1 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

We’ve been having a heat wave on the East Coast this summer, along with the rest of the U.S. So the very thing you wouldn’t want to do is sleep in a hot car! That’s what I thought when I saw a woman doing just that.

Well, she wasn’t asleep at the time, but I guessed that was her difficulty when I noticed that the inside of the car was piled high with her belongings from the passenger seat to the back seats. I’d been noticing this car parked in the same space on this quiet lot for a few weeks.

I finally went over to the car and asked if I could get her something from the nearby store. She refused but at least I got a look close enough to see that she was normal, not on drugs, spoke English and was not in any immediate suffering despite how it looked. This made me all the more curios. The woman said her name was Justine. As we talked, darkness began to set in, so I told her I had to leave, thinking I’d return another day. Then I started for home.

A week later, I was back shopping at a store near the lot and there was Justine in that car on a hot day! I had had enough. I went over to the car, hoping to hear her story. That’s the way everyone would do. It’s what all kind people should do. But I wonder how many persons would have simply passed by without stopping. I was there to help, not to judge or criticize (批评).

What if we all try our best to help people in trouble? How much better would this world be? How many more good activities than bad would make paper headlines? There would be so many acts of kindness, and the media would have no choice but to switch the focus from the bad to the good. I decided to be such a good person.

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。

My concern touched Justine and she told me about her troubles.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to help her find a job to build up her confidence in life.

_______________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2 . Scientists studying the Atlantic puffin (海鹦) population off the coast of Maine say the number of the birds is now recovering after suffering great losses in 2021.

Atlantic puffins look and walk similarly to penguins. A wildlife organization says the population of the young birds on islands of the coast of Maine fell a lot in 2021. But last year, about two-thirds of puffins in the area produced young. While the numbers did not reach that same level this year, the birds still had a better year than in 2021.

The main reason for the falling numbers in 2021 was a drop in the population of small fish puffins feed on. Puffin groups suffered one of the lowest numbers of young birds in many years. Only about one-quarter of the birds were able to raise young.

Environmental groups have connected the smaller fish populations in the area to higher ocean temperatures. The Gulf of Maine, which has puffin groups on its islands, is warming faster than most of the world’s oceans. In recent years, it has been especially warm and a local climate organization has said this summer appears to have been “still unusually warm”.

Maine’s puffins are the only breeding (繁殖) Atlantic puffins in the United States. Worldwide, the species lives in the North Atlantic from Maine and Canada to Europe. Other countries with large puffin populations, such as Iceland, have also seen their bird populations drop.

The Maine puffin population once fell to only about 70 pairs in an area known as Matinicus Rock. People who went after the birds for their meat and feathers had nearly destroyed them by the early 1900s.

The difficulties facing seabirds make successful breeding seasons especially important, said Dee Boersma, a professor of biology.

1. Why did the population of puffins drop greatly in 2021?

A．Their home was lost.	B．They were caught for meat.
C．They faced a lack of food.	D．A disease spread among them.

2. What affects the fish populations according to the environmental groups?

A．How high the sea level rises.	B．How warm the sea water gets.
C．What we do to protect the sea.	D．When we stop fishing too much.

3. What can we know from paragraph 5?

A．Measures to protect puffins.	B．Some areas where puffins live.
C．Common problems puffins face.	D．Reasons why puffins are dying out.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Climate Change Harms Sea Birds	B．Man Leaves a Type of Bird in Danger
C．Human Action Saves Atlantic Puffins	D．Puffin Population Is Recovering

3 . During the Halloween season, many people visit pumpkin (南瓜) fields or carve pumpkins. But paddle (用桨划) a 1,000-pound pumpkin in a race? On October 22 in Oregon, paddlers in Halloween clothes did just that.

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta took place on the lake in Tualatin, a small city outside Portland. Back in 2004, a club called the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers (PGVG) came up with the idea for the event. The PGVG wanted to alter their large pumpkins into boats and paddle them. They asked the city of Tualatin if they could use the lake for a party.

The first year, about 100 people showed up. Now, about 20,000 come to watch the races. “It’s just a good time to finally have some fun with these pumpkins that we’ve spent countless hours all year long trying to grow,” said Jim Sherwood, a champion pumpkin grower, who is one of the Regatta’s founders and organizers.

The PGVG provides pumpkins for the Regatta’s five races. This year, paddlers came from across the country and from as far away as France and Japan. “Surprisingly, it’s on a lot of people’s wish list to paddle a pumpkin,” said Heidi Marx, the event’s director for the city of Tualatin.

Just before the races began, the growers emptied the pumpkins. The paddlers dressed in holiday clothing jumped in, and the first race started.

