1 . You might have heard of the expression “a guilty pleasure”—maybe it’s the chocolate bar you buy on the way home from work, or the new clothes that you don’t really need.     1     . Perhaps we don’t feel we deserved it, or we don’t think it was a responsible way to spend our money. But should we feel like this? Do we really have to feel guilty about treating ourselves?

Perhaps not. Psychologists have suggested that buying things for yourself can make you feel better as it provides an opportunity to take control of your situation.    2     . It may be that as well as lifting your mood, when you buy a treat, you might just be looking after yourself.

Of course, there are also examples of people turning to destructive behaviour when faced with stressful circumstances. People might spend money that they don’t have or turn to dangerous addictions. Psychologist Leon Seltzer considers the difference between self-indulgence and self-nurturing.    3     , while self-nurturing is taking responsible decisions to satisfy our needs and take care of ourselves in ways that don’t have a significant impact.

    4    . So, many universities publish guides with advice for coping with exam stress. Reflecting the difference between self-indulgence and self-nurture, they recommend rewarding yourself for your efforts, doing things that you enjoy and are good at so that you can feel accomplishment.    5     . Thus, perhaps, as long as we make responsible decisions, we shouldn’t feel guilty about our guilty pleasures.

A．Exams are vital for students.

B．Self-indulgence can have negative consequences

C．The difference becomes evident when students manage exam pressure

D．They also recommend embracing activities that could dampen your spirits

E．Besides, you should avoid things that may make you feel worse afterwards

F．It comes from the idea that when we treat ourselves, it can sometimes leave us feeling guilty

G．It can give you social contact as well as a confidence boost from changes you make to your self-image

2 . Finding the words to explain how you feel isn’t always easy. This is why young people’s mental health charity has made “My Voice Matters” the theme of this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week.

    1    

Do you have trouble sharing your thoughts or worry no one will listen if you do? Making your voice heard means understanding that your words matter and your opinions count. Dr Julia Clements, a psychologist, says that it means expressing your views, thoughts and feelings, not bottling them all up, and being open to hearing the thoughts, feelings and views of others too.     2     In fact you don’t have to use your voice at all. “You can express what you like and don’t like or what you want for the future by writing or drawing instead,” says Clements. “It’s about finding ways to share what matters to you,” she explains.

Why is it important?

    3     Scientists have discovered that sharing your feelings produces a feel-good chemical in your brain that makes you feel relaxed and calm. Your voice can make a big difference to other people too, including friends and families. Clements says, “You can spread kindness and happiness simply by speaking. With a few kind words, you could help someone feel good about themselves or let them know they are supported.”     4    

How can you find your voice?

Clements suggests practising conversations with friends, parents or carers on the way home from school and seeing if you have different opinions about something. If you’re struggling to explain your feelings, find a way that feels right for you, whether it’s talking face-to-face or writing it down.     5     When you’re ready, “Take a deep breath and believe in yourself,” says Clements. “Know that your opinion matters.”

A．What does speaking up mean?

B．What are the benefits of speaking up?

C．Making yourself heard isn’t about shouting the loudest.

D．Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are confused about something.

E．Everyone has their own unique way of processing and sharing their feelings.

F．Sharing your feelings with a person you trust will help you make sense of them.

G．Words have the power to uplift someone’s spirits and make a positive impact on their day.

3 . Self-criticism (自我批评) is a mental habit of negatively analyzing and judging ourselves and our actions. If we don’t find a way to overcome self-criticism, we won’t be able to live a happy and satisfying life.     1    .

Stop Negative Thoughts

Thought stopping is one of the best secrets of how to overcome self-criticism. Interrupting your thoughts helps you change how you think about yourself, thus helping you feel better.     2    . However, with enough practice, you will make it.

    3    

Another strategy is to replace negative self-critical thoughts with positive realistic statements. For instance, if you set a goal, be realistic about it by giving yourself enough time to achieve it. In fact, having a constant desire to achieve immediate success can ruin your confidence.

Avoid Perfectionism

Another secret is to let go of the need to be perfect. It’s all right to set high standards for yourself.     4    . In addition, desiring to be perfect in everything you pursue can prevent your progress.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

    5    . However, it’s important to note that comparing yourself to your peers, friends, or family can increase dissatisfaction and unhappiness. That said, the best tip on how to overcome self-criticism is to practice self-acceptance.

A．Be realistic

B．Focus on strengths

C．It’s normal to feel like that everyone has a better life than you

D．Remember it’s from your mistakes that you get to improve yourself

E．If you’ve been stuck in negative thoughts, here’s what you need to do

F．It’s important to note that changing your negative thought patterns can take time

G．However, falling short of your goals and expectations can make you feel worthless

4 . Are you constantly saying words like “I am so tired”, “my mind is so exhausted”, “I need to take a break”, and “I am unable to handle the pressure anymore” and so on. At this moment you start thinking that you need more time to rest.     1    

Energy is not just a physical concept.     2     Just think for a second that you are going to exercise now but your mind keeps on telling you that you are tired. So your exercise session will be postponed or it will be least productive.

