1 . It is challenging to ______ between colds and allergies because allergies often mirror the symptoms of colds. In fact, many cold and allergy symptoms are the same.

A．expose

B．distinguish

C．contrast

D．uncover

2 . 阅读下面短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Legend in the south has it that a devil used to appear to harm children and the elderly. Firecrackers made noises and during the Spring Festival couplets also helped keep him away. But firecrackers couldn't go off all day, so children and the elderly also got hongbao, the red envelopes     1     (contain) money.

The tradition     2     (last) for thousands of years. It has also made its way into workplaces where bosses often give employees hongbao, hoping their companies and staff members have a good start. Nowadays,    3     (give) hongbao to children and the elderly remains popular among Chinese people all over the world.

3 . 阅读下面短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Last night, I was alone on the road, but when I     1     (drive) up to the light, it turned red, and I braked to a stop. Surprisingly, there was not a car, even no suggestion of headlights. But there I sat, waiting for the light to change. I was the only human being for at least a mile in any direction.

I started wondering why I refused to run the light. I was not afraid of     2     (catch) by the police, because there was obviously no policeman anywhere around and there certainly would have been no danger in going through it. Much later that night, the same question of why I had stop for that light came back to me. It isn't only the law, but an agreement we have, and we trust each other to honor it: we don't go through red lights. Like most of us, I'm more ready     3     (stop) from doing something bad by the social agreement that disapproves of it than by any law against it.

4 . 用方框中单词的适当形式完成下列句子，每个单词只能用一次

equality, prepare, lose, admirable, impress, observation, react

1. __________ carefully if any change occurs when doing experiments in the lab.
2. They want all groups to be treated on an __________ basis.
3. Jenny was very sad over the __________ of the photos she shot in Canada.
4. I want to improve my language skills in __________ for further study overseas.
5. There has been a mixed __________ to her appointment as director.
6. The most __________ thing about him is his calm acceptance of whatever comes his way.
7. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families gather to __________ the moon and enjoy delicious moon cakes.

5 . 根据音标拼写单词
1. /ˌeksɪ'bɪʃ(ə)n/ ________
2. /'brəʊʃə(r)/ ________
3. /'feɪljə(r)/ ________
4. /ɪ'ventʃuəli/________
5. /'meʒə(r)/ ________
6. /pə'tenʃ(ə)l/________
7. /æm'bɪʃ(ə)n/________
8. /ə'weənəs/________
9. /'ɒnəsti/________
10. /ˌenə'dʒetɪk/________

6 . Lucia was a bright-eyed girl of 12, born in a tiny village which is far less crowded than big cities. The village, even though filled with love, had no room for the world of arts. Lucia, however, possessed a passion for acting. While children played in fields, Lucia practiced lines from old plays she found in the attic. She visualized herself on grand stages, under bright lights. But for a girl from a distant village, this dream seemed more like a fantasy.

When Lucia heard about a national acting competition in the city, her heart raced with excitement. But she faced two big challenges: convincing her closed-minded parents and preparing for a competition with city-bred competitors.

Her parents, although loving, believed that the city was no place for their daughter. Lucia’s pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears until she decided to perform a touching scene for them. Tears flowed, not just from Lucia’s eyes but from her parents’ too. Witnessing her raw talent, they gave her their blessing.

Training was no easy feat. With no acting schools or instructors, Lucia had to be able to solve all the problems by herself. She practiced day and night, watching old films, and seeking feedback from village elders. Her dedication made a difference; she was molding herself into an acting wonder.

The day of the competition arrived. The city’s hall was filled with well-dressed participants and audiences. Lucia, in her modest clothes, felt like a fish out of water. Yet, when her turn came, the stage was her world. She performed so beautifully that she made the audience completely amazed. She showed the emotions so vividly; it touched souls.

When the results were announced, the underdog from a tiny village had finally won. The city, which seemed so vast, echoed with applause for Lucia.

She returned to her village not just as Lucia but as a symbol of hope and dreams. Her journey, from a quiet village girl to a national acting champion, was not just a proof of her talent but a shining example of passion and determination.

1. Why did Lucia’s parents disapprove of her going to the city at the beginning?

A．Because they thought acting was not a tiring career for her.

B．Because they thought it was costly and they could afford it.

