1 . Grandparents are known as great companions (陪伴) and often give their grandchildren lots of love. Being a grandparent is a big job, but grandparents have a lot of experience. In many cultures, grandparents are looked up to as a source of wisdom (智慧).

Some kids live far away from their grandparents so they stay in touch by phone, through email, and with letters. Other kids live close to their grandparents, making it easy to visit often. And still other kids live with their grandparents.

Sometimes, the family is sharing the grandparents’ house and sometimes the grandparents move into the family’s house. Any change can be difficult to adjust (适应) to. But after the adjustment period, you might find you enjoy having someone else in the house and a new person to spend time with. If your grandparent needs help, you might be the one to lend a hand. And your grandparent might be able to help you by playing a game with you, telling the best stories or fixing you a snack after school.

Quite a few kids live with grandparents who take care of them in place of their parents. Kids who live with grandparents might miss their moms or dads and wish they could live with them instead. The grandparent may find it difficult to keep up with a kid and all of his or her needs. In this situation, both the kid and the grandparent should work together. Loving and caring for each other can be the glue that keeps everything together.

And one more thing: You might want to put the first Sunday after Labor Day on your calendar. Why? It’s Grandparent’s Day!

1. In many countries, grandparents ________.

A．look forward to having a job	B．live far away from their grandchildren
C．are regarded as rich in knowledge and experience	D．are considered to be the best friends and companions

2. We can learn from Paragraph 3 that ________.

A．kids don’t like to live with their grandparents

B．parents shouldn’t leave children to their grandparents

C．grandparents find it too hard to live with their grandchildren

D．living together does good to grandparents and grandchildren

3. How can kids and their grandparents get along well with each other?

A．By sharing the best stories.	B．By having common interests.
C．By meeting each other’s needs.	D．By loving and looking after each other.

4. In the last paragraph, the author reminds the kids________ .

A．to celebrate Grandparent’s Day	B．to visit grandparents on Sunday
C．that Labor Day is an important day	D．that Grandparent’s Day is on Sunday

2 . 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。

Longjing tea,    1    (literal) meaning Dragon Well tea, is a variety of pan-roasted green tea that    2    (name) after its production region — Longjing Village of West Lake in Hangzhou, China. It is one of the most popular teas in China and is considered as “the Queen of Green Tea”. Nowadays, this tea is also known    3     (lower) blood pressure and help the body keep cholesterol (胆固醇) levels under control, thus    4    (reduce) the risk of heart attack.

Longjing tea has a history over 2000 years, but what makes it even more    5    (fame) is an emperor. A legend links the Qianlong Emperor to Longjing tea. It goes that during his visit     6    tea plantations in the area, he took an interest in the harvesting activities and even joined in. While picking the tea, he received word    7    his mother in Beijing was ill, and in a hurry to leave, he put the leaves he had picked into his sleeves (袖子). On his return, his mother smelled the leaves and asked for tea to be made from them. After drinking the tea, as the story goes, she made a full    8    (recover) and the emperor declared Longjing tea    9    cure for illness, increasing its popularity around the country. Afterwards, Longjing tea became better known as the head of all tea types in China and also    10    (title)as the “Gentleman of the Chinese Teas”.

3 . What motivates people to write? Why, whether we are writers or not, do we have the urge to take up a pen and put down our thoughts? Writing provides people the chance to speak.     1    . And we can transform ourselves for the better by reading and doing them. But do people write for a number of reasons, which are more relevant than others for certain reasons?

People Write in Order to Express Themselves

When people are stressed or worried about particular issues in their lives, writing might help them relax. Putting thoughts on paper can help people overcome problems or simply create a sense of peacefulness by allowing them to express their emotions rather than having them controlled inside.    2    . These personal memoirs (回忆录) are a collection of memories, both good and unpleasant, that the author wrote about in order to preserve a particularly positive memory or work through a difficult issue.

People Write to Arouse Change Through Writing

    3    . We eat more, listen to more music, and read more. We know enough about consumerism to know it won’t make us happy. Writing allows us to change consumerism’s path. Rather than consume more, we may produce.     4    . When people write blogs about some issues like abandoned children, they use persuasive language to persuade others that their position on the issue is correct. When a writer has a wide readership, he or she can occasionally influence public opinion.

The basic goal of writing is to communicate with others and to stimulate the reader’s attention or action. You can also use writing to help you reflect on and grow from your experiences. While in university,one of the most important ways to measure students’ progress and learning is through their written work.    5    . Writing for ourselves encourages us to think, learn, and comprehend. When we write for others, it’s usually for evaluation or publication to a larger audience.

