1 . What you need to know about New Orleans

New Orleans has something for everyone; all ages, interests, and lifestyles. It is described as the northernmost Caribbean city and the westernmost European city. You will not find another place quite like it in the world.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the city’s main airport, where you can keep the good times rolling by appreciating some live entertainment while you wait for your flight.

Train: New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (终点站) is a major American railroad center, with three train lines offering service to every big city.

Bus: Three major bus companies in the United States all offer service to the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal.

How to enter New Orleans legally?

If you are a non-U. S. citizen, you may need a visa to visit New Orleans, unless your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), such as Japan, France and 41 other countries. The program allows citizens of certain countries to visit the U. S. for up to 90 days without a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

The best time in New Orleans is in February and lasts until May. During this period there is also the Carnival season and the world-famous Carnival celebrations. The average daily temperatures this time of year typically hit high s of 22℃, with lows dropping to 7℃.

If you’re looking to avoid the crazy prices, choose to visit in winter when hotels are cheaper, and you won’t experience the summer’s heat or worry about autumn’s possible hurricanes.

How much do I tip?

Restaurant service: Standard tipping in New Orleans is 15 to 20 percent of your bill or 25 percent if you are extremely happy with your meal and service.

Housekeeping: It’s common to leave a tip of $2 per day of your stay to the housekeeping staff of your hotel, which you can leave in the room when you go. Some hotels leave envelopes for such tips, but if they don’t, a quick note saying “Thank you” will work.

Are there local customs I should know?

Drinking: The legal drinking age in New Orleans is 21. You can consume alcohol on the streets of The Big Easy as long as it’s not in a glass container. Some places even allow you to bring drinks in from other places. In addition, some bars are open 24 hours.

Greetings: If you’re asked, “Where y’at?” by a local, don’t give your location. They’re actually asking how you are or what’s going on.

1. According to the passage, what are you most likely to do while waiting for a flight in MSY?

A．You will watch a live show.	B．You will buy some food to eat.
C．You will provide tips to airport staff.	D．You will appreciate pop music on your phone.

2. What can we learn from the part of ‘When is the best time to visit’?

A．The world-famous Carnival celebrations maybe are held in July.

B．If you’re looking to avoid hurricanes, choose to visit in autumn.

C．The average daily temperatures all year is 22 Celsius to 7 Celsius.

D．Hotels are less expensive during the winter compared to the summer.

3. If you’re asked, “Where y’at?” by a local, what should you answer?

A．You need to answer what you ate.	B．You need to answer where you live.
C．You need to answer how you are today.	D．You need to answer what you drank today.

2 . Ever since we were together, my wife has known about a magical place called Lincoln City, a modest beach town on the central-Oregon ______. But for me, it holds a Shangri-La-like myth. Lincoln City is where I spent one ______ week each year as a boy, ______ the rough beaches for beautiful pebbles, fishing off the local pier, and ______ matches outside my aunt’s beach house. These are ______ my happiest childhood memories.

So it was with great ______ that, not long after marrying, I took my wife to visit the “Best Place” in the world. For me, it was every bit as ______ as I remember. For her, no so much. She couldn’t ______ the fishy smell as well as the chilly wind. Ever since, she has considered Lincoln City my unexplainable ______ with no basis in reality.

In most cases, our assessments of a place or experience seldom differ. In this case, our wildly ______ perceptions of Lincoln City can be ______ by one of the strangest and most powerful feelings that humans ______: nostalgia (怀旧). Psychologists have-defined nostalgia as a, self-conscious, ______ but dominantly positive- experience, a defense response to unhappiness and a relief from a negative mood. Maybe that is why on a windy ______ day, the kind that would normally make me ______, a fishy smell will bring me the mixed feelings that my wife couldn’t share.

1.

A．plain

B．forest

C．coast

D．desert

2.

A．chained

B．compared

C．crowded

D．contented

3.

A．combing

B．marking

C．piling

D．cleaning

4.

