1 . My mother used to take me to my grandparents’ in Belgium during the school holidays. While I would play chess with my grandfather, he would tell me stories about growing up, falling in love, and travelling around the world.

I didn’t realize the importance of preserving memories until my grandfather passed away, which ultimately changed my outlook on remembering our loved ones and the stories we share. I thought about solutions to help other people record the precious memories for those they love—before it’s too late. So I began matching ghostwriters (代笔人) to clients to help them write a book as smoothly and beautifully as possible, and Story Terrace was born.

Since then, we have explored the power of stories and their ability to connect us with our past and make sense of the present. It has been documented that increased family connection is significantly linked to less loneliness. Learning more about one’s family history, however, has been linked to boosting emotional health, increasing compassion and providing a deeper sense of cultures and traditions.

What we have found through our own research is that so many of us have missed out on the opportunity to explore our origins. 56 percent of Brits agreed that much of their family history is lost because they are no longer able to speak with the person who knows the most about it. A further 51 percent expressed regret as they wished they could tell their younger self to document their family’s life story, feeling that most of it had been forgotten. But when it comes to telling these stories, many don’t know where to begin.

We have seen numerous times when people come to us with random journal entries and notes from over the years, and these can be developed into a wonderful work of art that can be passed down for generations to come.

Half of the projects we see at StoryTerrace are heritage stories, with family occupying a dominant theme for most stories. Alongside this, common themes we see are of course love, overcoming challenges, settling in new surroundings and so on. However, family is a thread that always ties these together.

1. What does Story Terrace do?

A．It boosts the mood of your family members.

B．It gives treatment to people with mental illness.

C．It links people from different cultures together.

D．It helps turn your beloved one’s stories into a book.

2. What does the author intend to show by listing the numbers in paragraph 4?

A．Why StoryTerrace matters.

B．How StoryTerrace functions.

C．What StoryTerrace focuses on.

D．Where StoryTerrace beings your story.

3. What can you infer about Story Terrace from the last paragraph?

A．It is part of the national heritage.

B．Its stories are mostly about family.

C．It dominates half of the market.

D．Its stories gain much popularity.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Family Stories Worth Telling

B．Create Your Own Story Books

C．Documents of Family History

D．Preserve Memories with StoryTerrace

2 . Who is probably available for the meeting tomorrow?

A．Sophie.

B．Peter.

C．James.

3 . “Dad, just touch the green button! The one with a little picture of a telephone on it!” I was shouting to my father as I _________ him on how to answer it.

My father is already in his eighties and lives alone. To communicate better and _________ his later life, I bought him an iPhone, but my father _________ resisted using it. After my repeated attempts of persuasion, he unwillingly _________ this strange device.

It took my father about a year to learn to answer and make calls. Fortunately, my father’s tech skills have _________ to FaceTime capability. During a FaceTime call, we had a rather _________ moment. As he couldn’t _________ me well, he held up the screen to his ear. This meant all I saw was his large _________. For a long time, I could still _________ Dad’s ear emerging on the screen, which made me laugh.

Then this past summer I introduced him to Wordle — a popular word puzzle. He caught on fast and became __________ about it. Now he looks forward to __________ the puzzle as soon as the new game comes out after midnight. Every morning he sends me a text, telling me the __________ of the day. This has unexpectedly strengthened our bond.

It is quite __________ that at 89, my father has mastered the iPhone to the level that he can access and send emails and texts, and even do his banking online.

The __________ to smartphones has been blamed for damaging interpersonal relationships. However, I can say the iPhone has __________ our relationship.

1.

A．cheated

B．asked

C．coached

D．followed

2.

A．enrich

B．fund

C．simplify

D．save

3.

A．slightly

B．strongly

C．bravely

D．successfully

4.

A．threw

B．bought

C．forgot

D．accepted

5.

A．turned

B．progressed

C．replied

D．contributed

6.

A．humorous

B．proud

C．urgent

D．quiet

7.

A．understand

B．see

C．hear

D．treat

8.

A．eye

B．ear

C．mouth

D．hand

9.

A．picture

B．observe

C．prevent

D．mind

10.

A．angry

B．cautious

C．crazy

D．patient

11.

A．searching for

B．testing out

C．paying for

D．figuring out

12.

A．word

B．news

C．routine

D．weather

13.

A．strange

B．impressive

C．worrying

D．easy

14.

A．reform

B．resistance

C．addiction

D．limitation

15.

A．complicated

B．started

C．destroyed

D．enhanced

5 . Growing up, moments with Mum were painfully short. That’s because we spent most of the year at our boarding school in Singapore, __ only during the holidays. Every year, she would __ expect our reunion.

