1 . A cousin sent an email saying she had been out cutting her lawn (草坪) for two hours in the hot Nebraska sun and the smell of grass was in her nose. She said it reminded her of her dad working outside.

“Not a breath of cool air out there, unbearable for all the crew but Dad. During their lunch break, Dad would have a couple of sandwiches and skip the iced tea. He’d have creamed coffee. That was my hero—loyal, very, very hard-working, so wonderful. Funny what a smell can remind you.”

Her dad and my dad were brothers. There were five boys in the family. The boys were cut from the same cloth. Every one of them enjoyed hard work.

It wasn’t easy raising a large family during the Depression (大萧条), yet their farm was the first one for miles around to have electricity. Their dad made a small power station using batteries. Resourcefulness (足智多谋) was second nature.

When my parents married, they didn’t have much. When they got a dog, he managed to build a doghouse from wood.

I think of my dad when I see a barbecue. He loved to grill (烧烤). Burgers, hot dogs, steak. For years, he and Mom hosted a huge Fourth of July brunch and grilled pancakes and sausages before the neighborhood parade.

He loved grilling out especially when it was hot — 90℉ (about 32℃) was good, even 100℉ (about 37.8℃) wasn’t too high. That was also his favorite time to mow (割草). He and all his brothers were most comfortable outside. It came from the farm imprint, spring planting, summers in the fields and fall harvest.

At my dad’s retirement party, at a large university where he had worked his way up to purchasing director, he was standing by himself, looking at the crowd, having a good time when he laughed and said, “I never did want a desk job.”

I don’t think I realized until that moment how much our dad loved us. He had enjoyed his career and the people he worked with, but until the day he died, there was nothing as beautiful as a stand of wheat or a field of corn.

Here’s to dads everywhere who work hard and do what needs to be done for the love of family.

1. What made the cousin think of her Dad?

A．The hot sun.

B．The smell of grass.

C．The unbearable crew.

D．The hard work.

2. What can be inferred about the brothers of the family?

A．They had similar sizes.	B．They had similar clothes.
C．They had similar hobbies.	D．They had similar qualities.

3. Which of the following best describes the author’s father?

A．Humorous.

B．Creative.

C．Devoted.

D．Demanding.

4. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the passage?

A．To show her respect for fathers.	B．To stress the importance of working hard.
C．To show that raising a family is never easy.	D．To describe the important role a father plays in a family.

2 . Life is full of surprises. You never know what’s going to happen from one day to the next.    1    It can also be anxious. When something happens that you didn’t expect, it throws your whole world off balance. This can lead to negative feelings.

One way to fight against these negative feelings is through optimism,    2    Optimism is a mental attitude that sees new things as opportunities, transitions as improvements, and challenges as learning experiences.

    3    This gives you more power over your life and what happens to it, which can help prevent anxiety and depression. This can also help improve physical health in turn over time.

When something bad happens, optimists are less likely than pessimists to blame themselves or others for what happened. They don’t consider these negative emotions. They are able to see things from a positive perspective, even when something doesn’t go as planned.    4    

So it’s important to face bad things bravely and keep a positive mind. Of course, it’s important to remember that optimism can’t put a stop to all bad things.    5    But if you can manage to focus more on the good than the bad, you’ll be less anxious and be well on your way to a happier and healthier life.

A．It can be exciting.

B．It can be a positive attitude to difficulty.

C．Too much optimism can also be harmful.

D．Optimism is a positive attitude toward the future in general.

E．This kind of thinking can help lower stress and improve mental health.

F．When you are optimistic, you’re also more likely to control the situation.

G．No matter how positive you are, there’ll be times when bad things happen.

3 . Walter Benjamin, the German philosopher, once noted that boredom was the “dream bird that hatches the egg of experience”. However, the creative flights of fancy which often arise from having little to do are being killed off by social media, researchers argued. Viewing mindlessly through attention-grabbing posts and videos prevents “profound (深层的) boredom” that can drive people on to new passions or skills. Instead, people find themselves in a state of “superficial boredom”, which does not motivate creative thought.

Dr Timothy Hill, leader of the research team at the University of Bath, said, “The problem we observed was that social media can ease superficial boredom. But that also consumes time and energy, and may prevent people progressing to a state of profound boredom, where they might discover new passions. Profound boredom may sound like a negative concept but, in fact, it can be intensely positive if people are given the chance for undisturbed thinking and development.

