1 . In February 2020, Max’s friend Rick was diagnosed with cancer. Max
Max
Through a years-long campaign, he became known as “The Boy in the Tent” and
When he recalls his
Max faced everything with his positive attitude and goal-driven mind. “One time my tent collapsed in the wind and rain at about 10:00 pm and I
| A．cured | B．saved | C．missed | D．supported |
| A．aware | B．ashamed | C．proud | D．tired |
| A．ambition | B．appreciation | C．concern | D．generosity |
| A．started | B．delayed | C．continued | D．completed |
| A．found | B．treated | C．contacted | D．lost |
| A．collected | B．spent | C．withdrew | D．wasted |
| A．variety | B．sum | C．style | D．theme |
| A．pick out | B．turn down | C．give up | D．care for |
| A．history | B．research | C．impact | D．source |
| A．traveling | B．volunteering | C．nursing | D．camping |
| A．repeat | B．change | C．remember | D．describe |
| A．challenges | B．diseases | C．repairs | D．performances |
| A．hoped | B．promised | C．managed | D．hesitated |
| A．usually | B．similarly | C．actually | D．regularly |
| A．asleep | B．present | C．strong | D．wealthy |
2 . When grandparents bond with their grandchildren, these little ones will feel more secure and happier. And being grandparents benefits the grandparents, too. Your grandchildren are treasures that do more than just make you smile.
It helps your cognitive (认知的) skills remain sharp.
Spending time with your grandchildren is good for your brain health. An Australian study studying the role of grandparenting in senior women’s cognitive health found that women who cared for their grandchildren once a week showed higher performance on memory and mental tests than those who spent little time with their grandchildren. “
It keeps you physically active.
Physical activity is good for you.
It makes you less lonely.
Nowadays, loneliness has increased, which has led to increased depression. That’s why spending time with other people is so important.
When you interact with your grandchildren while they learn and explore, you are inspired to learn something. This is especially true if seniors play word games like memory games or strategy games like chess. In fact, learning anything new can boost your cognitive ability and help keep your brain sharp. “With memory decline being one of the biggest things people fear, any time you learn something new, it’s a big deal,” said doctor Kristine Arthur.
| A．It keeps you learning |
| B．It allows you to enjoy sports |
| C．But physical activity isn’t limited to physical exercise |
| D．Instead, you can play an important role in your grandchildren’s lives |
| E．Having grandchildren around keeps you social and helps you get rid of loneliness |
| F．In fact, spending time with your grandchildren comes with a wide range of benefits |
| G．Interaction with others could stimulate certain nerve pathways that benefit our brain |
3 . West Side Music Together
About
WSMT is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for children from birth through age 5 and the grownups who look after them. First offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research-based and developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.
When you participate, you will receive our current songbook and CD, and you can download your music through our award-winning Hello Everybody app using your Music Together account. You’ll also have access to our WSMT Family Portal, where we will share musical inspiration, play-at-home videos and activities to try at home.
Connection to the Community
Our classes become communities themselves and families can often be seen at parks and local cafes together after class. Families really get time to know each other over the course of our ten-week programs and we also offer free community events each year to registered families.
Additional Information
Our mission is to provide the highest quality music and movement experiences to as many young children as possible and to involve their parents and other adult caregivers as their primary guides. All classes include one of our nine award-winning music collections and our free Hello Everybody app.
Our mixed-age family classes follow the recommendations of child development researchers — grouping children of a variety of ages — because this fosters (促进) natural, family-style learning. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating (模仿) older ones; older children learn by leading younger ones. Each child participates at his or her own level in singing, moving, listening, watching, or exploring musical instruments. Their caregivers also go together.
1. Who are welcome to WSMT?| A．Seniors who have no family. | B．Teenagers younger than 15. |
| C．Adults caring for kids under 5. | D．Students applying to a college. |
| A．Socialize with each other after class. | B．Participate in various music contests. |
| C．Donate their favorite CDs to WSMT. | D．Share the cost of Hello Everybody app. |
| A．They are free to have music classes at home. |
| B．They can be independent of their caregivers. |
| C．They are taught by award-winning musicians. |
| D．They can learn in a more natural environment. |
One night, sitting on the cold steps at the back of my apartment in Kansas, I’d been staring out into the darkness. The only light came from my cigarette. Rain soaked (浸湿) through my pants, but I didn’t care. Back in my room, there was a knife on the bedside table and a note on my computer screen. I hoped that whoever read it first would understand why I had the plan to end it all.
Six months before that night, a car accident caused a brain injury in me. I lost my job and had to live on my savings in my lonely apartment. Since then, I had been suffering from depression and struggling to get through each day.
I sat there on those cold steps just wanting to end it all. “Tonight. I will,” I thought as I took another drag of my cigarette.
“Meow?”
