewing harder gum does boost attention more than softer gum. Similarly, chewing flavored gum is better for cognitive (认知) functioning, as it activates more receptors in the mouth than chewing flavorless gum.

With lower stress levels and better focus, athletes have better decision-making abilities in the middle of the game. It also helps them keep their anxiety levels in check during big games. Chewing gum does give your body a little boost, lifting up your spirits. That explains why athletes prefer chewing gum while playing a sport. But for the sake of safety, you’d better chew just one piece to reduce the choking risk.

1. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 1 probably refer to?

A．Chewing gum during games.

B．Suffering from sports injuries.

C．Swallowing gum for pleasure.

D．Choking while watching games.

2. How can chewing help improve focus?

A．By affecting digestive system.

B．By releasing high pressure.

C．By adding muscle strength.

D．By stimulating the brain.

3. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．Gum proves a healthy snack for athletes.

B．Chewing gum benefits mental health.

C．Dopamine contributes to better focus.

D．Brain activity helps relieve anxiety.

4. What is the author’s attitude to chewing gum?

A．Hopeful.

B．Supportive.

C．Doubtful.

D．Uncaring.

7 . Barbara Spiecke, now a research scientist at the University of New Hampshire, is deaf. As an undergraduate, she was surrounded by a mix of deaf and hearing colleagues. Luckily, she could use American Sign Language (ASL) - English interpreters provided by the university. It was a crucial support, but not without its challenges. ASL signs for complicated scientific topics don’t exist or haven’t yet been widely adopted. So, during her presentation, a large part of her focus was devoted to signing in a way that was most likely to avoid translation errors. The result was an accurate but awkward presentation.

Spiecker hopes other deaf scientists won’t have to go through the same thing. So, she co-founded an organization, Atomic Hands, in 2018 to light “wonder and curiosity” in STEM. She had a goal: to create videos teaching scientific concepts using both ASL signs and English closed captioning (字幕). Along the way, Atomic Hands and other organizations have boosted the visibility (可见度) of STEM-related signs, promoting community involvement to improve, and standardize them.

Since the foundation of Atomic Hands, a newer set of ASL signs for states of matter that visually explain the connections between them has gained broader acceptance. Atomic Hands did not create the signs—they came from the community—but the organization is sharing them via its online videos.

Spiecker encourages other scientists to experiment with new signs and to offer feedback, good and bad. “When I teach, I constantly remind them that the new signs I show them are not concrete,” Spiecker says. “If they don’t like it, let me know, and I’ll use a different sign.”

Spiecker’s goals also go beyond ASL. At last year’s Ecological Society of America conference, she presented a lecture on opportunities to diversify science communication, such as improving virtual access to conferences or creating audiobooks alongside printed products. Too often, she said, organizers only offer accommodations when it benefits the majority.

1. What troubled Spiecke as an undergraduate?

A．How to communicate with her deaf colleagues.

B．How to find a good ASL-English interpreter.

C．How to understand those complicated topics.

D．How to make her presentations get across.

2. What did Spiecke intend to do with Atomic Hands?

A．Create accessible STEM content.

B．Promote the quality of education.

C．Involve people in scientific research.

D．Invent a sign language for STEM study.

3. What can be learned from Spiecker’s words?

A．She is open to advice on the signs.

B．She loves teaching the deaf STEM.

C．She is doubtful about her present work.

D．She plans to adopt a new sign language.

4. Which of the following can best describe Spiecker?

A．Caring and creative.	B．Humorous and ambitious.
C．Generous and smart.	D．Determined and proud.

8 . Cannes, a coastal city in France, is famous for hosting the Cannes Film Festival every year. It’s also a beautiful place to visit any time of the year. Here are 4 things to do in Cannes.

Stroll (漫步) along the famous La Croisette

Enjoy a stroll down La Croisette — a famous 2-mile waterfront road. It’s the place where the Cannes Film Festival takes place. Take a seat for people-watching or enjoy the beautiful scenery. Discover recreational (娱乐的) places for kids or go to summer music concerts at a low price.

Explore the historic Le Suquet

Lose yourself in the attractive streets of Le Suquet, the historic old town of Cannes. An impressive 5th century theater will take your breath away. Visit the World Explorations Museum, and enjoy wonderful views from the tower. Walk through narrow streets and discover cafes and wine bars.

