1 . 运用表格中的必备单词/高级词块，把下面的语篇补充完整。

pulled them into his arms，   rubbing his hands together fiercely，   stroked their heads gently，   grabbed， put，   removed，   poured，   lifted/held a finger to their lips，   gathered her kids into her arms

As the twins looked around them in disappointment, their father appeared. He approached them and     1     (把他们拉进怀里). “What’s up?” father gently inquired. Jeff stammered out their failed plan,     2     (使劲搓着双手). Hearing their plan, he     3     (温柔地抚摸着他们的头), comforting “I will do you a favor”. He     4     (抓起) the handle of the pan and     5     (放) a bar of butter to melt . Then he swiftly    6     (移除) the burnt porridge away, and    7     (倒掉) another cup of rice, starting to cook it all over again. Soon came the delicious smell of French toast and chicken porridge. Before the twins carried the breakfast upstairs and woke their mother up, they     8     (伸出一根手指按在嘴上) to ask their father to keep secret. Staring at the carefully prepared food, mother    9     (把孩子抱在怀里),tears running down her face.

2 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in each blank with a proper word given in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. steadily B. predicts C. biology D. temporary E. dramatic F. recovers G. permanent H. grounded I. expansion J. formed K. kindly

Teens Are Still Developing Empathy Skills

The teen years are often full of door-slamming, eye-rolling and seeming insensitivity, even by kids who behaved     1     before. Some parents worry that they are doing something wrong or that their children will never think of anyone but themselves. A six-year study published in Developmental Psychology shows that     2     is partly to blame.

In adolescence, critical social skills that are needed for one to feel concern for other people and to understand how they think are undergoing major changes. Adolescence has long been known as prime time for developing cognitive skills for self-regulation and executive function.

“Cognitive empathy,” or the mental ability to take others’ perspective, begins to rise     3     in girls at the age of 13, according to the study co-authored by Jolien van der Graaff at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. By comparison, boys do not begin until the age of 15 to show increases in perspective-taking, which helps in problem-solving and avoiding conflict.

Adolescent boys actually show a     4     decline, between the ages of 13 and 16, in a related skill—“affective empathy,” or the ability to recognize and respond to others’ feelings. This may be the result, at least in part, of a     5     rise in the primary male sex hormone, during adolescence, which sparks a desire for dominance and power. Fortunately, the boys’ sensitivity     6     in their late teens. Girls’ affective empathy remains relatively high and stable throughout adolescence.

This doesn’t mean, however, that we can do nothing but just wait for teenagers to develop a feeling of empathy. In fact, parents can help instill(灌输) affective empathy into their children. Affective empathy is     7     in marginal region of the brain, which regulates emotions. This capacity begins to develop in infancy. Children learn to practice empathy by watching their parents and by experiencing it themselves—being well treated by adults who sensitively respond to their emotions. While cognitive empathy arises from a different part of the brain, the two abilities are linked. Children’s affective empathy     8     their level of cognitive empathy as teens.

The findings reflect a major     9     in researchers’ understanding of cognitive growth during adolescence. They used to believe that both forms of empathy were fully     10     in childhood. Now, it is clear that “the brain regions that support social cognition, which helps us successfully understand and interact with others, continue to change dramatically” in our teens, says Jennifer Pfeifer at the University of Oregon. Research in her lab also suggests that cognitive empathy rises in teens. The discoveries serve as a new lens for exploring such teen behavior as bullying and drug abuse.

3 . 用方框中单词的正确形式完成下列句子，每个单词(短语)只能用一次，有两个多余选项。

attend, audience, confident, due to, inspire, live up to, previous, surround, unique

1. Everyone’s fingerprints are________.
2. He was the first child in the family to________college.
3. The trees had been planted by the________owner of the house.
4. The team is quite successful; all the players have________in their manager.
5. As a lucky child I was________by love and kindness.
6. The beautiful town has always been a source of________for me.
7. The film is very attractive. It has certainly________my expectations.

4 . 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。

In an age of rapidly growing urbanization, rooftop farming has emerged as a sustainable response     1     the challenge of creating green space in cities. This innovative practice transforms rooftops into mini farms, where vegetables, fruits, and even flowers     2     (plant), providing local residents with fresh produce and adding a touch of nature to urban environments.

Rooftop farming, also     3     (refer) to as vertical agriculture, is more than just a trend; it’s a step towards environmental conservation. Green roofs with vegetation help to absorb sunlight and release moisture, cooling the air and reducing the demand for air conditioning,     4     in turn lessens energy     5     (consume) and carbon emission. Meanwhile, rooftop farms serve as educational platforms,     6     (teach) city dwellers about sustainable agriculture practices and the importance of locally     7     (source) food.

