1 . In May 2019, a friend who had previously been involved in the Restless Development Sierra Leone Business Brains project encouraged me to apply for the “Saving Lives II” project. Seeing this as an opportunity to move closer to my ambition of working in the medical field in the near future, I eagerly seized the chance. Fortunately, my performance during the interview led to me being awarded the role.

Following the basic training, I was sent to volunteer in Kurubonla, a remote community located in the northern region of Sierra Leone. This assignment presented challenges such as limited road access and communication networks. At first, I felt concerned about being sent there, but with a determined mindset, I set out on the journey, driven by a passion to contribute to my country’s development and to push my personal boundaries.

As I got to know the community, I quickly realized that the challenges extended beyond language barriers and cultural differences; there was also a sense of isolation from my peers. However, I refused to allow these challenges to stop me. I threw myself in my duties, working together with local leaders and community members to identify the most pressing needs. Together, we carried out the projects aimed at improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure (基础设施). Additionally, I organized workshops and training courses to share my knowledge and skills with the locals.

Over time, I witnessed the positive impact of our collective efforts. Healthcare facilities improved, the number of students in schools increased, and the overall quality of life in the community showed signs of improvement. These achievements were not solely mine; they were a testament to the cooperative spirit and commitment of the entire community.

1. What do we learn about the author from the first two paragraphs?

A．He was unwilling to volunteer in Sierra Leonne.

B．He felt excited about the assignment in Kurubonla.

C．He applied for the “Saving Lives Ⅱ” project for his future promise.

D．He was immediately sent to Kurubonla after he was awarded the role.

2. What can we infer from paragraph 3?

A．He assisted in the projects led by the locals.

B．He met with only language and cultural barriers.

C．He overcame challenges to serve the community.

D．He attended the training courses organized by the local leaders.

3. Which of the following best describes the author’s personality?

A．Devoted but stubborn.	B．Determined and passionate.
C．Confident and cautious.	D．Motivated but moody.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The author’s growth through volunteering.

B．Language and culture in voluntary work.

C．Collective efforts in community development.

D．Volunteers’ challenges in remote communities.

2 . As a child, Cruz Avila walked through the forest every day in central Mexico’s Amanalco-Vall de Bravo Basin. She would pick wood and medicinal plants. She also learned to find birds and identify the different trees near her home. Avila learned that listening to a waterfall is a good medicine for the soul and the body.

Several months ago, she and other residents decided to make these walks an attraction for tourists. Their goal is to create a source of income, preserve the forest and support responsible medicine for the soul tourism. In 2021, Avila and other community members attended training as nature guides.

In recent years, residents of the forest communities have suffered from tourism that’s not environmentally sustainable (可持续的). In early April 2022, the communities officially presented their alliance (联盟). One of the people presenting it was Avila, and her voice echoed (附和) the feelings shared by many who are part of this project. “To us, forests are our home,” she said. “We want to take care of them as we take care of our home. We invite hikers and tourists to come to see our house, to get to know and enjoy this place with respect and care.”

Avila said her community has developed a sustainable tourism plan based on hiking and workshops. They also plan to have a viewing platform ready by 2023.

Avila said she plans to start promoting her hiking project, “I’m going to take visitors to a place called El Caballero, and halfway through, with the other neighbors, we’ll offer them a workshop on making pulque and bread,” she said. Pulque is a drink made from a plant that grows in the region.

She believes the tourism project will receive support from visitors. She thinks it will be especially popular with those who are eager to help protect the forests and want to learn about forest communities.

1. Why does the author describe Avila’s childhood in paragraph 1?

A．To explain the source of medicine.

B．To prove the importance of the forest.

C．To introduce the lifestyle of local teens.

D．To memorize the good days of children.

2. What did Avila call for in her words in Paragraph 3?

A．Sustainable rural tourism.

B．Respect for the local culture.

C．The restoration of destroyed forests.

D．The end of some tourism companies.

