1 . Getting older means greater maturity and wisdom.     1     In a society that is aging fast, it has become crucial to find ways to prevent related mental and emotional disorders. Music emerges as a promising tool for promoting well-being of the elderly.

Music has a great power to cause strong emotions and intense pleasure.     2     singing and dancing to music with others is not only fun but also improves mood. Musical activities are great ways to reduce stress because they take our minds off problems. They also help us feel less lonely and more connected with other people.

    3     A song may become a soundtrack for a particular time, such as a delightful party with friends that you had along time ago. Listening to that song allows you to remember all the happy memories from that time.

Finally, music contributes to keeping our thinking skills sharp. It makes our brains work hard in unique ways to understand the rhythm and melody.     4     For example, exposure to background music, particularly classical music, during cognitive (认知的) tasks is shown to improve older people’s cognitive processes, such as processing speed and working memory.

In conclusion, music is a powerful tool to fight against aging-related emotional and cognitive problems. It is an enjoyable and social activity, available to anyone regardless of their background or previous musical experience.     5    

A．Music can also open forgotten doors to our memories.

B．Recalling happy memories can lift our mood on a bad day.

C．Even passive music listening can help elderly adults think better.

D．This helps people feel better when they are depressed or anxious.

E．However, it often involves a series of physical and mental challenges.

F．The ability to form new memories is essential for processing information.

G．Thus, this accessible intervention should become a major policy priority for healthy aging.

2 . Welcome to your new job with us and we hope you have a happy and long career. To help you enjoy life more and create a good work life balance, we provide various benefits for you.

Cafeteria

The staff cafeteria provides subsidized (补助的) meals for breakfast or lunch. The cafeteria is open on weekdays from 6.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are never necessary. Because of the prices, the cafeteria is always a lively place to go before work and in the middle of the working day.

Sport

If you’d like to use the gym, you need to take an introductory class. Every other Monday, we have a fitness instructor who will come to our gym and provide an introduction to any staff members who want to use it. We also have a company membership at the town golf club. Our staff have both playing and social membership access to the club.

Watching Football

The company funds our local football club. As a result of our sponsorship, we have a hospitality box (包厢) at all home games and employees can take advantage of this for themselves and their families. There are 20 places available every week. If you want to book some places (limited to three per employee), please contact Andrew Hudson. If there are places available on the morning of the game, you can get more than four places.

Social Trips

The company runs trips at weekends for staff. This might be to a local castle, theatre or museum. We usually lay on a coach for transport and pay for entry to the event. The trips are only for employees, but if there are places still available four days before the event, people may reserve places for friends and family. If the coach is not at least half booked by staff members four days before the event, the trip will be cancelled.

1. What can we learn about the cafeteria?

A．It requires advance booking.

B．It serves people three meals a day.

C．It opens from Monday to Saturday.

D．It offers food to employees at a lower price.

2. What is a requirement for using the gym?

A．Doing voluntary work.

B．Taking a special class.

C．Employing a fitness instructor.

D．Paying for company membership.

3. Who might be most interested in this piece of information?

A．Job hunters.

B．Local officials.

C．New staff in this company.

D．Researchers on team sports.

3 . It is frequently said that the best camera is the one you already have with you. Amazingly, the cameras on modern phones can take killer images without a professional camera. But if you’re struggling to get the quality you want, try a few of these helpful tips.

Pick the right time of day

There are a variety of lighting options that change throughout the day.     1     And it is properly named for the yellow color the sun casts. This warms any scene. If you’ve been working during golden hour and want to try something new, go out during the blue hour. This is the hour just before sunrise or just after sunset.     2    

Pay attention to lighting

    3     When taking pictures of nature, pay attention to the available light. How can you use it to create eye-catching images? Turn the sun peaking through the trees into a dramatic starburst by setting your f/stop to f/22 or above. Look for ways light and shadows create exciting patterns on otherwise flat backgrounds.

    4    

Look for subjects with natural motion like a waterfall, stream, flowers in the wind, etc., and set your shutter speeds to 20 seconds or more. It is vital to have a small secure support to ensure your camera is as perfectly still as possible during the shot.

Photo editing apps

Don’t limit your photos to what you can capture straight out of camera (SOOC).     5     . Look at the built-in filters (滤光器) that come with your system, or download a free photo editing app to add up your masterpieces. By using all these techniques, you should be able to create unique images that take brilliant photos.