A．putting out

B．throwing away

C．playing with

D．trading for

5.

A．tightly

B．literally

C．slightly

D．noisily

6.

A．greed

B．expectation

C．envy

D．guilt

7.

A．practical

B．charming

C．modern

D．mysterious

8.

A．oppose

B．adopt

C．encounter

D．stand

9.

A．affection

B．crisis

C．touch

D．respect

10.

A．same

B．varied

C．stubborn

D．objective

11.

A．instructed

B．explained

C．prevented

D．judged

12.

A．abandon

B．occupy

C．lack

D．possess

13.

A．bittersweet

B．breath-taking

C．awe-inspiring

D．carefree

14.

A．sunny

B．foggy

C．misty

D．freezing

15.

A．tolerate

B．relax

C．complain

D．enjoy

3 . What suggestion does the woman give to the man?

A．Buying a new washing machine.

B．Getting all the parts from Japan.

C．Avoiding working at night.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What’s the conversation mainly about?

A．Fighting fire.

B．Detecting fire.

C．Preventing fire.

2. What can we know from the conversation?

A．Australia lost 4% of its trees.

B．The system is used in America.

C．The system will use heat cameras.

3. What size of fire can the new system discover?

A．The size of a football field.

B．The size of a plane.

C．The size of a car.

4. What is the woman’s concern besides trees?

A．Protecting humans.

B．Purifying the air.

C．Saving animals.

5 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker doing?

A．Teaching a class.

B．Reporting a study.

C．Chairing a meeting.

2. What is the most important part of taking notes?

A．Reading.

B．Listening.

C．Writing.

3. What is one of the advantages of using symbols?

A．It keeps information secret.

B．It leaves space for future use.

C．It makes key words noticeable.

6 . Family quest brings joy and tears

Li Yong reunites with his family in Liyang, Jiangsu, on Dec 31, 2023.

When Li Yong took the train to the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, more than 1,500 kilometers away from his hometown — Liyang, Jiangsu province, he was just 2 years old. He was among about 3,000 children from the southern China, who were adopted by herdsmen in the late 1950s, when the country was _________ by natural disasters and the government of Inner Mongolia took the initiative to take care of these children.

Over the past six _________, these adoptees learned to adjust to their new environment and families, but they haven’t stopped digging into their past and exploring their _________. Li _________ learned that he was adopted when chatting with villagers. After his foster parents (养父母) passed away, Li _________ the idea of looking for his biological mother. _________, it was not easy for him as he didn’t know his biological family or even his birthplace.

Although _________, the journey for some has been realized _________ the application of the DNA technology. The _________ point came in 2021, when Li’s daughter told him that the Ministry of Public Security was helping people find their parents through DNA comparison with the __________ of a national DNA database. After having a blood sample taken at the local police station, Li waited for two years. Late last year, he got __________ that his mother had been found.

On Dec 31, Li finally reunited with his mother, 97-year-old Shi Bamei, in a village in Liyang. Bursting into tears of __________, Li hugged his mother, who kept __________ for the long separation. At Shi’s home, Li served his mother a spoonful of tangyuan, a sweet dumpling symbolizing reunion, on Dec 31.

“With the support and cooperation between the police and __________ groups, I believe there will be more good news for people with long-lost relatives. There will be new reunions and new __________,” he says.

1.

A．hit

B．covered

C．reserved

D．damaged

2.

A．weeks

B．years

C．decades

D．months

3.

A．roots

B．possibilities

C．relatives

D．stories

4.

A．quickly

B．frequently

C．hardly

D．gradually

5.

A．put up with

B．came up with

C．kept up with

D．caught up with

6.

A．Instead

B．Therefore

C．However

D．Otherwise

7.

A．inspiring

B．appealing

C．alarming

D．challenging

8.

A．with regard to

B．due to

C．according to

D．as to

9.

A．turning

B．ending

C．following

D．coming

10.

A．patience

B．assistance

C．appliance

D．guidance

11.

