1 . Henry remembers the day well. It was a day that would change his life. He was sitting at the kitchen table, watching his ten-year-old granddaughter, Sophia, do her homework. She had asked him a question about history and was now _________ him with big brown eyes, waiting for an answer. Henry looked at the kettle and then out of the kitchen window. Henry can still hear himself say, “I’m sorry, my dear. I don’t know.”

Henry had spent forty years working as a librarian in a school. He was now _________ and spent his days looking after Sophia. However, he felt that he should be doing more with his life, though he was in his seventies with grey hair and _________ wrinkles in his forehead (额头). As Sophia continued her homework, he read an article in the newspaper about the health _________ of older people going back to university. The article said that it kept the brain _________ and helped prevent loneliness. He made the _________ there and then. The next morning, he would go to Birkbeck, University of London and take a _________ in history.

After four years, Henry got his degree in history. “_________ the course has given me such a sense of achievement,” he says. “It has also made me _________ about doing all the other things that I’ve never had the courage to try before. It’s __________ too old to learn.”

1.

A．pointing to

B．looking for

C．caring about

D．staring at

2.

A．admitted

B．experienced

C．retired

D．educated

3.

A．deep

B．soft

C．high

D．low

4.

A．risks

B．benefits

C．services

D．topics

5.

A．dull

B．calm

C．active

D．secret

6.

A．mistake

B．speech

C．interview

D．decision

7.

A．turn

B．seat

C．picture

D．course

8.

A．Completing

B．Organizing

C．Planning

D．Preparing

9.

A．doubtful

B．confident

C．silent

D．puzzled

10.

A．rarely

B．seldom

C．never

D．only

2 . In a gray box, I have a thick pile of love letters. I imagine about sharing them with a granddaughter when I’m 90. But my most treasured love letter is from one of my best friends. It’s a handwritten letter years ago when I was having trouble getting over a man. Her letter is the most romantic in my pile. It made no excuses. It simply let me know that I was loved.

Reflecting on her gift, and the dying art of handwritten letters in our age of emails and emoticons, I chose to conduct an experiment this Christmas: replacing presents with heartfelt, handwritten love letters for my family members.

In our digital era, most of us rarely take the time to share deeply considered thoughts and emotions with the people in our lives. Handwriting captures the writer’s emotions, often preserved longer than digital exchanges. However, technology is taking over. First came typewriters and keyboards. Now a new brain-computer lets people type with their minds. What are we losing when we sacrifice the physical labor behind the written word? We tend to value what we struggle for. Have we undervalued the human exchange of ideas?

That day, I came across a letter my mom wrote to her parents when she was young. She seemed so comfortable with her parents. It was a relationship I didn’t have with her. I was inspired by my mother’s letter to her parents when I sat down to write my letter to her. I wanted her to know my love, and to close the crack that technology and culture had created between us. With each sentence, I was discovering new and deeper ways of seeing my mother, and making myself known to her in more thoughtful ways as well.

Eight single-space pages later, my hand was aching but I was done. It was only the first of my love letters, but it was already clear: What had begun as a fun project was in fact one of the most important undertakings of my life.

1. Why does the author mention her love letters in Paragraph 1?

A．To show her grand charm as a young girl.	B．To share them with one of her granddaughters.
C．To highlight the value of handwritten letters.	D．To look back upon her romantic relationship.

2. How will technology probably affect us in the digital age?

A．Making our interaction less emotional.	B．Encouraging our thoughtful communication.
C．Saving our physical labor in conveying emotions.	D．Increasing our effort in handwritten exchanges.

3. Why did the author handwrite a letter to her mother?

A．To give her mother a big surprise.	B．To answer her mother’s handwritten letter.
C．To bridge a communication gap.	D．To make her mother feel more comfortable.

4. What did the author learn from her experiment?

A．The irreplaceable bond of family members.	B．The tendency of information technology.
C．The expression of emotions in the digital age.	D．The power of handwritten correspondence.

3 . Accepting a compliment (赞美) has always been hard for me. I don’t _________ getting many as a kid, although my parents were very loving and supportive.

