1 . Finland was known as a rather quiet country. Since 2008, the Country Brand Delegation (国家品牌代表团) has been looking for a national brand that would make some noise to market the country as a world-famous tourist destination. In 2010, the Delegation issued a “Country Brand Report,” which highlighted a host of marketable themes, including Finland’s famous educational system. One key theme was brand new: silence. As the report explained, modern society often seems intolerably loud and busy. “Silence is a resource,” it said.

Silence first appeared in scientific research as a control or baseline, against which scientists compare the effects of noise or music. Researchers have mainly studied it by accident, as physician Luciano Bernardi did in his study of the physiological (生理学) effects of music. “We didn’t think about the effect of silence,” he said. Bernardi observed two dozen test subjects while they listened to six musical tracks. He found that the impacts of music could be read directly in the bloodstream, via changes in blood pressure, carbon dioxide, and circulation in the brain. “During almost all sorts of music, there was a physiological change with a condition of arousal (兴奋),” he explained.

This effect made sense, given that active listening requires attention. But the more striking finding appeared between musical tracks. Bernardi and his colleagues discovered that randomly added stretches of silence also had a great effect, but in the opposite direction. In fact, two-minute silent pauses proved far more relaxing than either “relaxing” music or a longer silence played before the experiment started. The blank pauses that Bernardi had considered irrelevant, in other words, became the most interesting object of study. Silence seemed to be heightened by contrasts, maybe because it gave test subjects a release from careful attention. “Perhaps the arousal is something that concentrates the mind in one direction, so that when there is nothing more arousing, then you have deeper relaxation,” he said.

This finding is reinforced by neurological (神经系统的) research. Relevant research shows when our brains rest quietly, they integrate external and internal information into “a conscious (意识的) workspace.” Freedom from noise and goal-directed tasks, it appears, unites the quiet without and within, allowing our conscious workspace to do its thing to discover where we fit in.

Noora Vikman, a consultant on silence for Finland’s marketers, knows silence well. Living in a remote and quiet place in Finland, she discovers thoughts and feelings that aren’t detectable in her busy daily life. “If you want to know yourself, you have to be with yourself, and discuss with yourself, and be able to talk with yourself.”

1. Why does the author mention the Country Brand Report in Paragraph 1?

A．To present how Finland viewed silence.

B．To highlight the need of noise in Finland.

C．To explain why Finland issued the brands.

D．To indicate the authority of the Delegation.

2. What can be inferred about Luciano Bernardi’s discovery?

A．It challenged the calming effect of music.

B．It emphasized the role of silence between sounds.

C．It illustrated the loss of attentiveness after silence.

D．It stated brains’ information processing in the quiet.

3. As for Noora Vikman’s attitude to silence, the author is ________.

A．doubtful

B．supportive

C．disapproving

D．unconcerned

4. Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．Silence: A Limited Resource	B．Silence: A Misunderstood Tool
C．Silence: The Unexpected Power	D．Silence: The Value by Contrasts

2 . The Power in Accepting Your Errors

It pays to be kind to yourself. A new study shows that being compassionate (同情的) with yourself when you make mistakes can reduce depression.

It is generally good to hold yourself to high standards and strive to do your best. But sometimes people have unrealistic views of what they should achieve.     1     Then when they make a mistake, they may be too unforgiving of that error. It is an unhealthy form of perfectionism. This is when a person views anything imperfect as unacceptable.     2    

However, self-compassion can help protect people from such negative impacts, a new study finds.     3     “It’s often easy to say kind and supportive things to our friends when things go wrong for them,” says Madeleine Ferrari. She’s a psychologist at Australian Catholic University in Sydney. “If we can say these things to ourselves, we will still reach our goals but will have better mental health,” she says.

    4     Ferrari’s team wanted to see if self-compassion might weaken that link. The researchers surveyed 541 teenagers and 515 adults. They asked these people to fill out a set of three questionnaires and asked the participants to rate their levels of perfectionism, depression and self-compassion.

In both groups, people who were kinder to themselves were less likely to experience sadness and depression, the researchers found.     5     And that could be especially true for perfectionists.

