1 . How did the man get there?

A．By plane.

B．By bus.

C．By subway.

2 . Who is the man probably talking to?

A．A shop assistant.

B．His wife.

C．His co-worker.

4 . In the old-fashioned town of Willowbrook, two friends named Emma and Liam shared an intimate bond. They were inseparable and spent every moment together, laughing, exploring, and creating unforgettable memories.

One cold winter morning, as the first snowflakes gently fell from the sky, Emma woke up with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. She tried to brave it and get ready for school, but her body felt weak and achy. Unwillingly, she called Liam to let him know she couldn’t make it to school that day.

Liam was concerned when he heard the tiredness in Emma’s voice. “Don’t worry, Em. I’ll take care of everything at school for you,” he assured her. Feeling grateful for Liam’s understanding, Emma forced a smile and replied, “Thank you, Liam. You’re the best friend anyone could ask for.”

After school, Liam hurried to Emma’s house, carrying a meal he had prepared for her. He knocked on the door, and Emma’s mother welcomed him with a warm smile. “Oh, Liam, you’re such a thoughtful friend,” she said.

“I brought some soup and tea for Emma. I hope it will make her feel better,” Liam replied, some concern in his eyes. Entering Emma’s room, Liam found her curled up under a blanket, looking pale but relieved to see him. “Hey, I brought some comfort food to cheer you up,” he said, setting the food on her bedside table.

Emma’s eyes lit up, and she smiled weakly. “You didn’t have to, but thank you. This means the world to me,” she whispered. Sitting by her side, Liam kept her company, chatting softly and making her laugh despite her illness. The warmth of their friendship enveloped the room, bringing a feeling of comfort to Emma’s tired soul.

As Emma regained her strength, she realized just how lucky she was to have a friend like Liam. His unwavering presence and kindness had made her recovery easier and brighter. Their friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and from that moment on, they knew they would be there for each other through thick and thin.

1. What does the underlined word “intimate” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Satisfactory.

B．Informal.

C．Close.

D．Temporary.

2. Why didn’t Emma go to school that morning?

A．It was too cold to go outside.	B．Liam failed to pick her up.
C．She was in a bad condition.	D．School was closed for the heavy snow.

3. Which of the following can best describe Liam?

A．Considerate and caring.	B．Brave but lazy.
C．Selfless and active.	D．Independent but stubborn.

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．Emma’s illness.	B．A precious friendship.
C．Liam’s company.	D．How to help a friend.

5 . 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。

My mother believed in using things up. Last year, our cornfield had a bad harvest because birds feasted on the crops. It was probably then that Mom’s frugality(节俭)became even more extraordinary. She began keeping everything that seemed useless in the attic(阁楼)—worn-out clothes, old sheets, broken umbrellas, and some other old items. Mom’s favorite saying was “waste not, want not”(俭以防匮). My brother Josh and I weren’t sure what that meant until the “Affair of the Scarecrow(稻草人)”, which, as it later became known, left a lasting impression on us.

The story began with a pretty hat that Mom received as a gift to protect her from the sun. However, Josh and I could see that Mom’s frugal nature and fashion sense were in battle. Mom really didn’t want to get rid of the hat—it was new and had a lot of use left in it—but neither could she stand wearing it. She tried to take off the fancy decorations, but they were stuck on tight. She’d have to find some other solution.

Josh and I watched as Mom headed upstairs to the attic with the hat. “Waste not, want not,” she called back down. We heard boxes being moved around. Moments later, Mom leaned out, holding a flour bag full of straw, and with a mysterious smile, she placed the hat on it.

“What is that for?” I asked, confused. “A scarecrow! ” Mom exclaimed. “But not a good one yet.It needs a strong body to stand firm in the field,” she said with a frown. “And it doesn’t look scary enough,” Josh remarked. I had to admit that Josh, though younger than I was, could sometimes be more imaginative. Josh and I turned to each other, searching for a good idea. Soon enough, Josh’s eyes lit up with inspiration.

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。

Paragraph 1: “Come with me!” Josh called out.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: In the following days, the scarecrow stood proudly.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . When you think of a map, is north on the top or the bottom? Usually, maps are designed with north on top, though when we think about it, there is no logical reason for this bias (偏见). After all, there is no up or down in space. So what is wrong with south, east or west being on the top of the map? The answer is: nothing at all. In fact, north-up maps only became the norm in the last few hundred years.

