1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How much in total will be used in earthquake relief?

A．£60 million.

B．£100 million.

C．£160 million.

2. How can people express their willing to help the rescue team?

A．By contacting the radio program.

B．By calling a charity organization.

C．By leaving personal information at a website.

3. What is the main purpose of the talk?

A．To forecast the weather of this week.

B．To praise sponsors in the disaster relief.

C．To update information about the earthquake.

2 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How long has the woman been in hospital?

A．For one week.

B．For ten days.

C．For two weeks.

2. When can the woman leave the hospital?

A．In two weeks.

B．Tomorrow.

C．Uncertain.

3. What’s the doctor’s suggestion for the woman?

A．Having medical checks regularly.

B．Taking the medicine every day.

C．Avoiding any physical exercise.

4. How soon will the woman get well completely?

A．In a few days.

B．In a long time.

C．As soon as she leaves the hospital.

3 . Henry remembers the day well. It was a day that would change his life. He was sitting at the kitchen table, watching his ten-year-old granddaughter, Sophia, do her homework. She had asked him a question about history and was now _________ him with big brown eyes, waiting for an answer. Henry looked at the kettle and then out of the kitchen window. Henry can still hear himself say, “I’m sorry, my dear. I don’t know.”

Henry had spent forty years working as a librarian in a school. He was now _________ and spent his days looking after Sophia. However, he felt that he should be doing more with his life, though he was in his seventies with grey hair and _________ wrinkles in his forehead (额头). As Sophia continued her homework, he read an article in the newspaper about the health _________ of older people going back to university. The article said that it kept the brain _________ and helped prevent loneliness. He made the _________ there and then. The next morning, he would go to Birkbeck, University of London and take a _________ in history.

After four years, Henry got his degree in history. “_________ the course has given me such a sense of achievement,” he says. “It has also made me _________ about doing all the other things that I’ve never had the courage to try before. It’s __________ too old to learn.”

1.

A．pointing to

B．looking for

C．caring about

D．staring at

2.

A．admitted

B．experienced

C．retired

D．educated

3.

A．deep

B．soft

C．high

D．low

4.

A．risks

B．benefits

C．services

D．topics

5.

A．dull

B．calm

C．active

D．secret

6.

A．mistake

B．speech

C．interview

D．decision

7.

A．turn

B．seat

C．picture

D．course

8.

A．Completing

B．Organizing

C．Planning

D．Preparing

9.

A．doubtful

B．confident

C．silent

D．puzzled

10.

A．rarely

B．seldom

C．never

D．only

4 . At 13, I resolved to be an amazing teacher, overwhelmingly driven by a _________ desire for superpowers, which some of my gorgeous teachers had.

In fifth grade, Ms. Charlotte, an English teacher could magically _________ us to different worlds every day. She encouraged us to find something beautiful on our way home or to school. Perhaps, it could be a _________ of freshly baked bread drifting from someone’s house, or the sound of breezes slightly rustling leaves. She _________ curiosity into us. She guided us to bravely _________ joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, modesty, loyalty, duty, kindness, friendship, sympathy, generosity, creativity, truth and faith.

She told us stories from books we would otherwise never _________. Currently, I still remember highlights of the classic she shared, The Old Man and the Sea. After Santiago, an old fisherman came in empty-handed for eighty-four days, we couldn’t imagine what difficulty he had _________ a huge marlin. At the sight of the beautiful huge _________, he was unable to _________ his excitement, with a bright smile __________ to his face. Yet, a __________ battle lay ahead. He felt faint but held on the great fish with all his strength. “I moved him,” he thought, “Pull, hands. Hold up, legs. Last for me, head. You never went.” For two days and nights __________, the huge fish dragged the boat drifting. The elderly was in danger. Once, twice more, once more he tried and he felt himself extremely __________ when he turned the fish. Finally, the fish was stabbed (刺，戳) and tied to the boat.

What a man! So Ms. Charlotte inspired us to fight for our own pride and defend it, __________ the fact that life will set obstacles on the way to future with challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which will take all of our courage. It is true that a man can be destroyed physically but cannot be defeated spiritually.

Now, dear teachers, we love you and thank you from the bottom of our heart! I will keep the __________ song you’ve taught us in mind.

When your dreams come alive you’re unstoppable

Take a shot, chase the sun, find the beautiful

We will glow in the dark turning dust to gold

1.