Researchers interviewed 15 people during the pandemic (流行病), when boredom was more likely because of restrictions. Many described being trapped in regularly daily walks and watching television, with many turning to social media to pass the time. But although the participants said that social media provided a temporary escape from superficial boredom, it also appeared to exacerbate it, leaving them feeling they had wasted their time.

The pandemic was a painful and consuming experience for thousands of less fortunate people. But there are stories of those in lockdown who found new hobbies, careers or directions in life. Switching off devices could help people reach the state of boredom which pushes them on to new hobbies or achievements.

This research has given us a window to understand how the “always-on”, 24/7 culture and devices that promise an abundance of information and entertainment may be fixing our superficial boredom but are actually preventing us from finding more meaningful things.

1. Why are Walter Benjamin’s words mentioned?

A．To call for attention to the research on boredom.

B．To comment on the strategies to face loneliness.

C．To offer advice on developing creative thinking.

D．To clarify the problem caused by social media.

2. Which of the following may Dr Timothy Hill agree?

A．Profound boredom is of value.

B．Social media can fuel passions.

C．The research has some limitations.

D．Creative thought is easily disturbed.

3. What does the underlined word “exacerbate” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Avoid.	B．Break.
C．Inspire.	D．Worsen.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Why people enjoy boredom

B．How boredom helps kill time

C．Why being bored may be good for you

D．How social media blocks creative ideas

4 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

We’ve all heard that laughter is the     1     (good) medicine, and it’s true. Laughter makes you feel better and it’s also good     2     your relationships. Laughter brings people closer, and is a     3     (power) tool for making you relax when feelings are running high. Whether with your friends and family, or co-workers, you can learn to use humor     4     (solve) disagreements, lower everyone’s stress levels, and communicate in a way that deepens the relationships.

Humor plays     5     important role in all kinds of relationships. In new relationships, humor can be a useful tool not just for attracting the other person but also for getting over any awkwardness (尴尬)     6     (arise) when we get to know each other. In old relationships, humor can keep things more exciting and fresher.

Sharing the pleasure of humor     7     (create) a sense of closeness and connection between two people—    8     (quality) that are signs of strong and successful relationships. When you laugh with one another, you create a positive relationship between you,     9     acts as a strong buffer (缓冲剂) against stress, disagreements and disappointments in your relationship. And laughter is spreading—just hearing someone laugh often makes you smile     10     (happy) and join in the fun.

5 . 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 like staying overnight at my Gramma’s house — that is, until Gramma starts telling me how wonderful my cousin Maya is. Then it’s Maya this and Maya that until I don’t ever want to hear another word about her.

That’s why I wasn’t too excited when Gramma called me on the phone to “come on over and bring your pajamas.” When I got there, it was worse than I’d expected. There, in Grandpa’s big leather rocker, sat Maya, all dressed up and formal-looking and wearing fancy shoes as if she’d just been to a party.

“Surprise, Kristen!” Gramma said. “Your cousin Maya and her parents have traveled in from the East Coast on business. Maya gets to stay with us this afternoon.” Gramma chattered away about how excited she’d been for this surprise get-together, and how cousins ought to get to know each other better.

I hung my baseball cap in the closet and set my backpack by the stairway, all the time smiling and nodding as if I’d been waiting forever for this chance to spend an afternoon with Maya. Grandpa’s chair squawked (咯咯叫) as Maya rocked back and forth. It’s the chair I like best in the house, the one I usually sit in. I sat down on the sofa across from her.

Shortly, Gramma went off to the kitchen to “see about some lunch,” she’d said. That left me stuck in the living room with rocking Maya.

She was still small but taller than I’d remembered her from her last visit four years ago. She was good at small talk, though, and was chatting away about how nice it was to see me again. But I could tell that she didn’t really think so. The last time she was here, we’d had hours of fun together building caves out of Gramma’s sofa pillows.

After that, I’d heard about her only through Gramma’s tales. Maya taking piano lessons. Maya learning math. Maya, Maya, Maya. Now Maya was here, looking great with the latest haircut and a fancy dress.

