1 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Kelly is a nurse. Her kidney (肾脏) proved to be a perfect match for her cousin, Dana, who is a teacher. Her kidney had worsened to the point where she required a transplant (移植). As Kelly told Dana, “I’m in good health and I almost never get sick or ill. It seems that I can be a donor for you.” Dana was wild with joy.

Later on a Thursday afternoon, after spending the first of two days undergoing tests to confirm her kidney was a match for Dana, Kelly got a call from a Cleveland Clinic caregiver. They were canceling the second day of her tests. A CT scan revealed the presence of a tumor (肿瘤) on Kelly’s right kidney.

Kelly was shocked about the discovery and concerned she might no longer be a donor available for Dana. That meant that Kelly had to have an operation to remove the tumor, unable to donate her kidney. Meanwhile Dana had to wait for some other donors for a matchable kidney, which was really hard to find. Dana was thrown back to desperation.

The cousins were at a loss. But their doctors wouldn’t give up. They tried every possible means to find a solution that could satisfy both sides, treating Kelly’s illness and offering Dana transplanting. But the bad news was that there had been few such reported cases.

Determined to solve this difficult problem, Dr. Wee, director of the Kidney Transplant Program, held meetings with a team of specialists to discuss over details of the case and best steps to move forward. They worked day and night to search for related information and make analysis. Seeing the devotion of the experts, Kelly and Dana felt the flame of hope returning to their hearts.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

After many meetings, the medical team felt confident to treat the two patients at the same time.

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The cousins recovered from their surgeries.

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2 . Jon Fosse was born on September 29, 1959, Haugesund, Norway. He is an author of novels, plays, poems, children’s books, and essays.     1     He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2023 “for his innovative plays and prose (散文) which give voice to the unsayable.”

Fosse grew up on a rural farm near Strandebarm, Norway. He started writing at age 12 or 13, first composing song lyrics (歌词).     2     Then he started to create poems. In 1979 Fosse graduated from high school and moved to Bergen, where he began working for the newspaper Gula Tidend, Throughout the 1980s he studied at the University of Bergen, receiving an M. A. in comparative literature in 1987.

During the 1980s, Fosse published his first novels, namely Red, Black in 1983 and Stringed Guitar in 1985. Both works feature the simple style of prose.     3     By this time, he had become an instructor at the Academy of Writing in Hordaland.

    4     And he initially refused to write plays when asked. He gave in in 1992, however, when he needed money. He started writing the dialogue for Someone Is Going to Come in 1996 and found it to be surprisingly easy. Many plays quickly followed. It was, however, French director Claude Régy’s 1999 staging of Someone Is Going to Come in Paris that led to Fosse’s breakthrough in Europe.

Following that success, Fosse focused primarily on writing plays. At the turn of the 21st century, productions of his plays included A Summer’s Day and I Am the Wind. The former one is about a woman who anticipates the return of her husband from a trip out on his boat.     5    

A．He later joined a band.

B．Fosse became world famous.

C．Fosse never planned to become a dramatist.

D．He also works as an instructor and a translator.

E．He also released his first collection of poems in 1986.

F．He had to earn money by writing novels after marriage.

G．The latter focuses on two men experiencing an existential crisis in a fishing boat.

3 . 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。

Beneath an orange tent along East 32nd Street Saturday morning, warmly dressed locals     1     (deliver) pies, filled with everything from nuts to apples and cheese, to be judged in the first-ever Great Waverly Pie Contest. After thorough evaluations based on taste,     2     (present) , and number of ingredients (原料) , a sweet pie by Matt Maxion and a savory (香草的) pie by Garrick Houston took top     3     (honor) .

“My mother’s family is from the Louisiana-Texas border, so I grew up eating jambalaya (什锦饭) ,” explained Houston. Drawing inspiration from his mother’s jambalaya recipe, Garrick Houston made his pie that contained ingredients like sausage, olive oil, and bell peppers     4     (source) from local farmers’ markets. “I    5     (live) in Maryland for four years when I was young. So I wanted to combine my past,     6     is my filling, with my present home,” Houston said.

