1 . 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 Duan inkstone, one of the four most famous inkstones in China,     1     (originate) in the mountains by the Duanxi River in Guangdong Province. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been the     2     (center) region for Duan inkstone production and even today, most of the villagers still earn their living by making inkstones.

Throughout hundreds of years, villagers have developed     3     scientific production system. The process involves stone selection, material screening, shape designing, carving, and wooden box matching, among     4     stone selection and carving are the two most important steps.

Purple     5     color, Duan inkstones are glossy and as smooth as silk. They enjoy a great reputation as they never crack even when     6     (place) in low temperatures. It is a long and laborious process to handpick flawless Duan stones. Miners dig in tunnels less than one meter high at the riverside, and using tools such as dynamite (炸药)     7     (forbid).

Carving involves good conception, and highlights the fine shape of the stones     8     carving skills. In addition to natural designs, flying dragons, flowers and birds, figures, mountains and waters are common     9     (image) carved on the stones. The matching boxes are also carefully chosen and are often made of purple sandalwood and rosewood. The Duan inkstone has various styles, and new-style products are designed one after another     10     (meet) increased export demands.

2 . The simplest form of blind box marketing is when consumers buy a package from a brand containing unknown products. In China, it’s become a huge business that is growing fast. Simple yet surprising—consumers do not know what they will get until they unpack the box, and it is “the variable reward” that brings extra fun.

However, once the initial excitement of opening a blind box is past, a consumer’s perception of its value is linked to the quality of the products inside. That can be where disappointment sets in. According to analysis by iiMedia Consulting, more than 30 per cent of consumers interviewed felt that the quality of the products did not reflect the price of the blind box.

For brands, blind boxes should be an extra chance to connect with customers rather than a means of offloading inventory (清仓). Petit H Surprise boxes were first launched by French luxury brand Hermès in 2015 to create upcycled products from surplus materials, demonstrating that the blind box concept, executed (执行) with care, has a real appeal for consumers. Hermès offers a return service for customers who are not satisfied. For fashion in particular, when sizing may be inappropriate for a blind box customer, a generous return or exchange policy is essential.

Actually, the concept of blind boxes has been around for centuries. In ancient Japan, leftover fabrics were sold randomly, with even gold woven fabrics included, which were considered symbols of luck and blessing. If that element of magic and emotional connectivity can be injected into the blind box concept, the possibilities are endless. Ivy Yu, a brand marketing consultant based in France, says that blind boxes have the potential to “widen the customer base and at the same time gain a wave of public attention.”

Whether the forecasts for growth in the blind box market turn out to be true remains to be seen, but significant numbers of Chinese consumers right now are still fascinated by the concept.

1. What probably dissatisfies blind box consumers?

A．Poor quality of products.	B．The high price of the box.
C．Not knowing what’s inside.	D．Not getting the desired items.

2. Why is the return service provided by Hermès?

A．To prove the popularity of luxury blind boxes.	B．To offer a solution for the mismatched products.
C．To recommend a way to reuse surplus materials.	D．To show the key feature of Petit H surprise boxes.

3. Which of the following can boost the blind box market?

A．Efforts to perfect blind box products.	B．Insight into the history of blind boxes.
C．Positive influence on consumer delight.	D．Improvement of blind box marketing tricks.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．How to make the blind box market work well.	B．What to anticipate in a luxury brand blind box.
C．Where to go for a developing blind box market.	D．How to make profits from the blind box market.

3 . Finding beautiful shells and interesting pieces of driftwood scattered in the sand is one of the joys of walking along the beach. For one beachcomber, Tracey’s finds are a little more _________.

Back in 1997, about five million pieces of Lego (乐高积木) were _________ at sea off the coast of Cornwall from a cargo ship hit by an once-in-a-century wave, and the _________ pieces that soon appeared on the beaches quickly became a treasure for beachcombers.

When Tracey _________ a piece of Lego off the coast, she couldn’t have dreamed what started as a collecting _________ would have turned into an exploration of the ocean. Tracey _________ her findings on her social media account “LegoLostAtSea” and her shoreline social posts of washed up objects have inspired _________ and groups alike. Thousands of people got in _________, sharing details of their own beachcombing _________.

“It was assumed that roughly half the Lego sank and half __________,” says Tracey. “What we’re realizing is that even the Lego that __________ sank is now starting to wash ashore and it’s gradually drifting along the seabed.”

Now Tracey and her followers continue to __________ the shores and also team up with environmental groups and scientists. The scientists calculated the pieces could __________   anywhere between 100 and 1,300 years. Their next scientific project is to __________ the spread of the Lego to see how __________ it has drifted, not only on the surface of the ocean—some even reached Holland—but also along the seabed.

1.

A．lucky

B．unique

C．complex

D．advanced

2.

A．lost

B．finished

C．broken

D．shown

3.

A．tidy

B．odd

C．tiny

D．costly

4.

A．held up

B．turned up

C．picked up

D．brought up

5.

A．business

B．campaign

C．invention

D．exercise

6.

A．restored

B．labeled

C．recorded

D．observed

7.

A．teams

B．visitors

C．journalists

D．individuals

8.