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。

Glancing down at my jeans and my old sneakers, I wished I hadn’t come.

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“How do you know all these things about me?” I asked.

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6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内所给单词的正确形式。

Shyness is avoiding human contact, often because of a feeling of not being as good as others and fear of taking risks. Shyness is a force     1     prevents us from realizing our potential and     2     (enjoy) the company of other people. Shyness is often associated     3     low emotional control and high negative emotions.

On the basis of research that he     4     (do) for the past six years, Dr. Zimbardo estimates that about 40 percent of all Americans, around 84 million people, consider     5     (they) shy. They include not only ordinary people but also a number of     6     (celebrity) who define themselves as shy. Research shows that a quarter of the people who are shy as adults were not shy as children. Shyness makes it difficult     7     (meet) new people and make friends. It prevents     8     individual from expressing opinions and values. With authorities such as a boss or a teacher, the shy are less likely to stand up for their rights or express     9     (reason) criticism. They’re more likely just to obey and to be     10     (unwilling) cooperative.

7 . 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。
The Right Thing

My mother worked as a housekeeper and she was often given used toys as well as many other goodies by her clients. My elder sister and I always loved sharing the recycled books and board games brought home by my beloved mom, which we considered great gifts life presented us.

The long-awaited Christmas finally approached. One December day, an old model toy car arrived in the load of goods. It was as long as my forearm and took both hands to lift. My sister didn’t want it, so it was all mine. I immediately set down to wiping it clean and polishing it to a bright candy-apple red. It turned to be a thing of beauty, and I became overjoyed at possessing it. My elder sister was amazed at the newly-polished, refreshing toy car, with a hint of regret and envy in her eyes.

As was planned, our relatives from France came to visit us that Christmas. It was a time when the family bond got strengthened. I shared the prized toy car with Alex, my young French cousin. Eyes glued to it, he fell in love with the wonderful, shiny red automobile the instant he saw it. It was a rare moment to see him feeling so relieved and happy. He’d been unlucky so far in life, suffering severe, life-threatening illnesses as a child, leaving him mentally and physically stuck and the family starved of cash. Of course, such lovely toys like my dear model car were unreachable dreams for him.

Seeing Alex’s consuming thrill brought by the red car, I was seized by immense joy as well. But contrary to Alex’s excitement, a voice inside me constantly reminded, “Watch out! He’d keep it for himself.”, which got me faintly worried. I followed my cousin for fear of something.

My mother also noticed Alex’s fondness for the car. Approaching me, she asked gently in a low voice, “Would you like to give it to Alex?”

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。
Giving or keeping? I struggled with myself.
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In the moment of parting, my model car went with Alex.
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8 . There are countless articles online that will give you advice on how to deal with homesickness. Here are some of my favorite tips that have helped me.

    1    

Learn to cook with your friends or find new places to eat. Eating with friends makes things so much better. It’s a way to bond and an excuse to get closer. You even get rewarded for it.

Call home—but not every minute of every day.

I saw so many online sources express it in this way, “Talk to your parents—but not too much. Call home—but not too often.”     2     However, it’s a problem when you’re talking to them so much that it’s stopping you from having real experiences in this new place.

Explore.

    3     It took me a while to do this because I focused so much on my studies, but it’s really important. To me, being homesick was a sign that I needed to organize my time better. So I could take a break and go for a walk.

Find a way to deal with your emotions.

I got a guitar during my sophomore (大学二年级) year of university because that’s what I like doing when I’m by myself. I keep a journal because it makes me feel better and productive if I need time by myself but I don’t want to feel lonely.

An outlet(发泄方式) for your emotions can take any shape or form. Whatever it is, it’s important that you find a way to deal with your emotions. Don’t avoid them, but try to understand them.     4     If you focus too much on the negatives, you might forget to see the positives.

Talk to someone.

There is nothing wrong with finding someone to talk to about how you’re feeling.     5     Or it may mean talking to a counselor(顾问) if that’s what you think you need.

There is nothing wrong with being homesick. It’s normal. It’s part of the experience. We all feel things differently, but everything you learn while you are abroad will help you grow.

A．Make food from your home country.

B．Going abroad may cost you a lot of money.

C．It’s good to keep in touch with your family and friends.