When I got to know Aaron, he _________ not just my looks but also my gifts and mind. I was hesitant (犹豫的) to believe all the _________ things he was saying. At the time, I was wondering if I could go to college. Aaron saw something else in me and _________ me to apply to college. His compliments _________ my life: He told me I was a good person and smart. He helped me see a totally different _________ of myself, and I liked being that girl! It turned out he was right: I was accepted to college and got my degree later.

Still, I felt _________ accepting compliments from anyone else. I didn’t think I was worthy of praise.

My real turning point came after being _________ to run a half-marathon in Germany in 2012. After the race, the _________ that I had, holding that medal and hearing everyone tell me how well I’d done, was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. I couldn’t deny (否认) that feeling of __________.

Now it’s a pleasure for me to both __________ and accept all kinds of compliments. I love seeing the __________ when I praise someone else — and I love seeing the satisfaction when they see that their compliments __________ me up, too.

A compliment is a __________ from another person and we wouldn’t refuse or question a gift. So these days, when someone gives me a compliment, I __________ smile and say, “Thank you!”

1.

A．imagine

B．remember

C．mind

D．suggest

2.

A．praised

B．noticed

C．accepted

D．described

3.

A．new

B．important

C．good

D．different

4.

A．allowed

B．required

C．invited

D．encouraged

5.

A．wasted

B．changed

C．took

D．controlled

6.

A．example

B．picture

C．story

D．side

7.

A．uncomfortable

B．surprised

C．lucky

D．helpless

8.

A．expected

B．taught

C．chosen

D．forced

9.

A．reason

B．feeling

C．result

D．plan

10.

A．freedom

B．safety

C．achievement

D．connection

11.

A．study

B．need

C．give

D．discover

12.

A．politeness

B．kindness

C．cleverness

D．happiness

13.

A．brought

B．picked

C．woke

D．cheered

14.

A．question

B．gift

C．test

D．reply

15.

A．just

B．once

C．seldom

D．nearly

4 . Once upon a time, there was a shepherd (牧羊人). He _________ dozens of sheep. He tended (照料) the sheep in the daytime, and kept them in the sheepfold (羊圈) at night.

One morning, the shepherd found that one sheep was _________. His neighbor helped him check the sheepfold. “There is a hole in the wall of your sheepfold. A wolf went in through the hole, and took the sheep away at night. You should _________ the sheepfold quickly and fill up the hole,” the neighbor said.

However, the shepherd was _________ to the neighbor’s advice. He replied, “I have already lost the sheep. It is no _________ repairing the sheepfold.” The next morning, the shepherd found that another sheep was gone.

The neighbor said, “If you had _________ my advice, you wouldn’t have made the same mistake. Aren’t you going to take action right now?”

The shepherd filled up the hole _________ at once. After that, _________ of his sheep was taken away by the wolf.

If there is a mistake, we should _________ it as soon as possible. In this way, we can avoid more __________.

1.

A．raised

B．produced

C．searched

D．hired

2.

A．sick

B．thirsty

C．sleepy

D．missing

3.

A．mend

B．check

C．block

D．tidy

4.

A．married

B．deaf

C．used

D．thankful

5.

A．good

B．excuse

C．use

D．doubt

6.

A．received

B．followed

C．ignored

D．heard

7.

A．immediately

B．carefully

C．hopelessly

D．hardly

8.

A．neither

B．any

C．each

D．none

9.

A．make

B．save

C．correct

D．recover

10.

A．efforts

B．wastes

C．chances

D．losses

5 . It was November. The sky was gray with dark clouds and a freezing rain. My mood ______ the day. Thanksgiving was coming soon and then Christmas but after that was a long, dark, cold winter and I wasn’t ______ it.

The older I got, the less it seemed I ______ the winter months. When I was a boy, they meant ______ in the snow, making snowmen, having snowball fights, and then sitting with my dog by the ______ and reading my favorite books. Now they just ______ watching the days get shorter, driving on slippy roads, and feeling the cold wind bite my face every time I went outside.