Gary Kristensen from Happy Valley, Oregon, won the first race. He was dressed as the movie character Mrs. Doubtfire. It was Kristensen’s fourth year winning a pumpkin race. “Once everybody thinks you will win, it starts to give you a little bit of pressure,” he said. “Fortunately, my pumpkin was pretty fast.”

For the less competitive players, the Regatta was all about fun. “The best part is just watching all the families enjoying the day.” Marx, a player, said. People are going to remember it for a long time.”

1. What does the underlined word “alter” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Move.

B．Grow.

C．Change.

D．Hide.

2. What do we know about Jim Sherwood?

A．His pumpkin boat ran the fastest.

B．He made the biggest pumpkin boat.

C．He sold his pumpkins to the players.

D．He won a competition by growing pumpkins.

3. Why did Gary Kristensen feel stressed before the race?

A．He had been expected to win the race.

B．His pumpkin boat was not fast enough.

C．He feared to make mistakes in the race.

D．It was his first time to take part in the race.

4. What is the most important for the less competitive players?

A．Pleasure.	B．The prize.
C．Staying with their families.	D．The impression they left on others.

4 . Back to School Supplies for Savvy Students

Getting your kids ready for the school year can keep you busy. Today’s savvy kids known what they want. Check out these four popular back-to-school must-haves.

Small but Mighty Backpacks

LL Bean is the preferred brand (品牌) for high quality. But did you know that they make strong and durable (耐用的) backpacks too? It is a bag for young students, a small famous original schoolbag. There are five colors to choose from: pink, green, blue, purple, and red. Or check out some of the other styles and patterns.

Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottles

The must-have reusable water bottle is a Stanley Thirst Quencher. This eco-friendly water bottle is made from used steel and offers benefits of drinking water. Your water will stay ice-cold for hours. The advanced cover has a turning cap with three positions that include a reusable straw (吸管). It’s a must-have for a student who loves the environment.

Colors of Kindness Crayons

Every primary school kid must have a new box of crayons and Crayola’s Colors of Kindness Crayons is sure to bring a smile. This special box of 24 crayons has words of kindness printed on each color that encourages everyone to create with love. The crayons are safe and harmless and can be used by promising artists aged three and up.

Reusable Notebooks

For a school student who understands technology and also wants to save trees, reusable notebooks are a must. The Rocketbook Core allows students to take notes in class and combines (结合) handwritten notes with digital technology. It can also connect to any cloud service you use. While it looks like an ordinary notebook, the Core can be reused over and over again.

1. What is an advantage of the backpacks?

A．They are small and easy to carry.

B．They can be used for a long time.

C．They suit students of different levels.

D．They use environmentally friendly materials.

2. What do the water bottles and the notebooks have in common?

A．They are not expensive.	B．They have advanced covers.
C．They can connect to cloud service.	D．They help protect the environment.

3. Which of the following can help kids form good characters?

A．Reusable Notebooks.	B．Small but Mighty Backpacks.
C．Colors of Kindness Crayons.	D．Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottles.

5 . 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，并将答案填写在答题卡上。

Over eighty years ago, the internationally praised Chinese-French painter     1     (begin) his artistic journey of Zao Wou-Ki in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where his     2     (creative) was carried forward.

Now, on the 10th anniversary (周年) of his death, Zao’s famous art works have found their way back to their home before.

Exhibition of Zao Wou-Ki opened at the Art Museum of China Academy of Art in Hangzhou last month. Divided    3     six units, the exhibition shows around 200 of Zao’s most important works, including oil paintings, Chinese ink-wash paintings, watercolors,     4     works of literature.

As     5     important cultural program, held as part of the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games, the exhibition is also linked with the 2024 China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and a key project     6     is supported by the Zhejiang Culture and Art Development Fund.

“His works create a modern Eastern style by     7     (bridge) the distance between Eastern and Western cultural traditions, and it allows the spirit of Chinese culture     8     (develop) quickly in the rich soil of modern painting,” Gao says.

Zao’s work has found a proper place in the collections of 150 major     9     (museum) and art galleries around the world.

In 2017, Zao’s painting “29.01.64” (1964)     10     (buy) for around HK $200 million (US $25.6 million) at Christie’s in Hong Kong, setting a new record for his works and the world record for an oil painting by an Asian artist.

6 . I went to get a coffee this morning. A lovely lady came up to me and said, “You’re so pretty and I love your dress.” It made me feel _________.

Then I dropped my car off for repair, and the girl _________ me had attractive nails, so I said, “Your nails are _________ painted.” She said thank you.