A．debt

B．touch

C．shape

D．trouble

9.

A．programs

B．treasures

C．standards

D．experiments

10.

A．torn

B．dropped

C．floated

D．disappeared

11.

A．slightly

B．originally

C．apparently

D．temporarily

12.

A．comb

B．leave

C．block

D．promote

13.

A．evolve

B．separate

C．improve

D．survive

14.

A．map

B．control

C．prevent

D．encourage

15.

A．far

B．slowly

C．quick

D．freely

4 . Learning can be frustrating. Maybe you feel bored, or even get discouraged if you don’t understand a new topic. If you’re still in school, there are lots of things you can do to make learning more enjoyable.     1     There are many ways to make learning fun even after you’ve left school.

※ Find your learning style.

If you are able to find your best learning style, you can make this experience more enjoyable. If you are a verbal learner, you enjoy speaking out loud. Try practicing your Latin vocabulary by quizzing a friend. If you think you are a visual learner, try to use that to your advantage. Take learning history for example.     2    

※ Ask for help.

    3     And it makes sense that you will enjoy things that you are good at. If you are struggling in school, learning might feel less fun than it could be. If you cannot comprehend your Chemistry class, ask your instructor for some additional materials. Your parents and friends can also be a great resource. Once you understand the material, learning will feel less like a chore.

※ Read a book.

Reading is one of the best ways to learn new information.     4     Choose a topic, and find a book to begin learning some new things. For example, fiction is a great way to learn about different cultures. You can go to your local library and pick up any book that looks interesting and give it a try.

※ Use technology.

Modern technology can provide you with a whole new range of learning opportunities. Take some time to explore your computer and phone, and you will likely find some new possibilities to further your learning. Download apps that will allow you to play virtual trivia (冷知识). You can challenge your friends to see who can learn the most. Follow news outlets on social media.     5    

A．Everyone likes feeling successful.

B．Look for a history class that focuses on that era.

C．Make a list of books you’ve always wanted to read.

D．There are books available on every imaginable subject.

E．Lifelong learning is also important and even better, it can be fun.

F．You can stay informed about what is happening in the world around you.

G．Relying heavily on the maps and timelines helps you store and enjoy the information.

5 . Come to China, enjoying four amazing teas

West Lake Longjing

West Lake Longjing is one of China’s famous green teas, produced in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. It’s renowned for its unique appearance, aroma and taste. With a long history dating from the Tang Dynasty, Longjing tea improved over time, and was offered as a tribute (贡品) in the Qing Dynasty. West Lake Longjing tea is known for its benefits such as refreshing the mind, quenching (缓解) thirst, and reducing fats in the blood.

Enshi Yulu

Enshi Yulu is the only remaining steamed needle-shaped green tea in China, produced in Enshi, Hubei province. The dry tea resembles pine needles and has a lush green color. Its production technique dates back to the Tang Dynasty and gained fame during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Enshi Yulu has a moderate selenium (硒) content and offers health benefits such as antioxidation and anticancer properties.

Pu’er

Pu’er is a unique fermented (发酵的) tea from Yunnan province classified into two types: raw and ripe Pu’er. It originated in the Tang Dynasty, but it wasn’t until the Qing Dynasty that Pu’er tea became significant trade goods. Raw Pu’er tea is initially bitter but becomes smoother and pleasant with age. Ripe Pu’er tea undergoes artificial fermentation, resulting in a rich flavor with distinctive aged aromas and sweetness.

Jasmine Tea

Typically based on green tea, jasmine tea combines the fragrance of jasmine flowers with tea leaves. It dates back to the Song Dynasty when people began mixing jasmine flowers with tea to enhance the tea’s fragrance. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it had became a tribute tea for the imperial court. Jasmine tea is particularly suitable for consumption in hot summers, helping people to cool down.

1. Which type of tea best suits patients with cancer?

A．West Lake Longjing.

B．Enshi Yulu.

C．Pu’er.

D．Jasmine Tea.

2. Pu’er tea has its uniqueness in that __________.

A．it is produced with artificial technology

B．the aging process allows it a rich flavour

C．it was supplied to the emperor as a tribute

D．the fermentation happens in natural states

3. What do the four types of tea have in common?

A．They were available in the Tang Dynasty.

B．They are green teas with different aromas.

C．They are well-known for their medicinal value.

D．They developed over time before rising to fame.

6 . If you’re seeking a plain-language intro to statistics, or just want to get better at judging the reliability of numbers in the news, Spiegelhalter’s The Art of Statistics is a solid crash course. The book is less about learning how to use specific mathematical tools than it is about exploring the numerous ways statistics can help solve real-world problems and why warnings are often added to statistical claims.

Spiegelhalter, a statistician at the University of Cambridge, keeps things lively by tying new concepts to questions. For instance, should you worry that eating bacon will increase your risk of bowel (肠) cancer? The relative risk might make you think people who eat a bacon sandwich every day have an 18 percent higher risk of bowel cancer than those who don’t. But looking at the absolute risk—a rise of 6 to 7 cases per 100 people—may put your mind at ease.

