1 . An Urban Farmer’s Garden of Eden
Ivy Lawrence-Walls didn’t set out to choose farming. But it chose her. She grew up on a five-acre farm in Houston and credits many
She didn’t know then that many of those childhood lessons would be
The garden grows carrots, cabbage, pumpkin, peppers, and delivers for free to local residents. It also hosts various plant pop-up events at local schools to
“Starting the farm in the early stages of the pandemic was a leap of
Lawrence-Walls said her biggest challenge
| A．distinct | B．essential | C．internal | D．enormous |
| A．patience | B．obligation | C．devotion | D．passion |
| A．committed | B．exposed | C．employed | D．adapted |
| A．linked | B．persuaded | C．integrated | D．expanded |
| A．engaged in | B．comprised of | C．gifted in | D．combined with |
| A．tailor | B．motivate | C．pursue | D．encounter |
| A．intention | B．hesitation | C．resistance | D．security |
| A．operation | B．routine | C．exercise | D．supply |
| A．Therefore | B．Afterwards | C．Nevertheless | D．Otherwise |
| A．occupied | B．involved | C．permitted | D．stuck |
| A．tackle | B．detect | C．clarify | D．distinguish |
| A．ceasing | B．expanding | C．fleeing | D．switching |
| A．distracting | B．evaluating | C．breaking | D．citing |
| A．assumption | B．conclusion | C．forecast | D．assessment |
| A．amusing | B．secure | C．rewarding | D．intense |
Armed with two over-packed suitcases,we arrived at the airport just in time for my flight. “Well, here we are, the airport,” my sister said with a sigh. As I watched her unload my luggage, I could see the sadness in her eyes. This was not easy on her either. We had both been dreading (害怕) this moment for the past week. One last hug and a final good-bye and I would be on my way to a new life abroad, leaving my beloved sister behind.
All my life I had loved airports. To me they were some kind of magic gateway to the world,a place from which to start great holidays and adventures. But today it seemed like a cold and heartless place. I looked at my sister and even though her eyes were filled with tears, she was trying to keep a brave face. “You’d better go or you’ll miss your flight,” she said.
“I’ll miss you,” I replied, and with those last words I was off. As promised, I did not look back, but by the time I reached the customs office I was sobbing (啜泣). “Cheer up, love,” the tall customs officer said with a smile. “It’s not the end of the world, you know.” But to me it was the end of the world, as I had known it.
While boarding the plane I was still crying. I did not have the energy to put my bag in the overhead locker, so I stuffed it on the empty seat next to mine. As I settled into my chair, a feeling of sadness overwhelmed me. I felt like my best friend had just been taken away from me.
Growing up, my sister and I would do everything together. Born barely fifteen months apart we not only looked alike, we were alike. Whenever one of us need something, the other one would come along. When the time came for us to go to college, we also went together. But now that our college days were over and I was off to a foreign country, all I had left were my memories.
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。
Paragraph 1:
Suddenly the plane shook heavily and the bag next to me fell on the floor.
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I spent the rest of the flight reading about my sister’s diary.
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Turtles Crossing
One spring afternoon, Alex rode his bike along the country road leading to his house. As he rounded a bend, a sign came into his view—Johnson’s pond. His dad took him canoeing (皮划艇) there sometimes. Alex loved it. Now it was spring time and the pond was always so alive. There, he could find frogs croaking, dragonflies hunting and turtles basking (晒太阳) on sunny rocks.
Alex was curious about the turtles he saw. Days earlier, he had gone to the library to check out books on turtles. Alex learned that turtles don’t have warm blood like people do. That’s why they have to sit in the sun to warm themselves. He also learned that in spring turtles lay eggs on the land away from the water.