    7     (similar), Maxion, who moved to Baltimore from California about a year ago, got inspiration for his prize-winning creation—with ingredients including the Southeast Asian plant pandan—from his Filipino hometown. With     8     help from local farmers and VMart Pilipino Store in Nottingham, he credited his successful pie     9     lots of planning and a willingness to lean into the process.

The organizer Martha Lucius was excited     10     (see) the new neighborhood competition come to life, saying, “It’s been great to see all of the excitement.”

4 . Where to Find the Perfect Christmas Tree Around Baltimore This Year

A handful of the area’s best choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms are only a quick road trip away.

A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE TREE FARM

This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm of 16 acres has been run by a couple since 2005. Open for one weekend only, Dec. 3-4, this year, the new location in Woodstock will offer eight and nine-inch pre-cut Fraser Firs or cut-your-own White Pines & Blue Spruces.

10231 Harvest Fields Drive, Woodstock

DAVIDSON CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Although it’s been active for more than two centuries, this family-owned Upperco Farm didn’t start to plant Christmas tree seedlings until the late 1960s. The fields are open seven days per week from Nov. 18 to Dec. 17. Wander through its 60-plus acres for eight tree varieties, such as the silver-blue Concolor Fir.

1101 Emory Church Rd., Upperco

FROSTEE TREE FARM

The appropriately named Helen and George Winter began planting and selling trees at their Perry Hall farm in 1974. The two have since passed away, but the farm, now operated by Paul Stiffler, has 15 acres of ready-to-cut trees ranging from Scotch Pine to White Pine, Douglas Pine, and Norway Spruce. The farm re-opens on the last weekend of November, after Thanksgiving.

8926 Cowenton Ave., Perry Hall

GAVER FARM

Owner Michael Gaver was just 17 when he established this Mt. Airy farm in 1978. Today, it holds 70 acres of cut-your-own trees, with varieties such as the Colorado Blue Spruce and the whisper-soft White Pine. Christmas tree shopping starts on Nov. 24. What distinguishes this farm from others is that you can step into the family farm’s cafe for apple cider doughnuts, beef sandwiches, and hot cocoa before you leave.

5501 Detrick Rd., Mt. Airy

1. Which farm has the shortest history of Christmas tree cutting?

A．A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE TREE FARM.

B．DAVIDSON CHRISTMAS TREE FARM.

C．FROSTEE TREE FARM.

D．GAVER FARM.

2. Where is the farm run by Paul Stiffler?

A．10231 Harvest Fields Drive, Woodstock.

B．1101 Emory Church Rd., Upperco.

C．8926 Cowenton Ave., Perry Hall.

D．5501 Detrick Rd., Mt. Airy.

3. What is unique about the largest one of the four farms?

A．It offers drinks and foods.	B．It includes White Pine.
C．It is owned by a family.	D．It is active for about 200 years.

5 . Ten million Americans are considering freelancing (从事自由职业), according to Upwork’s Great Resignation survey. Among those planning to quit their jobs, 52% are giving freelancing serious consideration. What’s more, many are choosing freelancing over full-time work; it’s no longer just a fallback or a side job.

One of the key benefits of freelancing is that you get to choose your own workload. Unrealistic expectations at work and the lack of boundaries have seen many a full-time worker burn out. However, freelancers have much more control over their workloads. This is not to say that freelancers don’t burn out. They manage their workload better and prioritize other aspects of their life. They don’t usually get to choose their boss or their teammates at a traditional job. They get to choose who they work with. Unlike full-time workers, freelancers have greater freedom to do the work they enjoy — and say no to the work they don’t. This results in greater job satisfaction.

