1 . As the saying goes, life is sweet. But while we may wish for consistently sweet moments, life often serves us other _________.

Recently, we celebrated my mom’s birthday. In her nineties now, as she _________ the closing stages of a long and remarkable life, she struggles with dementia (痴呆), leading to her mind and body not _________ the way she would want.

The day before the celebration, we _________ to bake cookies with her great grand kids. Not just any cookies, but 60 _________ sugar cookies cut in different shapes, covered with lots of sprinkles (糖屑). Though the kids worked as carefully as they could, they made the kitchen a total mess, _________almost as many sprinkles on the floor as on the cookies. They went on for hours, rolling dough, baking, cutting shapes, and _________ with four kinds of sprinkles.

The next day, the birthday _________ was a success. We took many pictures, and the beautiful cookies were shared. In an _________ way, those sweet sprinkles have not only stuck in my mind but remained almost everywhere in our home for the past few days. In every __________, I continue to find them, in all the colors of the rainbow, four shapes and sizes, sweet, and after I __________ step on them, not so sweet.

Truly, these are bittersweet moments, filled with __________ emotions. From such moments, we unwillingly learn that much in life is __________ our control: the separations and losses, the __________ of life, the passage of time. Life serves up many flavors. __________, we can choose our attitudes on the journey.

1.

A．memories

B．flavors

C．experiences

D．smells

2.

A．forgets

B．realizes

C．nears

D．questions

3.

A．functioning

B．changing

C．failing

D．growing

4.

A．decided

B．asked

C．managed

D．continued

5.

A．new-born

B．snow-covered

C．hard-won

D．home-made

6.

A．working on

B．preparing for

C．cutting off

D．resulting in

7.

A．checking

B．decorating

C．struggling

D．volunteering

8.

A．cake

B．wish

C．gift

D．party

9.

A．unexpected

B．unknown

C．undoubted

D．unlimited

10.

A．picture

B．cookie

C．room

D．house

11.

A．dangerously

B．successfully

C．emotionally

D．accidentally

12.

A．new

B．strong

C．mixed

D．negative

13.

A．within

B．through

C．beyond

D．toward

14.

A．shortness

B．meaning

C．record

D．style

15.

A．Instead

B．However

C．Meanwhile

D．Therefore

2 . Rejection doesn’t always hurt. Sometimes rejection may _________ a more certain path to our final goals.

This year football fans have been watching to see how Joe would _________ in the playoffs(季后赛) this season. Joe dreamed to play in the National Football League (NFL), but his journey wasn’t a(n) _________ one. He applied to several colleges, but none _________ him. Later, he got into Ohio State, but he sat on the _________ for three years. Ohio State had a great football program and coaches, who didn’t think Joe had _________. But Joe thought differently. He _________ Nebraska and got rejected once again, but he didn’t quit. Then he applied to Louisiana State University, which accepted him. The rest is history.

Joe became the Heisman Trophy _________ during his senior year, then he was admitted to the NFL, and later, his team participated in the World Championship.

Joe’s story reminds us that there are _________ paths to our final goals and that it __________ strong endurance and determination to reach them. No single __________ is going to prevent you from __________ your long-term goals. Be sure to__________ the pain that comes from disappointment and face it bravely. Try to focus on goals rather than the __________ outcome of being rejected and remember that the hurt of rejection comes from how we __________ it.

1.

A．follow

B．lead

C．create

D．clear

2.

A．study

B．perform

C．train

D．join

3.

A．tough

B．fun

C．attractive

D．easy

4.

A．accepted

B．remembered

C．rejected

D．ignored

5.

A．bench

B．stand

C．team

D．stage

6.

A．chance

B．resource

C．potential

D．enthusiasm

7.

A．signed up for

B．applied to

C．attended to

D．searched for

8.

A．fan

B．adviser

C．learner

D．winner

9.

A．similar

B．smooth

C．multiple

D．flat

10.

A．costs

B．takes

C．makes

D．offers

11.

A．theory

B．training

C．rejection

D．excuse

12.

A．achieving

B．planning

C．announcing

D．explaining

13.