I then got an Uber back with a middle-aged Asian man, and on the way, we _________ a very weak elderly man, and the Uber driver was so kind. Not only did he _________ to me but he got out and _________ the old man to the car, fastened him in, made sure he was _________, and comforted him. When he dropped me off, I said, “What a kind man you are!” I left him a big _________. He then messaged me later and said _________.

Later today, I got an Uber back to get my __________. When I got in, I praised the lady for her perfume (香水), saying how __________ it was. We talked for a while. Then half way through the journey, she __________ in her bag and gave me her perfume. She said, “It’s a __________ from me to you.”

I left her a huge tip, too, just as a reminder that sometimes a simple __________ can make someone’s day. Never be afraid to __________ something beautiful to someone. You may just make their day better.

1.

A．worried

B．peaceful

C．nice

D．strange

2.

A．comforting

B．serving

C．cheering

D．admiring

3.

A．beautifully

B．simply

C．thickly

D．completely

4.

A．calmed down

B．called on

C．watched over

D．picked up

5.

A．speak

B．apologize

C．refer

D．turn

6.

A．walked

B．sent

C．forced

D．drove

7.

A．healthy

B．energetic

C．grateful

D．safe

8.

A．smile

B．tip

C．message

D．card

9.

A．goodbye

B．yes

C．thanks

D．sorry

10.

A．car

B．groceries

C．bicycle

D．awards

11.

A．familiar

B．common

C．lovely

D．expensive

12.

A．checked

B．reached

C．rooted

D．brought

13.

A．gift

B．prize

C．reminder

D．wonder

14.

A．honor

B．encouragement

C．chat

D．praise

15.

A．teach

B．lend

C．say

D．introduce

7 . How to Face Your Fears

When you face your fears bravely, you open up endless chances to live your best life. By challenging what’s holding you back, you can finally break free from it. Following these practical steps will help you overcome (克服) your fears and have a brighter, more satisfying future.

Identify your fears

    1     Identifying (识别) what causes the fears within you will help you overcome them. With this first step to admit your fears, you can begin to overcome them. Take some time to explore further and identify the real source of your fear. Ask yourself: What are you on earth afraid of?     2    

Understand the causes

After identifying what your fears are, it’s time to explore what causes them.     3     Spend some time here exploring the nature of your fears. Ask yourself, “Why am I experiencing fear?” When you answer the question, you will gain an understanding of the basic causes behind your fears.

Set up clear goals

For you to face your fears effectively, you need to set clear and achievable goals.     4     With a clear goal in mind, you have the power to drive yourself forward in your journey. Breaking down your bigger goals into smaller ones is key. Taking a step-by-step way makes the process less frightening and builds your confidence as you go.

Take action

At this point in your journey to overcome fear, it’s time to take action. Start small by dealing with the least fearful part and gradually work your way up to more challenging steps.     5     You can increase your confidence in your ability to learn, handle mistakes, achieve your goals, and try new experiences.

A．Write down what comes to your mind.

B．By taking action, you’ll gain new skills.

C．To face your fears, you must first admit them.

D．Recognize what it is that prevents you making progress.

E．Identify the goals you want to achieve by facing your fears.

F．Accepting your fears will lead you down a path of personal development.

G．You can find the solution to your fears by understanding where they come from.

8 . In the early part of his life, Seiichi Sano was a busy business owner. Later in life, he took on other difficult activities. At the age of 80, he climbed Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. Soon after, he started surfing.

Sano turned 90 this year. After being recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest male to surf, he’s considering trying other activities. “Maybe I’ll try bouldering,” he said, suggesting he might do it first in a gym. “Outside it might be a bit dangerous.”

But maybe he will just stick with what he knows. “I think it would be interesting to surf until I’m 100,” Sano said. “I think I can take better care of myself when I have goals like this. Even now, I take better care of myself than I did before.”

Sano said he got the idea to try surfing from a worker at his local bank. The man’s skin was always dark but healthy. He did not look like a usual banker. His secret, he said, was surfing. So Sano found a teacher.

“I don’t consider myself an old man,” he said in his wet suit, board standing next to him. “I have never thought of myself as an old persona. I always feel that I can still move forward. I can still do it. I can still enjoy it.”

Sano joined hundreds of other surfers recently at Enoshima. All the surfers were younger, of course. Several young students who also worked with Sano’s surf teacher, 46-year-old Kazuto Shimizu, talked about Sano.

“To be honest, I was surprised by his age,” said Shimizu. “I was most worried that he would get injured. I did not know how fit he was, physically.”