A．Long exposure

B．Consider composition

C．Try to have access to many creative apps

D．You can control whether the background is in focus

E．Photography is often referred to as painting with light

F．It provides an attractive tone for your subject and scenery

G．Golden hour is the hour just after sunrise or just before sunset

4 . Art comes in two main categories: realistic and abstract. Realistic art aims to show real-life scenes, people, and objects exactly as they appear. It involves paying close attention to details, making things look like photographs.    1    . It’s more about expressing feelings, emotions, and ideas.

Realistic art is easy to understand. Viewers can easily recognize what is portrayed. Take the Mona Lisa, for example—it’s a realistic painting of a lady with a mysterious smile.    2    , helping us to learn about the past.

Unlike realistic art, abstract art is more about being creative.     3    . They use shapes, colors and patterns to express feelings and ideas. Abstract art means different things to different people. Some people enjoy trying to figure out what the artwork conveys.

    4    . Realistic art needs precision in drawing or sculpting to make things look real. Abstract art requires imagination to use shapes and colors in new ways. Many artists are skilled in both. They create realistic pieces to demonstrate their technical skills and abstract ones to display their creativity.

As for personal preference, some people prefer the clear stories of realistic art while others are attracted to the mystery of abstract art, interpreting meanings in the shapes and forms. Together, the two kinds of art make the art world diverse and engaging.    5    .

A．Both types of art take skills to make

B．Photographs preserve faces of folks from long ago

C．Grasping abstract art demands more artistic training

D．Both ways of creating art have their own value and beauty

E．In contrast, abstract art focuses less on realistic appearances

F．Artworks like this tell stories about history and everyday life

G．Artists have the freedom to go beyond real-life representations

5 . Maggie was looking for a chance to do something good during her summer break from college. She wanted to find an activity that combined her interests and she found the perfect opportunity at a local animal shelter. “I thought about volunteering and I’ve always loved animals and photography,” she said.

For the past two weeks, Maggie has been taking portraits (肖像) of cats and dogs at an animal shelter in Kentucky. The idea came to her after she read articles saying that animals with good photos are more likely to get adopted than those without. “So I just called the shelter and asked if I could come in and they seemed really grateful.” said Maggie.

Maggie said that the shelter is in a rural area that’s difficult to reach. But since her photos were added to the shelter’s Facebook page, “they say they can’t believe how many calls they’ve been getting.”

Part of her success, she said, is that she gets to know the dogs before taking their portrait. There’s Blinky. “She absolutely loves to go out and run and is a super sweet dog that loves taking photos. She just smiles at me and everything.” said Maggie. There’s also Jersey, a one-year-old female dog that Maggie describes as calm and well-mannered.

The phenomenon in which pet adopters shun dark coated dogs is called black dog syndrome (综合征). But it is unclear how much the issue actually affects pet adoptions. A 2002 study found that black fur negatively influenced adoption rates for dogs. According to the report, Black dogs had the least likelihood of being adopted compared to dogs of all other colors.

Maggie said at least one of those dogs had been adopted several weeks before. “When I came in today people at the shelter told me that many people had come in and talked about how the photos made them want to come to the shelter,” she added proudly.

1. What inspired Maggie to take photos of dogs?

A．Attractive photos of a black dog.

B．Articles on animal adoption.

C．A call from an animal shelter.

D．A part-time job in summer break.

2. What does paragraph 4 show about Maggie?

A．She fully appreciates beauty in nature.

B．She develops professional photography skills.

C．She impresses pet adopters with good manners.

D．She learns about dogs’ personality before photographing them

3. What does the underlined word “shun” in paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Avoid.

B．Rescue.

C．Raise.

D．Train.

4. What does Maggie say about her photos?

A．They should involve more types of pets.

B．They have won her more business orders.

C．They failed to help a pet find a home.

D．They attracted much public attention for the shelter.

6 . The appeal of clay (黏土), with its physicality and boundless creative potential, has attracted artists, technicians, and hobbyists for centuries.     1     This essay will explore how making pottery offers countless benefits for mental health, including stress relief, sensory engagement, acceptance of imperfection, and self-expression.

Engaging with clay is a comforting activity that can reduce stress and anxiety. The focus and concentration required to sculpt clay can quiet the mind and promote relaxation. In addition to its healing benefits, making pottery provides a comforting sensory experience.     2     This process also involves repetitive motions such as throwing, shaping, and coloring, which can provide a sense of control and accomplishment, boosting self-confidence and reducing negative thoughts.

    3     We may spend hours beautifying our pieces, choosing colors that speak to us, and hoping they will look as we envision after firing. Sometimes they do, especially for the fortunate or skilled. But often, we must learn to accept imperfection. As the experienced potter Meg Biddle puts it, "It’s finding that balance between control and unpredictability that gives me joy."