Of course, there are disadvantages of pursuing freelancing. Employees in many countries receive benefits that are part of their employment contracts. When you’re a freelancer, you work for yourself so you let go of these benefits. Your workload may be inconsistent. Sometimes when it rains, it pours and you may have multiple projects on your plate. At other times, you may not have much work. This fluctuation in cash flow can feel like a huge negative for new freelancers. As a business owner, your business’s success or failure is entirely dependent on you, which can feel overwhelming. You will also have to learn to become your own best advocate, promoting your products to find new projects and clients and expand your business.

Of course, to freelance or not to freelance depends on yourself. Anyway, businesses are increasingly adding skills. Independent professionals are powering the rebuild. Therefore, more businesses are open to remote work, hiring talent irrespective of their distance from a corporate office. This changing attitude has increased the number of opportunities for freelancers to find high-paying and meaningful work.

1. What contributes to a freelancer’s greater job satisfaction?

A．Making self-selection of job types.

B．Being free from taking responsibility.

C．Enjoying welfare provided by government.

D．Developing harmonious interpersonal relationships.

2. What does the underlined word “fluctuation” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Development.

B．Unsteadiness.

C．Inefficiency.

D．Exchange.

3. What will a freelancer have to do to develop his business?

A．Market himself.	B．Consult professionals.
C．Depend on clients.	D．Improve employment contracts.

4. What does the author think of the future of freelancing?

A．Challenging.

B．Unpredictable.

C．Promising.

D．Changeless.

6 . At an antiques store near their home, Michael, 11, and his brother Mauro, 9, encountered a link to a real national hero accidentally.

While searching through military memorabilia (纪念品), the boys had unearthed a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and a Good Conduct Medal bearing the name Charles J. George. The shop’s owner said the medals were worth hundreds of dollars, but he agreed to let the boys have them for free on one condition: that they return the awards to the soldier’s family.

The brothers found a Charles George online in the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor database, but the listing didn’t show a middle name or an initial. After searching military records at the library and online with no luck. Michael and Mauro found a YouTube video of a memorial service for George conducted in his hometown, Cherokee, by a local service officer Warren Dupree. The boys e-mailed Dupree, who responded with details about the heroic act that carned George the medals. During a war, George died after throwing himself on a bomb to save two fellow soldiers.

As for the middle initial J, the brothers learned that Cherokee don’t take middle names — Charles George had adopted his father’s name, Jacob, as a middle name just in case he would need it to join the army. The mystery was solved.

Dupree invited the brothers to Cherokee to present the medals to George’s family a few months later. “It felt so good to give the medals back,” says Michael, who wants to write a children’s book about the hunt for Charles J. George. “It was an honor,” adds his brother.

1. What can be inferred about the shop owner?

A．He cared about his credit.	B．He wanted to donate the medals.
C．He admired national heroes.	D．He tried to test the young visitors.

2. What ultimately contributed to the return of the medals?

A．Military records.	B．A YouTube video.
C．Online database.	D．The fellow soldiers.

3. Which of the following best describes the brothers?

A．Creative and generous.	B．Ambitious and talented.
C．Determined and trustworthy.	D．Intelligent and knowledgeable.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The value of the medals.	B．The influence of a hero.
C．The journey of treasure hunt.	D．The discovery of a hidden past.

7 . Using a headset at home to deliver a low electrical current to the brain can relieve symptoms of depression. The approach, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is effective when used several times a week for half an hour at a time.

Previous trials have shown that the therapy works under medical supervision in a clinic or lab. Now, a randomised trial has demonstrated that a tDCS headset can also reduce depression symptoms when worn at home.

Several forms of electrical brain stimulation may have the potential to treat depression. With tDCS, sponge electrodes are placed on the left and right sides of the forehead, causing a mild current to flow from the left to the right. This makes brain cells on the left side more likely to fire, with some studies suggesting that activity in this region is low in people with depression.

Repeated sessions of stimulation may lead to longer term changes in the brain cells, increasing their activity levels, says team member Cynthia Fu at the University of East London. Affecting activity in this region probably alters activity in multiple areas, she says. “There are probably many brain regions causing depression.”