As urban populations continue to grow, rooftop farming fosters community engagement     8     promotes healthier lifestyles by providing access to fresh and organic produce. When we look towards     9     future where environmental consciousness and sustainable practices become increasingly vital, rooftop farming stands as a testament to our ability to cultivate more than just food—we cultivate hope for a     10     (green) and more resilient world.

5 . Directions: Complete the following passages by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. celebrate       B. overlooked       C. circumstances       D. cast       E. incredibly F. factors       G. unspoken        H. swim       I. strongly       J. normal       K. assume

Self-Silencing Is Making Women Sick

In the late 1980s, Harvard-trained psychologist Dana Jack identified a recurring theme among female patients suffering from depression: a tendency to self-silence, defined as “the tendency to engage in uncontrollable caretaking, pleasing the other, and restriction of self-expression in relationships in an attempt to achieve intimacy and meet relational needs.” He found that this learned behavior,     1     rooted in gender norms, was linked to an increased risk of depression.

Since then, considerable evidence has revealed that female self-silencing isn’t just tied to psychological issues like depression and eating disorders, but also to physical illness. Most worryingly, it has also been linked to higher risk of premature death. This was true even when     2     such as age, blood pressure, and smoking were taken into account.

When women push their feelings down and     3     their needs aside, their health suffers. But it can be difficult for women to do otherwise in cultures that     4     these self-silencing practices. Moms are praised for being painstakingly selfless to the point of self-sacrifice. These     5     standards establish a vicious (恶性的) cycle. For many women, it feels easier—beneficial, even—to silence their needs at the expense of their own health, rather than     6     against the prevailing cultural current.

In his best-selling book, The Myth of Normal, physician and author Gabor Mate writes that many of our society’s most “normalized ways of being” are, in fact,     7     toxic. “That ‘not listening to self’ in order to prioritize others’ needs is a significant source of the health-impairing roles women     8    ,” Mate explains. “It is among the medically     9     but extremely harmful ways in which our society’s ‘normal’ imposes a major health cost on women.”

To reshape the virtues of womanhood, a new “    10    ” needs to emerge—one in which we honor our emotions, prioritize our needs, and actively communicate our boundaries. Such a shift requires change on both the individual and societal level, and will by no means be easy. But it’s certainly worth it—after all, women’s lives depend on it.

6 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. acquiring             B. popularity             C. frequently             D. contribute             E. unrelated F. slightly                 G. valuable               H. explore                 I. majors                    J. further K. volunteering

Gap year in your style

What exactly is a gap year? Well, people don’t entirely agree. Most commonly, it’s a year off between high school and college. But it could also be spending a year doing something    1    to education or one’s future career.

Like    2     schooling, a gap year usually means leaving one’s hometown. Many who take a gap year go to a far-off country. In most cases, the time is spent working or    3    . Whatever one is engaged in, this year gives young adults a chance to    4    the world. They meet new people and try things they wouldn’t normally get to do.

Recently, many young people have chosen to take a “working holiday,” which is    5     different from a gap year. After graduating from university, some people make up their minds to live abroad for a year, working in a foreign language environment. Depending on the country and the job, some graduates might live off their earnings and even save money. But often, the cost of living and travel makes saving difficult for people working abroad. Yet the idea continues to grow in    6    . Perhaps it isn’t about earning money, but getting a taste of freedom.

For those thinking about their future job or career, a gap year could mean idling a year away. But for those who aren’t sure what they want to do, a gap year offers many benefits.

If you want to put more emphasis on your career development, you need to think thoroughly about how a gap year can    7     to your résumé(履历). Find an experience that can strengthen your practical skills. That could mean working as an intern(实习生)or    8    a new language.

For those who haven’t designed a career plan, a gap year makes a lot of sense. Almost 80% of American university students change    9    at least once, so a gap year before, during, or even after university could be a good way to help you get future plans in focus. If you can find your calling by taking time off, it will prove to be a very    10    experience.

7 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. maximize             B. subsequent             C. potential             D. personalize             E. misrepresented F. limited            G. marketing            H. predictive            I. commercial            J. speed          K. absence

No child or young athlete should be subjected to genetic testing to find sporting talent or improve performance, conclude the experts in a statement published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The scientific evidence on the effectiveness of these     1     tests is simply far too weak to back their use, says the experts in the fields of genomics, exercise, sports performance, etc. While the science of genomics has advanced rapidly over the past decade, the ability to interpret the meaning of genetic test results is still at a relatively early stage.

But that has not stopped the growth of the “direct to consumer” genetic tests, which claim to be able to spot children’s athletic talents or tailor training to     2     performance. This fast - growing market has caused fears that the still limited level of knowledge on the genetics of sports performance is being     3     for commercial gain.

To inform the statement, the panel looked at the availability of DIY genetic tests. It found 39 companies     4     tests associated with sport or exercise performance or injury - almost twice as many as in 2018.