Now it looked like tomorrow might be another sunny day. He decided he would ask Dad if they could go canoeing and look for turtles again. Just then Alex saw something in the road up ahead. It looked like a big gray rock. But it was a funny place for a rock to be. As Alex watched, the rock started to move. When he rode his bike up to get a closer look, he saw that it wasn’t a rock at all. It was a large turtle creeping (爬) its way across the road. It had a bony, beak-shaped mouth and a long, jagged tail. Alex suddenly realized what she was going to do.
He also knew not to get too close. He had read that a turtle has a powerful bite even though it doesn’t have teeth. It could even bite off someone’s finger. He stood at a distance and watched.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a car approaching. The turtle was still only halfway across the road. Alex knew he couldn’t pick it up to move it safely to the grass. What could he do? Thinking fast, he started jumping up and down and waving both hands wildly. ”Stop! Stop!“ he cried. The car slowed to a stop, and the driver stuck her head out of the window. It was his neighbor, Mrs. Ramos.
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。
”Are you alright, Alex?“ asked Mrs. Ramos.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Suddenly Alex got an idea how to protect them from car danger.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I came out just like I went in, feet first and belly down. My legs were spread out like a bean-shooter stalk. Arms flailing the air, I
One pup started my way. I held my breath. On he came until I felt a
Between sobs, I heard the
I heard the
Mama
Mama just
ALICE IN WONDERLAND is my favorite story of all time. And acting is my number one passion. So when my sixth-grade teacher announced during my first week at Newland Elementary that we’d be performing it for the school play, I practically screamed out loud with excitement. I’d always wanted to play the role of Alice!
Luckily, I stopped the scream before it really escaped. In Poulsbo, I’d starred in every play from third grade on. I played my first role as Tinkerbell in Peter Pan. And after that, backflips (后空翻) just couldn’t compare. All my friends were in the plays, too, and we’d had so much fun together! And I just knew that if I could star as Alice, life at Newland Elementary would be a lot more fun.
Mrs. Peason, our teacher, announced, “The role of Alice goes to Taylor! ” My head buzzed. My stomach erupted like a volcano. But I clapped along with everyone else and put a fake smile on my face. It took Mrs. Pearson forever to get to my name. When she finally did, she read, “Hazel, Tyler, and Ella-hedgehogs (刺猬)!” She announced this as if we’d just won a million dollars. But the hedgehogs had no lines. Mrs. Pearson looked at us expectantly. I cast an eye on the other two. Ella looked as if she were about to cry. Tyler looked as if he’d just eaten a piece of bad cheese.
The next day we had our first rehearsal. “I really wanted to be Alice,” I said, knowing that they were both wonderful dancers and wanted to do something different instead of being a hedgehog. “Since you just moved here, you probably didn’t know that Taylor has gotten all the starring roles since kindergarten. The rest of us just have to take what’s left.” Ella said. “Oh,” I said, startled. In Poulsbo, I’d been the one who’d gotten every starring role. I’d never even wondered if maybe the other kids had felt bad about that.
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。
Para. 1: Suddenly I had an idea.
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Para. 2: Everyone erupted into applause.
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6 . My fiancé (未婚夫) and I were excited about shopping for our first home. But our funds were
One agent recommended a house in particular. Although her description sounded wonderful, the price was
We finally did and it was
Days later, we made a(n)
The next day, we got a
“Sold!” said the owner. Then he explained: He’d seen us sitting by the lake all those times; he knew how much we loved the place and that we’d
That’s how we found our home and how I learned that when people are
| A．needed | B．limited | C．enough | D．large |
| A．below | B．within | C．beyond | D．between |
| A．at least | B．at most | C．at times | D．at hand |
| A．relief | B．concern | C．love | D．curiosity |
| A．pride | B．happiness | C．challenge | D．desire |
| A．effort | B．offer | C．promise | D．profit |
| A．come across | B．look after | C．depend on | D．laugh at |
| A．worse | B．better | C．less | D．higher |
| A．relaxing | B．disappointing | C．pleasant | D．regular |
| A．agents | B．buyers | C．managers | D．owners |
| A．already | B．still | C．generally | D．ever |
| A．so | B．or | C．for | D．but |
| A．check | B．analyze | C．appreciate | D．ignore |
| A．increase | B．difference | C．interest | D．average |
| A．kind | B．polite | C．smart | D．energetic |
One spring, I was hired as groundskeeper at a Country Inn, a famous bed-and-breakfast located in Washington state. The grand house is in a beautiful place. Many famous people have visited and even had their own rooms there. The owners, Philip and Cecelia, have done a perfect job for the house. However, the gardens were very overgrown. Worse yet, there was another problem: a very persistent doe (母鹿).