A．identified

B．informed

C．warned

D．noticed

12.

A．depression

B．fear

C．joy

D．surprise

13.

A．criticizing

B．forgiving

C．apologizing

D．complaining

14.

A．volunteer

B．villager

C．attendant

D．worker

15.

A．struggle

B．campaign

C．hope

D．determination

7 . A 40-year-old man in China found his calling — teaching quantum mechanics (量子力学) on social media — after being unemployed for more than 20 years. Li Wei, from Qinghai province in northwestern China, became ________ for teaching science in an easy-to-understand way on his Douyin account.

Such is his popularity, he has ________ 1.8 million followers. “I don’t like ________ people,” Li said. He ________ a bachelor’s degree in law 20 years ago, but he did not find ________ in that field because of his personality. “I suffered a great failure,” he said. The turning point in his ________ came two years ago when he ________ his friend in the photovoltaic (光伏电池的) business and was ________ to find that lots of people have no knowledge of the technology.

Photovoltaic ________ a special electrical system that produces energy from a ________ and inexhaustible source, usually the sun. With a strong ________ to help people understand, Li came up with the idea of creating clips to teach science using simple everyday words ________ of terms. As he created more teaching videos, he began to realize he was good at it and ________ his subjects to include quantum mechanics and life sciences. Despite experiencing a series of failures, he finally found his ________. It’s never too ________ to do what we enjoy.

1.

A．evident

B．attractive

C．effective

D．popular

2.

A．accumulated

B．told

C．urged

D．admired

3.

A．listening to

B．waiting for

C．dealing with

D．talking about

4.

A．needed

B．gained

C．offered

D．refused

5.

A．employment

B．experts

C．information

D．applications

6.

A．game

B．career

C．relationship

D．growth

7.

A．left

B．saved

C．joined

D．believed

8.

A．anxious

B．horrified

C．surprised

D．eager

9.

A．results in

B．responds to

C．looks for

D．refers to

10.

A．strange

B．reputable

C．secret

D．renewable

11.

A．desire

B．tradition

C．character

D．knowledge

12.

A．full

B．free

C．true

D．aware

13.

A．introduced

B．expanded

C．found

D．chose

14.

A．caring

B．ending

C．setting

D．calling

15.

A．late

B．busy

C．good

D．easy

8 . English businessman Richard Branson made history on July 11, 2021 as he and three other crewmates became the world’s first space tourists. The flight was made by a spacecraft named VSS Unity that was built by Branson’s company, Virgin Galactic. The flight lasted slightly more than an hour, and took Branson and crew to an altitude (海拔) of 53.5miles above the Earth, just a little above the boundary (边界) of space which lies 50 miles above the Earth.

At that height, the atmosphere turns into the black of outer space and the Earth becomes a bent ball of blue. Travelers also exhibit weightlessness as there is no gravity, the force that keeps our bodies walking on the Earth’s surface. Therefore, Branson and his fellows were able to float around in VSS Unity while enjoying the views. They were able to do that for three minutes before the spacecraft began its downward journey. It landed back at Virgin Galactic’s space port in New Mexico, United States, which is the same place from where it had taken off 90 minutes before.

On landing back, Branson said, “I have dreamt of this moment since I was a kid but honestly, nothing could prepare you for the view of the Earth from space. It was just magical. I’m just taking it all in, and it’s unreal.”

July 11’s flight is the start of space tourism for one and all. In early 2022, customers who can afford a ticket for a quarter of a million dollars can line up for a seat on a trip to space. And guess what — they will have a choice of spacecraft. Jeff Bezos, who owns a famous company, is all set to launch himself into space on July 20 on board a spacecraft built by his new branch company Blue Origin. Blue Origin will also carry tourists to space.

1. What is Richard Branson famous for?

A．His success in tourism.

B．His company of Virgin Galactic.

C．His spaceship named VSS Unity.

D．His first commercial space travel in history.

2. What does Branson think of his space travel?

A．Unbelievable.

