1 . In 2019, after retiring from her career as a social worker, Ane Freed - Kernis decided to build a home workshop and devote all of her free time to stone carving. “I might be covered head to to e in dust but I’m happy — it was something I needed more of in my life when I hit 60,” she says.
This appeal has its origins in Freed - Kernis’ childhood. Growing up on her father’s farm in Denmark, she used to wander through the fields with her eyes fixed on the ground, looking for stones to add to her collection. “I’ve always been drawn to the shapes and textures (质地) of stones,” she says.
After moving to England in 1977 and training as a social worker, Freed - Kernis soon became occupied with her busy career and the demands of raising her son. Stones were the last thing on her mind, until her father died in 2005. “He took a stone carving course in his retirement, and I always thought stone seemed so fun but never had the time to look into it myself,” she says. “After he died, I became determined to learn in his honour.”
Signing up for a week-long stone carving course at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Freed-Kernis began to learn how to turn a block of rock into well-designed shapes. “It was really scary at the start because you would spend hours just hammering (锤打).”
Now 65, Freed-Kernis has a thriving small business built largely through word of mouth. She creates 12 to 15 pieces a year that can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to complete, while her prices range from £ 200 to £ 3,000. “I’m making smaller ones,” she says. “I don’t have to depend on the money much, so I want to keep prices in the range that people can afford, mainly just covering costs and labour (劳动力).”
1. Freed-Kernis was first attracted by stones when ______.A.she was 60 | B.she was a child |
C.her father died | D.she moved to England |
A.She never cared about her father. |
B.She led a disappointing life in Denmark. |
C.She spent lots of time studying stone carving. |
D.She learned stone carving under the influence of her dad. |
A.Hopeful and proud. |
B.Confident and satisfied. |
C.Nervous and frightened. |
D.Impatient and unprepared. |
A.They are easier to move by her. |
B.They are more affordable to people. |
C.She wants to save costs and labour. |
D.She is too old to focus on making large ones. |
2 . In San Francisco, a large group of sea lions move themselves out of the bay waters and hang out on PIER 39, which is a popular tourist destination. According to dock (码头) officials, this is the most sea lions seen in the region in 15 years.
“Over 1,000 sea lions have been counted this week,” PIER 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor told many different media. “The surge in sea lions is usually a good sign of their strong population and healthy living environment,” said Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement at the Marine Mammal (海洋哺乳动物) Center in Sausalito, California.
“California sea lions are sentinels (哨兵) of the ocean,” Ratner said. Their population to some extent reflects the health of the ocean. Therefore, seeing a large number of California sea lions is clearly a good thing.
For nearly 35 years, the slippery (滑的) residents have been a star attraction for tourists. That autumn in 1989, PIER 39 had just been repaired, but the ships had not yet been moved back. At that moment, the sea lions unexpected arrival not only attracted fans but also created enemies. According to a website, some dock residents and workers were scared away by the strong and very unpleasant smell and noise of their new neighbors, while others saw these animals as a bright spot after the destructive Loma Prieta earthquake.
The officials sought help from the Marine Mammal Center to find a way to deal with sea lions. Ratner said that the final decision is to let the sea lions stay and coexist with humans. “The fact proves that this is really a good thing,” he said. “This is just a proof of how we can truly work together and think about how we can share our coasts with marine mammals and other wildlife in a way that benefits all the parties involved.”
1. How does the author start the text?A.By describing a situation. |
B.By answering a question. |
C.By holding a conversation. |
D.By comparing different opinions. |
A.Sharp increase. | B.Tight control. |
C.Slow development. | D.Sudden movement. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Uninterested. |
C.Supportive. | D.Unclear. |
A.Sea lions are pretty cool animals. |
B.Animals and humans can live in harmony. |
C.Watching sea lions might not be a proper action. |
D.Sea lions should be driven out of PIER 39. |
3 . Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World is one of the most important books about climate change to have been written. Hayhoe is a gifted public speaker and Saving Us is a follow-up to her awesome TED talk in 2018, “The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it. ”
One of the many refreshing aspects of this book is that Hayhoe recounts both her successes and her failures to communicate, through which she has gathered evidence about what works and what does not. Much of the book's advice is common sense, all backed up not just by Hayhoe's experience but also with convincing research by psychologists and social scientists.
Hayhoe advises against trying to engage with a small minority, the “Dismissives”, who “angrily reject the idea that human-caused climate change is a threat; they are most receptive (易接受的) to misinformation and conspiracy theories (阴谋论)”. There is a warning that offering up more facts about climate change can actually increase polarisation(两极化) among them.