To see if people can benefit from using such a device at home, the team randomly assigned 174 people with moderate or severe depression to receive either a full session of stimulation from the headset or stimulation from the same device that lasted just a few seconds. People felt their skin aching at the start and end of each session.

While the depression symptoms of both groups improved on a 52-point scale, those who got the real treatment showed the most benefit, by about 9 points compared with 7, a degree of difference that is similar to that seen with antidepressants (抗抑郁药), “We found people liked having it at home,” says Fu. “Participants could build it into their day.”

1. What is the function of the headset?

A．Curing depression in patients.	B．Testing the degree of depression.
C．Adjusting brain’s electrical current.	D．Reducing symptoms of depression.

2. How does the tDCS approach work?

A．By making the left-brain cells active.	B．By causing a strong electrical current.
C．By changing the brain wave’s direction.	D．By stimulating all brain regions repeatedly.

3. What does the underlined word “alters” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Monitors.

B．Disturbs.

C．Limits.

D．Changes.

4. What can be learned about the participants from the last two paragraphs?

A．They feel relieved to some extent.	B．They remain relaxed in the session.
C．They use different kinds of headsets.	D．They are bound to rely on the headsets.

8 . Should I go for a brownie or a slice of cake? Is it best to take up football or swimming?     1     But it can sometimes lead to feeling scared, uncertain and torn. When you’re able to reach decisions, and accept and learn from your choices, this can give you a sense of calm.

    2     Some decisions can have consequences for your health, school and relationships. Ignoring decision making can completely lead to “burying your head in the sand”. As you grow up. making choices becomes a regular part of life.

It is really brain twisting to make tough decisions.    3     You could start by listing the different options then weighing up the pros and cons of each one. Anita Garai, author of the book, Being with Our Feelings, says, “Follow your true feeling and listen to your heart, especially if your thoughts are confused or you feel anxious. Try to catch your first impulse, before your mind questions things.”     4    

Many people worry about making the “right” decision, especially if you feel disappointed by how things turn out. There’s not always a right choice and a wrong choice.    5     If the one you choose leads to disappointment, try reflecting on it and think about whether you would make a different decision in the future.

A．Are timely decisions vital?

B．Why does choosing matter?

C．People make choices every day.

D．Think carefully before making decisions.

E．Different paths lead to different experiences.

F．But breaking down your thinking can be helpful.

G．Always be careful about making a decision just to please others.

9 . Communication is important in all families. Families with healthy communication form strong connections with one another.     1    .

Actually talk.

    2     For instance, in addition to answering “Fine” when your parents ask how school went, try adding an anecdote (轶事) about the day. This will help when you need to talk about the big things.

Ask them about their day.

This one can help you with the first point.     3    . If they’re stay-home parents, ask them about how the day at home went. Such small talk won’t be small to them. It’ll be a big deal, and they’ll appreciate it.

Do the small things.

When we say small things, we mean things like helping clear the dinner table, helping put away groceries, and not leaving personal belongings around the house. Those are little things, all of them.     4    , which can make things between you and your parents better.

Do the big things.

What we mean here is the basic stuff you hear from adults all the time — show up for school, or be respectful to teachers.     5    . That will be okay, because — based on tips 1-2 — you’ll be able to communicate about those things, clear up misunderstandings, and do better next time.

Tell them you love them

If you say that and hug them, well — you win.

A．This tip will make them seem more real to you.

B．We know you’re not perfect and you will make mistakes.

C．But, if you do those things, you’ll build up lots of goodwill.

D．This means taking part in real conversations with your parents.

E．It’s never too late to open those lines of communication back up.

F．The following tips can improve your communication with parents.

G．If they are workers, ask about their jobs.

10 . 你确定那项活动将对她有益处吗？
Are you sure that the activity will be ______ ______ her?