I looked up. A black and white cat with round green eyes looked back at me. He meowed again. Then, walking out from his hiding spot, he jumped at me. He was tiny and damp, but he rubbed up against my legs. When I reached down to pet him, he leaned into my touch, purring (发出呼噜声).
That was all it took. I cried. The cat just watched me. I didn’t scare him away. In fact, he stood there as if he knew how desperately I needed a companion right at that very moment.
I looked into his big green eyes and he looked back. Clearly a stray (流浪的) cat. “When was the last time you ate?” I said. My plan to end it all was put on hold, at least until I found this cat some food.
It became a routine: Every day, I’d go to the back steps with some cat food. Usually, the cat, whom I named Scout, was already waiting for me. He became more than something to live for. Over time he inspired me to get help for my depression and even gave me the confidence to get into a serious relationship with Becky in Pittsburgh, whom I had known for years.
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。
Scout became my constant companion.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I was far from the lonely and depressed man that Scout had first approached in the rain, but I still needed to make a few more changes.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The Ontario Convention Center was filled with
When Dell Sweeris, now a 78-year-old, watched the intense action at the championship, fond memories
“I was so fortunate
While
6 . Childhood can bring much awe — the emotion caused by mysterious experiences of things or ideas that we’ve never encountered before. For example, our children can feel awe looking up at a dark night sky that’s filled with more stars than they’ve ever imagined. As parents, it’s deeply moving to witness our children’s experience of awe — their breaths taken away, speechless apart from saying “Wow!” — because we see how it enriches their individual lives. And research suggests that awe can also boost our children’s desire to give as they feel small in the vastness of expanded awareness.
A recent study by researchers Eftychia Stamkou and her colleagues invited children between eight and 13 years old to watch different videos.
In the awe group, children watched a video from the movie Song of the Sea that features a child transforming into a seal and flying over a city. In the joy group, children watched a video from the movie Fantasia that shows friends celebrating. In the third group, children watched an instructional video of a boring activity.
Researchers measured children’s kindness toward poor families by inviting children to support a donation campaign by spending as much time as they wanted on figuring out the number of donated items, to make sure those in need got access to the donated food as quickly as possible. They also invited children to donate the reward they earned from participating in the research to a poor family.
The results? Children who watched the awe-inspiring video spent more time counting food donations and donated their rewards to poor families more often compared to the children in the other groups.
“Although children from an early age are more likely to help in-group than out-group members, the findings show that awe can open them up to helping members of a national minority,” says Dacher Keltner, a renowned scholar of awe. “These findings highlight that awe-inspiring art can encourage children to give what they can offer to people who have been forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. That can serve as inspiration for educators.”
1. Why would parents like their children to have the experience of awe?| A．It teaches their kids to keep quiet. | B．It makes their kids’ lives colorful. |
| C．It frees them from caring for kids. | D．It allows them to be praised by their kids. |
| A．Retell stories in videos. | B．Share their emotions. | C．Do counting work. | D．Cook some food. |
| A．Its methods are rather complex. | B．Its conclusion is nothing special. |
| C．Its study subjects are unsuitable. | D．Its findings are of significance. |
| A．The experience of awe is common for us. | B．Awe brings you back to your childhood life. |
| C．Nature is the most awesome thing for kids. | D．Feeling awe may help kids be more generous. |
7 . Plastic, once seen as a revolutionary material for its wide application and convenience, has become a global environmental crisis because it is non-biodegradable. The ubiquity (无处不在) of plastic in our daily lives has led to an increasing amount of plastic waste, causing great harm.
One of the most alarming examples of this crisis is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating mass of plastic waste in the North Pacific Ocean. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and consists of everything from microplastics to abandoned fishing nets. Marine life often mistakes plastic particles for food, leading to ingestion and death. Additionally, the chemicals used in plastic production can pollute water and soil, and finally threaten marine ecosystems.
Plastic waste is not limited to the oceans; it also impacts the land. Landfills overflow with plastic waste, emitting (排放) harmful greenhouse gases as plastics break down slowly over time. The production of plastics is highly energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. Furthermore, plastic litter is evident in urban and rural landscapes, destroying the natural beauty of our planet.
Beyond its environmental impact, plastic poses serious health risks to humans. Many plastics contain harmful chemicals, which can be found in food and drinks when plastic containers are used for storage and heating. These chemicals have been linked to a range of health problems, including developmental issues and cancer.
In conclusion, the problem of plastic pollution demands urgent action. A comprehensive strategy for cutting down on plastic is essential to tackle these challenges and safeguard the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.
While reducing the consumption of plastic may seem challenging, it is achievable through a combination of policy measures, technological innovations and changes in consumer behavior. Governments must issue laws to ban or heavily regulate single-use plastics and promote alternatives. Businesses should adopt sustainable packaging practices, and individuals can reduce plastic consumption by making conscious choices.