The book includes amusing examples of her encounters with the “Dismissives” , almost entirely older men — including an engineer who was unconvinced about the evidence but with whom she was able to establish mutual (相互的) respect through a shared passion for knitting (打毛线衣) — and is packed with inspiring accounts of how she has won over even the most suspicious of crowds. Her motto is “bond, connect and inspire” , which represents her approach of always looking for points of commonality.
She also tells of a man who approached her after an event in London in 2019. He had been so inspired by her TED talk that he had started to speak to everybody he could in his neighborhood of Wandsworth. He showed her details of 12,000 conversations that had taken place as a result, claiming that they had helped to convince the government to declare a climate emergency and to switch investments from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
And so, while it may feel difficult to influence the outcome of the COP26, Hayhoe’s uplifting book makes a persuasive case that we can all do our bit to bring about success just by talking about the issue.
1. What does the book mainly focus on?A.Promoting people's insight into climate change. |
B.Introducing presentation skills with TED talks. |
C.Sharing communication tips on climate change. |
D.Developing critical thinking through literature. |
A.Humorous but one-sided. | B.Novel and interesting. |
C.Serious and hard to follow. | D.Well-based and workable. |
A.She changed their political identity. |
B.She sought common ground by bonding. |
C.She challenged their fundamental beliefs. |
D.She provided more facts about climate change. |
A.Talks can affect climate decision-making. |
B.The shift to renewable energy is unstoppable. |
C.Policymakers turn a blind eye to climate change. |
D.We need to call on people to prepare for the climate crisis. |
One day, while browsing the internet, I came across the recruitment notice for bilingual volunteers for the upcoming 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Excited yet unsure, 1 shared the news with my teacher, uncertain if I had what it took to participate. To my surprise, my teacher wholeheartedly encouraged me, recognizing my strong background in English literature. However, deep down, a lack of confidence in my spoken English held me back.
Undeterred by my initial refusal, my teacher persistently tried to persuade me. The inner struggle intensified as I weighed my desire to be part of such a prestigious event against my fear of speaking English fluently. Touched by my teacher’s belief in me, I finally agreed, on the condition that my teacher would practice speaking English with me.
The initial interview posed a daunting(巨大的) challenge, but my solid English knowledge helped me through. However, the final interview awaited, and it would truly test my speaking skills. Doubts plagued me, but my teacher’s unwavering support reminded me to keep practicing.
Day after day, my teacher and I diligently practiced speaking English. We repeated conversations, engaged in discussions, and tackled different scenarios. Gradually, my confidence grew, and setbacks became opportunities for improvement. I had come too far to give up now.
The time for the final interview arrived. Nervous yet determined, I entered the room, ready to face this ultimate test. As I spoke, I felt a newfound fluency and confidence that surprised even myself. The interviewers acknowledged my growth and progress, and to my delight, I successfully passed the final hurdle.
注意:1. 写作词数应为150左右。
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
The day the Hangzhou Asian Games began was filled with an electrifying atmosphere.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Throughout this transformative journey, my teacher remained my constant companion. offering unwavering belief and encouragement.
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Huawei’s difficulties are similar to those faced by modern China in its early days. During that time, China lacked advanced technology. Despite this, China managed
6 . Living Heritage: Acupuncture
Acupuncture (针灸), an ancient Chinese medical practice, has been the treatment for countless patients for thousands of years. Before modern medicine came to life, ancient Chinese used stone tools to relieve pain.
Practices can vary in forms, including needle insertion (插针), cupping and scraping.
As an ancient Chinese medical practice with a rich history and deep cultural significance, acupuncture is an example of profound cultural heritage and a bodily path for patients to healing and recovering.
A.Easterners are more likely to turn to acupuncture than Westerners, according to the statistical data. |
B.Needle insertion, the most common method, is carried out by inserting hair-thin needles into meridians(经脉), or specific points on the body that channel vital energy(the qi). |
C.Acupuncture practitioners have little knowledge about yin and yang. |
D.Acupuncture is a treatment that aims to promote the body’s self-managing functions. |
E.Over time, this bodily practice evolved into an all-sided and profound medical system and shaped the root of acupuncture. |
F.Looking beyond China, acupuncture has become a global therapy. |
G.Patients around the world who have recovered from acupuncture have expressed their respect and gratitude to traditional Chinese acupuncture. |
7 .