However, those sweet, cherished moments gradually __ as I grew older and moved further away from home for university. And soon, our __ became tense. Weekly phone calls filled with small talk were too __ to ever develop into real talk, real feelings. The __ led to arguments instead. To me she seemed unable to __ that I was no longer a kid, thus, forcing me to hold back information or even lie frequently. But the more I pulled away, the more I felt __ . Perhaps the journey to the local museum would give us a __ to breathe it back to life.

When we got there, we __ for a joint drawing activity. Secretly I hoped producing something together would help us connect. Later, when a digital screen __ our works, Mum went up to the screen and reached out, __ the fish as if doing so would __ it to life. That momentary glance of my mother’s childlike __ and delight at a new experience revealed the little girl in her, who like me, had lost a vital __ to the trials and responsibilities of adulthood and motherhood.

1.

A．appearing

B．returning

C．leaving

D．escaping

2.

A．cautiously

B．calmly

C．carefully

D．eagerly

3.

A．disappeared

B．refused

C．decreased

D．increased

4.

A．relationship

B．gap

C．agreement

D．situation

5.

A．popular

B．normal

C．rushed

D．regular

6.

A．pain

B．damage

C．balance

D．tension

7.

A．understand

B．predict

C．tolerate

D．guarantee

8.

A．narrow

B．empty

C．useless

D．lonely

9.

A．gift

B．reward

C．chance

D．courage

10.

A．calmed down

B．checked out

C．looked out

D．signed up

11.

A．displayed

B．exposed

C．reported

D．marked

12.

A．researching

B．touching

C．witnessing

D．designing

13.

A．fetch

B．carry

C．bring

D．take

14.

A．judgment

B．patience

C．confidence

D．curiosity

15.

A．connection

B．impression

C．reaction

D．donation

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。

I was filled with envy when I saw my friend’s new Disney watch. That’s what I wanted for Christmas.

“You’re not old enough for a watch yet.” My mother’s voice revealed no argument. “What else would you like for Christmas?”

I hung my head. “Nothing.” I dragged my feet as I walked away. Looking back, I realize my parents had no money to waste on something I would likely lose. However, I still wanted that watch.

When presents began gathering under the tree, none matched the size and shape of a jewelry box that might contain a watch. However, one with my name on it did raise my curiosity. Mama had wrapped it well with thick paper, and the few times I could sneak(溜)to the back of the tree to check it out failed to give me any clues about its identity. My curiosity grew. Christmas seemed so far away.

One day, I could no longer stand it. While Mama cooked dinner, I pulled my four-year-old sister Shelly into the living room and pointed to the mystery gift. “Do you know what that is?”

Shelly nodded.

“What is it?”

“Mama told me not to tell you,” she said.

I put my arm around her and used my best conspiratorial(阴谋的)voice. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll tell you what I got you for Christmas if you tell me what’s in that present.”

Shelly brightened. “Okay. Watch.”

I watched her. Nothing happened. “So what’s in the present?”

“Watch.”

I frowned(皱眉头)for a moment and then comprehension dawned. “You mean a watch? They got me a watch for Christmas?”

She smiled and nodded.

As I told her I bought her a coloring book, I was still doubtful about her words.

The big day came, and I headed straight for that gift. When I tore off the paper, I did find a beautiful Cinderella watch with a pink band. I was so excited. “You got me the watch! Shelly told me you had, but I didn’t believe her.”

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。

Suddenly Mama looked at Shelly with disappointment, letting out a deep sigh.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I felt a little ashamed and apologized for not trusting Shelly’s words.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . 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。

13-year old William Preston is really a generous boy and he naturally seeks to help others. For example, in 2017, the community recognized William for his work to help local seniors. At that time, he fixed broken lawnmowers (剪草机) and provided yard work and cleanup help to elderly neighbors.

William’s mom, Krystal, has been adjusting to life as a newly divorced single mom. She now lives in Fernley with her three kids and three dogs. She has lost her job and is struggling to make ends meet. She thought of looking for better paid work in a different part of town. At the time, however, she did not have any reliable means of transportation and could not afford a car.

“At my low point, here comes my son,” Krystal Preston says, “Everybody goes through rough times in their life, but there’s good that can come from any situation as long as somebody with a heart does it.”

William overheard his mother telling someone how a car would solve most of her problems. He recognized the many sacrifices she made to provide for their family, and he felt an urgent need to pay her back and help her in some way. One day, William saw a video where a child earned money to buy his mom a car; at that moment, he decided that he would do the same thing.

