1 . Will Gladstone, an amateur birder, was in his 5th-grade science class when he first heard of the blue-footed booby, a beautiful, eye-catching bird. He learned that the population of this particular bird was in decline. Will decided to raise money to support conservation efforts. As he was brainstorming ideas, he looked down at his feet, and suddenly he had an idea. Feet, he thought, blue feet! He decided to sell bright blue socks and donate the money to environmental organizations trying to help the birds. His younger brother Matty joined him in his effort as his partner. The boys started the Blue Feet Foundation (BFF) in 2016.

In the beginning, it was a challenge for the boys to gather support for their cause. They decided to ask a better-known conservation organization to sponsor them. However, none were willing to do so. “They didn’t agree to it because we were just kids,” says Will.

Although this was discouraging, the two persevered. Finally, they came across an organization they hadn’t heard of before: the Galapagos Conservancy (GC). Its mission was to support conservation in the Galapagos Islands. These islands are home to about half of the world’s blue-footed boobies. They offered to highlight the foundation in the protection’s newsletter. It boosted the BFF’s credibility.

Four years later, their hard work paid off. They amassed over 18,000 Instagram followers and 10,000 Facebook followers. They sold 18,000 pairs of socks, sending them all across the globe. Orders have come from 50 different countries. If you visit the picture gallery on their website, you’ll also see blue socks being modeled by a few famous people, including members of the Blue Man Group and a Boston Bruins hockey player.

Although the population of these birds in the Galapagos has declined significantly over the past 20 years, we have seen some hopeful signs. These include an increase in young birds. However, there is still work to be done. Although the decline in population is slowing, it’s not reversing. Elderly birds are dying faster than chicks are being born.

1. Which of the following can best define the boys?

A．Ambitious daydreamers.	B．Active bird researchers.
C．Good problem solvers.	D．Passionate science fans.

2. What contributed to Conservancy’s decision to help the boys?

A．Their consistent goals.

B．Their accidental meet.

C．Their equal credibility.

D．Their financial strength.

3. What’s the purpose of listing the numbers in Paragraph 4?

A．To promote the fame of the Foundation.

B．To show the popularity of the boys’ socks.

C．To highlight the impact of the Foundation.

D．To demonstrate the diversity of the customer base.

4. What can be learned about the bird population from the last paragraph?

A．It remains stable.	B．It remains declining.
C．It is increasing shockingly.	D．It is undergoing ups and downs.

2 . Regrets are known for leaving people in the past, trapped in an unhappy state. Over time, maybe you blame yourself for ending an old romantic relationship, making a bad career choice or being too afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

“The regrets that really haunt people are unresolved regrets, things they could never fix,” Bruine de Bruin, an expert in psychology says. “If you feel like you should have gone to university, you can fix that when you’re relatively young. That can be harder to do when you’re older.” Fortunately, many older adults are better equipped to handle their emotions. “They have the wisdom that comes with life experience,” says Pär Bjälkebring, senior psychology lecturer at Gothenburg University in Sweden. “When they encounter a situation a younger person would regret, they can handle it.” For his research, Bjälkebring asked younger and older adults to record their regrets for a week. “The older participants look at regrets in a different way, and try to accept what is happening,” Bjälkebring says. “Over a week, older adults have less regret and use strategies to handle them. They’re more functional.”

Research shows that the most common reason for regret is missed opportunity. People fantasise about benefits they believe they’ve missed while ignoring the disadvantages that would have naturally arisen. Never got that promotion? You likely think about the missed income without considering the extra stress that the position would have brought. Instead of imagining an alternate reality, focus on the good in your life. “Avoid making comparisons.” Bruine de Bruin says. “Making comparisons undermines the happiness you have. Try to rejoice instead of regret.” “People tend to forget inaction — you may have fewer regrets if you act more and avoid things less.”

Regrets have a tendency to make you feel terrible, but those negative feelings aren’t always harmful. Research shows that initially, regrets help you learn from mistakes. Those who express regret over a decision they’ve made tend to make a better decision next time. Changing your thought process can free you from feelings of guilt, shame and sorrow.

1. What does the underlined word “haunt” in Paragragh 2 mean?

A．Control.	B．Offend.
C．Ruin.	D．Disturb.

2. What enables the older to better tackle regrets?

A．Their inner capacity.	B．Their education experience.
C．Their expectation of life.	D．Their integrated emotions.

3. Which misconception may lead to the occurrence of a regret?

A．Losers are always in the wrong.

B．You can’t have your cake and eat it.

C．What is lost is always better than what is gained.

D．Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards the sense of regret?

A．Unclear.	B．Favorable.
C．Disapproval.	D．Objective.

