1 . When my mother visits us from Korea, she spends countless hours preparing homemade meals every day.

She thoughtfully plates and _________ our family at the table. She pours the soup for her little granddaughters first, carefully checking its temperature to _________ it will not burn their tongues. She adds more salt and pepper into mine and her son-in-law has the most substantial portion (份). It is remarkable how effortlessly she makes a meal that feels _________ for each of us.

However, her cooking begins much earlier at the grocery store. She becomes the most cruel _________ of vegetables. “Iceberg lettuce goes bad soon.” “Those tomatoes _________ to be firmer, redder.” What’s more, all of our family’s wants are _________ imprinted inside her brain and _________ her hands as she adds items to the basket.

When you put so much _________ into a meal, it becomes a ritual (仪式). It is the only time when everyone _________, sits down and takes the time to taste each bite. The dining table __________ into the centre of the family’s conversation and connection. As we __________ each other’s struggles and victories, we offer support and advice. We update each other on our work projects and __________ ideas for future vacation plans.

In a fast-paced era, creating a homemade meal might seem highly __________. However, my 68-year-old mother treats it with such __________. I know it’s her way of expressing __________— that extra ingredient that goes into cur every meal.

1.

A．watches

B．entertains

C．serves

D．questions

2.

A．ensure

B．conclude

C．assume

D．admit

3.

A．bittersweet

B．well-balanced

C．overcooked

D．tailor-made

4.

A．guard

B．critic

C．dealer

D．grower

5.

A．happen

B．prove

C．need

D．appear

6.

A．somehow

B．somewhat

C．occasionally

D．hardly

7.

A．protect

B．relax

C．free

D．guide

8.

A．money

B．devotion

C．trust

D．imagination

9.

A．gathers

B．orders

C．cooks

D．walks

10.

A．falls

B．transforms

C．leads

D．bounces

11.

A．laugh at

B．leave behind

C．catch up on

D．look forward to

12.

A．dismiss

B．understand

C．borrow

D．brainstorm

13.

A．invaluable

B．appropriate

C．inefficient

D．desirable

14.

A．dignity

B．curiosity

C．confidence

D．suspicion

15.

A．pity

B．love

C．joy

D．anger

2 . For some of us, going to the dentist for routine check-ups is a thing of the ordinary. But for many people around the world, especially those in impoverished (贫困的) areas, having dental improvement and their teeth checked simply isn’t possible. A Brazilian dentist Felipe Rossi has devoted himself to helping changing that situation.

Growing up in USA, Felipe Rossi had just obtained the Bachelor of Medicine Degree and was about to start a master’s degree in Pediatric Dentistry (儿童口腔学) when a journey to his father’s home — Balsabo in Brazil — converted his initial plan. “All locals didn’t have access to dental care, and consequently, many of them suffered deformed teeth or even loss of teeth, leading to many people not daring to laugh with mouth open.” Felipe Rossi recalled. “A desire was planted in my heart. That is, to use my skills to bring healthy smiles to people suffering from dental problems.”

With the support of his parents, Felipe formed an NGO (non-government organization) called Porsorriso to give free oral treatments to individuals with low incomes who require cleaning. fillings, crowns, restoration work and more. His team is composed of approximately 30 registered volunteers who go with him to poor towns and villages in Brazil.

Sponsorship is generally provided by two private companies. Individuals may also make donations through the ‘Smile Solidarity’ program, where they can choose monthly amounts to contribute. Porsorriso also holds regular fundraisers to afford the cost of providing free dental services around the country.

As noble as its objective is, Felipe admits that Porsorriso is “struggling to survive” because of the huge cost of providing dental work and the constant fundraising events they have to hold to keep the NGO in normal functioning. “Challenging as it is, it did bring healthy teeth as well as renewed confidence to the locals. We will continue this transformative act whatever difficulties we will face”. Felipe said with a strong will.

1. How does the author introduce the topic of the text?

A．By posing a contrast.

B．By reporting an event.

C．By assuming a situation.

D．By making an appeal.

2. What motivated Felipe to offer dental treatments to Brazilians?

A．The support from his parents.

B．The passion for dental health.

C．The encounter with local s lacking dental care.

D．The professional skills and knowledge from college.

3. Which of the following can best describe Felipe Rossi?

A．Hopeful and diligent.

B．Faithful and ambitious.