A．They set standards that are too high.

B．Even the most intelligent and productive people make mistakes.

C．This is a good example of improving and changing based on a mistake.

D．Self-compassion is treating yourself the way you would treat a good friend.

E．Such feelings can increase stress and lead to symptoms (症状) of depression.

F．So learning self-compassion could improve treatment for those with depression.

G．Previous research has shown that people who are perfectionists are more likely to become depressed.

3 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Laughter can help us to feel more    1     (relax) and comfortable when we are feeling anxious or worried. Even if you    2     (study) for a long time and feeling sleepy and bored, laughing can make you feel energized as if you had just had a nap! There are so many    3     (benefit) of laughter that I hope you all try and find a way to add more fun and laughter to your daily life.

4 . Are you happy? Do you remember a time when you were happy? Are you seeking happiness today?

Many have sought a variety of sources for their feelings of happiness. Some have put their heart and efforts into their work. Too many have turned to drugs and alcohol. Meanwhile, untold numbers have looked for it in the possession of expensive cars, exotic (异国的) vacation homes and other popular “toys”. Most of their efforts have a root in one common fact: people are looking for a lasting source of happiness.

Unfortunately, I believe that happiness escapes from many people because they misunderstand the journey of finding it. I have heard many people say that, “I’ll be happy when I get my new promotion,” or “I’ll be happy when I lose that extra20 pounds.” It is dangerous because it accepts that happiness is a “response” to having, being or doing something.

In life, we all experience stimulus (激励) and response. Today, some people think that an expensive car is stimulus. Happiness is a response. A great paying job is stimulus. Happiness is a response. A loving relationship is stimulus. Happiness is a response. This belief leaves us thinking and feeling: “I’ll be happy when...”

It has been my finding that actually the opposite is true. I believe that happiness is a stimulus and response is what life brings to those who are truly happy. When we are happy, we tend to have more success in our work. When we are happy, people want to be around us and enjoy loving relationships. When we are happy, we more naturally take better care of our bodies and enjoy good health. Happiness is not a response but a stimulus.

Happiness is a conscious choice we make every day of our lives. For unknown reason to me, many choose to be painful, unsuccessful and angry most of the time. Happiness is not something that happens to us after we get something we want—we usually get things we want AFTER we choose to be happy.

1. From the second paragraph, we know too many people __________.

A．all desire exotic vacation homes

B．are not happy when they work hard

C．are not happy when they drink or take drugs

D．are happy when they possess their own expensive cars

2. Generally speaking, most people feel happy because __________.

A．they get what they want to have

B．they get a great paying job

C．they get an expensive car

D．they think happiness is rooted in their deep hearts

3. Which of the following is right according to the author?

A．Most people today are happy.

B．Work is a necessary part in our daily life.

C．We should try to get more and then we’ll be happy.

D．If you want to get what you want, you first choose to be happy.

4. From the viewpoint of the author, happiness is __________.

A．based on our needs	B．out of reach
C．unconditional	D．limited

5 . 假设你是红星中学高三学生李华。你因为是新冠病毒的密接人员而居家隔离了一周，隔离期间，社区的外国志愿者Jim给予了你很多帮助，你打算给Jim写一封感谢信，内容包括：
1. 感谢所帮你做的事情;
2. 对你的意义和你的感受。
注意：新冠病毒的密接人员: a close contact with COVID-19;
隔离：quarantine v./n.
1. 词数100左右;
2. 信的开头与结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Jim,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

6 . 阅读下面短文，根据题目要求用英文回答问题。

Compassion involves feeling another person’s pain and wanting to take steps to help relieve their suffering. The word compassion itself derives from Latin and means “to suffer together.” It is related to other emotions such as sympathy and empathy, although the concepts have some key differences. Empathy refers more to the general ability to feel the emotions of others. Compassion, on the other hand, is what happens when those feelings of empathy are accompanied by the desire to help. The difference between sympathy and compassion is that the former responds to suffering with sorrow and concern while the latter responds with warmth and care.