A．affect

B．emphasize

C．estimate

D．acknowledge

14.

A．active

B．negative

C．possible

D．predictable

15.

A．interpret

B．imagine

C．explore

D．escape

3 . 阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。

In a misty morning, Robert was hiking high in the mountains with Lucky, his tiny but energetic dog. Every weekend, the two would go together on a hiking to climb nearby mountains. As they got near to the top, the path was rocky and less-traveled. After an hour, they reached the top, touched by the beautiful view there. Lost in the breathtaking scenery, Robert felt refreshed. When he looked at the loyal friend beside him, the memory of meeting Lucky for the first time flooded into his mind.

It had been about two years since Robert got Lucky. She was small and a ball of energy. “The day when my mother let me choose a dog from the doghouse, she was playfully jumping around and licking (舔) me, barking (犬吠) loudly to show how much she wanted to be my family,” thought Robert. “She looked quite small, but from the moment I threw my eyes on her, I knew she was the perfect dog for me. And, for some reasons, that active energy was something that I needed in my life,” Robert kept thinking.

Time flew, dark night drawing near. Having got enough rest, Robert decided it was time to go home. Suddenly, Robert lost his balance, rolled down a rocky hill, hit his head really hard, and finally stopped upside down.

One of his leg was in between two rocks, so he couldn’t move. But that was the least of his worries. What Robert was really scared of was that he was going to sleep with a serious head injury. He tried to cry for help, but he was so weak that he was going to become unconscious (昏迷的). “If only there had been someone else,” Robert thought, sad and hopeless. As darkness fell further, the weather turned cold and windy and he was about to lose consciousness. What’s worse, Robert noticed something like a snake approaching him before he finally fell unconscious.

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。
Paragraph 1:

Fortunately, Lucky was there all the time and never stopped barking for help.

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Paragraph 2:

After seeing unconscious Robert, the two strangers managed to wake him up.

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4 . In the vast ocean, nature wonders never stop to amaze us. On October 18th, in Australia, some beach goers _________ a mother humpback whale (座头鲸) and her kid too close to the beach, letting out loud screams, possibly getting _________. They reported it to the rescuers _________.

Malcolm Smith and his rescue team _________ soon. They found the report was true — the two were far from their _________ route. During this time of every year, Antarctica _________ plentiful sources of food. The humpback whales _________ along the Western Australian coast, heading for _________ food in Antarctica. Smith tried a lot to guide them back but in vain. Suddenly, a group of dolphins came _________ through the water. They took the task upon themselves to __________ the hopeless situation.

The amazing __________ was caught on video and shared on social media, leaving hundreds and thousands of viewers __________ the cooperation between these beautiful animals. In the video, as the dolphins __________, the two whales follow willingly, gracefully swimming straight out, to their __________.

The remarkable sight reminds us of the unbelievable __________ that exist in the animal kingdom. “The clever dolphins must have heard the whales’ helpless calls.” Smith said, “It is the __________ day of my life.” Smith said. The Dolphin Discovery Centre expressed their heartfelt __________ on social media to those who reported the __________ whales. This kind __________ is a reminder of the importance of working together in __________ the sea ecosystem and its brilliant animals.

1.

A．harmed

B．hunted

C．noticed

D．touched

2.

A．bored

B．lost

C．hungry

D．tired

3.

A．finally

B．suddenly

C．violently

D．immediately

4.

A．agreed

B．arrived

C．ran

D．left

5.

A．artificial

B．shallow

C．natural

D．deep

6.

A．provides

B．needs

C．lacks

D．invents

7.

A．rest

B．research

C．travel

D．call

8.

A．rare

B．little

C．different

D．abundant

9.

A．sliding

B．wandering

C．running

D．flying

10.

A．fix

B．disturb

C．understand

D．watch

11.

A．wave

B．rescue

C．circus

D．scenery

12.

A．joining

B．doubting

C．checking

D．admiring

13.

A．fall behind

B．take the lead

C．swim away

D．catch up

14.

A．home

B．water

C．path

D．group

15.

A．bonds

B．pictures

C．sounds

D．gifts

16.