C．Intelligent and creative.

D．Charitable and dedicated.

4. What do we know about Porsorriso?

A．It gives free oral treatments to anyone in need.

B．It is cooperated by Felipe Rossi and the local authority.

C．It is financially supported by corporations and individuals.

D．It holds regular fundraisers to educate people about dental care.

3 . The best way to really see a city is to explore it slowly by walking around. It’s easy, healthy, and also benefits the environment. When on foot, you can do as the locals do. Here’s what you can find under your own steam.

Best for families: Planetenweg, Zurich

The 2,854 ft-tall, forest-covered peak that towers from Zurich’s doorstep is the envy of every European city. To get there, try the four-mile, two-hour-long route on Planetenweg. This family-friendly wander cuts in and out of spruce forests and gives you a proper flavour of being up in the mountains without ever actually leaving the city.

Best for arty vistas: Ekebergparken, Oslo

Come at sunrise or sunset, when the sky blazes above shining fjords (峡湾) and transforms the dark, rocky islands into shadows, and you can see why Oslo’s Ekebergparken inspired Munch to paint The Scream. Starting at the Ekebergparken Museum, the two-mile sculpture trail (小道) winds through pine, fir and ash forest, where plenty of phenomenal works of art await — Dalí’s surrealist Venus de Milo with Drawers and Damien Hirst’s Anatomy of an Angel among them.

Best for getting off the beaten track: Vienna Ugly, Vienna

The guided walks led by locals across Vienna dive into neighbourhoods that are off the usual tourist trail. Among them is Vienna Ugly, a 2.5-hour wander through Leopoldstadt and Innere Stadt. At the end of the tour, you’ll vote on which of the city’s buildings are the ugliest. Tours from £9.

Best for architecture: Ørestad, Copenhagen

Copenhagen rode high as World Capital of Architecture 2023. A guided walk with the Danish Architecture Center throw you in at the architectural deep end for 2.5 hours, taking you to Copenhagen’s Ørestad neighbourhood on the island of Amager. From £18.

1. What attracts travelers to Planetenweg?

A．Mountains.

B．Local flavour.

C．Art works.

D．Architecture.

2. Which of the following best suits sculpture-lovers?

A．Planetenweg, Zurich,	B．Ekebergparken, Oslo.
C．Vienna Ugly, Vienna.	D．Ørestad, Copenhagen.

3. What do the walks in Vienna and Copenhagen have in common?

A．They are free of charge.	B．They feature a voting activity.
C．They are guided tours.	D．They go deep into the forests.

4 . 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。

“No, little girl. You can’t get in without the money.” Jeffrey, the bus driver, told a little girl who wanted to get on the bus but only had a few pennies. She must have been around seven years old, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with unaccompanied children that day.

“Please, sir. I want to visit my grandmother,” the little girl begged. “Then go ask your parents for the money and come back next time,” Jeffrey replied and gestured with his hand for the girl to get out. She finally left the bus with her shoulders lowered. Jeffrey saw her sit down at the bus stop and drove off.

He finished his route and went home for the lunch, greeting his wife, Greta, and sitting down on the couch to rest. When he browsed his Facebook posts, an image caught his attention. A picture was shared of the little girl he had just turned away a few hours earlier. The word “Missing” was written on top of the image. He learned that the girl had disappeared a day ago, and her parents were desperately trying to find her.

“Dear! What have I done?” he asked himself, standing up and going to the front door. When Greta asked where he was going, Jeffrey said, “Greta! Quick! Call 911 and this number,” showing her the picture of the girl. “I saw this girl at a bus stop earlier, and I turned her away because she didn’t have enough money. I’m going to find her, but please make those calls.” Having told her where the bus stop was, he went out.

Jeffrey rushed to his car, speeding to the bus stop. Hopefully, the girl was smart enough to stay in one place. He couldn’t believe how careless he had been earlier. She was a little girl all alone. As he drove to the bus stop, Jeffrey vowed to be more careful in the future, especially when it came to children.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Finally, Jeffrey saw a tiny figure sitting on the bench at the spot.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A few minutes later, the police and another car approached.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . Buried deep within the cracks of an old, wooden desk, a worn-out notebook lay forgotten. Its pages, yellowed with _________, were scattered with handwritten notes and drawings, each ________ a dream or aspiration of its owner, Emily Dickinson.