C．Because they thought Lucia’s too young to go there by herself.

D．Because they thought the city was so big that it was beyond their reach.

2. How did Lucia persuade her parents?

A．By playing a part of a play.

B．By asking them repeatedly.

C．By seeking help from the elders.

D．By molding herself into a wonder.

3. How did Lucia feel on the day of the competition before her performance?

A．Upset yet passionate.

B．Relaxed and uncaring.

C．Nervous and uneasy.

D．Determined yet overconfident.

4. What can we learn from this story?

A．Cities are wonders.

B．Talent always finds a way.

C．Always listen to your parents.

D．Determination is the key to success.

7 . The Evolution of Multimedia Technologies

In the late 20th century, a revolution began with the development of various communication tools, producing what we now know as multimedia. This mixture of text, audio, graphics, and video into one medium has transformed the way information is transferred and received, greatly changing several industries.

In the field of education, multimedia platforms have become a must in classrooms. Traditional classrooms, with chalk and blackboard, have transformed into dynamic spaces with interactive whiteboards. Students, no longer passive listeners, are now actively interacting with the content, making a deeper understanding of subjects. Multimedia has allowed for the creation of e-learning platforms, ensuring that no student is left behind, even in remote parts of the world.

The entertainment industry too has seen a big change. Gone are the days when families would gather around a single television set. Due to the popularity of multimedia devices, people have a large amount of content to choose from. Streaming platforms have challenged traditional media systems, providing viewers with a personalized viewing experience.

Moreover, multimedia has proved to be a boon for the business world. Companies employ multimedia presentations to show ideas, products, and visions, ensuring that their message stands out. Virtual tours, 3D product modeling, and interactive customer service have made user experience better, leading to increased brand loyalty (品牌忠诚度).

The field of healthcare has also been significantly impacted. With multimedia, doctors can now visualize complex medical procedures and share them with patients, making sure a better understanding from the patients. Medical students benefit from 3D models, making learning more interactive and precise.

However, multimedia can sometimes result in information overload, causing cognitive tiredness. Additionally, the cost of setting up multimedia systems can be high, leading to a digital divide where only the rich people can afford the latest technology.

Another concern is the invasion of privacy. With smartphones turning into multimedia platforms, every click, swipe, and download can be tracked, leading to questions about data security. The wide use of multimedia, while beneficial, requires a stronger framework for data protection and user rights.

In conclusion, the rise of multimedia technologies is a testament to human creativity. While it offers many opportunities, it’s essential to address the related challenges to ensure a harmonious digital future, respecting the rights and limits of its users.

1. How does the author strengthen his arguments about multimedia’ effects on different sectors?

A．By telling stories.

B．By presenting data.

C．By raising examples.

D．By quoting from experts.

2. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Multimedia has so many drawbacks we need to keep away from it for now.

B．Multimedia has many benefits, however, it’s important to consider the challenges.

C．Multimedia benefits classroom teaching, but it also distracts students from the subjects.

D．Multimedia focuses mainly on combining audio and video and needs further development.

3. What would be a suitable title for this passage?

A．Multimedia: Yes or No?

B．The Wonders of Virtual Reality

C．The History of Communication Tools

D．The Digital Divide: A Growing Concern

8 . 阅读下面短文，在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

The Government’s sugar tax on soft drinks     1     (bring) in half as much money as Ministers first predicted, the first official data on the policy has shown. First     2     (announce) in April, 2016, the tax which applies to soft drinks containing more than 5g of sugar per 100ml,     3     (introduce) to help reduce childhood obesity (肥胖). It is believed that today’s children and teenagers are consuming too much, almost three times the recommended level of sugar, putting them at a     4     (high) risk of the disease than those in the past decade.