Creating with clay is an overall experience that engages our hands, fine motor skills, and imagination. It is an extension of ourselves, allowing us to shape the clay with raw emotions while making detailed decisions.     4    

In conclusion, pottery offers countless benefits for our well-being, including stress relief, creative expression, and the ability to let go. As we transform clay into a beautifully finished piece of art, we also take a step closer to our own transformation. Pottery is not just an art form.     5    

A．Working with clay means taking your time.

B．But pottery is more than just a creative pursuit.

C．It’s also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

D．Its touching nature allows the body and mind to unwind.

E．Working with clay also teaches us to accept unpredictability.

F．Through pottery, we have our external and internal desires expressed.

G．The benefits of sculpting clay outweigh the long and tiring process involved.

7 . You just arrived in an English-speaking country. How can you get the most benefit out of your journey?     1    .

Don’ts

    2     This will lead you nowhere as you won’t be able to improve your English or immerse in the new culture. The best way of knowing the English culture is by living among people who speak this language.

If you packed books to read while on the road, make sure the books are in English.     3     This way you know what’s happening in the book and you are somehow familiar with the plot so it’s easier for you to learn a few more words.

Do’s

But when travelling to an English-speaking country there aren’t just things that you need to avoid. Here are some things you are advised to do in order to improve your English.

Make friends among the locals.     4     Even if you don’t speak English very well, you will certainly understand them. Visit their families and enjoy a great meal with them; you certainly won’t regret it.

Read the local newspapers, read every brochure you get your hands on and try to use the Internet while searching for something locally in English.

Go shopping. This is an amazing experience and everybody will be nice to you and listen to you even if your English is not that good.     5     Also, you will learn a few more things that will help you perfect your English.

So next time you are in an English-speaking country, don’t waste time thinking your English is not good enough. Go outside, meet people and speak the language!

A．Fortunately, there is a lot of information on the Internet on all subjects possible.

B．Instead, go to the local library and buy the classics in the English language.

C．Avoid finding people who speak the same native language as you.

D．Well, first you need to make sure that you know what to avoid.

E．This way, you will end up with some cool new things.

F．There’s nothing better than having fun with the locals.

G．Also, buy books that you already read.

8 . Avatars Tell a Lot

Believe it or not, profile pictures can tell a lot about the person. Is he or she funny? Single or married? Plump or slim? Strangers can more or less get a clue of what kind of person you are from your avatar!

Frankly speaking, profile picture is to social media what one’s appearance is to real life. Since your profile picture serve as the handiest source of what kind of person you are to strangers or people unfamiliar, it can leave a strong influence on how others think of you in the long term.     1    

Furthermore, profile photo can partially decide how others trust you. Reports show that a photo of real person gains trust more easily than an image of a cartoon or something else.

Sometimes profile pictures can mirror one’s inner feelings. People who adopt cute pets and animation figures as their profile pictures are more likely to feel uneasy when handling daily trivia.

    2    Youngsters tease elder people about their old-fashioned profile photos — either landscape or plants. Obvious enough, post 90s people have more complex taste in choosing profile photos — some use portraits of their idols, some use Internet memes while others choose a popular dog to show they are single. Some even follow the pace of season to change their profile photos.

Unavoidably, different tastes in profile photos render awkward dispute between children and parents. A netizen complained that her mom asked her to change the avatar in which she made a face and stuck out her tongue because Chinese traditional grim reapers do the same facial expression.

Profile picture is believed to somehow reflect personality. A vote on the profile photos mostly used by playboys went viral on Sina Weibo in January 2018. Many Internet users gave positive backing to the result of the vote. Those who use selfies as profile pictures are more inclined to express themselves in public.     3     Though people of similar temper are very likely to appreciate similar style of profile photo, it is still closely relevant to individual preference.

Is there anyone in your friend list who changes profile photos so frequently on social media that you can’t follow its pace? You have an eyeful of it and can’t help wondering: why did he/she change his/her avatar again? Frequent change of profile photos, or even a changeable style, is likely to be a sign of instable personality. Of course, changing profile photos frequently in a short term may indicate that your friend feels up and down during that time.     4    

Just as appearances do not determine everything, avatars may have a greater impact on the formation of first impressions, but this effect fades as people learn more about each other.     5     In fact, people know from the bottom of their hearts that a profile photo can never alter the true image of a person that is mostly based on character and quality.

A．So please do not overstate the importance of a photo online.

