1 . By keeping a diary, you can create a space for self-reflection. With each word you write, you’re taking a step towards a deeper understanding of yourself and moving closer to well-being.

A tool for self-discovery

A diary acts as a mirror, reflecting your innermost thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.     1    . It can be the first step toward meaningful change and personal growth. Just the act of recognizing how you feel can build self-confidence and improve your mood.

Help recognize sources of stress

    2    . Think of it as a safe space to express how you feel, leading to a significant decrease in stress levels. Keeping a diary gives you a chance to recognize what stresses you out in the first place. Once you notice upsetting situations or people, you can take action and eliminate that source of stress from your life.

    3    

Sometimes people find it challenging to express their emotions verbally (口头上) and tend to block them out. Ignored unexpressed emotions can cause stress and get stored in the body, causing disease and pain. A diary provides a private space to explore and express feelings. This process of externalizing emotions inside can help reduce stress and manage overwhelming emotions.

Encourage solutions to problems and reflection

Facing a challenge that you can’t seem to figure out? Put pen to paper. Writing about challenges can help clarify the issue, explore potential solutions, and reflect on past experiences that may offer insight.    4    .

Even if you’ve never keep a diary before, it’s easy to begin. Persistence (坚持) is key to keeping a diary.    5    . Even just five minutes can help gain some clarity and reflection. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to keep a diary. When you later take time to read your diaries, you can find your growth over time and how you’ve navigated past challenges.

A．Release and process feelings

B．Keep a diary during the spare time each day

C．Reflection can make you puzzled on your personal journey

D．Writing about worries or challenges every day can be a way out

E．Keeping a diary gives you a way to blame your friends or family

F．This way improves decision-making and encourages a positive attitude towards challenges

G．You can uncover patterns in your thinking or behavior, leading to increased self-awareness

2 . With amazing Christmas lights and some very special guests, Pallion Action Group kicked off the festive season in style after another year of giving much-needed support to the Sunderland community.

“We’ve got wreath making, our singers and dancers and, of course, a visit from Santa. This event brings out so much enthusiasm in the community,” said organizer Karen Noble. “We’ll also go and surprise anyone we know who’s going to be lonely at Christmas.”

Pallion has been at the heart of the community here since 1993, but the past couple of years have seen people increasingly struggling financially and feeling lonely. “This time last year, people were in great poverty,” said Karen. “But if we’ve done our job properly, they’ve become more financially resilient (可迅速恢复的) or less lonely and we should be helping different people this year. And a lot of those who were helped last year are volunteering for us now. People are so kind — we get loads of homemade thank-you cards. But I think the biggest thanks we get is knowing we’ve helped somebody to the point where they’re independent and getting on with life.”

Karen and the team organize a wide range of activities, from after-school clubs and cookery sessions to line dancing and computer classes to keep older people connected. But all this wouldn’t be possible without funding from People’s Health Trust, with money raised through The Health Lottery (彩票). Every time you play The Health Lottery, not only could you win up to £100,000, but you’re also helping to raise much-needed funds that go straight to the heart of the community. “So playing The Health Lottery is not just the chance to win a prize. You could be making a real difference,” said Karen.

1. What can we know about Pallion Action Group from the first two paragraphs?

A．It needs much support.

B．Its main task is holding festivals.

C．It cares for the community.

D．It offers a chance to visit Santa.

2. What does Karen think of their job?

A．It is of no use.	B．It has paid off.
C．It needs improving.	D．It is not satisfactory.

3. How does Pallion Action Group get the fund?

A．By funding from an organization.

B．By raising money themselves.

C．By receiving donations from different people.

D．By receiving money from the government.

4. Which words can best describe Karen?

A．Sensitive and skeptical.	B．Ambitious and energetic.
C．Talented and intelligent.	D．Caring and enthusiastic.

3 . Several art projects are on show to warn people of the climate change happening around us.