A．Writing aids in anger expression

B．People are consuming more than ever

C．Most stories deal with transformation

D．Writing can be used to motivate people to make changes

E．So, when we write, we are either writing for ourselves or for others

F．This will teach you to modify your raw feelings into something helpful

G．Diaries and poetic writing are excellent examples of soul-satisfying writing

4 . The well received Neutral Density Photography Awards (ND Awards) is a melting pot of some of the world’s most outstanding and talented souls in the field of photography where recognition and publicity are gained by the winning entry. This is an open invitation. Join us and take part in the competition!

Our judges are all highly respected industry professionals,including gallery (画廊) owners, publishers,editors and famous photographers. Do not miss this rare opportunity to take part in this annual photo contest. Choose your best work, upload photos and give yourself a chance to compete for fame and more than $7,500 award!

Categories are in two sections: Professional and Non-Professional. Winners of each subcategory (子范畴) will be awarded with: Gold Star, Silver Star and Bronze Star awards.

●Early Deadline&Entry fee 23 December 2023 Non-Professional — Single image entry fee: $19 Professional — Single image entry fee: $24
●Final Deadline &Entry fee 17 January 2024 Non-Professional — Single image entry fee: $24 Professional — Single image entry fee: $29
● Frequently-asked questions:	Answers
1.Can I enter one image into multiple categories?	Yes,you may enter the same image into as many categories as you want. Additional fee for next category is $10.
2.Can I make changes to my entry after I have paid?	No, after payment has been made,entries cannot be edited.
3.What should I do if I’m having problems uploading data?	Try to read the instructions on the entry form again. If you are unable to resolve the problem after reading the instructions, send an e-mail inquiry to info@ ndawards.net.

1. What do you think the text is?

A．An announcement.

B．An invitation

C．An advertisement.

D．An agreement.

2. On Dec.12,what’s the cost for a professional to hand in an image to three categories?

A．$87.

B．$72.

C．$49.

D．$44.

3. What should one do if he has problems uploading data?

A．Fill in the entry form again.

B．Interact with some of the judges.

C．Send an e-mail to info@ndawards.net.

D．Submit the entry to another category.

5 . Reducing food waste is easy — just ask the students at a school in Wood bridge, America, who have become experts at sorting their lunchtime trash (垃圾). Since the fall of 2019, they have actively participated in a successful food-waste diversion program that not only saves money but also contributes to reducing the amount of trash that heads to landfills.

Actually, this program plays a crucial role in facing up to the challenges of climate change. By reducing food waste,the school minimizes the amount of trash sent to landfills, thereby reducing harmful methane emissions (沼气排放). The school’s program is making a significant impact. Each month, it moves over 1,300 pounds of food waste, resulting in an estimated reduction of 772 pounds in CO, emissions and the production of 180 kilowatt-hours of energy, according to Blue Earth Compost in America.

At school, when students are done eating lunch, they head to an appointed section — a row of desks, garbage cans and containers — where they sort their trash. Leftover liquids, such as juice or milk,are emptied into a big basin on the floor. The juice containers and plastic water bottles are placed into another container to recycle. Additionally, prepackaged, unopened snacks such as bags of carrots as well as produce such as apples and bananas are “rescued” and placed into a big basket with a handwritten “Donations” sign taped to it to send to the town’s senior center.

The benefits extend beyond environmental awareness. The program reduces trash-carrying costs as less weight goes into the trash bins,making it easier for cleaners to manage. The students also find this planet-friendly practice enjoyable and meaningful, considering it a small game that contributes to a bigger cause. This initiative proves that collective efforts, even on a smaller scale, can lead to significant changes, not only in waste reduction but also in educating a generation committed to preserving our planet.

1. What does the food-waste reduction program focus on at the school in Wood bridge?

A．Saving school food.

B．Donating unopened snacks.

C．Fertilizing the school’s garden.

D．Minimizing harmful gases emissions.

2. What is the impact of reducing methane emissions according to the text?

A．It leads to food cost reducing.

B．It helps with energy production.

C．It improves waste management.

D．It addresses climate change effectively.

3. What does the underlined word “rescued” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Saved.

B．Frozen.

C．Abandoned.

D．Repurposed

4. What message does the text convey about the program?

A．It is costly but highly effective.

B．It is easy to perform and cost-saving.

C．It is expensive and difficult to apply.

D．It is only accessible in large companies.