3 . 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。
注意：
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右;
2. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好;

“Brrrrr—boppppp!” Ricky sat at the kitchen table, imitating the drumbeat of his favorite song as he finished his math homework. His pencil moved in time to the percussive (打击乐的) rhythms booming from his earbuds.

Grandma Johnson came into the kitchen just as Ricky was putting his math notebook back into his backpack.

“I don’t know how you get anything done listening to that hippity-hoppity noise,”she exclaimed.

Ricky took out his earbuds and fought hard not to roll his eyes. He knew Grandma Johnson was half-teasing. But the hip-hop rhythms relaxed his mind and quietened his thoughts, allowing his brain to focus on the page.

“Guess what, Grandma?” said Ricky. “I’ve finished my homework.”

Without his earbuds, Ricky could hear the music playing in the background — a song by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Pushing aside his annoyance, he took his grandmother’s hand and gave her a little twirl (旋转). Ricky has always felt close to his grandma. And now that his high school was near his grandmother’s Brooklyn home, he went there every day to eat dinner and do his homework before heading home to Harlem. Ricky knew his presence helped ease his grandmother’s loneliness, and he loved spending time with her. But… he just wished she would stop dismissing his favorite music as noise.

That evening, Grandma surprised Ricky with tickets to a Stevie Wonder concert at Madison Square Garden. Ricky was secretly disappointed, as he believed the concert would be boring compared to the hip-hop concerts he had attended. However, he smiled and thanked his grandmother for the gift. At dinner, Grandma Johnson took out her old photo albums and told Ricky stories about her past experiences at music festival s and concerts, including a Stevie Wonder concert in 1972. “This is not just music,” Grandma told him. “This is Black History, Black Culture. Blind as he is, he is a great musician.” But a Stevie Wonder concert today —an old guy on stage, playing a keyboard and singing? No dancers? No special effects? How boring!

Paragraph 1

The day of the concert arrived.

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Paragraph 2

It turned out that the live performance differed from Ricky’s imagination.

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4 . 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。

In 2002, during renovation of the Forbidden City, a special mounting paper was discovered at the back of a landscape painting.     1    (base) on the remaining paper samples, the restorers found the paper was made of mulberry (桑树) bar k which is extremely tough and full of strength.

    2     (originate) in the Han Dynasty, mulberry paper was more than 300 years earlier than Cai Lun’s improved paper making technology,     3     was also a messenger on the ancient Silk Road. It has become an important     4     (carry) of exchanges between the ancient Central Plains and surrounding areas, China and Asian and European countries.

    5     the emergence of modern paper industry products, mulberry paper has gradually withdrawn from people’s daily life due to     6     (it) pure hand-made and low output. However, the renovation of the Forbidden City made artists become aware that the role of mulberry paper in traditional painting and calligraphy creation     7    restoration could not be replaced by modern machine products. In 2006, the production technology of Uygur mulberry paper     8     (list) in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and the scientific value, humanistic value and     9     (history) research value of mulberry paper were valued. Nowadays, more young people are coming back to their hometowns     10     (learn) the art of making mulberry paper and to pass on this craft.

5 . As a judge, Lee Shapiro realized love is the greatest power there is. He became a(n) ________ after retirement.

Lee created his Hugger Kit. On the outside it ________ “A heart for a hug.” The inside contains little red hearts. Lee will take out his Kit, go around to people and offer a heart ________ a hug.

Once Lee went to the home for the ________. At first, Lee felt ________. He had never before hugged people who were severely retarded (弱智的) or paralyzed. It was definitely a(n) ________, far beyond his handle. But it became easier with the medical staff following him.

In the last ward were the worst ________ Lee had ever seen. The feeling was so ________ that it took his heart away. But out of his commitment to ________ his love, Lee ________ his way around the room.

Finally, Lee came to the last person, Leonard. Leonard was wearing a bib (围兜) which he was drooling (淌口水) on. Though believing there was no way to ________ him, Lee took one heart and placed it on Leonard’s bib. He took a deep breath, ________ down and gave Leonard a hug.

Suddenly Leonard began to scream, “Eeeeehh! Eeeeeehh!” Other patients followed him. Lee turned to the staff, only to find them all ________. Lee asked, “What’s going on?” He will never ________ what the head nurse said, “This is the first time we’ve ever seen Leonard smile.”

How simple it is to make a ________ in the lives of others.

1.

A．educator

B．hugger

C．doctor

D．follower

2.

A．writes

B．reflects

C．reads

D．reminds

3.

A．in exchange for

B．in reward for

C．in place of

D．in memory of

4.

A．disabled

B．homeless

C．elderly

D．poor

5.

A．bored

B．nervous

C．unbearable

D．uncomfortable

6.

A．lesson

B．opportunity

C．stretch

D．experiment

7.