Compassion often comes in one of two forms, which vary depending on where these feelings are directed. Your experience of compassion may be either directed toward other people, or it may be directed inwardly toward yourself. On one hand, compassion is a process of connecting by identifying with another person. When you experience compassion for other people, you feel their pain and want to find a way to relieve their suffering. These feelings motivate you to take action to make the situation better. Self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness that you would show to others. You will treat failures without defensiveness, and no longer beat yourself up you’re your mistakes. You will feel understanding, mindful, and accepting of yourself and your imperfections.

While some people are compassionate by nature, experts also suggest that there are steps you can take to cultivate a greater sense of compassion for both yourself and others.

Bring your attention to the situation. The first component of compassion is to become more aware of what other people are experiencing. Imagine yourself in their shoes. Being able to see things from another person’s perspective can help you gain a sense of compassion for their situation.

Let go of judgment. Focus on accepting people for who they are without criticizing or blaming the victim. Compassionate people tend to accept people as they are and avoid judgement.

Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice of focusing on the present, becoming more aware of your own thoughts, and observing these thoughts. Research suggests that mindfulness-based interventions can be effective for improving self-compassion.

1. According to the passage, what is the difference between compassion and empathy?
_________________________________________________________________
2. Generally, how many forms does compassion have and what are they?
_________________________________________________________________
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
➢ Compassionate people like making judgement of other people, and some of them are compassionate by nature.
_________________________________________________________________
4. Do you think the sense of compassion is important in your life? Why or why not?(In about 40 words)
_________________________________________________________________

7 . Now, cherish your chance to write an English letter (150-200 words) to either your father or your mother to show your gratitude, complaint, apology or other feelings.
Your letter will be assessed from the following FOUR aspects:
a) Content;
b) Organization & Transition;
c) Language Diversity &Accuracy;
d) Handwriting &Neatness.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . 阅读下面短文，根据题目要求用英文回答问题。

Nobody likes to feel anxious. Anxiety is among the most common and criticized of human emotions. Studies show that over 100 million people in the U.S. will suffer from an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Rates, especially among the young, have been rising for the past decade. It seems, then, that our efforts to contain anxiety aren’t working.

As a clinical psychologist and neuroscience researcher, I believe that we mental health professionals have made a terrible mistake. Feeling anxious isn’t the problem. The problem is that we don’t understand how to respond constructively to anxiety. That’s why it’s increasingly hard to know how to feel good.

This “bad” feeling isn’t a failure of mental health. It’s a triumph of human evolution: the ability to think about the uncertain future and prepare for it. The unpleasant emotion, for example, fear, signals that you may be in danger—from a predator, bully or speeding car—and readies your body and mind to fight or take flight.

Anxiety, by contrast, has nothing to do with present threats. Instead, it turns you into a mental time traveler, drawing your attention to what lies ahead. Will you succeed or fail in that interview for a job you desperately want? Anxiety prompts your mind and body into action. Your worries force you to prepare thoroughly for the interview, while your heart races and pumps blood to your brain so that you stay sharp and focused, prepared to pursue your goals.

Research has also shown something that many scientists didn’t expect: higher levels of dopamine (多巴胺) when we’re anxious. We have long known that dopamine soars when an experience is pleasurable and also in anticipation of rewards. The fact that anxiety also boosts dopamine levels points to its role in making positive possibilities into reality.

Many of us feel overwhelmed by lasting anxiety and don’t see any benefit from it. We have come to believe that the best way to cope is to get rid of it. But treating anxiety like a disease prevents us from distinguishing between ordinary anxiety and anxiety disorders. We need to develop a new mindset about this misunderstood emotion. Anxiety can’t do its job unless it makes us uncomfortable, forcing us to sit up and pay attention. We don’t need to like anxiety—just to use it in the right way.

1. Why is it increasingly hard for us to know how to feel good?
_____________________________________________________________
2. How does anxiety help one in a job interview?
_____________________________________________________________
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Research has shown that dopamine soars when an experience is pleasurable, but it is in lower levels when we are anxious.
_____________________________________________________________
4. How do you cope with anxiety positively in your daily life? (In about 40 words)
_____________________________________________________________

9 .