Take a tour of Cannes with a screenwriter

You can set foot on a small-group tour, led by a screenwriter and historical researcher. Get fully immersed (沉浸) in the city’s rich film history, and see how it transforms itself into an international film center. Remember to book your tour on the Internet in advance.

Leave for Sainte-Marguerite

Take a ship to Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lerins Islands just off the coast of Cannes. Enjoy walks on coastal paths, or relax on the beaches, which are perfect for swimming and picnics. Enjoy local seafood, or go deep into the island’s past with a visit to the 7th century Fort Royal.

1. What can we know about La Croisette?

A．It holds free summer concerts.

B．It offers play areas for children.

C．It becomes well known for top-class service.

D．It allows visitors to take photos with film stars.

2. Which tour can help tourists understand the film development in Cannes?

A．Stroll along the famous La Croisette.	B．Explore the historic Le Suquet.
C．Take a tour of Cannes with a screenwriter.	D．Leave for Sainte-Marguerite.

3. How can tourists reach Sainte-Marguerite?

A．By water.

B．By car.

C．On foot.

D．By air.

9 . 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。

During the peak (高峰的) holiday travel period beginning in spring, tourists booked all 16 rooms of the village home run by Paden Chodron, a 39-year-old member of the Tibetan ethnic group.

“The tourists are mostly young people, many of     1     are part of tour groups. They want to know about our     2     (tradition) lifestyle, like planting highland barley (青稞) and harvesting mushrooms. We also learn about their homes and their life,” Paden says.

He and his wife Baima Quzhen made their dream of starting a family hotel a     3     (real) ten years ago.     4     (locate) in Zhaxigang village in Lunang town in Nyingchi, Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, the couple’s hotel is now one of more than 50 households in the village getting good returns from improved highways and the nearby airport. The roads and communications have improved greatly,     5     (help) them open up to the outside world. More and more tourists are drawn to the beautiful environment and ethnic attractions of the area. Paden says his family enjoys     6     annual income (收入) of 100,000 yuan, tourism and farming included.

The Zhaxigang village successfully uses its ethnic heritage, natural attractions and connectivity     7     (develop) the important industries of tourism and animal feeding. Last year it     8     (give) several national-level honors.

As is reflected by residents like Paden, so far our Chinese government’s powerful and effective measures     9     (enable) local communities to be in line     10     the country’s increasing focus on shared and inclusive growth.

10 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写一段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

When Mark was five years old, his father died and his life fell apart. His mom Jane and he lived a hard life. They had to move from California to Arizona and live with Mark’s grandmother, Moria. That meant Mark lost all his friends and his carefree life.

It could have been the end of Mark’s childhood, but then he met 76-year-old Mr. Kelsey, Moira’s next-door neighbor. One day, he was kicking a soccer ball around the yard when one kick sent the ball over the fence into Kelsey’s yard. Mark came to Kelsey’s home, feeling a little nervous.

“Grandpa, can I get my ball back?” Mark said cautiously. “Of course,” Kelsey said gently with a smile. “Come over and have a talk with me, will you?” Then they had a pleasant chat.

Kelsey lived alone but had a loving and patient heart to children. Over time, the two of them gradually established a deep friendship, enjoying each other’s company.

Half a year later, something unexpected happened. Mark learned Kelsey had a serious eye disease but he couldn’t afford the $3,000 surgery (外科手术). Without timely treatment, he would go blind completely. However, Jane and Moria were also on a tight budget, unable to spare any money for Kelsey.

Mark made up his mind to wash cars at the parking lot of the shopping center on the weekends to raise money for poor Kelsey. He offered to wash each car for one dollar. Mark knew he had to wash a lot of cars to make up the money, but he was determined.

A few days later, one of his customers, named Jason, asked curiously, “What do you do this for, kid?” “My neighbor, Mr. Kelsey. He needs an eye surgery. I’m raising money for him. I badly need $3, 000,” Mark replied. “You’re a kind boy,” Jason said softly. “Where do you live?” Mark told Jason his address. Deeply moved by what Mark was doing, Jason decided to help him another way.

注意：
1.续写词数应为80个左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Jason shared Mark’s story online, appealing for donations.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________