1. What does the example of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch show?| A．Animals rely on plastic waste to survive. |
| B．Plastic is too widespread to remove. |
| C．Plastic waste is harming the oceans. |
| D．Plastic poses health risks to humans. |
| A．Worsening. | B．Controlling. | C．Recording. | D．Evaluating. |
| A．Ways to cut plastic consumption. |
| B．Problems of handling plastic. |
| C．Alternatives for plastic products. |
| D．Some benefits of banning plastic. |
| A．Plastic Packaging Is Everywhere |
| B．Plastic Consumption Should Be Reduced |
| C．How Should Plastic Be Used |
| D．How Plastic Products Affect People |
8 . A man rides at full speed on a single-wheeled bike, leaning back on a seat fixed above a recycled tyre as he performs wheelies (杂技). This machine is just one of many crazy inventions from Make It Extreme, a You Tube channel run by Michael Mavros and George Shiailis, two best friends who use old materials to create unique and innovative mechanical projects.
The partners of this DIY design make the inventions to promote the joys of mechanical engineering and inspire creativity in others.
On Make It Extreme, they transform everyday objects and vehicles into extreme versions of themselves, pushing creative boundaries in the process. They build and design their projects, film and edit the entire process, then finally showcase the results.
“By passionately crafting furniture, engines, tools, toys and vehicles while using our imagination, we try to offer innovative solutions to various mechanical challenges,” explains Mavros, “We’ve shared this passion since our early years, and now, through our channel, we share it with millions of other people in an easily understandable way.”
For its 100th video, Make It Extreme introduced the Monotrack bike, constructed entirely from recycled and old materials. They utilised a 100cc two-stroke engine from an old scooter (摩托车), cutting the sidewalls of a used car tyre and fitting it around a recycled motor. The bike reflects their commitment to sustainability and creativity, purely for the joy and curiosity it brings.
“The idea for the Monotrack bike came from an old wartime photo where we saw a similar vehicle,” says Mavros, “Our creations are often inspired by things we’ve encountered before. For example, the Monowheel, where a person sits inside a huge wheel, was inspired by similar vehicles from decades ago, and our tank chair stemmed from the idea of creating an accessible adventure vehicle for people with limited mobility.”
Make It Extreme now has almost two million subscribers who are eager to tune in every month to see the partners’ latest invention. And Mavros promises that 2024 will see them create their most daring project yet.
1. Why do Mavros and Shiailis run Make It Extreme?| A．To make profits. | B．To earn popularity. |
| C．To develop hobby. | D．To awaken innovation. |
| A．Practical. | B．Eco-friendly. | C．Costly. | D．Convenient. |
| A．Why the old things were used. | B．Where the Monowheel was found. |
| C．What their inspirations originated from. | D．How the Monotrack bike was invented. |
| A．Nothing is impossible. | B．Hard work will pay off. |
| C．Success needs perseverance. | D．Many hands make light work. |
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。
Chip was not willing to go to school. The only hour of his day that was bearable was science class. He used to think of science as a bunch of boring words in a textbook, but Mr. O’Dell had changed all that.
It started when Mr. O’Dell announced how students could get a good grade in his class—not by memorizing a lot of facts but by thinking. The students stared at him, either wondering what he was talking about or else marveling (惊叹) at the reddish brown hair surrounding his shiny bald head...
Mr. O’Dell asked another question, “What common substance can take the form of a liquid, a solid, or a gas?”
Nobody answered. The class just sat there, waiting for Mr. O’Dell to explain what that had to do with anything. Then Chip got it. The first liquid he thought of was water, and then ice. Ice is a solid. And when water gets superhot, it turns to steam. He wasn’t sure if steam was a gas or not, but when nobody else spoke, Chip blurted out, “Water?”
After that Chip could tell that Mr. O’Dell liked him. Chip liked him too—at least most of the time.
The best part about science class was the field trips. Once when a student pointed out an ant hill, Mr. O’Dell put his nose down so close to watch that Chip expected an ant to climb right onto it and march up through the freckles(雀斑)to stare back at him through his gold-rimmed glasses. Another time, Mr. O’Dell had the whole class sit cross-legged in a circle to watch a chameleon (变色龙) change from brown to bright green. Anyone who wasn’t paying close attention missed the important moment when it shot its long tongue and brought a fly back into its mouth.
Mr. O’Dell had the students take detailed notes on each animal or insect they were observing. He added that the creatures ought to be right where they were, doing whatever they were doing.
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。
Paragraph 1:
The minute the lesson turned to science, Chip exploded with energy and enthusiasm.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:
Holding a chameleon, Chip rushed into the classroom, his eyes dancing with excitement.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The dragon, or loong in Chinese, is the only imaginary creature among the 12 Chinese zodiac signs (生肖). It has been present in legends for thousands of years, and
According to the legends, the dragon is capable of changing
Dragons can be found throughout ancient Chinese art. The jade Jue dragon from the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