Awesome Achievement Your college graduation Fills us with love and pride. We always knew that you could do Whatever you really tried. It’s a long and challenging journey To get a college degree, But you wouldn’t quit it, you just went and did it, And we’re beaming affectionately. Your achievement is awesome, my kid; You’ve worked hard and you’ve passed the test. We love you so, and we want you to know, We think you’re the very best! By Joanna

_______________________ Mom, from the time I was really young, I realized I had someone… you, who always protected me, who was always there for me no matter what. You taught me to do the right thing, even when it was hard to do. You took care of me when I was sick, and your love helped make me well. You had rules, and I learned that when I obeyed them, my life was simpler, better, richer. You were and are the guiding light of my life. My heart is filled with love for you, my teacher, my friend, my mother. By Karl

1. Where are the two poems taken from?

A．A website for school curricula (课程).

B．A website for kids reading.

C．A website for advice.

D．A website for learning tips.

2. What does Joanna show in her poem?

A．Her great pride in her son’s graduation.

B．Her gratitude to her mom after her graduation.

C．Her son’s happiness in passing the final exams.

D．Her joy in the hard and challenging journey.

3. Which of the following can be the best title for Karl’s work?

A．My Guiding Light.	B．When I Was Young.
C．No Matter What.	D．The Rules to Follow.

10 . Imagine a friend has just asked how you’re feeling. “I’m fine,” you protest. You’re clearly anxious but respond in this way, unable to express how it is you really feel. Try as you might, you can’t quite understand your emotions, and truth to be told, you’re not sure whether you really want to.

Research shows that being aware of your emotions is hugely beneficial and people with high emotional awareness have better social and emotional functioning. “Emotional awareness is being able to identify and make sense of not only our own emotions but those of others, ”explains Rachel Vora, psychotherapist and founder of CYP Wellbeing. “It’s absolutely essential in maintaining good mental health. When we are able to identify and reflect on our emotional responses, we can understand how this influences our behaviours and in turn, change the way we respond to challenging situations.”

Of course, finding out how we feel can often prove difficult. It’s the very reason we turn to general phrases like ‘I feel blue’ or I’m not myself today’. It’s not always easy to put a finger on exactly what’s wrong, without digging a little deeper. Vora says this is often because on some level we don’t want to know how we really feel. “We can often try to numb or suppress because they feel overwhelming or distressing and this can often lead to a lack of emotional awareness as we feel disconnected from ourselves,” she explains.

Without emotional awareness, we can also develop emotional blind spots: unhealthy thoughts, behaviours and coping mechanisms that are hidden from our view. Perhaps you lash out or withdraw when you feel overwhelmed or go into criticism and self-doubt when you receive negative feedback. Unless you take time for self-reflection, you’ll remain unaware of these habits and continue to repeat the same destructive patterns again and again. Vora says tuning into your emotions and honestly reflecting on how you feel is the key. “When we do this, we are more able to work with our emotions and put strategies in place to improve our mood,” she points out. “By identifying our emotional blind spots, we can feel more in control of our emotions, and also how we respond in challenging situations.”

1. Why can’t you express your true feeling according to paragraph 1?

A．You want to keep it a secret.	B．You are absent-minded at that time.
C．You are unable to grasp your feeling.	D．You are unwilling to share it with your friend.

2. How does emotional awareness benefit us?

A．It’s easy for us to respond politely.	B．It can identify our emotional responses.
C．It can contribute to our mental health	D．We can identify our emotions and those of others’.

3. What can be inferred from paragraph 3?

A．People tend to lie to their friends.

B．People often doubt about themselves.

C．People should communicate with each other frequently.

D．People sometimes avoid their true feelings consciously.

4. What is Vora’s suggestion according to the passage?

A．Thinking over what is your true feeling.	B．Hiding you from the negative feedback.
C．Criticizing bravely when you are anxious.	D．Remaining unaware of the destructive patterns.