Dickinson, a ________ teacher, had passed away peacefully in her sleep, leaving the notebook as one of her few _________. There were drafts of traveling to foreign places, notes about learning a new language, and even a few ________ about publishing her own book of poems in it.

One ________ sketch caught her children’s eye as they looked through the pages. It was a drawing of a small cottage ________ in the hills, surrounded by greenery and a stream. Dickinson had always dreamed of retiring to such a place, a place where she could find peace and ________.

Her children decided to fulfil her mother’s dream. They found a cottage ________ to the one in the sketch and bought it. They ________ it with the furniture and kick-knacks (小摆设) that Dickinson had treasured and turned it into a ________ to her life and her dreams.

The cottage became a place where Dickinson’s family and friends could gather and shared stories about her. It was a place where they could feel her ________ and be inspired by her firm determination. The notebook, now ________ on a small table in the cottage’s living room, remains a constant ________ of Dickinson’s dreams and aspirations. Her children hope that by keeping it there, they can honor her memory and continue to inspire others to ________ their own dreams, just as she had done.

1.

A．age

B．light

C．shade

D．colour

2.

A．envisioning

B．illustrating

C．shaping

D．recognizing

3.

A．devoted

B．retired

C．professional

D．serious

4.

A．materials

B．masterpieces

C．possessions

D．instructions

5.

A．lyrics

B．remarks

C．entries

D．references

6.

A．particular

B．random

C．typical

D．abstract

7.

A．resting

B．planted

C．stretching

D．housed

8.

A．security

B．resolution

C．harmony

D．accommodation

9.

A．relevant

B．identical

C．opposite

D．unique

10.

A．provided

B．decorated

C．covered

D．surrounded

11.

A．getaway

B．dedication

C．celebration

D．memorial

12.

A．existence

B．spirit

C．atmosphere

D．wisdom

13.

A．lying

B．nesting

C．hanging

D．reflecting

14.

A．reminder

B．evidence

C．symbol

D．relic

15.

A．describe

B．pursue

C．cherish

D．embrace

6 . The concept of learned helplessness was first coined by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven Maier in the late 1960s during a series of experiments with dogs.

The researchers placed dogs in a situation where they were subjected to unavoidable electric shocks. After these initial experiences, the dogs were later placed in a different situation where they could easily escape the shocks by moving to another part of the chamber. Surprisingly, many of the dogs did not attempt to escape, even when the means to do so were readily available. They had learned to feel helpless.

As adults, we often encounter a version of learned helplessness in our daily lives. We face challenges not in the form of electric shocks but in situations where we might feel overwhelmed or powerless, such as long-standing stress at work or repeated personal failures. These experiences can make us believe that we cannot change our circumstances, leading to a passive acceptance of our difficulties.

A similar process operates in our approach to problem-solving and goal-setting. In our formative experiences, we may have encountered situations where our efforts to succeed were consistently met with failure, leading to a sense of powerlessness. But the modern world, with its constant demands and high expectations, has greatly changed our environment. We are now constantly faced with new challenges and opportunities.

Our modern lifestyle — with its various sources of stress and anxiety — can do to our mental state what unavoidable shocks did to the dogs in Seligman’s experiments. We are tending to submit to hopelessness because our past experiences may have conditioned us to expect failure. But, as we have reshaped the world around us, increasing opportunities for success and personal growth, we still have the same psychological responses we developed in earlier, more challenging environments.

Therefore, just as we need to be more thoughtful about our mindset towards effort and success, we also need to be more conscious of our beliefs about personal competence, resisting the temptation to yield to learned helplessness. By fostering resilience and adopting a growth mindset, we can effectively manage our responses to life’s challenges and seize opportunities for improvement and success.

1. What do we know about learned helplessness according to the text?

A．It is a natural response to unavoidable shocks.

B．It is primarily caused by modern lifestyle.

C．It is a psychological state that can be overcome.

D．It is unavoidable in today’s fast-paced world.

2. Which aspect of modern life might lead to powerlessness?

A．Advanced technology.

B．High physical demands.

C．Lasting stress at work.

D．Unbalanced career life.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards those who give in to helplessness?

A．Indifferent and neutral.

B．Dismissive and critical.

C．Sympathetic and reserved.

D．Understanding and encouraging.