3. What is Avila planning to offer visitors?

A．An experience of identifying trees

B．A chance to swim in a lake

C．A permission to pick medicinal plants.

D．A workshop to make pulque and bread.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Memorizing the Good Days in the Forests

B．Showing Respect for the Traveling Routes

C．Promoting Sustainable tourism to Protect the Forests

D．Developing the Local Traveling Business

3 . Human faces cut into stone up to 2,000 years ago have again been found on a rocky area along the Amazon River in northern Brazil. The stone carvings (雕刻品) appeared as a result of a big drop in water levels because of dry weather in parts of northern Brazil. The water level had dropped to the lowest level in the history of the river.

“People had reported some of the stone carvings before during periods when water levels were low. But now a greater number have been identified. That will help researchers establish the history of the carvings, and more secrets of historical relics will come to light,” researcher Jaime de Santana Oliveira said recently.

One area shows smooth marks in the rock thought to be where natives once sharpened their tools such   as arrows and spears before European settlers arrived.

“The carvings are prehistoric, or precolonial (殖民地时期前的). We can’t be sure of their precise date but based on the evidence of human living places of the area, we believe they are about 1, 000 to 2, 000 years old.” Oliveira said.

The rocky area is on the north shore of the Amazon River near the place where the Rio Negro River joins it.

Oliveira said the carvings were first seen in 2010, but this year’s drought has been more serious than earlier dry periods. The Rio Negro’s levels have dropped 15 meters since July, uncovering large areas of rocks and sand where there had been no beaches.

“This time we found not just more carvings, but the statue of a human face cut into the rock,” said Oliveira, who works for the Brazilian government’s National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute. The organization watches the care of historic places in Brazil.

1. What plays a key role in finding the stone carvings?

A．People’s report.	B．Natural disaster.
C．High technology.	D．Researchers’ effort.

2. What can researchers do with more identified stone carvings?

A．Explore the history of historical sites.	B．Move the valuable carvings to safety.
C．Discover more underwater stone carvings.	D．Make the carvings popular among visitors.

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

A．Fixed.

B．Exact.

C．Best.

D．Future.

4. What does Oliveira stress in the last paragraph?

A．The human face stone carvings.	B．The number of stone carvings.
C．The real value of stone carvings.	D．The place where stone carvings were found.

4 . Tips for Closing the Gaps in Relationships

Be curious, not angry

Ask in a spirit of real curiosity and openness. After you ask the question, be concerned only with understanding the other person’s story. Be ready to listen to the other person’s views and experiences.     1    . Try to avoid immediate reaction. If someone says something that makes you react in the moment, breathe and put that aside to listen, and hear what they have to say.

Put body language together with intentions

    2    . We also express our opinions with manner of speaking and body language. Do our voice and manner show doubt, anxiety, or anger—or concern, respect, and the willingness to have an honest conversation? We can’t pretend that fears don’t exist, but we can pass on our main purpose to express concern in order to improve our connection.

Listen for understanding

Our good intentions for asking questions are not enough.     3    . Explore real listening without fixed ideas. Try to listen not only for content but for feelings, for disagreement, as well as for chances and ways to settle problems together.

    4    

Of course, how the other person reacts will determine the conversation that follows, which may require a good deal of openness, presence, and skill. Our reaction to whatever the person says will require continued openness, trust, kindness, clarity, and honesty. As you speak, clarify the gap between your experience of the relationship and your opinion or expectations of a healthy relationship. Noticing the gaps is helpful since it defines the problem.     5    .

A．Mind the gaps

B．Ask when we care

C．And be willing to be interested

D．This is a step towards settling the problem

E．How we ask this question makes a big difference

F．We express our purposes not only with our words

G．At the moment, our most important job is to listen carefully

5 . This is a story about a heart-warming rescue. A lucky cat was ______ by a team of brave firefighters in Cornwall, thanks to a clever and friendly dog.