Ancient Egyptian maps had south at the top because the Nile River flows downhill from mountains in the south to the Mediterranean Sea in the north. Mecca was to the south of most early Muslim civilizations, and south-up maps were designed so that viewers would look up to see Mecca. Medieval Christian maps had east at the top, as they believed the Garden of Eden was in the east. The only early maps that had north at the top were those of early China because the emperor lived in the north.

North seems to have settled at the top of maps during the 16th century, largely thanks to a Flemish mapmaker, Mercator. Mercator was a great admirer of an early Greek mapmaker, who, for reasons now unknown, put north at the top of maps, so Mercator did, too. When Mercator’s world map became the standard map to navigate the oceans, north up became standard as well.

What is the implication of this north-view of the world? Psychologically, people tend to think of up as good and down as bad. Just think of words and phrases like “upmarket”, “upbeat” and “moving up in the world”, and how they contrast with their opposites. Because north is so consistently put at the top of maps, people now think of north as good, too.

Several attempts have been made in recent years by introducing south-up maps to the market. These maps not only give us a chance to see the world differently, but also give everyone the chance to see themselves on top.

1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?

A．North-up maps were rare in ancient times.

B．Deciding up or down in space is ridiculous.

C．Mecca maps were based on a legend.

D．The south-up map first appeared in ancient Egypt.

2. Why is north associated with good?

A．An illogical reason.	B．The spread of Mercator’s maps.
C．People’s preference for up.	D．An age-old tradition in Greece.

3. What is the author’s attitude to south-up maps?

A．Cautious.

B．Supportive.

C．Uncaring.

D．Disapproving.

4. What’s the main purpose of the text?

A．To criticize a phenomenon.	B．To compare various facts.
C．To correct a cultural bias.	D．To argue for a viewpoint.

8 . J. K. Rowling frequently shows there is magic every day. Her Harry Potter series has helped people through times of stress and depression and she is always there to deliver wise words of encouragement.

She is one celebrity who is very active on Twitter. So when a single dad named Matt Burke sent her a message thanking her for the series, she noticed. Her series had helped strengthen his relationship with his 9­year­old daughter Bailey.

He included a link to his article titled Being a Broke Parent. He explained how he hadn’t found a level of financial stability that allowed him to pay bills on time and take his daughter on more activities and events. The family also doesn’t have the Internet or TV, which means there’s no “digital babysitter” and he has to rely on his own creative ways to bond with his daughter. Since he received the series, the main thing that has occupied them these days is reading books together.

Burke admits that he thought he was “too cool” for the books when they first came out and he was in his twenties, but he’s loving reading them now. “We switch off chapter by chapter reading them out loud，“Burke explains.” This not only allows her to get more used to reading aloud in front of someone, but it gets me directly involved in something she loves, and it gives me the chance to be very dramatic when I read my chapters and bring myself into the characters in the book, which has proven to be a ton of fun.”

After hearing Burke’s story, Rowling said how honored she was when Harry Potter was a part of his family’s life and offered Burke more books. Besides, people are also offering to send Burke more books as gifts. For Burke, this experience, far more than gifts, will be what he treasures.

1. Why did Burke thank J. K. Rowling according to the text?

A．She guided him how to write a good story.

B．She encouraged him when he was in trouble.

C．Her books helped him through times of confusion.

D．Her books helped him improve his bond with his daughter.

2. What is implied in Burke’s words in paragraph 4?

A．He has found it interesting to read the series.	B．He was too old to understand the series better.
C．He has chosen a better way of reading the series.	D．He hopes to play a role in the drama in the future.

3. Which word can best describe Burke’s experience according to the text?

A．Useless.

B．Normal.

C．Valuable.

D．Boring.

4. What is the main idea of this text?

A．J. K. Rowling chooses to help improve kids’ health.

B．J. K. Rowling gives a magical gift to a single father.

C．J. K. Rowling has a deep influence on others’ growth.

D．Burke comes to know J. K. Rowling through her series.

9 . My grandfather died in 1970, leaving my grandmother living in their old house alone. Shortly after that, we went to the animal shelter and picked out a little dog to accompany Grandma. The dog was named Penny.