A．instruments

B．cases

C．surroundings

D．treatments

8.

A．odd

B．stressful

C．depressing

D．complex

9.

A．feel

B．seek

C．discover

D．share

10.

A．worked

B．paved

C．cleared

D．pushed

11.

A．rely on

B．cope with

C．get through to

D．take care of

12.

A．leaned

B．looked

C．counted

D．settled

13.

A．puzzled

B．disappointed

C．wandering

D．crying

14.

A．understand

B．forget

C．miss

D．acknowledge

15.

A．promise

B．difference

C．comment

D．record

6 . Self-care has become something of a buzzword that is used a lot. However, self-care as a daily practice goes beyond spa days and yoga classes.     1    

Regular exercise

Yes, it’s important to listen to your body and take rest days. However, don’t let every day become a rest day! It’s important to push yourself to exercise on a regular basis, as this brings with it both physical and mental benefits. If you’re feeling too tired and just don’t want to do it, remember that doing exercise can give you an energy boost.     2    

Financial planning

Money matters can be a significant source of stress and anxiety, but practising financial self-care through planning can help to remove this burden. Creating a budget and sticking to it can empower you to take control of your financial wellbeing.     3     It provides stability and reducing stress in the long run.

Routine maintenance

From doing the dishes to tackling laundry piles, routine maintenance tasks are the unsung heroes of self-care. While these chores may seem ordinary, completing them can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional state. Engaging in routine maintenance tasks is a form of self-respect.     4     Embracing these tasks as acts of self-care transforms them from burden so me chores into opportunities for nurturing our wellbeing.

Establishing a sleeping routine

    5     However, adequate sleep is non-negotiable when it comes to self-care. Quality sleep boosts cognitive function, regulates mood, and strengthens the immune system. Prioritizing sleep is an act of self-respect that pays dividends (红利) in every aspect of our lives, from productivity to emotional resilience(恢复).

A．So do the exercise, and let the energy come after!

B．Financial self-care is an investment in your future self.

C．The best exercise is the exercise that you actually do!

D．If you notice a chore that needs doing, do it straight away.

E．The following habits will make you feel better in the long-run!

F．In a world that highlights productivity and culture, sleep is often sacrificed.

G．It involves caring for our living space and, by extension, ourselves.

7 . Do you have a brain for math? New research indicates that levels of two key neurotransmitters (脑神经传递素) — glutamate (谷氨酸) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)can predict mathematical abilities, suggesting brain chemistry may be playing a role in those who find math easy.

The new study, published in the journal PLOS Biology, recruited 255 subjects extending a range of six-year olds in primary school to university students. The research focused on glutamate and GABA, known to play a role in brain plasticity (可塑性) and learning. Based on prior research, the focus was on two brain regions linked with mathematical abilities — the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS 顶叶内沟) and the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG 脑额中回).

The results were interestingly different. In the youngest subjects high GABA levels and low glutamate levels in the left IPS were consistently associated with high math skills. But in the older university group the exact opposite was seen: low GABA and high glutamate were linked with strong mathematical abilities. Levels of both neurotransmitters in the MFG did not associate with math skills.

The group was tested twice over 18 months, allowing the researchers to see if these neurotransmitter levels could predict mathematical ability into the future. And it worked, with neurotransmitter levels effectively predicting one’s success on math tests completed a year and a half later.

Another recent study from the same research team looked specifically at GABA levels in MFG of 14 to 18 year olds. That research indicated MFG GABA levels could effectively predict whether a student was still studying maths or had ceased that subject years prior.

Cohen Kadosh, one of the researchers working on the study, says this may indicate math education can help stimulate the development of key brain regions. Further research will work on whether certain learning interventions can help those children less interested in math so these brain regions still get the developmental workout they need.

“Not every adolescent enjoys maths so we need to investigate possible alternatives, such as training in logic and reasoning that engage the same brain area as maths,” says Cohen Kadosh.

1. What is the new study aimed at?

A．Exploring mental development of the subjects.

B．Finding the tie between brain chemistry and math.

C．Testing the link between brain regions.

D．Revealing the structure of brain.

2. What can be learned from the findings?

A．The levels of GABA decide one’s math skills.

B．Low MFG glutamate means poor math ability.

C．Neurotransmitters in the MFG affect math skills.

D．Math education may help with brain development.

3. What can better math education according to Cohen Kadosh?

A．Studying more possible options.

B．Tracing slow learners’ early learning.

C．Training math learners respectively.

D．Developing key relevant brain areas.

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

A．Factors Affecting Math Skills

B．Ways to Promote Math Education

C．Brain Activities Involved in Math Study

D．Math Ability Predicted by Neurotransmitters

8 . In order to facilitate public transportation for expats (侨民) in Shanghai, the Suishenxing app has recently introduced an English version.