6 . It’s difficult to hope sometimes but there are still a few instances telling us that something better awaits us whether we choose to hold on to it or not. Annie, a 19-year-oldblack Labrador, was given around a month to live when she was placed for adoption in June 2022. Annie’s former owner had given up hope and sent her to a shelter house in Texas because she wouldn’t eat or drink.

Once Siler, 31, discovered Annie’s photo, she knew she had to help. Instead of a month or two, Annie was adopted by Siler and her roommate, Lisa, for an entire year. Siler knew what it took to care for an elderly dog because she had recently lost her own dog, whom she had since college. Siler shared, “I felt mentally and emotionally prepared to take on a dog that wasn’t going to have long.” Siler described Annie as an easygoing dog. Her favorite pastimes included opening mail and sitting outside, watching people and cars pass by, earning her the nickname “nosy neighbour.”

“People kept telling us she was having so much fun and enjoying life and that kept her going, and I hope that was the case. Annie lived almost exactly a year after being adopted by Siler and Lisa. Annie had the life we pray every senior dog we rescue gets to experience. Annie didn’t just live out this past year, she flowered. Annie had an ill stomach. Surgical operation was her only option and that was never something we would put Annie through. Collectively, we made the hardest decision for us but kindest for Annie.” Siler kept in her diary.

“I can’t help but think that Annie would be so proud. She was one special dog whose story will live on through those who adopt seniors. She left a giant, giant hole in my heart…but times, where everyone who loved her can come together in her honor,will help start mending my broken heart.” Siler wrote in her post.

1. Why was Annie placed for adoption in June 2022?

A．Because she was too old for her owner to care for.

B．Because her owner had given up hope for her refusal to eat or drink.

C．Because Annie’s owner was moving and couldn’t take her along.

D．Because she had a medical condition that required extensive care.

2. What motivated Siler to adopt Annie?

A．Siler wanted a guard dog for her house.

B．Siler’s roommate insisted on adopting a dog.

C．Siler was an advocate for senior dog adoption.

D．Siler sought company after losing her previous dog.

3. What did people say about Annie’s life after adoption?

A．She experienced enormous joy.

B．She was miserable and lonely.

C．She was constantly sick and in pain.

D．She didn’t interact with people or other dogs.

4. What did Siler hope for in terms of Annie’s story?

A．Annie’s story would be forgotten easily.

B．Annie’s story would encourage seniors to hunt.

C．Annie’s story would inspire senior dogs adoption.

D．Annie’s story would only be remembered for its sadness.

7 . He does not identify happiness with money. That is the reason.(将两个句子合并为一个包含有定语从句的主从句)

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Which of the following was in the farmer’s bag?

A．Rice.

B．Fruits.

C．Vegetables.

2. What happened to the farmer’s bag?

A．It was broken.

B．It got stolen.

C．It fell from his horse.

3. Who helped the farmer?

A．A rich man.

B．A poor man.

C．His friend.

4. What can we learn from the story?

A．Everyone can become a great man.

B．Everyone should help people in need.

C．Everyone should pay for others’ help.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why does the woman call the man?

A．To ask about her sister.

B．To borrow books.

C．To visit his parents.

2. What was the man doing when the phone rang?

A．Shopping.

B．Surfing the Internet.

C．Working in the garden.

3. What kind of books does Anna want to read?

A．Geography.

B．History.

C．Music.

4. When will the speakers meet?

A．This afternoon.

B．Tomorrow afternoon.

C．Tomorrow morning.

10 . 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。

Known as a ”living fossil“,the Chinese sturgeon(鲟)is a very precious species. It     1     (believe)to have lived alongside the dinosaurs more than 140 million years ago.

Although dinosaurs are long since gone, the Chinese sturgeon still exists to this day.     2    ,the species has been listed as ”Critically Endangered“ on the Red List of Threatened Species. According to CGTN, dams and overfishing affect     3     (it)reproduction.

On May 14,Shanghai legislators(立法委员)passed a new law protecting the Chinese sturgeon,    4    (stress)”regional cooperation“,according to China Daily.

”This is the first local legislation in the country     5    (protect)one endangered fish,“ said Ding Wei, director of the legislative affairs committee.

The protection of the Chinese sturgeon is     6     (urgently). China began the artificial propagation(繁殖)and release of the fish in 1984. However, very few of     7     farmed fish have survived in the wild.

    8     this species can be preserved depends on the natural population. If the natural population is not well protected, the Chinese sturgeon is in     9    (dangerous)of extinction.

Since January 1 of this year, a 10-year fishing ban on key     10    (area)of the Yangtze River basin has been issued, covering 332 nature reserves, which include Shanghai’s Chinese sturgeon nature reserve.