    3     When you start telling yourself that you are tired, the body performs in the same manner. However, when you get rid of all the negative thoughts, the positive energy starts flowing through your body, and you will see the difference that it makes.

Affirmations (肯定) are positive phrases that can help you deal with negative thoughts and emotions. In addition, they assist you in visualizing the desired outcome and reprogram your mind.

Now, how can positive affirmations be useful? First, you need to identify the negative thoughts that you need to get rid of. You have to be very clear about what you want.     4     Moreover, you must select the affirmations you truly believe in.

Start practicing these affirmations every day.     5     Remember consistency is the key to success. You can speak them cloud, in front of the mirror, record them and listen to them. You can speak them aloud in the morning or at night before going to bed. Gradually, you will see that these positive energy affirmations will have a positive impact on your life.

A．Never skip the session.

B．It is rather a state of mind

C．You’d better not slow down once you begin.

D．The key to staying energetic lies in your mind.

E．Then you can prepare a list of positive energy affirmations that best suit you.

F．It is a crucial step for you to make full use of positive affirmations.

G．These are the negative thoughts in your mind that are a barrier to your growth and energy.

5 . When your best friends are upset, sad, or disappointed, all you want to do is lift their spirits. Here are some easy ways to cheer them up.

Help your friend clean their room.

Being surrounded by a mess doesn’t do much for your mental state.     1     Helping your friend straighten up their room gives you something productive to do together. Plus, when they’re on their own, they can relax in a clean, peaceful space.

Encourage them to talk it out.

Talking is effective. Teenagers usually want someone to talk to when they are stressed.     2     If they aren’t interested in talking, invite them to do an activity with you and they will likely start talking.

Practice gratitude.

Thinking about and focusing on the good things in your life can do wonders for lifting your spirits. Help your friend turn their attention to those things.     3    

    4    

Staying active can help get depression (抑郁) away. Invite the person to join you in a dance class or anything else they may have mentioned before that they wanted to try out but never have. Fun time with friends is surely helpful.

Do an aimless act of kindness together.

    5     So go out, do things, even small things (e.g., opening a door for someone, paying for someone’s drink, smiling at and greeting a stranger. etc.), for others and see how your day changes.

A．Try new things together.

B．Plan for your future together.

C．Just be there for them and listen to them.

D．Together, you can each list all the things you’re grateful for.

E．Science has shown just being in nature naturally improves one’s mood.

F．Meanwhile, having a tidy space can help you feel more in control and calmer.

G．Oftentimes when we do things for other people, we are the ones that benefit.

6 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一个完整的短文。

I still remember how nervous I felt doing some things for the first time. You’d think that after a lot of first times the butterflies-in-stomach feeling would disappear. But here’s what happened a month ago.

“Please come to the chess club tomorrow,” Mareya said to me. “I know you’re going to love it!” “I’ve never even played chess(国际象棋),” I said. “It seems super hard.”

“I went last week, and it was extremely fun!” said Mareya. “Really?” I said, not convinced.

“Really. Also, the club needs more people to keep it going.” Mareya smiled.

“Listen. If you try it, I’ll do my silly rabbit dance in the middle of recess (课间休息).” I laughed. “In front of everyone? It’s a deal!”

When I arrived at home. I searched our game shelves. Finally, at the very bottom of the pile, I found a tattered (破旧的) box with a chessboard and plastic chess pieces. I read the instructions carefully. Knights, rooks, bishops, pawns, a king, and a queen — each piece had a special starting place and its own way of moving. My heart sank. I couldn’t possibly memorize all the rules in time. Everyone in the chess club was going to think I was inexperienced!

That night, I dreamed I was in a chess game, and the queens, kings, and knights were laughing at me. Even the knights’ horses were snickering (窃笑)! The next day, I told Mareya I was having second thoughts.

“Please don’t back out,” she said. “Remember our deal.”

“I would like to see your silly rabbit dance,” I said, smiling.

After school, I found the chess club’s meeting room and went inside. I looked around, but Mareya was nowhere in sight! To make matters worse, I didn’t know a single person in the room. Butterflies filled my stomach as I started to head toward the door.

“Hi!” said a friendly woman. “I’m Ms.Martinez.”

“I’m Arizona,” I said. “ I was supposed to meet a friend, but I don’t see her. I’d better get going.” “Well, as long as you ‘re here, why don’t you sit with Joe and Jess and watch their game?”

注意：
1. 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。
Paragraph 1:

I didn’t want to be rude, so I sat down.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:

The next day, at recess, Mareya ran up to me.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . Self-esteem (自尊) is the ruling view you have of yourself. This includes your beliefs about your inner qualities and how you think others see you. Self-esteem is not always rooted in reality, though.     1    .

Having a healthy self-esteem means seeing yourself in a positive way.     2    . Self-esteem does not equal arrogance. Arrogance, on the other hand, refers to being overly confident about your qualities (regardless of their actual quality). It is actually more commonly associated with someone having low self-esteem. They will tell you how much everyone loves them, what a great job they do at work, and how amazing they are at pretty everything under the sun even though they really wonder if it’s true.