A．best

B．shortest

C．longest

D．busiest

17.

A．hope

B．concern

C．gratitude

D．regret

18.

A．dangerous

B．troubled

C．huge

D．devoted

19.

A．defense

B．payment

C．video

D．act

20.

A．protecting

B．exploring

C．recording

D．testing

5 . “If you’re Italian and Swedish, and Daddy’s Italian and Polish,” my 7-year-old daughter asked, “does that mean I’m part Swedish, Polish and Italian?”

“Well, not exactly...” I tried to think on my feet. Clearly it was time to explain some complicated things.

My daughter arrived by using a donated egg (卵子). I carried her to term, but she carries all her genes from my husband and the donor. Any similarities we share are a result of nurture rather than nature. I often experienced a sense of shame, as if I had cheated nature. I also feared that my daughter would feel disconnected or pull away from me once she knew everything.

However, we didn’t want the information to come from anyone but us. I had referred to many related researches and results showing such families have better outcomes when parents tell kids about their special arrival early on, ideally by the time they’re 7 years old. On the day when she asked the question, I bought a book You Began as a Wish by Kim Bergman, which talks about all the different ways kids come.

After reading together, we talked a little longer about the different kinds of families we knew. I could see recognition in her warm brown eyes. “Could I be French? I love the Eiffel Tower and croissant (羊角面包)”, she asked expectantly. I thought back to the information of the donor application.” “Actually, I think you are a little bit French.”

“Yes!” She pumped her fist in the air.

I know this is only the very beginning of these conversations, and things may be more complicated for my family from now on. But we get to work through whatever complications’ arise together, without secrecy or shame.

1. What does the underlined phrase “think on my feet” possibly mean?

A．Lie easily.

B．Respond carefully.

C．Treat it casually.

D．Run away quickly.

2. What does the writer describe in the third paragraph?

A．Her misfortune.

B．Her plan.

C．Her upset.

D．Her regret.

3. How did the writer possibly get prepared to solve the problem?

A．Discussing openly.	B．Reading widely.
C．Waiting patiently.	D．Thinking wisely.

4. What kind of family does the writer have?

A．Open and trustful.	B．Happy and hardworking.
C．Rich and caring.	D．Brave and humorous.

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。

Becky Darig had always had a fascination with the cinema, and by the time she was nine years old, she knew she wanted to be an actress, shine on the big screen and be a star When Becky was seventeen, she unexpectedly got her break into show business, but she never imagined that her golden opportunity would turn her life and her family’s upside down.

It all started when Becky’s friend Anna spotted a call for teens to audition (试镜) for roles in a new TV show, which was also looking for a double for the lead actress. “You’d be perfect!” cried Anna. “And you’ve always wanted to be an actress. This could be your opportunity!” “I don’t know, Anna,” said Becky. “I have no experience!” Anna shook her head and said: “You know what my grandma said? Nothing ventured (冒险), nothing gained. You’ve got to try! I’ll come with you if you’re scared!”

Becky accepted her offer, and the next day the two girls were at the audition along with hundreds of other teens. The other hopefuls were all beautiful, and from their conversation, Becky could tell that they all had experience in acting. She was sure she would be knocked out immediately, but Anna kept telling her that she would be fine.

Finally, it was Becky’s turn, and she stepped into the room in front of the producers and the director. At the sight of Becky, the director’s mouth dropped open, and the producers stared whispering together excitedly. Becky introduced herself and started reading from the lines she had been handed in the hallway, but the director waved a hand.

“Becky? Is that your name?” he said. “We don’t need to hear anymore...” Becky felt her eyes fill with tears. She was so bad they didn’t even want her to finish the reading! Then the man said: “You’re hired(雇佣). You’ll be Jenna Marlow’s double.”

Becky understood the producers and the director’s amazement the next day when she met the new series’ leading lady, Jenna Marlow.

注意:
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在相应位置作答。

Looking into Jenna’s face was like looking into a mirror!

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The truth was uncovered when Jenna and Becky arranged a dinner and invited Mrs. Marlow and Mrs. Darling.

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