Video on the walls

Photographer Camille Seaman has traveled to both the North Pole and the South Pole, where she has captured the disappearing ice in photographs and video. Camille Seaman made a video with some of her most powerful photos of melting ice for people in four coastal cities to display on their buildings. The video ends with a prediction that sea level will rise by 2050 without relative action.

Mural (壁画)changing color

Temperatures in Austin, Texas, are on the rise, and climate change will put the city at higher risk of extended drought, wildfires, intense rain and flooding. Artist Lope Gutiérrez-Ruiz designed a unique mural that changes color as it gets hotter. This art work calls for people to change the world and change climate change, underlining the importance of individual actions to the collective future.

Public billboard   (广告牌)

Artist Christine Sun Kim released a public billboard on the 710 Freeway called The Sound of Temperature Rising. It points to the reality of climate disaster that has become all too clear on the West Coast and the need for significant change now. The illustration features a graph (图表) of music notes that get progressively longer and redder.

Anti-Extinction Library

Globally, species are disappearing at an unheard-of rate. In response, architect Mitchell Joachim created The Anti-Extinction Library in New York. The sculptural piece is not only beautiful but also functional. Their unique egg-shaped library has a special freezer storing test tubes with the frozen cells and DNA of rare animals and plants. It’s important for people to realize we must quickly work to protect the rights of different species in our area.

1. What is the key feature of the mural?

A．It lights up at night.

B．It moves with the wind.

C．It plays music when it rains.

D．It changes color with temperature.

2. Whose work contains frozen cells?

A．Camille Seaman’s.	B．Lope Gutiérrez-Ruiz’s.
C．Christine Sun Kim's.	D．Mitchel l Joachim’s.

3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To praise artists’ participation.

B．To call for people to take action.

C．To show the severe result of climate change.

D．To facilitate the combination of art and climate.

4 . 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。

The vast fields of wheat in Northeast China are no ordinary plants — they were created in outer space. They are a variety known as Luyuan502 and are China’s second most     1     (wide) grown type of wheat. The plants were bred from seeds     2     (fly) into orbit 340 km above the Earth’s surface. In the unique low gravity environment, they picked up subtle (微妙的) changes to DNA that gave them new qualities,    3     made them more tolerant to drought and able to better resist certain diseases.

They are an example of a growing number     4     important food crops that are being bred on spacecraft and space stations while orbiting our planet.     5     some of the mutations (突变) leave the plants unable to grow, others can be advantageous. Some plants become     6     (strong) than previous ones. Besides, they are able to resist more extreme growing conditions, but others produce more foods from a single plant or grow faster or require less water.

China     7     (experiment) with space mutagenesis since 1987. Since then it has conducted dozens of missions     8     (carry) crop seeds into orbit. “We benefit from China’s strong space programme,” says one of the     9     (expert) in China’s space mutagenesis project. “We can use recoverable satellites, high-altitude platforms and manned spacecraft to send our seeds to space up to     10     (two) a year and use those space utilities for crop improvement.”

5 . A woman about 100 years old just proved that age means nothing by breaking three amateur(业余的) swimming world records.

On Saturday, Jan. 20, Betty Brussels _________ the Victoria Masters Swim Club Meet and beat the rivals in the 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, and 400m freestyle in the 100- to 104-year-old age _________.

Betty Brussel didn’t get into _________ swimming until she was in her 60s, and this was the first time she had been able to _________ such an achievement. She was able to break the records despite _________ a pacemaker(心脏起搏器) she received after suffering a heart attack in her 70s.

Betty finished her 50m backstroke in 1:24.91, which was almost five _________ faster than the previous record. She surpassed(超过) the _________ standing 400m freestyle record of 16:36.80 by _________ hers in 12:50.03. Betty set the first record for the 50m breaststroke with a time of 1:56.22.