A．depressing

B．burning

C．living

D．entertaining

2.

A．transport

B．interpret

C．deliver

D．transform

3.

A．feature

B．factor

C．function

D．flavour

4.

A．attached

B．advocated

C．breathed

D．exposed

5.

A．pursue

B．contract

C．emerge

D．correspond

6.

A．pick up

B．put up

C．set up

D．get up

7.

A．catching

B．carving

C．casting

D．ceasing

8.

A．seal

B．seashell

C．fish

D．dolphin

9.

A．declare

B．contain

C．encounter

D．integrate

10.

A．drilled

B．soiled

C．nailed

D．covered

11.

A．genuine

B．identical

C．tough

D．internal

12.

A．right away

B．at once

C．on the spot

D．on end

13.

A．embarrassed

B．depressed

C．disappointed

D．exhausted

14.

A．in addition

B．despite

C．due to

D．given

15.

A．stick

B．hit

C．strike

D．rank

5 . If you’re in search of some botanical inspiration for the summer, just look to the following!

Sky Garden — London

Situated on the 35th floor of the iconic “Walkie-Talkie” building in central London, this stunning garden consists of over three stories, combining Mediterranean and South African plantings. The garden temperature here is monitored around the clock to mirror the conditions these plants would experience in a warm temperate climate.

Bambalan — Bristol

Bristol’s Bambalan restaurant appeared in 2016. Known for its leisurely atmosphere, it’s located right in the middle of the city centre. Hidden in plain sight above Bristol’s busy and noisy city centre, the roof terrace is a true hidden garden. With Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food on the menu, this is the ideal place to bring a group, and enjoy the views and tasty treats.

Library of Birmingham — Birmingham

Hidden away on the seventh floor of Birmingham’s public library is a scenic rooftop garden offering an extremely quiet spot to enjoy a good book in the sun. Created entirely by volunteers and reached via glass elevator, the bright garden offers visitors spectacular views over the city. 3, 500 varieties of plants in this garden have been carefully selected to ensure the terrace will offer blooms all year round, so that visitors to this unique library can enjoy the inspiring views.

New Lanark Roof Garden — New Lanark

With impressive views from the roof of an old mill (磨坊) building in the heart of the New Lanark World Heritage Site, this garden isn’t one to miss. Created on the 9, 000 square feet roof of our historic mill, the New Lanark Roof Garden is the largest of its kind in Scotland. Imaginatively designed, the garden contains decorative planting with over 70 different plants and shrubs, a water feature and animal sculptures.

1. What can you do in Bambalan?

A．Make special flower gifts.	B．Buy beautiful jewels.
C．Walk in the countryside.	D．Enjoy tasty food.

2. Which place appeals to book lovers?

A．Sky Garden.	B．Bambalan.
C．Library of Birmingham.	D．New Lanark Roof Garden.

3. What do all the four places have?

A．Plants.

B．Food.

C．Books.

D．Animals.

6 . Researchers hope brain implants will one day help people with aphasia(失语症) to get their voice back—and maybe even to sing. Now, for the first time, scientists have demonstrated that the brain’s electrical activity can be decoded and used to reconstruct music.

A new study analyzed data from 29 people monitored for epileptic seizures(癫痫发作), using electrodes(电极) on the surface of their brain. As participants listened to a selected song, electrodes captured brain activity related to musical elements, such as tone, rhythm, and lyrics. Employing machine learning, Robert Knight from UC Berkeley and his colleagues reconstructed what the participants were hearing and published their study results. The paper is the first to suggest that scientists can “listen secretly to” the brain to synthesize(合成) music.

To turn brain activity data into musical sound, researchers trained an artificial intelligence (AI)model to decode data captured from thousands of electrodes that were attached to the participants as they listened to the song while undergoing surgery. Once the brain data were fed through the model, the music returned. The model also revealed some brain parts responding to different musical features of the song.

Although the findings focused on music, the researchers expect their results to be most useful for translating brain waves into human speech. Ludovic Bellier, the study’s lead author, explains that speech, regardless of language, has small melodic differences—tempo, stress, accents, and intonation—known as prosody(韵律). These elements carry meaning that we can’t communicate with words alone. He hopes the model will improve brain-computer interfaces (BCI), assistive devices that record speech-associated brain waves and use algorithms to reconstruct intended messages. This technology, still in its infancy, could help people who have lost the ability to speak because of aphasia.