B．Adventurous.

C．Regrettable.

D．Worthless.

3. What do space tourists have to do?

A．Take a spacecraft of Virgin Galactic.

B．Pay $250,000 for the rocket tour.

C．Pass the fitness test for astronauts.

D．Line up for a position in Blue Origin.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Humans will move to other livable planets.

B．Ordinary people will soon land on the moon.

C．Private rocket space travel is growing gradually.

D．Some companies abandon their proper business.

9 . Kelby Nelson had always looked up to his dad Mr Nelson, a hardworking man who had always put his family first. As his dad’s birthday _______ , Kelby wanted to do something special to show his _______ for all that his father had done for him. After much thought and consideration, Kelby decided to give his dad a gift that would truly make his day more special.

Kelby knew that his dad had a deep _______ for photography but had never pursued it as more than a hobby. _______ by this, Kelby decided to give his dad a once in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase his work in a local art gallery.

Kelby _______ contacted the owner of a popular gallery in town and explained his _______. Impressed by the heartfelt gesture, the owner agreed to host an exhibition featuring Kelby’s dad’s photographs. Kelby then spent weeks meticulously(精心地) _______ the best photos from his dad’s collection, ensuring a diverse and attractive showcase.

On the day of his dad’s birthday, Kelby blindfolded(蒙住) him and led him to the gallery. As they entered, Kelby _______ the blindfold, revealing a gallery filled with amazing prints of his dad’s photographs. His dad stood there, _______ , his eyes moist with emotion.

The gallery opening ________ a surprise party, with friends, family, and fellow photography enthusiasts gathered to ________ Mr Nelson’s talent. The local media caught wind of the event and sent reporters to cover the exhibition, further expanding Kelby’s dad’s ________ .

Overwhelmed(淹没)by the love and ________ surrounding him, Kelby’s dad thanked his son, not just for the ________ gift, but for encouraging him to pursue his passion and giving him the ________ to share his art with the world.

1.

A．approved

B．continued

C．approached

D．updated

2.

A．registration

B．appreciation

C．responsibility

D．preference

3.

A．passion

B．regret

C．guilt

D．worry

4.

A．Confused

B．Inspired

C．Impressed

D．Challenged

5.

A．moderately

B．narrowly

C．secretly

D．desperately

6.

A．hobby

B．ambition

C．result

D．plan

7.

A．stealing

B．selecting

C．telling

D．separating

8.

A．removed

B．covered

C．observed

D．reduced

9.

A．careless

B．selfless

C．speechless

D．helpless

10.

A．gave way to

B．turned into

C．referred to

D．broke into

11.

A．defend

B．define

C．confirm

D．celebrate

12.

A．recognition

B．achievement

C．position

D．transition

13.

A．soul

B．crowd

C．support

D．wonder

14.

A．ordinary

B．incredible

C．familiar

D．virtual

15.

A．talent

B．ability

C．relief

D．confidence

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。

At noon, the Tongxin Cafeteria near the Jing'an Temple downtown has a line that demonstrates its multi-generational     1     （popular）. The menu,     2     over 60 dishes served daily, caters to (迎合) all kinds of tastes.

“     3     （compare）with food ordered for lunch online, this place is much better,” said Chen Luo,     4     accountant from a nearby office building. Chen, who lives alone, formerly depended     5     （heavy）on delivered meals ordered online until her parents raised concerns about the nutritional value. The nearby community canteen is a perfect solution.

Originally, these cafeterias, once known as “senior canteens”,     6     （establish）to provide healthy meals at     7     （afford）prices to older folks who might not be getting enough nutrition at home. From 2019 to 2021, the Shanghai government set a goal of building 200 new community canteens,     8     （bring）the total at the end of last year to 1, 608.

The manager of a local community canteen, said the prices of the dishes were 20 percent     9     （low）than current market rates because of the government assistance.

So popular have some community cafeterias become     10     they appear on WeChat and other lifestyle sharing platforms.