    3    . Surround yourself with people who love themselves. Set small, attainable goals to accomplish. Write a list of your talents, skills, and achievements. Remember that people are not perfect and what’s most important is that you’re trying. Keep houseplants or a small garden so you can see success and how valuable you are overtime (as they grow, so does your confidence). With practice and perseverance, you will win this internal struggle to see yourself-worth.

In serious cases of low self-esteem, you may call in a professional who can help people understand their thought patterns and how those patterns are contributing to problems.     4    . This process, overtime, can help you develop a deeper sense of your own capabilities (outside previously limited beliefs).

Your past doesn’t seal your future. While it’s true that your painful past can change the way you see yourself, it’s just as much the case that your mind can be changed again. You have the power to shape a new self-perception. It will take some work but your entire life will be touched with the power that only comes from someone believing in themselves.     5    , you can improve yourself-esteem and see how everything else changes as a result.

A．With some lifestyle changes and support

B．The real test is whether they can learn from their mistakes

C．Some ideas to build yourself-esteem may include as follows

D．You see your faults first when thinking about things you've done

E．It’s about having a stable sense of your capabilities and a deep trust in yourself

F．He helps to treatment al problems and relieve symptoms of low self-esteem

G．Understanding self-esteem better might be the key to unlocking your own self-worth.

8 . 假定你是李华，你的英国笔友Tom看到中国女足在2022年2月6日举办的女子亚洲杯决赛中，在比分落后的情况下，最终反超比分，夺得亚洲杯冠军，非常敬佩，来信询问你的感受。请用英语给他回一封邮件，内容包括：
1. 介绍决赛的情况；
2. 为中国女足的成绩感到自豪；
3. 女足精神对你的启示。
注意：1. 词数100左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

参考词汇：the China Women’s Football Team中国女子足球队；the final of the Women’s Asian Cup女足亚洲杯决赛
Dear Tom,
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

9 . Five misunderstandings about loneliness

At some point in our lives, the chances are that you and I will feel lonely. It’s a problem that’s getting a lot of attention. It’s an important topic and one that causes a lot of misery, but there are plenty of misunderstandings surrounding it.

    1    

Feeling lonely is not the same as being alone. Loneliness is a sense that no one around you really understands you and that you don’t have the kind of meaningful connections you would like. Sometimes we want to be alone. But if we don’t have the choice to spend time with people who understand us, that’s when loneliness strikes.

There’s an epidemic(流行) of loneliness at the moment.

Loneliness is undoubtedly getting more common.     2     It is true that the actual number of lonely people are rising simply because there are more people in the world.

Loneliness is always bad.

Loneliness hurts. But it shouldn’t be seen as entirely negative.     3    . Or it can be a sign to find a way of improving our existing relationships.

Loneliness leads to ill health.

    4     But it could also happen the other way around. People could become isolated and lonely because they already have poor health, which stops them from socialising.

Most older people are lonely.

Loneliness is more common in old age than in other adults, but in her review of loneliness across the lifespan, Pamela Qualter found there is also a peak in teenage years.     5    

A．Loneliness can be horrible.

B．Loneliness is all about isolation(孤立).

C．Instead, it can be the signal to us to look for new friends.

D．Generally speaking, it’s harder for old people to overcome loneliness.

E．But that doesn’t mean that a higher percentage of people feel lonely now.

F．It is possible that unhappily isolated people are more likely to become ill.

G．Meanwhile, studies show that 50-60% of older people are not often lonely.

10 . Life can be wonderful, but realistically, it isn’t always so, no matter how hard you try.     1    . However, it mostly depends on the amount of effort you put in. And what about bad things? The mere fact of living means you’ll go through hard times, that you won’t always get what you want, and you’ll need resilience to get through it.

Resilience is the ability to adapt to adversity (逆境) in a positive way. Resilient people are those who can become strengthened by difficult situations.     2    . Resilience involves, among other things, being able to effectively regulate your emotions. This will allow you to face difficult situations and overcome obstacles.

Another great thing about resilience is that it is not determined by genetics or personality.     3    . Instead, it develops throughout your life as you interact with your environment.

To maximize your resilience, you need to know which factors influence it, both personal and environmental. That way, you can work on each factor and learn how to adapt to adversity in a positive way.

    4    . Obviously, this doesn’t just occur immediately after an unfortunate event. It’s a gradual process that comes with time and often, the help of a qualified psychologist.

Next, it’s important to be able to see the good side of the situation. In other words, be optimistic — just don’t forget to be realistic. You shouldn’t focus on the negative things and forget about the positive,     5    .

Lastly, having a sense of humor can help to improve your resilience greatly. Being able to laugh at yourself or the situation is a worthwhile tool that helps you adapt to different obstacles.

A．but nobody is born knowing how to adapt

B．Some good things will happen purely by chance

C．First of all, you have to accept what has happened

D．Firstly, you should keep all external factors in mind

E．But it’s more than just “seeing the good side of things”

F．That is, you’re not born with a limited capacity for resilience

G．but you also shouldn’t elevate the positive to an impossible level