Future research should investigate whether these models can be expanded from music that participants have heard to imagined internal speech. If a brain-computer interface could recreate someone’s speech with the prosody and emotional weight found in music, it could offer a richer communication experience beyond mere words.

Several barriers remain before we can put this technology in the hands—or brains— of patients. The current model relies on surgical implants. As recording techniques improve, the hope is to gather data non-invasively, possibly using ultrasensitive electrodes. However, under current technologies, this approach might result in a lower speed of decoding into natural speech. The researchers also hope to improve the playback clarity by packing the electrodes closer together on the brain’s surface, enabling an even more detailed look at the electrical symphony the brain produces.

1. What can we learn from the study?

A．Electrodes can analyze musical elements.

B．The decoding of brain data helps recreate music.

C．Machine learning greatly enhances brain activity.

D．The AI model monitors music-responsive brain regions.

2. What hopefully makes it possible to expand the model to speech?

A．The prosody of speech.	B．The collection of brain waves.
C．The emotional weight of music.	D．The reconstruction of information.

3. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．Unlocking the Secrets of Melodic Mind	B．Brain Symphony: Synthesized Human Speech
C．BCI Brings Hope to People with Aphasia	D．Remarkable Journey: Decoding Brain with AI

7 . During the 19th and 20th centuries, Qi Baishi (1864-1957) was one of the best-known Chinese artists. He grew up in a poor peasant family, but this did not prevent him from pursuing his interest in painting.

Qi was schooled for less than a year due to illness, and he dropped out of school. However, he was too weak to do much of the work and this was why he became a carpenter. As a carpenter, he showed his creativity. He could carve figures of animals, woodblock prints, and sniff-boxes. At the age of 20, he taught himself to paint with Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting. He met many mentors who greatly influenced his painting skills through his painting journey, among whom are the renowned artists Zhu Da and Xu Wei. When he was 28, he became a student of the famous artist Hu Qinyuan, and he began to study Chinese painting.

Qi arrived in Beijing in 1917. While he was in Beijing, he stayed devoted to painting. Most of his paintings represented Chinese tradition. Qi’s works are now found in several famous museums, including National Gallery Prague and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. His works now are the most expensive ever sold at auctions.

Qi got noticed by many institutions, one of which is the Ministry of Culture. In 1954 he was selected as the representative of the Chinese people. Also, in 1956, he was awarded the World Peace Prize by World Peace Council. A college was also named after him, the Baishi School of Art in Hunan University of Science Technology.

1. Why did Qi Baishi drop out of school?

A．He suffered from illness and was too weak.

B．He wanted to devote himself to painting.

C．He wasn’t interested in what he learned at school.

D．His family was too poor to afford his schooling fees.

2. According to the passage, which of the statements is TRUE?

A．He learned Chinese painting on his own.

B．He showed great creativity of art since childhood.

C．His works are one of the costliest ever sold at auctions.

D．At first he learned to paint from some renowned artists.

3. What does the last paragraph mainly tell us about Qi Baishi?

A．His painting style.	B．His painting works.
C．His achievements.	D．His contributions to his hometown.

4. How does the author mainly develop the text?

A．By giving examples.	B．By using data.
C．By raising questions.	D．By following the order of time.

8 . When we feel disappointed with what might have been or we wish we could change a choice we made in the past, we have regrets.

Regrets can be harmful when we don’t want to accept them. Too many negative (消极的) thoughts and continuous consideration can lead to stress and anxiety. This kind of spiritual and emotional pain also affects our bodies. For example, maybe you didn’t stand up for your friend when someone attacked him by saying something derogatory. You didn’t speak up at the time to clear his name. You end up feeling disappointed in yourself and don’t want to be reminded of that. Or you may remember the situation all too well, but don’t know how to overcome your regret. Whatever it is, you may suffer from negative thoughts or even sleepless nights, thus putting pressure onto your body and mind.

But as the old saying goes, a coin has two sides. Regrets have advantages too. When we reflect (反思) on regrettable choices we made in the past, that’s a good thing. We grow from self-examination and can learn from our missteps. Inspired to be better, we improve on our decision-making so we don’t repeat our mistakes.