Mowgli, a lovely cat, had been ______ for six long days, leaving his owner, Michele Rose, filled with ______ and nearly admitting the fact that she would never see her pet again. However, ______ appeared again when she noticed her dog, Daisy, “going ______ ” , running crazily in and out of the nearby woods around her home in Harrow.

Daisy guided her master along a footpath ______ the old mine. She came to a sudden stop next to a ______ well at a depth of 100 feet.

“Daisy is a hero; she’s an amazing dog,” Rose said. “Without Daisy’s behaviors, Mowgli might still be ______ down there. She was exactly leading me to that ______ ; it was truly amazing.”

Following the exciting ______ , the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(RSPCA)and Cornwall Fire and Rescue ______ a call for help. The team found Mowgli about 100 feet down and he was pulled to safety. The cat was ______ not injured.

Rose said Daisy shares a ______ tie with both of her cats, Mowgli and Baloo. “Daisy was already a year old when the little cats ______ , and they have been together ever since,” she said. “She is like their ______ , looking out for them, and they also love her.”

1.

A．raised

B．fed

C．saved

D．bought

2.

A．playing

B．missing

C．travelling

D．hunting

3.

A．determination

B．worry

C．anger

D．confusion

4.

A．hope

B．doubt

C．problems

D．signs

5.

A．hungry

B．wrong

C．quiet

D．mad

6.

A．leading to

B．cutting off

C．making up

D．breaking through

7.

A．new

B．smooth

C．deep

D．wet

8.

A．attacked

B．beaten

C．found

D．trapped

9.

A．moment

B．place

C．goal

D．level

10.

A．discovery

B．change

C．process

D．rescue

11.

A．expected

B．made

C．paid

D．received

12.

A．surprisingly

B．obviously

C．absolutely

D．actually

13.

A．limited

B．strong

C．common

D．strange

14.

A．grew

B．gathered

C．arrived

D．disappeared

15.

A．master

B．partner

C．observer

D．mother

6 . With the arrival of winter, the world is covered in a sheet of shining snow, and it brings an invitation to take part in exciting snow sports. Beyond the great wonderland and the great joy of sliding down hills, attending winter sports offers many physical, mental, and social benefits.

Taking part in winter snow sports is an excellent way to stay physically active during the colder months. Whether you’re skiing down a mountainside, or skiing along peaceful paths, these activities provide a full-body workout. Downhill skiing, for example, is known as a way to burn a lot of calories, making it an effective cardiovascular (心血管的) exercise. The combination of cardiovascular fitness and strength training can help keep a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular health, and keep overall physical health.

The connection between outdoor activities and mental health is well-established, and winter sports are no exception. The fresh mountain air, the amazing snowy hills, and the excitement of rushing down the hill all help to improve the feelings. Snow sports also get you in natural sunlight, which helps increase vitamin D levels.

Winter sports offer more than just personal physical and mental benefits—they create chances for social interaction (交流) and community building. Whether you’re hitting the hills with friends, joining a ski club, or taking a family snowboarding trip, these activities form a sense of friendship. Shared experiences on the mountain create lasting memories and strengthen social ties, developing a sense of belonging and connection.

The benefits of winter snow sports spread far beyond the excitement of downhill drops. Winter activities not only keep you physically fit but also benefit your mental well-being and provide chances for social communication.

Winter wonderland is waiting for you, promising a season full of joy, health, and unforgettable experiences. So, when the snow arrives, consider putting on your skis and enjoying the benefits winter sports bring to your body and mind.

1. What is the benefit of downhill skiing?

A．Keeping fit.	B．Reducing stress.
C．Improving athletic ability.	D．Building friendships.

2. What can we learn from paragraph 5?

A．Attending winter sports has lots of fun.	B．Social interaction is very important.
C．Winter sports are good for relationships.	D．Outdoor activities improve mental health.

