2 . 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。

One night, sitting on the cold steps at the back of my apartment in Kansas, I’d been staring out into the darkness. The only light came from my cigarette. Rain soaked (浸湿) through my pants, but I didn’t care. Back in my room, there was a knife on the bedside table and a note on my computer screen. I hoped that whoever read it first would understand why I had the plan to end it all.

Six months before that night, a car accident caused a brain injury in me. I lost my job and had to live on my savings in my lonely apartment. Since then, I had been suffering from depression and struggling to get through each day.

I sat there on those cold steps just wanting to end it all. “Tonight. I will,” I thought as I took another drag of my cigarette.

“Meow?”

I looked up. A black and white cat with round green eyes looked back at me. He meowed again. Then, walking out from his hiding spot, he jumped at me. He was tiny and damp, but he rubbed up against my legs. When I reached down to pet him, he leaned into my touch, purring (发出呼噜声).

That was all it took. I cried. The cat just watched me. I didn’t scare him away. In fact, he stood there as if he knew how desperately I needed a companion right at that very moment.

I looked into his big green eyes and he looked back. Clearly a stray (流浪的) cat. “When was the last time you ate?” I said. My plan to end it all was put on hold, at least until I found this cat some food.

It became a routine: Every day, I’d go to the back steps with some cat food. Usually, the cat, whom I named Scout, was already waiting for me. He became more than something to live for. Over time he inspired me to get help for my depression and even gave me the confidence to get into a serious relationship with Becky in Pittsburgh, whom I had known for years.

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

Scout became my constant companion.

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I was far from the lonely and depressed man that Scout had first approached in the rain, but I still needed to make a few more changes.

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3 . Having dragged everything I owned halfway across the country, I reached my university a complete fresher.     1     Noisy and busy, it felt somewhat overwhelming. Soon I realized everyone was just as anxious about the idea or starting the next chapter in life. But I wouldn’t exchange my university experience for anything. The only thing I wished I had done is a proper exploration in advance of the maddening first day. So I hope to share something you should know before your arrival at university.     2    

The first point I’d like to make is that you’re in charge of your degree. Outside of your scheduled lectures, you’re the one who determines whether to carry on studying or to spend the rest of your day relaxing.     3     Are you going to be the student starting their assignment weeks beforehand, or the one pulling an all-nighter before a 10 am deadline?

Multiplicity is everywhere. University is where you ‘ll meet people from all over the world. Our eyes begin to widen to distinctive cultures, values, and morals around us.     4     So, whoever is there can fit in.

Remember going to university isn’t just about studying, but you have to learn to balance your work and life. Every university has sports teams, societies and voluntary activities to get involved with. Every university has a Students’ Union, where your voice comes in.     5     Some universities even offer job opportunities in bars, shops and food outlets.

Bothersome as your early university life may be, it’ll be incredible once you find your feet.

A．I’d done zero research about it.

B．Every choice made is up to you.

C．Why not make up for your lost youth?

D．Every university is both inclusive and diverse.

E．It may ease you into a most significant change of life.

F．And your feedback can positively affect your university.

G．I had carried out an in-depth study of multiple universities.

4 . In 2012, Laura Eshelman man was in the middle of a mental unsettlement. She was having ________ in finding work. “I was leaving a downtown business where I had another job application ________. I was feeling pretty ________ and decided to go to the Whole Foods across the street,” Eshelman recalled.

As she crossed the street, Eshelman ________ a man asking for money on the corner. But he was ________ by passersby. As Eshelman ________, he turned to her, and asked if he could have a little bit of money. She was ________ and said: “Leave me alone. I don’t have anything to give you. Get away!”

Eshelman ________ into the grocery store. But suddenly she realized how ________ she had been to the man. Eshelman rushed outside to find him. She apologized and ________ some coins from the bottom of her _________.

As she ________ him the change, the man said, “It’s OK. Everything ________ will disappear.” And all of a sudden, she felt like somebody was seeing her ________, and she started to cry.

“That moment on the street was one of the few ________ in that extremely dark period of my life,” Eshelman later said.

1.

A．fun

B．trouble

C．experience

D．luck

2.

A．rejected

B．submitted

C．displayed

D．followed

3.

A．relaxed

B．awkward

C．nervous

D．depressed

4.

A．remembered

B．guided

C．spotted

D．comforted

5.

A．ignored

B．touched

C．rewarded

D．cheated

6.

A．hesitated

B．waited

C．escaped

D．approached

7.