Another positive side of regret is that it can move you closer to being your best self. A study about people’s most long-lasting regrets was published in the journal Emotion, where scientists looked at the connection between regret and an individual’s self-concept (自我认知). The results showed that people were more likely to regret not living up to being that best person and thus try harder to use their full potential (潜力), when regrets about their best selves were not achieved.

If you’re feeling regretful about something from your past, know you’re not alone in feeling this way. Everyone has something (or many things) that they regret. However, there are ways to move forward by showing yourself understanding. If that’s too difficult, get the help of a health professional. He or she can help you manage feelings of regret so they no longer hold you back.

1. What does the underlined word “derogatory” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Confusing.

B．Usual.

C．Informal.

D．Mean.

2. What is an advantage of long-lasting regrets?

A．Avoidance of stress.	B．Positive self-concept.
C．Greater efforts to better oneself.	D．Longer time to reflect on the past.

3. What does the author suggest people do in the last paragraph?

A．Leave those regrets as they are.

B．Discuss regrets with the like-minded.

C．Stop reflecting on your daily events.

D．Turn to experts for help if necessary.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．How to Fight Regrets	B．Get to Know Our Regrets
C．Why Regrets Are Harmful	D．The Positive Sides of Regrets

9 . We know that keeping an organized space is a key factor in overall mental well-being. So, how to tackle a big decluttering project?

    1    

Much like closing down a restaurant or retail store for the night, have a routine for the end of your day that involves some easy, satisfying tasks. Maybe it’s having the coffee pot clean and ready to help you wake up in the morning.

Notice your “problem” spots

Pay attention to areas in your home that constantly demand attention, like the bathroom shelf that always overflows with products.     2    . Notice what is taking up most of your attention, and then brainstorm easy solutions that can catch the issue before it gets too big.

Set a timer

Five, eight, ten, or twenty minutes are all acceptable amounts of time to spend chipping away at an untidy area in your home. Progress is progress, whether it’s regular or one-and-done.     3    . A decluttering project does not have to be finished in a day!

Get help

    4    . Define a specific job to take on, like clearing out a closet or dresser drawer, and bring in someone who will support you emotionally and even make it fun time together.

Embrace the physical activity

Maybe you are struggling to fit a regular workout into your routine. Lean into the physical aspect of clutter-clearing to feel like you’re meeting two goals at once by relocating books or bringing clothes to the donation bin.     5     — celebrate yourself for getting moving while you clean up.

A．Make cleaning an easy habit

B．Hire a home organizing professional

C．Even washing the dishes is a physical activity

D．Be patient with the big picture of your clutter-clearing needs

E．Don’t ignore the snack packages that never make it to the trash can

F．You do not have to be alone in your journey toward a clean home

G．You’ll feel fulfilled when you have a completely clutter-free existence

10 . Questions You Must Answer to Find Your True Path in Life

Walking the path of life is no more different than exploring uncharted territories, many of us stop occasionally and ask ourselves questions such as: “Am I doing this right? How do I know this is what has to be done?     1    ” If you’d like to get to find your true path in life, here are some questions you’ll have to answer.

· Why do you want to find your true path in life?

One thing is clear that you want to bring some changes to your life. Being honest about why you want to achieve that can provide you with a powerful incentive (激励) that will drive you towards your goals. Write down the things that cross your mind when you think of your whys.     2     You are a unique person with unique needs and wishes.

·     3    

Is this your authentic (真正的) need or is it something that is trendy and you want to try it out? Ask yourself this question whenever you catch that “I’m a little bit bored right now” thought. Maybe you don’t need to bring radical changes into your life. Remember that how we approach certain obstacles can define how we feel when trying to overcome them.

·What is important to me?

You can start by writing down what is important to you.     4     Take your time. My advice is to start with simpler things, for instance, working out regularly, spending quality time with friends and family, learn to play an instrument etc. From there you can work on more sophisticated ideas, becoming more tolerant and accepting.

· Am I self-aware?

Do you value constructive criticism? Are you always honest? If your answer to these questions is no, then you need to work on your self-awareness.

    5     Finding your true path in life is a slow process. Finally, let me finish by a quote, “To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others.”

A．Is this my choice?

B．What responsibilities should you take?

C．Don’t make your list in just one sitting.

D．Your reasons should be important only for you.

E．If not, is there a guide I can read and memorize?

F．This is because it can apply to every aspect of your life

G．Don’t worry if you are unable to answer these questions right this very moment.