I lay on my bed, hoping I could sleep under the covers until ______ . Just then my little dog climbed onto my ______ and looked at me with her big, wet eyes. She appeared so sad and miserable. “Is that how I ______ right now?” I thought, knowing that she often ______ my moods. I smiled and patted her until she smiled too.

I feel grateful for having this loving, little dog. She ______ me that the whole world around us is our mirror. We can either be a reflection of ______ or darkness. We can either give the world kindness and joy or fear and ______. Life truly is what we ______ it and we can reflect our warmth, love and light even in winter’s ______ days.

1.

A．counted

B．admired

C．matched

D．rescued

2.

A．looking forward to

B．keeping up with

C．taking notice of

D．getting along with

3.

A．achieved

B．remembered

C．needed

D．liked

4.

A．playing

B．training

C．performing

D．driving

5.

A．roadside

B．tree

C．river

D．fire

6.

A．enjoyed

B．meant

C．advised

D．regretted

7.

A．spring

B．summer

C．autumn

D．winter

8.

A．stage

B．desk

C．bed

D．chair

9.

A．sound

B．look

C．smell

D．taste

10.

A．demanded

B．forgot

C．mirrored

D．delivered

11.

A．reminds

B．suggests

C．warns

D．promises

12.

A．peace

B．light

C．silence

D．patience

13.

A．doubt

B．surprise

C．shame

D．anger

14.

A．have

B．use

C．take

D．make

15.

A．happiest

B．simplest

C．darkest

D．Busiest

6 . As a boy, I knew little about baseball. Yet I later became the father of two boys, Will and Tim, who were both interested in baseball. On Saturday mornings, I’d take Will out to the playground and play catch with him. Because of my weak arm, the ball often dropped before he could catch it. After many misses, he said one day, “How am I ever going to make the major leagues (联盟)?” “You have the wrong dad, kid,” I thought. Baseball isn’t my thing.

Still, I wanted to give my kids confidence on the field. There was an official Little League in our area, but it was super-competitive and only catered to older boys. I really hoped we had something less competitive, something that welcomed younger boys and girls.

I shared the idea with some neighbors. “That would be great!” they said. Now who could organize such a thing? Not me. I tried to put the idea aside, but it wouldn’t leave me. I finally decided that I must do something about it. So I called the city government, explaining that some families wanted to start a baseball league in our neighborhood. Were there any fields for that? When I had to speak to the official in charge, I got butterflies in my stomach. What if he said no? “Yes, we have two fields for four hours every Sunday morning,” the man said hearing my request. Our league was founded. What a joy it was to sit on the benches, watching Will and Tim playing baseball! And I became the most unlikely baseball commissioner (专员) ever.

Many years have passed. Now Will and Tim are new dads, and I can’t want to see what they’ll have to do. I know better than anyone: Parenthood calls you to do the most unlikely things.

1. Why did the author think his son Will had the wrong father?

A．He had poor baseball skills.	B．He had no confidence in his son.
C．He wouldn’t play catch with his son.	D．He didn’t know what his son’s dream was.

2. What does the underlined phrase “catered to” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Won the respect of.	B．Ensured the safety of.
C．Served the purpose of.	D．Saved the trouble of.

3. How did the author probably feel while talking to the official?

A．Confident.

B．Peaceful.

C．Nervous.

D．Proud.

4. What does the author want to stress in the text?

A．The need to challenge oneself.	B．The greatness of parental love.
C．The role of sports in kids’ growth.	D．The relationship between parents and kids.

7 . It was a winter after noon when I tripped over a high kerb (马路牙子). Suddenly, I was flying through the air. It was only the next morning when I tried to take a photo of some splendid sunlight _________ into my kitchen, that I had to face the reality: I could no longer lift my camera, let alone use it. Later, a hospital appointment _________ my worst fear — the arm needed total rest.