“I was surprised by my own _________ yesterday,” said Betty. “I gave it my all; I never give up. It was wonderful. I was totally __________ by everybody’s support. I like to win, but __________ have never been the most important thing to me. If somebody else wins, I am __________ for them.”

Even though Betty Brussels only just __________ her own achievements, award-winning filmmakers Hannah Walsh and Emma Puchniak are already talking about a possible __________ that could be released in about a year.

“I live life every day and __________ it,” Betty told the publication. “I feel very fortunate to do what I do.”

1.

A．set aside

B．called on

C．headed for

D．engaged in

2.

A．group

B．court

C．period

D．department

3.

A．challenging

B．demanding

C．appropriate

D．competitive

4.

A．regain

B．reach

C．commit

D．recall

5.

A．building upon

B．carrying out

C．relying on

D．showing off

6.

A．minutes

B．seconds

C．moments

D．meters

7.

A．formerly

B．regularly

C．temporarily

D．interestingly

8.

A．improving

B．completing

C．raising

D．stopping

9.

A．behavior

B．function

C．restriction

D．swim

10.

A．fascinated

B．attracted

C．touched

D．affected

11.

A．records

B．dreams

C．beliefs

D．failures

12.

A．happy

B．anxious

C．sorry

D．thankful

13.

A．declined

B．proved

C．revealed

D．marked

14.

A．novel

B．advertisement

C．documentary

D．interview

15.

A．cue

B．enjoy

C．purchase

D．deserve

6 . Italian diver and gardener Sergio Gamberini decided to see if he could grow vegetables in a plastic balloon underwater. The experiment was a success—so he decided to dive deeper into the world of underwater agriculture.

Today, Gamberini is the founder of a company using “biospheres” off the coast of Italy to grow a variety of plants, introducing the world to a new type of agriculture. The company’s six “biospheres” are air-filled plastic balloons about two meters wide. Each is fixed to the seabed by chains so that it sits between 15and 36 feet below sea level. The biospheres are equipped with cameras and sensors that allow researchers in the company to monitor CO₂ levels, humidity, temperature, and more from a control tower on the shoreline. There’s also a device to communicate with divers in the biospheres.

Solar panels (太阳能电池板) on the roof of the control tower power the fans that create airflow inside the biospheres, and because the temperature inside and outside the biospheres is consistent, there’s no need to expend energy on the heating or cooling systems needed for traditional greenhouses.

The underwater garden doesn’t require pesticides (杀虫剂) since bugs can’t reach the plants, and though more research is needed, the company notes on its website that the higher-pressure conditions underwater appear to help plants grow more quickly.

The company is now ready to shift from the research phase of development to optimizing (优化) its biospheres for industrialization, with the goal of expanding them off coastlines around the world. To achieve the aim, the startup is now taking advantage of “digital twin” technology to precisely simulate (模仿) every aspect of its underwater garden.

Even with all the optimization potential offered by technology, Gamberini admits it’s hard to imagine the produce grown in his startup’s biospheres ever competing financially with traditionally grown crops. Still, he hopes the system’s sustainability will be enough to draw customers.

1. What does Gamberini’s company use “biospheres” mainly for?

A．Doing scientific research on marine life.

B．Creating a habitat for underwater animals.

C．Monitoring climate change effects on coastal regions.

D．Growing different types of plants through underwater agriculture.

2. How is the temperature maintained inside the biospheres?

A．By temperature regulation by divers.

B．By advanced heating and cooling systems.

C．By solar panels on the roof of the control tower.

D．By natural climate conditions of underwater environment.

3. What can we infer about Gamberini’s company?

A．It has little negative influence on the environment.	B．It negatively affects ocean biodiversity.
C．It leads to much use of pesticides.	D．It contributes to climate change.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Grow Plants Under the Sea	B．The Creative World of Keeping Animals
C．Explore the Depths of Underwater Farming	D．The Challenge of Growing Greens Underwater

7 . Is there any such thing as a salt tooth? We are familiar with a sweet tooth, along with the negative effects of sugar. We are broadly aware of the disadvantages of too much salt, including high blood pressure, which puts pressure on the blood vessels (血管), the heart and the kidneys. It can also lead to water retention (水肿). But we don’t tend to police how much salt we eat — at least, not as rigorously as with sugar — or question whether we are just paying attention to our bodies, which require some salt for muscles to work properly, or we are being controlled by a strong urge.