D．It’s also a good way to distract(使分心) you in a healthy way.

E．After the first few weeks abroad, many students will feel a little worse.

F．On that line of thought, truly try to explore the city that you’re studying in.

G．It can be friends, family, mentors or professors who you feel can understand you.

9 . “Are you OK, Cassie?” Jonah asked, from the doorway of the Sea Holly Cafe.

Cassie had been sitting on a chair outside for the past 10 minutes, but not really taking in the beauty of the sea.

“Oh, I should be getting back to work.” She rose hurriedly.

“We’re not busy, take your time.” Jonah came with a cappuccino for her. “Thanks.” She accepted the coffee, “Everything’s fine.” Then Jonah nodded, revealing a comforting smile, and went back inside.

He was a great boss, but Cassie didn’t feel like telling him what was wrong.

Cassie had gone to study fine art hopefully but dropped out after only a year due to the unbearable homesickness. Since then, she hadn’t touched her paints for a whole year. Today was doomed to be a sad date, the anniversary of her exciting plans turning to dust. She felt a crushing sense of disappointment. In her painting, she had captured a good likeness of the cloudy sky and the reflection of the dying light upon the water, but the picture did have a sad, dreary (沉闷的) quality.

About 20 minutes later, she was shocked by a voice at her shoulder, “That’s beautiful.”

Cassie turned, and there was a woman wearing a blue coat. The woman eyed it again. “You have talent, but there is much sadness in it, for one so young.” Cassie’s eyes were filled with tears. “My name’s Willow,” the woman said kindly, “Why not try painting the sunrise instead, my dear? You might find it helps.”

With Willow’s words echoing in her brain, Cassie rose an hour earlier the next day, caught a bus to the beach and began to paint again.

When she finished, Jonah was just opening up. He picked the painting up and appreciated it at eye height. “Hey, this is good. It’s really —“For a moment he struggled for the word, then found it and turned to her, beaming, “Optimistic!”

In her picture the sun was powering into the sky, casting a clear, golden pathway across the sea.

1. Which of the following best explains “He was a great boss” underlined in paragraph 5?

A．Jonah offered a coffee to Cassie.

B．Jonah ran a successful cafe business.

C．Jonah figured out what was wrong with Cassie.

D．Jonah was considerate of Cassie’s emotional upset.

2. What led to Cassie’s low spirits?

A．That her paints were covered with dust.

B．That her homesickness was aroused again.

C．That her original plan was abandoned midway.

D．That her painting was full of a sorrowful and dull quality.

3. Why did Willow advise Cassie to paint the sunrise?

A．It was more beautiful.	B．It might cheer Cassie up.
C．It had artistic inspiration.	D．It made a difference to Willow.

4. What can be a suitable title for the passage?

A．The Sun Always Rises	B．Every Man Has Its Price
C．Strike While the Iron Is Hot	D．A Good Medicine Tastes Bitter

10 . Being positive doesn’t mean only having happy thoughts all the time. Everyone has bad days.     1     Luckily, there are some ways to help you become more positive.

You can practice gratitude(感激). Make a list of things you’re grateful for. Write down a few things that make you feel happy or grateful in a gratitude journal.     2     It could be something as simple as a beautiful, sunny day or a small gift received from your friend.

    3     Even if you’re not feeling happy, forcing yourself to smile can actually make you feel better. Smiling helps let out chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy and relaxed. Researchers have found that smiling not only helps produce positive feelings, but it also helps people view the world from a more positive point of view.

You can enjoy expectation. Find something to look forward to each day. Researchers have found that having something positive to look forward to helps improve mood and reduce stress. Whether visiting your favorite bookstore or enjoying a cup of coffee with your friends, make sure to find something to look forward to each day.    4    

You can use positive self-talk.    5     Self-criticism(自我批判) is bound to weaken your ability to look on the bright side. Researchers have found that switching from negative self-talk to positive self-talk can help improve emotions and reduce stress.

A．You can practice smiling.

B．They don’t have to be special or great things.

C．Thinking about happy things is good for our health.

D．You can make yourself be around with positive people.

E．Even the most positive people sometimes experience sadness and anger.

F．This will help keep you positive even when things aren’t going your way.

G．The things that you say to yourself influence the way you think about yourself.