3. What is the author’s purpose in the last paragraph?

A．To give advice on winter sports.	B．To teach methods of doing winter sports.
C．To encourage people to join in winter sports.	D．To introduce different kinds of winter sports.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．The Beauty of Winter Snow Field	B．Pleasure Created by High Speed
C．Winter Snow Sports and Mental Health	D．The Benefits of Winter Snow Sports

7 . 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。

The Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Carden in Haikou, South China’s Hainan Province,     1     (prepare) toys, bamboo shoots, and fruits for the pandas     2     (celebrate) the fifth anniversary

(周年) of the arrival of the giant pandas Conggong and Shunshun on Saturday. It also held a variety of activities and games,     3     attracted a lot of visitors.

At     4     celebration event, citizens and tourists offered their     5     (wish) for the pandas’ arrival on the island with     6     (write) greeting cards, and the pandas’ fans from across the world including China, Belgium, Japan, and New Zealand also sent their honest greetings in short videos.

Ma Xuefeng, director of the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden, said the garden     7     the two giant paonlas have established a strong emotional bond (纽带).

Shang Xiao, chairman of the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden, thanked the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda     8     its professional guidance and strong support over the last five years.

Gonggong, born on August 18, 2013, and Shunshun, born a few days later on August 27, at the Sichuan Ya’an Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center,     9     (send) to the garden in Haikou on November 10, 2018. They started to meet visitors on November 25 that year, making up for the     10     (absent) of giant pandas on the island.

8 . Membership Levels and Benefits of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

$70 Individual/ $40 Student
·Free year-round ALL ACCESS admission
·Invitation to members-only hours
·Free access to members-only lectures, programs and Saturday Members Tours
·Discounted tickets to MFAH Films
·Discounted parking at an MFAH garage (车库)
·12% discount when eating at Le Jardinier
·15% discount at Cafe Leonelli
·10% discount at the MFA Shop
$95 Double
All the Individual/Student benefits for two adults, plus:
·Invitation to the annual Members’ Holiday Party
$115 Family
·Benefits extended to all children 18 and under living in the member’s household
·Discount on children’s art classes at the Museum’s Glassell School of Art
·Invitation to family art-making programs just for members
$350 Supporting—Best Value
·Ten free ALL ACCESS admission passes for guests
·Invitation to special ArtSmart programs
·Free admission to 12 art museums throughout Texas, including the Blanton Museum of Art, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Chinati Foundation
·Two single-use guest passes for daytime previews
$800 Sponsor (赞助商)
All the Supporting benefits, plus:
·Unlimited ALL ACCESS admission for accompanying guests
·One free exhibition list of your choice
·Four single-use guest passes for daytime members’ previews
·Two free passes to MFAH Films
$1, 500 Benefactor (捐款人)
All the Sponsor benefits, plus:
·Invitation to Leadership Circle reception with private exhibition viewing
·Three free “staff-pick” lists
·Four free parking passes for the MFAH parking garages
·Six single-use guest passes for daytime members’ previews
·Invitation to special Behind-the-Scenes experiences
1. What can you do as a student member?

A．Eat at Le Jardinier at a discount.	B．Attend ArtSmart programs.
C．See MFAH films for free.	D．Experience Behind-the-Scenes.

2. How much should parents pay so that their kids can attend art classes at a discount?

A．$40.

B．$70.

C．$115.

D．$350.

3. Which membership can enjoy free parking?

A．$115 Family.	B．$800 Sponsor.
C．$1, 500 Benefactor.	D．$350 Supporting—Best Value.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How many hours of sleep does a child need at least?

A．7.

B．9.

C．10.

2. Who may have a lower risk of heart disease?

A．People who nap (小睡) once a week.

B．People who take a nap once a month.

C．People who never nap.

3. What is the most important according to Hausler?

A．Taking naps more often.

B．Examining your heart regularly.

C．Having a good lifestyle.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How did the woman know TikTok?

A．From a neighbour.

B．On the television.

C．In the magazine.

2. What are the woman’s favourite videos?

A．Videos about making up.

B．Videos about training pets.

C．Videos about making meals.

3. How many people will be at the party?

A．Three.

B．Six.

C．Eight.