The claims included: “    5     your training based on your sports genetics,” “Give parents and coaches early information on their child’s genetic     6     for success for sports,” and “We use your DNA results to help you lose fat, build muscle, get fitter.”

But the     7     of any good scientific data to guide selection of which variants to test weakens the value of multiple testing. Besides, while there is some evidence to suggest a link with enhanced physical performance, it is very weak, making the     8     value of these tests “actually zero,” says the statement.

The statement emphasizes the     9     of change in gene sequencing technology has got much faster than regulation. And it points out the importance of counselling before any genetic test is taken.

“While further evidence will undoubtedly emerge around the genetics of sport performance in the future, the data are currently very     10    . Therefore, in this stage of limited knowledge, no child or young athlete should be exposed to genetic testing to define or alter training or for talent identification aimed at selecting gifted children or adolescents,” it concludes.

8 . 请选择合适词, 并用其恰当形式填空, 每个词仅用一次。

promise, foreign, approach, occur, communicate, launch, practice, assume, register

1. According to the witness, the car crash ________ two hours ago.
2. The manager announced that the company ________ a new plan to distribute free books to the children in remote areas.
3. Everything was ________ to me when I explored the city for the first time.
4. She made an effort not to ________ her anxiety to the child, but somehow the little boy still sensed it.
5. It is traditional ________ for all the Chinese to head back home and reunite with family during Spring Festival.
6. The newly developed medicine showed great _________ in preventing infection.
7. Many people _________ that they've done their best, but in fact they still have great potential.

9 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. adaptable        B. classic          C. determined   D. effectively   E. fundamentally F. immediately     G. sideways       H. stretched       I. survival        J. underside       K. upright

Why Are Trees Tree-shaped?

While running through a leafy park days ago, I passed dozens of tree species of different sizes and ages, and I was suddenly struck by how     1     similar they were. Wide trunks split into smaller branches in the same sort of way. You could guess the height of a tree just by looking at how wide its trunk is. We would notice     2     if someone drew a tree with branches that were too wide or a trunk that was too thin. What makes a tree look like a tree? Maximising the sunlight hitting the tree’s leaves is obviously critical for the tree’s     3    . But the size and shape of the branches is largely     4     by a different standards: a tree must be strong enough to stay standing     5    , possibly for centuries. Imagine an oak tree, with branches reaching     6     off the main trunk. Each branch has to support its own considerable weight, so the wood in its lower half is slightly compressed and the top half is being     7    . That top layer of a branch takes the weight of the branch. And a particular type of wood has grown there to do that job. It’s called reaction wood, because it formed as reinforcement (增强) to take the increasing weight as the branch grew. The trees that reinforce on top the branches are the “lollipop” ones:     8     branching species like oaks. But there is another way of solving that problem. Some trees grow their reinforcing reaction wood on the     9     instead, so the branch is pushed up, rather than pulled from above. It works, but not as     10    , so these trees can’t support large side branches. The ones that reinforce underneath have a thick trunk with much smaller side branches, and they grow to be conical—some examples of these trees are pines and firs.

oak pine fir

10 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. alert                    B. connected             C. correspond             D. dismiss             E. embarrassed F. invaluable             G. judgement             H. piloted                    L. respectful             J. urge                    K. wellbeing

Are you listening? But are you really listening?

You’d think we’d be very good at listening, but do we deeply listen? Sometimes we quickly    1    another’s opinion if it doesn’t fit neatly with our own. The British Council has launched a project Crossing Divides aimed to train young people to listen and understand other people with very different perspectives.

Practicing deep listening means tuning into empathy(同理心), resisting the    2    to judge people who are distinct from oneself. It develops important skills that will make anyone a better listener: empathy, silence and becoming aware of our    3    .

The project was    4    in Lebanon, where it helped local people find common ground with each other, in a society divided by bitter years of conflict. People taking part in the project said they felt that they were being heard, helping them to feel recognized and understood, which opened communication between communities. All the participants greatly improved their listening skills, which proved    5    in their working and personal lives.

They have also had a chance to be listened to and heard, which research shows can improve    6    . This is because we all feel accepted, valued and more    7    to others when we sense that we are being truly listened to, and the person listening to us doesn’t have to agree with us for those benefits to be enjoyed.

The project is also an opportunity for participants to feel the benefit of stepping outside their own “echo chamber (回声室)”. Echo chambers are created by our natural tendency to seek out people and opinions, in person and online, that we agree with, so we mainly see and hear information and opinions that    8    to our own. Not surprisingly this leads us to think our views are definitively correct, so we become    9    or even angry when we encounter perspectives that our worldview suggests arc wrong, because they don’t agree with our own echo chamber.

So, training young people with deep listening skills can encourage many more people to take part in challenging and    10    conversations. Scott McDonald, the organization’s CEO said: “The deep listening training gets to the heart of what we do by providing opportunities for people to step out of their echo chambers, to cross divides, and build trust and understanding.”