A．active

B．impatient

C．anxious

D．desperate

8.

A．slid

B．struggled

C．got

D．looked

9.

A．helpful

B．rude

C．strict

D．particular

10.

A．set aside

B．put away

C．dug out

D．used up

11.

A．heart

B．pocket

C．store

D．drawer

12.

A．handed

B．lent

C．returned

D．awarded

13.

A．dangerous

B．normal

C．unpractical

D．unpleasant

14.

A．pain

B．choice

C．effort

D．privilege

15.

A．instants

B．chances

C．differences

D．flashes

6 . 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。

July 1971, I was taking a summer class in Black-American literature on the campus of SUNY Oneonta in northern New York. Professor James walked into the classroom and announced that he had invited a special guest to class, but his guest was delayed. The class stirred with curiosity and anticipation.

“Who’s coming?” someone asked.

“All I will tell you is that he is the author of one of the books you have read for this class,” he said. “I need a volunteer to meet him in the hall of the administration building and take him here.”

To my amazement, my right hand shot up as though it had a mind of its own. “What am I doing?” I thought. I never volunteered for anything. I was shy and uncomfortable meeting new people. In fact, I was absolutely the wrong person for this job. Realizing my mistake, I pulled my hand down quickly, but it was too late.

“Thank you, David,” Professor James said. “You’d better leave now. He’ll be arriving any minute.”

Seeing no way to back out, I reluctantly got out of my seat and headed for the classroom door. When I reached it, I stopped.

“Umm,” I said. “If I don’t know who this person is, how will I recognize him? I’d hate to bring back the wrong guy.”

Professor James laughed. “Good point,” he said. He pulled me aside and whispered a name in my ear. “Alex Haley,” he said.

“Really?” I said. I gave a thumbs-up to the class and left the room.

As I entered the empty hallway, I criticized myself for volunteering. “Why didn’t you let someone else do this?” Alex Haley was the author of The Autobiography (自传) of Malcolm X. He was also famous for his diligence, perseverance and in-depth thinking.

As I walked across the campus, my anxiety grew. I feared that I was about to embarrass myself in front of this famous gentleman by asking stupid questions, or worse, accompanying him in painful silence. I reached the front steps and climbed them slowly.

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。

As I pulled open the heavy glass door, I realized why I raised my hand to volunteer for this job.

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“I’d like to become a writer, but I don’t know if I have the talent,” I said.

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7 . 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.

9 . “A house without books is like a room without windows,” wrote Horace Mann, the 18th-century writer. I agree wholeheartedly with Mann.     1    

Recently, my husband and I did a painting project in a room we use as an office, which has a beautiful wall full of built-in bookshelves. As we started to pull my valuable books down off the shelves, I felt like I was pulling plants out of the garden.     2     But then I recognized what the project would offer — the opportunity to rethink our book collection.

The physical act of removing every book from its spot on the shelf showed a few unexpected insights (见解).     3     At the same time, there were a number of inviting surprises on the shelves — books I had forgotten were waiting for me to open them. So the painting job led to a parallel (并行的) project of organizing the bookshelves.

I took the opportunity and started by grouping the books. Then I thought about the layout of the books on the shelves.     4     I arranged (布置) a vase here, a figurine (小雕像), there, and a piece of my son’s school art there, each in its place as a symbol of aspects of my life I love as much as I treasure my books.

    5     But it can also be an enjoyable experience if you spend the next rainy afternoon inside in search of something new. You can try pulling your books off the shelf, pay a visit to each one and think in a fresh way about how and where they might live their best lives.

A．A strong wave of anxiety suddenly hit me.

B．I regularly share books with my neighbors.

C．Cleaning a bookshelf might sound like a chore.

D．Choosing a good book to read seems like a difficult task.

E．Surprisingly, I realized my bookshelves had space for more than just books.

F．I take pride in the realization that I have books in every room of my house.

G．For one thing, there were many books that no longer inspired or comforted me.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. When did Aelita Andre begin to learn painting?

A．At 10 years old.

B．At 12 months.

C．At 9 months.

2. What was the highest price of Aelita Andre’s work?

A．$4,000.

B．$10.000.

C．$14,000.

3. What was Aelita Andre’s achievement in 2020?

A．She drew a painting of Jackson Pollock.

B．She won Global Child Prodigy Awards.

C．She had her own exhibition in Manhattan.

4. Why does the speaker give the talk?

A．To introduce a truly talented artist.

B．To show her concerns about Aelita Andre.

C．To illustrate the value of abstract paintings.