Sano still runs a business that supplies wood to building companies. He works 9-to-5 at the job. Surfing reduces tension for him.

1. What made Sano get a Guinness World Record for surfing?

A．His age.

B．His wonderful skill.

C．His fast speed.

D．His competition result.

2. What is the reason for Sano’s beginning surfing?

A．The idea of enriching his life.	B．The decision to improve his health.
C．His dream of becoming world-famous.	D．The unusual appearance of a bank worker.

3. Which of the following can best describe Sano?

A．Creative.

B．Adventurous.

C．Careful.

D．Generous.

4. What do we know about Shimizu?

A．He has difficulty training Sano.	B．He prefers to teach young people.
C．He was concerned about Sano’s health.	D．He praised Sano for his love for work.

9 . Some people look as if they are simply born with the certain social skill that enables them to make friends with such ease that it seems pretty unbelievable. They end up having tons of friends in no time.     1    . Some have to work a bit harder in order to gain someone’s attention and friendship. The good thing is, there are many ways to improve your social skills and make your friend circle even bigger.

◎    2    

Having fun on your own is the first step towards making a good basis for a future friendship. If you learn how to have fun on your own, it is more likely that you will meet someone who has similar interests and also needs a friend.

◎Expand your view and find new things to do

When you have many things you like doing, the better chances are that you will be meeting people who are also into the same things. You can also make friends with someone without the same hobbies. There is no rule that you have to be friends with those who like the same things.     3    .

◎Social gatherings are the best way of meeting friends

Every time you have a chance to get together with others, don’t miss it.     4    . Or, if you really prefer staying at home, there are always online groups with people, who prefer hanging out with others from the comfort of their homes as well.

◎Make the circle of your friends with confidence

After doing everything above, you will notice at one point how you’ve got your confidence back.     5    . Just being confident, satisfied and happy will make you a friend magnet and bring you friend circles.

A．It’s just easier, nothing else

B．Still, not all people are like that

C．Get out of your comfort zone a bit

D．Learn how to entertain yourself first

E．No one else is going to make it happen for you

F．Almost any social party is suitable for making friends

G．That is the most important in improving your social skills

10 . Cynthia, 72, has worked as a flight attendant (空乘人员) for Southwest Airlines for almost 20 years. After her granddaughter Hannah, 24, graduated from college and wasn’t sure what to do except traveling, she eventually decided to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and applied to Southwest. When Hannah got her acceptance notice, she was overjoyed and so was Cynthia.

Cynthia was present at Hannah’s flight attendant graduation in 2022. And behind the scenes, Cynthia was also trying to make sure she’d be on her granddaughter’s first Southwest flight. When Hannah saw her grandma on her first flight, she was very surprised. Working together for the first time was exciting for both of them. It was a long, multi-stop trip—the type Cynthia, with her years of seniority (资历) at the airline, usually avoids nowadays. She made an exception for Hannah.

When she was little, Hannah loved hearing her grandmother’s stories about her job, and had fond memories of flying with her grandmother during her summer vacation. But while Hannah always thought Cynthia’s job was amazing and exciting, she also saw the tough sides of flight attendants’ life. Often her grandmother would have to work on holidays and couldn’t take part in the family activities.

Cynthia also wanted to pass on wisdom to her granddaughter. She kept telling Hannah that flight attendants flew all the time, so everything was pretty simple and easy for them. Passengers sometimes just flew once a year and so flight attendants had to take it into consideration that they had to help these people, showing them the way, answering questions, and showing some enthusiasm.

Hannah says Cynthia brings this empathy (同理心) to every aspect of her life, and it has always inspired her. “That’s one thing that she has taught me—she’s just so sympathetic and so quick to help anyone. I see it when we’re working or outside of work. She really has the best heart,” says Hannah.

1. What did Cynthia keep secret from Hannah?

A．Holding a big celebration for Hannah.

B．Working together on Hannah’s first flight.

C．Planning a long, multi-stop trip for Hannah.

D．Asking other flight attendants to help Hannah.

2. What did Hannah think of flight attendants’ work?

A．It was easy and well-paid.

B．It brought lots of danger and uncertainty.

C．It was interesting all the time.

D．It sometimes meant missing family gatherings.

3. What does the underlined word “wisdom” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．The flight attendants’ fortune to fly all the time.

B．Skills in dealing with co-workers during flights.

C．The concept of serving passengers wholeheartedly.

D．Emergencies flight attendants may meet.

4. What does Hannah learn from her grandmother?

A．Trying to cherish good memories of her flying.

B．Helping others anytime and anywhere.

C．Continuing working till the last minute.

D．Correcting every mistake in her flight job.