He secretly made a plan to save enough money to purchase a car for his mother. He started working additional odd jobs around his neighborhood, such as yard work and lawn mowing.

One day, an advertisement on Facebook Marketplace caught his attention: A woman had listed her 1999 Chevrolet Metro for an inexpensive price. He quickly reached out to the seller and asked if he could possibly trade in his Xbox for the car, in addition to some cash he had saved. To William’s delighted surprise, after negotiating with the woman, she accepted his offer.

注意：
(1)所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
(2)请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

William arranged for the seller to park the vehicle in his front yard to surprise his mother.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Krystal was shocked when the seller told her the truth.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . Growing up, I was fortunate to have dinner with my family almost every day. Sometimes, the family dinner circle_________to include relatives stopping by. Yet, I knew some friends whose parents got home after dinner or even_________the entire evening. So I_________the quality time around our kitchen table, which witnessed countless valuable_________in my life.

_________,my kids cannot relate to my childhood memories. They have been left to_________with babysitters more times than I would like to admit. My husband and I have_________careers. And we often end up staying at the office way past dinnertime. When this happens too often, it_________the balance of our family.

Apart from suffering from_________,what else can a hardworking family do? I think we can all try to__________our own ways to spend time together. Surely there are days when I’m too busy to share a meal with my family. But I would make efforts to__________and chat later that day,__________       setting aside cellphones every time. And I even find a bedtime reading with my kids much__________.I am also proud to have our “big breakfast” routine every Saturday. My husband serves as the head chef, and my younger son__________       him to make the breakfast.

I am aware that my sons are growing up quickly and will be out of the__________someday. But now, I am happy to have so many wonderful things on my plate.

1.

A．widened

B．formed

C．lessened

D．closed

2.

A．missed

B．avoided

C．enjoyed

D．recorded

3.

A．wasted

B．treasured

C．limited

D．calculated

4.

A．shows

B．dishes

C．recipes

D．moments

5.

A．However

B．Otherwise

C．Therefore

D．Besides

6.

A．sleep

B．dine

C．study

D．play

7.

A．suitable

B．flexible

C．satisfying

D．demanding

8.

A．maintains

B．disturbs

C．improves

D．strikes

9.

A．fear

B．anger

C．guilt

D．hunger

10.

A．predict

B．create

C．evaluate

D．accept

11.

A．work out

B．calm down

C．hold on

D．catch up

12.

A．unwillingly

B．casually

C．consciously

D．carelessly

13.

A．louder

B．shorter

C．simpler

D．sweeter

14.

A．assists

B．guides

C．allows

D．orders

15.

A．office

B．kitchen

C．house

D．park

10 . Matthew began working on the brakes of his truck immediately he got home late on a Monday. For safety, he couldn’t _________ repairing his truck any longer. His teenage son, Dalin, came to help. Matthew couldn’t get a good _________, so he slid his body under the truck to hit it. But when the rotor (刹车片) bounced off, the truck moved forward and _________ right on top of him.

Matthew couldn’t breathe, move or yell. This was definitely a _________ situation. Seeing this, Dalin was scared. _________, he sprung into action despite his fear and was _________ enough to lift the truck a little. Dalin _________ as hard as he could to get the truck up just enough for his father to roll out.

The _________ left Matthew with a separated shoulder. Matthew was taken to the hospital for his _________. Everything happened so fast, Matthew couldn’t remember how he __________. “Later, we looked at our security cameras and realized Dalin __________ the truck enough for me to roll out. My son is my __________. He saved my life.” Matthew recalled.

Not only the father but also everyone was __________ for Dalin’s bravery and quick thinking. It was a situation that could have easily __________ differently were it not for his quick __________.

1.

A．give up

B．carry on

C．set about

D．put off

2.

A．consequence

B．idea

C．angle

D．start

3.

A．switched

B．fell

C．covered

D．spread

4.

A．shameful

B．scary

C．familiar

D．discouraging

5.

A．Thankfully

B．Eventually

C．Obviously

D．Unfortunately

6.

A．enthusiastic

B．patient

C．strong

D．willing

7.

A．kicked

B．struck

C．thought

D．tried

8.

A．accident

B．explosion

C．fight

D．exposure

9.

A．madness

B．collapse

C．injury

D．breakdown

10.

A．felt

B．escaped

C．separated

D．emerged

11.

A．lifted

B．pushed

C．protected

D．detected

12.

A．instructor

B．superior

C．guide

D．hero

13.

A．responsible

B．qualified

C．grateful

D．eager

14.

A．ended

B．changed

C．reacted

D．behaved

15.

A．service

B．response

C．recover

D．change