B．Youngsters have better tastes in choosing profile pictures than elders.

C．But it has an even greater influence on how others view you in the short term.

D．Meanwhile, your profile picture is revealing your age without you noticing it.

E．To be more specific, they are eager to build a positive self-image and reveal it to others.

F．For example, a lonely silhouette makes others feel distant while a warm smile brings sincerity.

G．However, one exception is that some perfectionists change their profile pictures from time to time to approach the so-called “perfect” standard.

9 . If you’re having a hard time with your teacher, going to class can be a terrible experience. Remember that teachers are all different, and you may just need a little extra time to understand your new teacher’s teaching style. In most cases, respecting the teacher and making an effort in class is enough to improve your relationship.     1    

Talk to your teacher

In many cases, a short discussion can clear up the misunderstanding. You may have misunderstood your teacher’s behavior, or you could be unaware of something you’re doing that makes your teacher annoyed.     2    

Learn to adapt to their teaching method

    3     If you’re used to a very relaxed class, learning to make progress in a strict environment is difficult. In most cases, giving yourself enough time to adjust to this new style of teaching is adequate.

Ask about your teacher’s hobbies

You may find out you have something in common. Remember you and your teacher both have lives outside the classroom, but you’re there to learn.     4     If you happen to know about one of their hobbies, at an appropriate time you can say, “I hear you enjoy gardening. Are you growing anything now?”

    5    

Your teacher has years of education and time spent on learning about the subject they teach and how to teach it. Understanding why your teacher decided to devote their time to being an educator will make them seem more human in the classroom.

A．Learn why your teacher chose teaching

B．Participate in activities with your teacher

C．Maybe the following tips can be helpful to you.

D．Don’t ask about their hobbies during class time.

E．Ask your teacher if there’s a convenient time to talk privately.

F．Sometimes, the reason you don’t like your teacher is the way they run the classroom.

G．Teachers are likely to give you extra attention, if they feel you have something in common.

10 . Learning to drive is important to the independence of teenagers, but it is also a great responsibility. Although having a law that keeps 16-year-old drivers from having more than one teenager in the car with them at first seems unfair, there are convincing reasons for this requirement.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that teens are four times more likely than older drivers to be involved in an automobile accident. It also reports that 16-and-17-year-old drivers are twice as likely to have an accident if they have two teenage friends in the car and four times as likely to have one if they have three or more teenage friends in the car with them. Fatal (致命的) crashes of 16-year-old drivers involve the highest percentage of speeding, driver error, and number of passengers. This information is enough to cause any reasonable person to wonder about the wisdom of allowing new teen drivers to take a carload of friends anywhere, even if the law permits it.     

A study at the National Institutes of Health indicates that the part of the human brain that controls judgment and evaluates the consequences of our actions might not be fully formed until the age of 25. Until this study, researchers had placed the age at 18. If this is true, it could explain the reckless (鲁莽的) behavior of many teens, behavior that often extends into their twenties. It also could be a strong reason for being cautious about the driving circumstances of young people.

This is not the only study that indicates such caution is necessary. One study at Temple University in Philadelphia examines the results of peer pressure in risky driving situations. The study, which uses a driving game, has an individual guide a car through a course, both alone and in the presence of friends. Three different age groups participated in the study: 13-16, 18-22, and 24 and older. Members of the oldest group showed caution whether driving alone or with friends present, but the two younger groups took more chances when they were with their friends. Furthermore, because these drivers were accustomed to the noise and distraction of many passengers, they were unable to see their own mistakes. Once again, this is a good indication that a law restricting the number of teenagers in the car with a young driver is a good idea.

1. What does the author mainly tell us in Paragraph 2?

A．Many deaths have occurred because of inexperience and overconfidence.

B．It’s reasonable to severely limit the passenger number of teen drivers.

C．New teen drivers have to ask permission before driving with friends.

D．There are many causes behind the teens’ driving accidents.

2. From the two studies, the author probably suggests that ________.

A．different age groups have different peer pressure

B．teenagers often give wrong judgments above passengers’ noise

C．underdeveloped brain makes teens ignore their mistakes

D．driving circumstances are bound up with the risk of accidents

3. We can infer that the law restriction can probably ________.

A．protect teens on the highway	B．raise teens’ sense of responsibility
C．reduce the number of fatal crashes	D．force teens to drive with caution

4. With which statement would the author most likely disagree?

A．Some teenagers have risky behavior while driving.

B．Certain laws treat teenagers and adults differently.

C．We still need more studies on teen driving.

D．Driving is important to a teenager’s sense of independence.