Every day when I came to work, there was new evidence of the deer’s big appetite. I tried many preventives: spray, human hair, soap, you name it-but none of those things had effect. Often when I was weeding, I’d look over and there she’d be, munching some tasty pieces. Worst of all, she feasted on the roses, in which Cecelia took great pride. I became so frustrated that I named her “Dinner”— and wanted to serve her on plates.
One morning, I was on my hands and knees pulling out vines and bushes when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. There was Dinner, not five feet away, munching a large leaf and staring at me. I felt a connection with this animal. We did have something in common-we were both mothers. I got the crazy idea of communicating with her and it seemed she wanted the same thing.
What’s up? I asked in my head.
I’m here because I feel safe, was the gentle reply I felt I heard. I have my fawns (幼鹿) bedded down nearby, and there is plenty to eat. When the twins are older after summer, I will move them deeper into the forest.
I understand that, I assured her. People come here too, from far away. I guess they’ll be interested to see you. I promise that nobody will harm you or your children. I don’t mind sharing the vegetation but Cecelia loves roses, too. She is very upset when they are all eaten.
A loud crash broke the magic. Our eyes met again briefly before she leaped off across the driveway, disappearing into the forest. Has I really communicated with the deer?
Paragraph1.
I went into the kitchen where Cecelia was preparing the evening meal.
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Paragraph2.
Every day, I enjoyed watching Dinner with the twins and my presence never bothered them.
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Opening presents carefully selected by our parents is our family tradition on Christmas morning, which always pushes the festive atmosphere to the climax. However, this year’s Christmas seemed not as happy as usual.
It was Christmas Eve when my sister and I decided to open our presents before our mom got home from work. Though worried about ruining my mom’s original plan, we still wanted to sneak a peek (偷看) at the gifts in advance, driven by a strong impulse of curiosity. Since my sister was older, and that put her in charge, she opened the first gift while I was ordered to stand guard at the big picture window in our front room. I was to report any suspicious activity or person, namely our mother, who can easily capture the details of life.
I was so excited that I could barely stand still. I also couldn’t keep my eyes on the window very long. My head moved from the window to my sister and back to the window again. I felt like I was watching a Ping-Pong match.
“All right!” my sister shouted. She pulled out a jewelry box. “You know what that means, don’t you?”
I jumped up and down. “Yeah, it’s my turn!”
“No,” she said. “It means that there must be some jewelry under here.” I watched my sister rummaging (翻寻) through the presents under the tree, trying to find one she thought was small enough to be a necklace or earrings.
“Hey, that’s not fair!” I complained, stomping my foot.
“Are you watching for Mom?” is all that she said. I couldn’t do anything except stand guard as she opened present after present. Finally, when my sister’s curiosity was satisfied and she had finished wrapping her last present back up, we traded places.
My heart hammered so hard that it felt like my chest was moving in and out. My sister reminded me to be careful so I wouldn’t tear the paper, and to wrap the present back up the same way that I had found it.
After unwrapping a few presents, I found it faster to open one end of a present and peek inside. “Headphones! How can my mom know what I want! Without any hesitation, I pulled the headphones out of the box.
注意：1.续写词数应为 150 个左右；2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。Paragraph l:
I was about to put them on when my sister shouted, “Quick! Mom’s coming!”