The C919, China’s first domestically developed large passenger jet, departed Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport for Beijing Capital International Airport at 10:32 am on Sunday, embarking on(开启) its first commercial flight. The aircraft, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, painted with a logo in the shape of a seal with Chinese characters “quanqiu shou jia”, meaning first C919 in the world. The fight, MU 9191, is run by China Eastern Airlines. About 130 passengers are on board. The flight duration is about two hours and 25 minutes. China Eastern Airlines received the first C919 on December 9 and launched test flights later that month. According to a report published by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, 32 clients had placed a total of 1, 035 orders for the plane as of the end of 2022.
The C919 project was launched in 2007. Developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd (COMAC), the first C919 aircraft rolled off the production line in Shanghai in November 2015. The plane conducted a successful maiden flight in 2017. In the following years, the C919 conducted several test flights in different locations to test its capabilities. The C919 has gone through tests in various types of extreme natural environments including high temperature, high humidity, severe cold, gusts(狂风) and freeze. Its safety, reliability and environmental protection performance have been comprehensively assessed. It obtained the type certificate in September 2022, which indicates that the jetliner’s design meets airworthiness standards and environmental requirements.
The plane received its production certificate on November 29, 2022, meaning the model can enter mass production. On Dec 9, 2022, the first C919 aircraft was delivered to its first customer, China Eastern Airlines. After the delivery, the C919 jetliner completed its 100-hour aircraft validation flight process, comprehensively verifying its reliability with commercial operation in mind. The C919 had gained 1, 035 orders from 32 customers by the end of 2022, according to the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai. The successful development of the C919 indicates that China has the ability to independently develop large passenger aircraft.
1. What do we know about C919 in the first paragraph?A.It has already signed orders with multiple airlines. |
B.The first flight lasted two and half hours. |
C.It is China’s first large plane. |
D.It is developed by China Eastern Airlines. |
A.C919 has obtained a model certificate. |
B.The performance of C919 has received high praise. |
C.The research and development process of the C919 project. |
D.The C919 aircraft failed to meet airworthiness standards. |
A.2020 | B.2021 | C.2024 | D.2022 |
A.China Eastern Airlines ran a flight of C919 |
B.China’s C919 jetliner goes into commercial operation |
C.C919 is environmental friendly |
D.China has a leading role in the aircraft market |
8 . Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Gwendolyn Brooks wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime. She was known around the world for using poetry to increase understanding about black culture in America.
Her poems described conditions in the black community. She also wrote poems about the struggles of black women. But her skill was more than her ability to write about struggling black people. She was an expert at the language of poetry. She combined traditional European poetry styles with the African American experience.
In her early poetry, Gwendolyn Brooks wrote about the South Side of Chicago, where many black people live. In her poems, the South Side is called Bronzeville. It was A Street in Bronzeville that gained the attention of literary experts in 1945. Critics praised her poetic skill and her powerful descriptions of the black experience during the time. The Bronzeville poems were her first published collection.
In 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize for her second book of poems called Annie Allen. Annie Allen is a collection of poetry about the life of a Bronzeville girl as a daughter, a wife and mother. She experiences loneliness, loss, death and being poor. Ms. Brooks said that winning the prize changed her life.
Her next work was a novel written in 1953 called Maud Martha, which received little notice when it was first published. But now it is considered an important work by some critics. Its main ideas about the difficult life of many women are popular among female writers today.
In some of her poems Gwendolyn Brooks described what people see in life is affected by who they are. One example is this poem, Corners on the Curing Sky.
By the end of the 1960s, Gwendolyn Brooks’ poetry expanded from the everyday experiences of people in Bronzeville. She wrote about a wider world and dealt with important political issues.
1. What does the text mainly talk about?A.The life of Gwendolyn Brooks. | B.The poems of Gwendolyn Brooks. |
C.The struggles of black women. | D.The understanding about black culture. |
A.Her writing skills were a little worse than her ability. |
B.She mainly wrote about the struggles of black women. |
C.She was good at using the language of poetry. |
D.Her poems were mainly about the African experience. |
A.providing examples | B.using statistics |
C.comparing opinions | D.describing her experiences |
A.the difficulties Ms. Brooks would meet | B.the struggles that the black had to face |
C.the awards Gwendolyn Brooks gained | D.the poems related to political issues |
A.in place of | B.in need of | C.in search of | D.in memory of |
1.人物简介;
2.尊敬和爱戴的原因。
注意:1.词数80左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
The Person I Admire
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