Soon I became impatient. I couldn’t travel much. Surfing online, I _________ the concept of gratitude intervention, a method to boost _________ and well-being by being grateful. I had never been wildly _________ about the concept of counting one’s blessings. However, a Californian psychologist, Sonja Lyubomirsky, has _________ research into something much more creative — using a daily photography _________ as a tool for enhanced gratitude.

Lyubomirsky’s instructions are _________, but not necessarily easy to carry out. Take photographs throughout the day of things central to who you are. Reading how participants assigned to the gratitude interventions _________ experienced enhanced positive emotions, a sense of connectedness, more support, and less __________, I decided to carry on.

Taking a single photo was painful, but the __________ to find anything to feel grateful about, and then to record it, started to greatly __________ both my mood and my images. I began to photograph the __________ of my days. Despite everything, I found I could find magic in the daily routines. Life seems repetitive and __________ when you don’t notice the __________ of each moment and the constant small changes that are going on all around you. Don’t just take my word for it — experience it for yourself.

1.

A．winding

B．streaming

C．sticking

D．knocking

2.

A．confirmed

B．removed

C．relieved

D．overcame

3.

A．broke into

B．made up

C．took down

D．came across

4.

A．dream

B．thought

C．mood

D．desire

5.

A．enthusiastic

B．confused

C．nervous

D．particular

6.

A．consulted

B．imagined

C．pioneered

D．observed

7.

A．lesson

B．skill

C．plan

D．practice

8.

A．complex

B．simple

C．normal

D．abstract

9.

A．occasionally

B．hardly

C．significantly

D．slightly

10.

A．interruption

B．loneliness

C．willingness

D．motivation

11.

A．struggle

B．excuse

C．opportunity

D．promise

12.

A．keep

B．balance

C．ruin

D．improve

13.

A．details

B．surprises

C．changes

D．achievements

14.

A．wonderful

B．meaningful

C．unfair

D．boring

15.

A．pain

B．anxiety

C．uniqueness

D．challenge

8 . “Everybody is talented because everybody who is human has something to express,” said American journalist Brenda Ueland. However, sometimes strict teachers or art world could kill creative spark in those who might not meet academic or art world expectations.

From a young age, Emily’s parents introduced her to art. Her father took her to world-renowned galleries in Germany, Italy, or France. Although her father loved and focused on Medieval and religious art, nine-year-old Emily was taken aback by the Modern Art. “I would go to the Modern Art section on my own. The paintings were fantastic, and my heart flew looking at them,” said Emily.

Although she loved arts and took creative subjects at school, she never had enough time to dedicate to painting. Only after she completed her Ph.D. in systematic theology (神学) at The University of St. Michael’s College in Canada, she found time to paint in 1996. “I was already teaching theology, and I enrolled (报名) in a watercolour class. Once I started, I could not stop,” she said.

Emily works as an independent fundraiser consultant for non-profit organizations, in addition to her responsibilities as a Fund Developer at Cardinal Felix Foundation. She regularly takes art classes or paints at home, but she packs her colours on every trip. “Painting helps me to get in touch with my true self. It has made my life richer,” she said.

In her painting, she likes to focus on a single object and draw attention to its details. “I like to see what is unique about an object and how it complements its surrounding,” she said. Emily enjoys creating colourful and novel scenes. She ignores remarks of those who follow strict art concepts and who is considered a genuine artist. Emily views art and creativity as a unique language that introduces her to different aspects of life and people. “Art is also my best friend. It is always here for me,” she said.

1. Why does the author mention Brenda Ueland?

A．To share a depressing story.	B．To clarify insights on art creation.
C．To assume the prospect of talents.	D．To demonstrate the creativity of artists.

2. What do we know about Emily’s father?

A．He led Emily to the door of art.

B．He accompanied Emily to paint all the way.

C．He was against the choice of systematic theology.

D．He had the same tastes in art and similar hobbies.

3. When did Emily actually begin to draw pictures?

A．At a young age.	B．During the trip to France.
C．In the University of St. Michael’s College.	D．After obtaining her Ph. D. in Canada.

4. How did Emily react to the strict art critics?

A．Turn a deaf ear and be true to herself.

B．Follow their professional and far-reaching advice.