Grandma and Penny quickly became very attached (喜爱的) to each other, and that attachment grew much _________as the years passed—they became very _________. When Grandma went to _________, Penny walked along and lay _________ her until she woke up. As Penny aged, she could no longer jump up on the _________ to lie next to Grandma, so she lay on the blanket beside the bed. Grandma never went anywhere without her partner by her side.

The time came when both my grandmother and Penny were becoming _________.Grandma had been sent to hospital several times, and Penny couldn’t _________ around very well. When Grandma was in hospital, Penny would sit at the window _________ out for the car bringing Grandma home and would _________ wait at the door when Grandma came through. Each homecoming was a great meeting again between the two.

On Christmas Day in 1985, Grandma was again taken to the hospital. Penny, __________, sat at the window watching out for the car bringing Grandma home. Two mornings later, I __________ she couldn’t stand and wouldn’t eat. Later, she had difficulty in breathing. I quickly __________ her to the hospital where Grandma stayed to let her see her __________ for the last time. There, as soon as Penny saw Grandma, Penny’s eyes brightened suddenly and then slowly __________. Grandma left this world several hours later.

After fifteen years of loving friendship, Grandma and Penny passed away on the same day. God had it all worked out — Penny was waiting at the door to __________ her when Grandma came home.

1.

A．stronger

B．higher

C．farther

D．longer

2.

A．similar

B．gentle

C．friendly

D．close

3.

A．work

B．hospital

C．sleep

D．church

4.

A．on

B．beside

C．under

D．below

5.

A．table

B．bed

C．chair

D．blanket

6.

A．lost

B．active

C．weak

D．tired

7.

A．lie

B．walk

C．play

D．jump

8.

A．looking

B．crying

C．climbing

D．getting

9.

A．worriedly

B．hurriedly

C．excitedly

D．disappointedly

10.

A．as usual

B．in time

C．by accident

D．at once

11.

A．believed

B．guessed

C．heard

D．found

12.

A．guided

B．posted

C．sent

D．followed

13.

A．owner

B．mother

C．doctor

D．saver

14.

A．opened

B．brightened

C．closed

D．wetted

15.

A．call

B．help

C．miss

D．greet

10 . Clara Barton packed her things at the office and went to her boss. “It’s been a pleasure working with you, but I’m leaving my job,” she turned and left.

“Why do you get home so early?” asked her sister Sally.

“The Civil War is taking its toll on the Union soldiers. I need to help them.” Sally looked around the room. “I’m going with you.” The two volunteered at a hospital where soldiers received treatment.  

After several months, Clara became worried. “Sally, this isn’t enough. I need to help the soldiers in the field and on the front line. I’m leaving in the morning.”

Sally looked surprised. “Clara! You can’t. It’s too dangerous!”

“The front-line soldiers who need help are in greater danger.”

Clara got donations (捐赠物) from wherever she could and used her own savings to buy things that soldiers need. She also organized men to give help, carry water, and prepare food for the wounded.

Months later, Clara eventually made it to the front line. The wounded soldiers were so thankful for what she had done; she was regarded as the Angel of the Battlefield.

After the Civil War ended, Clara went to Europe to rest her body and mind. So many years of helping soldiers and their family had worn her down.

While visiting Switzerland, Clara learned of the International Red Cross. Its aim of helping the victims (受害者) of war around the world created interest and excitement in Clara. It also encouraged an idea. When she returned home, Clara worked to start an American Red Cross. She even met with President Hayes to discuss it. Finally, on 21 May 1881, the American Red Cross was formed. A month later, Clara was made president of the organization.

1. What does the underlined phrase “taking its toll on” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Calling for.

B．Taking control of.

C．Having a bad effect on.

D．Making an impression on.

2. What is the right order of the events?
①Clara paid a visit to Switzerland.   
②Clara officially started the American Red Cross.   
③Clara learned about the International Red Cross.   
④Clara went to the front line to help wounded soldiers.   
⑤Clara quitted her job to volunteer at a hospital for soldiers.

A．⑤④③①②	B．⑤④①③②
C．④⑤③①②	D．④⑤①③②

3. Which of the following can best describe Clara?

A．Kind and smart.

B．Honest and generous.

C．Strict and narrow -minded.

D．Brave and warm -hearted.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To describe how cruel the Civil War was.

B．To tell how the International Red Cross was formed.

C．To explain the role that women played in the war.

D．To introduce an important woman in American history.