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Christmas morning finally approached, and we were ready to open our presents again!_
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9 . A personal trainer from the UK hopes to set a new world record by walking backward up and down Africa’s highest mountain.
Ben Stewart, 32, won’t be the first person to climb backward up Mount Kilimanjaro—two people have already done that—but nobody has walked backward both up and down the mountain. Stewart also hopes to set a record for the fastest time walking backward up and down Mount Kilimanjaro. He believes it will take him six days to get to the top of the mountain and two more days to get back down when he makes his attempt next February.
Stewart says he started walking backward to challenge himself, and climbed his first mountain backward in 2019. Three years later, he completed the UK’s Three Peaks Challenge—climbing the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland—all while walking backward.
He said he wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro because it’s the highest mountain that can be climbed without mountaineering equipment. However, Stewart will have a team of around 30 people with him to make sure he doesn’t fall off!
There is a danger, though, that Stewart could damage his neck by looking over his shoulder for so long, so he is using a special neck training device to prepare.
Stewart is using his climb to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, a heart disease research charity. He is doing this in memory of his grandfather, who died of a heart attack at age 65. Stewart told ITV News that his grandfather might have lived longer with “the right kind of research, the right kind of medication.”“But now he’s on my shoulder and in my ear,” said Stewart, “telling me I can do these amazing things.”
1. What does Ben Stewart do to reduce the damage to his neck during walking?| A．Conduct related research. | B．Take preventive medicine. |
| C．Do some special training. | D．Use mountaineering equipment. |
| A．He completed the UK’s Three Peaks Challenge in 2020. |
| B．He will take the challenge to climb Kilimanjaro on his own. |
| C．He was inspired by his grandfather to set a new world record. |
| D．He’ll be the first person to climb backward up and down Kilimanjaro. |
| A．Ambitious and loyal. | B．Careful and reliable. |
| C．Persistent and curious. | D．Determined and caring. |
| A．To explain the reason for Ben’s climbing. |
| B．To stress the significance of Ben’s action. |
| C．To draw attention to heart disease research and medication. |
| D．To provide detailed information on Ben’s climbing experience. |
In the heart of Daventry, five-year-old Oliver always cherishes tender moments with his mother, Codi Pow, who was a dedicated student nurse in the hospital in the town.
Codi has suffered from high blood pressure since a young age, and grapples with persistent health issues, which could easily trigger potential stroke or heart problems. She still remembers in the winter when her son was three years old, she got an unexpected tooth infection, which worsened dramatically, leaving her in hospital for a week. That tooth infection almost brought an end to her life.
As a student nurse, Codi navigates her daily routine with enormous care. She knows clearly that she should attend to herself well, taking pills on time, curbing her emotions, reducing the -sodium input, and so on. Her doctor’s repeated warnings echo in her mind, emphasizing the need to avoid infection that could lead to severe complications(并发症).
Oliver lives a life no different from other kids in the neighborhood, filled with playful activities, joyous singing, and the routine trips to kindergarten. What sets him apart is that he stands out for his unique passion: health and safety. During playtime, he eagerly absorbs himself in a toy first aid kit and asks his mum about medical things. Oliver has collected a surprising amount of knowledge on health and safety, despite being just five.
One quiet Sunday morning, while preparing breakfast for Oliver, Codi felt it a bit difficult to breathe. She went to the hospital with chest pain, swelling to her neck and a lump in the same area. She had a blood test, chest X-Ray and ECG before being sent home and advised to see her doctor later after she got the test reports.
By 1: 30 in the afternoon, Codi was doing washing in the kitchen while chatting with Oliver when her condition drastically worsened. She felt a high fever, the sign of a possible infection. All of a sudden, she had a blackout, and her legs gave out. She fell onto the kitchen floor like a sack of sand.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡上的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1:
Witnessing his mother collapse in the kitchen, Oliver was horrified.
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Paragraph 2:
Codi was swiftly attended to by the medical professionals.
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