C．Learn from their educational and creative remarks.

D．Adopt critical thinking to handle the criticism.

9 . 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。

It was the last day of school, and the long year spent in fourth grade had finally come to an end. It had rained heavily all day, and by the afternoon it became chilly. The sun had dipped below the horizon (地平线) as I got home soaked (湿透) and cold. I rushed into my room and slipped into some dry clothes. Once I had changed, I joined my mother in the kitchen. She had already lit the fire to prepare supper.

The wood soon caught fire, and the warmth spread around the room. I tried to get closer to the fire as my body was shivering with the intense cold. My mother gently rubbed my back and said, “I am proud of you, my little hero,” as I told her how my schoolwork had improved. I remember her bright smile and the joy in her eyes.

My mother started humming the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson. I immediately began to sing with my mother. We would always sing songs like this together. My mother knew how much I loved singing. She always felt sorry that she couldn’t afford to pay for music classes for me.

Life was not easy for us during that period. I was living with my mother after she separated from my dad, which happened the year before when I was in third grade. Sometimes the nights were tedious (单调乏味的) and tiresome as we did not have a television and the batteries in our old radio would often run out. However, I enjoyed the 20 songs that my mother and I sang together. As she hummed the tune and I sang along, I dreamed of a world where performing on stage would be the pillar (支柱) of my life. The turning point of my childhood came after the end of fourth grade. Our neighbor moved away and left his old piano to us.

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。

My mother was so happy that she could teach me singing at home with this piano.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next term, I became the lead singer of the school chorus, which was one step closer to my dream of becoming a singer and inspiring people with my voice.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . At 20 years old, I was a confident and handsome student at the University of California at Berkey.

But that year, I ________ a bump (肿块) in my right nostril (鼻孔), and when it didn’t go away, I made an ________ with a doctor. It turned out to be a tumor (肿瘤). Then I underwent surgery. Fortunately, the procedure was ________, and I returned to classes soon.

But six months later, a new bump appeared. Numerous ________ confirmed it had reproduced a horrible, life—threatening tumor. I was advised to have another operation and ________ that I might lose part of my nose. I was too young to think about death then, but the thought of disfigurement (毁容) made me feel ________.

I awoke from the surgery with a scarred, disfigured face. As I re-entered the real world, I noticed adults ________ and children pointing—and sometimes laughing—at me. The occasional and ________ negative reactions from my friends also hurt me. My self-respect sank increasingly lower, and I constantly asked others, “Do my looks ________ you?”

Five years and 20 reconstructive surgeries later, I ________ a man receiving treatment. After hearing my question, he criticized me. My problem, he ________ me, was not my physical appearance, but my emotional insecurity. His ________ helped me realize my mental scars were far more disfiguring than my physical ones.

I began examining myself from the inside out. Later, I volunteered at a cancer support organization to offer inspiration and hope to those ________ cancer

Now, I am ________ for who I am—a much stronger person than before. To you, I offer this message: Avoid making judgements about people at ________.

1.

A．took charge of

B．took care of

C．took control of

D．took notice of

2.

A．appointment

B．arrangement

C．commitment

D．placement

3.

A．severe

B．minor

C．apparent

D．complicated

4.

A．novelists

B．specialists

C．impressionists

D．journalists

5.

A．advocated

B．predicted

C．warned

D．witnessed

6.

A．desperate

B．enthusiastic

C．delicate

D．optimistic

7.

A．smiling

B．glaring

C．glancing

D．staring

8.

A．unusually

B．unintentionally.

C．unconventionally

D．unselfishly

9.

A．bother

B．impress

C．annoy

D．restrict

10.

A．greeted

B．persuaded

C．encountered

D．grasped

11.

A．abused

B．defended

C．informed

D．motivated

12.

A．relief

B．security

C．defence

D．honesty

13.

A．going about

B．relating to

C．wrestling with

D．breaking with

14.

A．greedy

B．grateful

C．suitable

D．tolerant

15.

A．mental vitality

B．physical fitness

C．social acceptance

D．face value