9 . How Do Smartphones Affect Our Sleep

       Smart phones can be addictive and may lead to problematic use. This is even more true for teenagers. Smartphone addiction can also negatively affect students’ performance in school. Many studies have also shown the prolonged screen time is bad for our sleep. But is it different if you are actually addicted to your phone? Is that more of a problem for sleep than just spending time on your screen?
       We asked 1043 UK students aged between 18 to 30 to complete two questionnaires. The first one was about the students’ smartphone use, which includes questions like whether they miss planned work due to smartphone use to see whether they are addicted. The second questionnaire assessed the quality of students’ sleep. We then analyzed the data to find if there is an association between smartphone addiction and some factors like age, ethnicity, or gender.
       Around 39% of the students showed several signs of smartphone addiction. It was more prevalent among students under 21. Prolonged use was strongly linked to addiction. About 54% of the students who used their smartphones for more than 5 hours a day suffered from addiction. Only 20% of those who used them for under 2 hours a day were addicted.
       Smartphone use before bed is also an important factor. The addiction levels were high among students who used their phones less than 30 minutes before bedtime and low among those who stopped using their phones more than one hour before time.
       According to our study, smartphone addiction is also related to using it in late hours. For example, if you use your phone after 1 am, you are three times as likely to have an addiction. So the amount of time spent on your phone is not enough to suggest addiction. But combining that with the latest time you use your phone can be a good indicator.
       Our study also shows that smartphone addiction could be harming people’s sleep. And this is not just because of screen time. People could suffer from addiction and poor sleep even when they used their phones for under 2 hours a day. But use in the late hours or right before bedtime tended to harm the students’ sleep.
       If you have a smartphone, it could have a bad impact on your health. Students need to take special actions to prevent it from damaging their health before it’s too late.
1. What does the word “prevalent” probably mean?

A．accepted

B．common

C．controlled

D．understood

2. According to the study, what is a good indicator for smartphone addiction?

A．Age of smartphone users.	B．How long smartphones are used per day.
C．Latest time on phone.	D．Time and duration of using smartphones.

3. What do we know about the result of the study?

A．Using smartphones right before bedtime harms sleep quality.

B．54% of the participants use their phones more than 5 hours a day.

C．39% of the participants aged under 21 are addicted to smartphones.

D．Using smartphones less than 2 hours a day keeps you away from addiction.

4. Based on the study, what action may a student take to prevent the addiction to smartphones?

A．Stop playing games on the phone.

B．Watch relaxing videos before bed.

C．Stop using phones 30 minutes before sleep.

D．Take a break every 2 hours on his phone.

10 . Chasing Dreams

When I was a little girl, I had always dreamt of becoming a famous pianist. The melodies that flowed _________ the keys spoke to me in a language that words could never capture. However, my family couldn’t afford a piano, and my dream _________ distant and unreachable.

But passion, as they say, finds its way. One day, while passing by a charity shop, I found an old keyboard on sale. It was nowhere close to a real piano, but it was a _________. Using my savings, I bought it and hence started a journey that was filled with ups and downs.

Every day after school, I would practice for hours, trying to perfect each note and each melody. My fingers would often _________ from the strain (软组织拉伤), but the joy of creating music was unparalleled. Mrs. Peters, my school music teacher, noticed my passion and offered free lessons _________ weekends. Under her guidance, my skills flourished.

As years passed, I started participating in local competitions. Not all were victories, but each one was a learning _________. The challenges were many, but with every setback, my resolve only grew stronger.

One day, a letter arrived. It was an invitation to an interview for the National Symphony Orchestra (国家交响乐团), a chance to _________ with the best in the country. The preparations were tiring and boring. Every evening was consumed by endless rehearsals and critiques, pushing me to my limits.

The day of the audition finally came. As I walked onto the stage, the weight of my journey _________ on my shoulders. But as I began to play, all fears disappeared. The music, as always, transported me to another world.

A week later, I received the news: I was selected. My dream, once distant and unreachable, had _________ fruits. My journey taught me that it isn’t the destination but the journey itself that shapes us. Every struggle, every hurdle was a steppingstone to my dream.

Now, as I play on grand stages, I often look back. Not in regret, but in gratitude. Gratitude for every challenge, every setback, for they shaped my __________ and made me who I am today.

1.

A．between

B．over

C．through

D．beneath

2.

A．sounded

B．seemed

C．felt

D．echoed

3.

A．mistake

B．start

C．fake

D．end

4.

A．hurt

B．break

C．dance

D．shake

5.

A．on

B．in

C．during

D．under

6.

A．opportunity

B．misery

C．story

D．experience

7.

A．compete

B．argue

C．discuss

D．socialize

8.

A．danced

B．swayed

C．rested

D．disappeared

9.

A．born

B．become

C．given

D．lost

10.

A．fears

B．successes

C．path

D．mistakes