Spiegelhalter’s narration is encouraging, and he makes complex sections easier to resolve by including frequent summaries and lots of data visualizations. The Art of Statistics is alive with his enthusiasm for how statistics can be used to collect information for court cases, city planning and a host of other sectors.

But Spiegelhalter warns readers not to forget the assumptions and uncertainties in any analysis, and tells many cautionary tales about the ways statistics can go off the track. For example, incomplete samples and logical missteps can lead to faulty conclusions.

Spiegelhalter doesn’t let the media off the hook, either. Many of the questions he uses to introduce topics are drawn from misleading news reports. Such articles include one claiming that going to college increases your risk of getting a brain tumor (瘤), which mistook correlation for causation in data on socioeconomic status and tumor diagnoses.

The Art of Statistics leaves readers with a better handle on the ins and outs of statistical analysis. As Spiegelhalter writes, “Numbers may appear to be cold, hard facts, but… they need to be treated with delicacy.”

1. What’s special about The Art of Statistics?

A．It offers a reliable course in statistics.	B．It focuses on reasonable data analyses.
C．It warns the public of statistical claims.	D．It includes effective tools for math learners.

2. What’s the purpose in mentioning the example in paragraph 2?

A．To compare two dramatically different lifestyles.

B．To stress the importance of having a healthy diet.

C．To show an effective way to explain new concepts.

D．To relieve public concern over unreliable numbers.

3. What do the underlined words “off the hook” mean in paragraph 5?

A．Free from blame.

B．Familiar to all.

C．In good condition.

D．Out of control.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Spiegelhalter: A Real Fighter Expert at Data Analyses

B．The Art of Statistics: How to Avoid Faulty Conclusions

C．Spiegelhalter: A Statistician against Misleading Statistics

D．The Art of Statistics: How to Think Critically about Numbers

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is probably happening according to the woman?

A．A factory fire.

B．A barbecue.

C．A house fire.

2. What do we know about Liz?

A．She has more accurate news than radio.

B．She can’t tolerate the speakers’ children.

C．She knows a lot of neighborhood information.

3. How long did the smoke last?

A．For 20 minutes.

B．For 40 minutes.

C．For an hour.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the name of the school’s basketball team?

A．The Pandas.

B．The Eagles.

C．The Peacocks.

2. What did the school raise money for?

A．A hospital.

B．Women’s equality.

C．The science fair.

3. Who won the award for excellence in English?

A．Greg.

B．Shannon.

C．John.

4. When might the announcement take place?

A．In February.

B．In April.

C．In June.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What did the speakers do just now?

A．They went to a concert.

B．They went to the movies.

C．They visited an exhibition.

2. How did the man get the tickets?

A．He got them from his sister.

B．He bought them at a higher price.

C．He bought them in the ticket office.

3. What selective course did the man choose?

A．Marketing.

B．Accounting.

C．Fashion design.

10 . I was surprised to find the congestion (拥塞) outside Layla’s primary school was unusually absent—I’d driven right into a parking space, and I was on time, for once. The school bell rang, and in a moment a stream of children made their way through the gate. But something was different—the kids were piling into vehicles in threes and fours.

Before I could enquire my daughter Layla, Mr Trent, the deputy head, approached. “Mrs Pavis, did you not read our letter?” Letter? What letter? I had a history of not looking out for them, and not reading them in most cases. “The letter? Of course. It must have just slipped my mind—I’ve been away with work.”

Now I was digging around in Layla’s messy schoolbag at home. Eventually, I found several letters, all addressing the same topic—parking outside the school gates. Apparently with some parents parking illegally, the police were about to get involved. “Why didn’t you give me these letters?” I demanded. Layla shrugged. “I forgot.” I was about to launch into a severe lecture when it occurred to me that I had always forgotten—I had forgotten to give Layla her money for cookery that morning and forgotten to hang out the kids’ washed clothes.

I contained myself and figured out that they wanted the parents to car-pool (拼车). I spent the next half hour ringing round Layla’s friends’ parents, enquiring if they would like to car-pool with us. Unfortunately, they were all sorted. It was my own fault—I should have read those letters ages ago. “Er... I overheard others talking about it,” Layla said, “They said they didn’t know who would car-pool with us, because we’re always late.” I flushed instantly. We were a disorganised family, and I was the one to blame.

I resolved to change. With responsibility for my kids, I find I am never, ever late. It’s good for Layla and for her older brothers, and it’s good for me, because now I never leave the house unprepared. I’ve even started checking the kids’ schoolbags for notes from school.

1. What did the author notice when the school was over?

A．It was hard to find a parking space.	B．Children were picked up in groups.
C．Her daughter was absent from class.	D．She arrived much earlier than others.

2. What stopped the author criticizing her daughter?

A．The reflection of her daily routine.	B．The realization of her carelessness.
C．The knowledge of her kid’s character.	D．The awareness of her kid’s depression.

3. Why did others refuse to car-pool with them according to Layla?

A．Because they contacted them late.	B．Because they failed to keep the house tidy.
C．Because they couldn’t be on time.	D．Because they ignored the school’s request.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Action creates motivation.	B．Mother’s love never changes.
C．It’s never too late to mend.	D．Patience is the key to success.