4. What is the underlying logic of the text?

A．Cause and effect.

B．Problem and solution.

C．Comparison and contrast.

D．Classification and summary.

7 . Celebrating Beethoven: The Genius of Symphony Exhibition

To commemorate the 254th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, the Vienna Philharmonic, renowned for its exceptional collection of classical music instruments, is presenting a special exhibition titled Beethoven: The Genius of Symphony, running from February 1 to June 30.

More than two centuries ago, on December 16, 1820, in the heart of Vienna, Ludwig van Beethoven, a musical legend, composed his Symphony No. 9 in D minor, a masterpiece that marked a milestone in the history of classical music.

The exhibition will transport visitors back to the era of Beethoven’s genius. Through a series of interactive displays and multimedia presentations, visitors will have a chance to explore Beethoven’s creative process and dive into the inspiration behind his most famous works. The highlight of the exhibition will be a copy of Beethoven’s piano, on which he composed many of his masterpieces.

“This exhibition offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing visitors to step into Beethoven’s world and appreciate the depth and breadth of his musical genius,” said Dr. Schmidt, head of the Vienna Philharmonic. “We aim to recreate the magic of Beethoven’s music and inspire a new generation of music lovers.”

Please note the following guidelines for the exhibition:

* Children under 6 years old are not recommended due to the complexity of the content.

* We advise caution for visitors with hearing impairments as some sections of the exhibition involve audio components.

* For safety reasons, large bags and photographic equipment are not permitted inside the exhibition hall. Hand-held cameras are allowed for personal use.

1. What is the central theme of the exhibition?

A．Exhibiting the changes of western musical instruments.

B．Exploring the life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven.

C．Showcasing the history of classical music in Vienna.

D．Highlighting the influence of Beethoven on music.

2. What is the special feature of the event?

A．Magic shows of Beethoven’s music.

B．A reproduced piano of Beethoven.

C．Hands-on experience of composition.

D．Digital presentation of musical works.

3. Who might find the visiting more challenging?

A．A journalist carrying mobile phones.

B．A senior citizen with poor eyesight.

C．A historian with a passion for music.

D．A preschooler fascinated by pianos.

8 . A new drug-delivery system could replace needles with puffs (股) of air. Gassensmith studies bioengineering at the University of Texas. His team’s new tech goes beyond patient comfort, though. The device quickly delivers drugs without touching the bloodstream. And that could reduce the risk of spreading disease. He tested it out on his own arm. “I could feel it, but it wasn’t painful,” he reports.

The technology works by blowing in a puff of air through the skin. That gas carries a powder made of tiny bits of vaccine (疫苗) wrapped in metallic crystals (晶体). The crystal coating is really strong, Gassensmith says. As a result, the vaccine powder does not have to be refrigerated while stored. The air contains carbon dioxide, or CO₂. Once in the body, the CO₂ that carries the powder will mix with water. It creates a weak acid that breaks down the crystal cover. Released, the vaccine bits are then able to enter the bloodstream.

This gas-based drug-delivery system is an upgrade over previous ones. For instance, adjusting the gas that carries the vaccine powder can customize how fast the tiny crystal capsules release the drug. Testing showed that the drug released fastest when delivered with carbon dioxide. Plain air led to a slower, gentler release. Vaccines work best when released slowly. That allows them longer contact with the immune(免疫) system. But the team hopes the device could work for other medicines too. And some medicines must be released quickly. One such example is insulin, a crucial drug for many people with diabetes.

Fear of needles keeps many people from getting vaccinations. Gassensmith is optimistic that this new system might get around that. Future research must ensure that gas-delivered vaccines build immunity to disease as expected, said Weniger, a doctor, who studied vaccine technology for 30 years for the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. What can we learn about the new drug-delivery system from paragraph 1?

A．It causes the loss of feeling.	B．It improves the use of needle.
C．It cares about patient comfort.	D．It blocks the spread of disease.

2. What is the function of the crystals?

A．To create a weak acid.	B．To absorb carbon dioxide.
C．To clean the bloodstream.	D．To contain the vaccine.

3. What is the advantage of the upgraded drug-delivery system?

A．Flexibility.

B．Durability.

C．High speed.

D．Gentle release.

4. What should the future study focus on according to Weniger?

A．The effectiveness of gas-based vaccines.	B．The acceptance of getting vaccinations.
C．The influence of vaccine on disease control.	D．The operation of the new drug-delivery system.