A salt tooth is quite unlike a sweet tooth. It doesn’t create an appetite for itself at the hormone level. But salt does make our taste buds (味蕾) get used to it, so that the more you eat, the more you need to get the same salty hit. This is why chefs can get heavy-handed with it.

As Sam Bloom, a nutritional therapist, explains, “What is generally more concerning is the fat that is used together with salt, like salty crisps, fries and fast food. Ready meals are often the worst for hidden salts. Anything that adds flavor that isn’t a spice or herb will probably have salt added to it and can make you want to eat more because it tastes good. The salt and fat combination in these foods is what causes problems with cholesterol (胆固醇). The salt that people add to a meal is much less concerning.”

Nutritionists’ suggestion is convincing: When the desire for salt hits, avoid going straight for salty snack foods such as crisps and instead ensure you are well hydrated. Seek out whole foods, such as olives and leafy greens. These foods will help you alleviate the desire for salt, which may often be due to a desire for nutrient-rich food.

1. What does the underlined word “rigorously” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Generally.

B．Strictly.

C．Largely.

D．Pleasantly.

2. Why is salt different from sugar according to paragraph 2?

A．Salt attracts chefs.

B．Salt gets people adapted.

C．Salt can change hormone level.

D．Salt generates a special appetite.

3. What is Sam Bloom’s attitude towards ready meals?

A．Objective.

B．Approving.

C．Negative.

D．Ambiguous.

4. What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A．Ways of seeking out whole food.

B．Reasons for getting the desire for salt.

C．Attitudes towards seeking for nutrient food.

D．Approaches to relieving the eagerness for salt.

8 . 听下面一段长对话，回答小题。
1. What do we know about the house?

A．It is in a noisy environment.

B．It has two rooms available.

C．It is near the man’s office.

2. How much rent does the woman ask for a month?

A．$425.

B．$800.

C．$850.

3. What will the man do next?

A．Decide to rent the room.

B．Make an appointment.

C．Meet the woman.

9 . 听下面一段长对话，回答小题。
1. Who went to the café?

A．The man.

B．The woman.

C．The man’s sister.

2. Why did the man’s friend go to the drugstore?

A．A cat was injured.

B．He was bitten by a cat.

C．He was not feeling well.

3. What are some of the café’s earnings used for?

A．Helping its own cats.

B．Growing the business.

C．Supporting the local charities.

4. What day is it today?

A．Thursday.

B．Friday.

C．Saturday.

10 . 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。

“Hello”,     1     always makes a point about the importance of how we greet (问候) others, is a very common word in our daily life. The word we choose sets the     2     (begin) for the whole communication, and in turn, shapes the future of     3     (we) relationship with others. At times we may use something like a formal “good day” in certain situations, and a more informal “hey” or “hi” in others. Knowing how     4     (say) hello in different languages is always the first step when it     5     (come) to becoming more communicative with the rest of the world. “Hello” is     6     (important) than any other word for you to remember when you’re learning a new language. Now let’s learn some different     7     (form) of “hello” in different languages around the world: in English— Hello; in Chinese— Nin ho; in French— Bonjour; in Spanish— Hola. Isn’t it     8     (interest) to get you ready for some situations? There are even more ways to say hello in every language. The way of greeting someone can change depending     9     the time of the day, or your relationship with the person you’re saying hello to. Beyond the words, people also use a mixture of body language and physical (身体的) touch to greet each other, from handshakes to hugs or cheek kisses. Learning to greet someone is all about making a connection, so have     10     try and do your best.