According to Suishenxing team, starting immediately, expats can obtain the Suishen Code through the Suishenxing app. This code enables one-touch access to buses, subways, and ferries within Shanghai, offering discounts on public transportation and a 10%discount on subway transfers if the monthly subway expense exceeds 70 yuan.

How can expats use the Suishenxing app for smooth travel?

Download the App

Search for relevant keywords such as Suishenxing (for the Chinese app market)or SH MaaS (for overseas app markets on App Store and Google Play). Download the Suishenxing app, which supports language switching between Chinese and English.

User Registration

New users can register using domestic/overseas phone numbers or third-party authorization. For registered users, the system defaults (默认) to the last language version used during login.

Open an Account

After successful registration, follow the system prompts (提示) on the homepage and click Activate. Fill in real-name information and choose Alipay or WeChat as the payment channel. The system adopts a pay-after-ride model, reducing the fare automatically from the default payment channel.

Access the Suishen Code

After successful identification, return to the app’s homepage, and the Suishen Code (Shanghai City Travel Code) will be displayed automatically.

When traveling, users can present the Suishen Code to gates on buses, subways, ferries, etc., for convenient passage. Users can check their ride order details through My-My Orders - Travel Method on the app.

1. What is an advantage of Suishenxing app for expats in Shanghai?

A．Efficient subway transfers.	B．Free public transportation.
C．More convenient travel.	D．More choices in transportation.

2. What does the Suishen code help with while traveling?

A．App’s downloading.	B．Registration with phone.
C．Choice of the payment channel.	D．Easier access to transportation.

3. In which column of the newspaper can the text be found?

A．Life.	B．World.
C．Document.	D．Business.

9 . 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。

I didn’t like Del so much. He always called me the nickname “Germy”, which meant “dirty”, instead of my real name “Jamie”. Besides, he was known as a trouble-maker in school. So when the head teacher Mr. Smith asked Del to come to his office, I naturally thought that Del had done something mean to someone. Through the window, I caught sight of a smaller boy crying. Del seemed unhappy, too.

He did not return to class that day. All of us were discussing what had happened to him. What else could such an annoying boy do? “He must have hit the boy and was sent home,” I whispered to my friends. Their eyes widened. It felt good to see them so interested in what I said.

The next morning, the whole school was talking about Del being expelled(开除) for beating up a kid. I was surprised that my assumptions were passed on so quickly. So when Del walked into the classroom, all the kids were shocked. The kids next to him shift ed their desks away. “What’s your problem?” Del asked. “I don’t want you to attack me,” one kid said. Some laughed. “Yeah, I might,” said Del. I could tell he was joking, but many kids thought he admitted he did beat up someone.

During recess(课间休息), Del tried to join the kickball game. “Neither team wants you,” one of the players said. “Why?” Del asked, looking confused. “I always play with you guys.” They ignored him and went on playing. Del sat by himself while the rest of the school enjoyed their recess away from him. Del looked lonely and sad, much different from before. I started to feel sorry for him.

Later that day, I learned what really happened. The kid was Del’s little brother and he was crying because their mother fell ill and was sent to hospital. I felt even sorrier for what I said before. I started a rumor(谣言).

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。

At recess the next day, I saw Del sitting alone watching the kickball game.

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Now that Del had forgiven me, I decided to do more before the recess was over.
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10 . Humans are driving climate change. That means we can change our path.     1    , individual actions matter, too. Here are some individual actions that can make a positive impact.

    2    . First, be mindful of your meat. Cows create a lot of methane (甲烷), a significant driver of global climate change. One study found replacing beef with almost anything else for one meal a day can cut a person’s dietary carbon footprint by 48%. Then, address your food waste. Cut down on what you throw away and watch out for single-use items like coffee beans whose production produces greenhouse gases.

Extend product lifespan (寿命).     3    . Shoes, clothes, furniture and even some electronics can be repaired to extend their life and keep waste out of landfills.

Switch to electric cooking. Not only is gas-powered cooking releasing harmful chemicals into the environment, but it could be contributing to health problems for you if you’re cooking indoors.     4    .

Plant trees where you can. Trees can help control temperatures and improve air quality.     5    . Local wildlife organizations often have lists of plants with neutral (中性的) or positive impacts on local flora and fauna (动植物群).

A．Eat more sustainably

B．Fix what you have instead of replacing it

C．The time it gives you back this fall is an added bonus

D．As climate change causes temperatures in many areas to rise

E．Just make sure the plants you’re adding are approved for your area

F．Plus, research has shown some gas stoves can leak pollutants even when they’re off

G．While governments and businesses have a key role to play in addressing climate change