9 . 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。

Hettie’s eyes fell on a magazine she hadn’t noticed before in her bag. She took it out and read the Post-it note her mom had stuck to the cover.

Page 8! So Cool!

Love, Mom

Hettie smiled. Mom always slipped a little surprise into her bag. Hettie jumped onto her bed and wrapped herself in the blanket, opening the magazine to page eight straight. There was a huge ad: “DO YOU WANNA BE CALIFORNIA LEE’S BEST FRIEND FOREVER? Make a video telling us how much you love her and you could win a day with Pop Teen’s rising star CALIFORNIA LEE!”

Hettie tried to see the Cally she had known through the makeup and the fancy clothes. Her eyes sparkled (闪烁) the same emerald green as they had in Hettie’s backyard when Cally told her the big news. “I got the part!” She sang out as she bounced up and down on the swing. Hettie had been excited, too. Cally had really wanted this part. It was in Rock Club, a TV musical on Pop Teen. It was, she said, how all of Pop Teen Channel’s stars started out.

Then the musical came out and Cally, now California Lee, was busy all the time. The last time the two girls had seen each other was at Cally’s birthday party. Even in her best dress and new shoes, Hettie felt out of place. Most of the kids at the party were actors. Big boxes with massive bows covered the birthday present table. Overwhelmed and feeling shy, Hettie took her gift—a flashlight, and sat in a corner. No one came to look for her until her mom arrived to pick her up. Soon after, Cally moved to Los Angeles with her family.

The next day, Hettie arrived at school earlier than usual, with the magazine under her arm, her book bag over her shoulder. After making sure that no one in the schoolyard was watching, Hettie dropped her bag on the ground and pulled out her phone.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

She held the phone as far as she could from her face and pressed record.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hettie’s heart sank as she realized that she wasn’t the winner.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . When you try a new restaurant or book a hotel, do you consider the online reviews? Do you submit online reviews yourself? Do you pay attention if they are filtered (过滤)? Does that impact your own online review submissions?

In 2010, Yelp shared a video to help users understand how its review filter works and why it was necessary. In recently published research, T. Ravichandran, Ph. D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his team compared reviews of over 1,000 restaurants on Yelp to those same restaurants on TripAdvisor, which did not openly share its review filter policies. They found that the number of reviews submitted to Yelp decreased. Those submissions were increasingly negative and shorter in length compared to TripAdvisor. Also, the more positive a review, the shorter it was.

“Platforms are pressured to have content guidelines and take measures to prevent fraud (欺诈) and ensure that reviews are reliable and helpful,” said Ravichandran. Platforms use advanced software to flag and filter reviews. Once a review is flagged, it is filtered out and not displayed, and it is not factored into the overall rating for a business. “However, most platforms do not openly disclose their policies, leading consumers to suspect that reviews are controlled to increase profit by filtering so-called dishonest content,” Ravichandran added.

Whether or not to disclose review filters is a critical decision for platforms with many considerations. Users may put less time and effort into their reviews if they suspect that they have a significant chance of being filtered, or they may do the opposite to make their reviews less likely to be filtered. Since most false reviews are overly positive, users may assume that positive reviews are most likely to be filtered and act accordingly.

“Review moderation(审核) openness comes at a cost,”said Ravichandran. “Although openness helps to position a platform as fair toward advertisers, the resultant decrease in the number of reviews submitted impacts the platform’s usefulness to consumers.” Online reviews pose great opportunity for firms, but also raise complex questions. Platforms must earn the trust of users without sacrificing engagement.

1. What did Ravichandran’s research find?

A．Positive submissions to Yelp went up.

B．TripAdvisor adopted better filter policies.

C．Reviews on TripAdvisor dropped in number.

D．Yelp’s practice discouraged longer reviews.

2. Why do platforms use advanced software for reviews?

A．To increase net profit.	B．To protect user privacy.
C．To guarantee review reliability.	D．To improve business reputation.

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

A．Users.

B．Reviews.

C．Considerations.

D．Platforms.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Enhance User Trust Through Review Moderation

B．To Filter Online Reviews? Think Before You Start

C．How Review Moderation Openness Shapes User Conduct

D．Online Reviews: Filter the Fraud, But Don’t Tell Us How