1 . It was the end of the school day, and I was tired. I grabbed a pile of about 130 exam papers to _________ on the train ride home. I’d bring them back the next morning.

My principal (校长) pushed her head into my classroom and said, “Friendly _________! You need to make sure your word wall is _________ by tomorrow morning.” She then moved on to the next classroom to _________ the message. I sighed and thought, “Are you making a(n)_________? What a waste of my time!”

My principal was _________ about making our school beautiful, while my goal was to get my students to pass the Algebra Regents Exam. She wanted every classroom to have a word wall, where student’s works on creative projects would be _________. She brought in beautiful planters (花盆) that _________ the hallways with greenery. However, I assume that school and classroom _________ aren’t important when it comes to learning. To me, spending time and money making our school and classrooms beautiful was just a distraction (使人分心的事). Those things don’t __________ my students with math.

However, after three years of teaching, I went to graduate school in part to study how resources __________ teachers and students. What my research found __________ me: When teachers __________ their classroom environment resources, their students did better on standardized tests. My principal was __________. She was creating more than just a beautiful __________—she was building a welcoming and positive environment for students to learn and teachers to work.

1.

A．distribute

B．preview

C．grade

D．write

2.

A．reminder

B．warning

C．trick

D．comment

3.

A．advanced

B．formal

C．hidden

D．available

4.

A．copy

B．explain

C．repeat

D．collect

5.

A．excuse

B．promise

C．request

D．joke

6.

A．upset

B．curious

C．passionate

D．uncertain

7.

A．displayed

B．assessed

C．exchanged

D．polished

8.

A．connected

B．blocked

C．lined

D．covered

9.

A．locations

B．activities

C．rules

D．appearances

10.

A．impress

B．assist

C．confuse

D．challenge

11.

A．affected

B．protected

C．reflected

D．united

12.

A．annoyed

B．surprised

C．disappointed

D．amused

13.

A．made use of

B．set aside

C．looked down upon

D．showed off

14.

A．kind

B．right

C．patient

D．humble

15.

A．bond

B．space

C．sample

D．future

2 . I was then in my early twenties. Even though I was armed with a degree in Education, finding a ______ teaching job was not easy. I had to try some temporary ones.

This year, when a golden opportunity ______ to teach 5th grade students in a local school. I ______ it and took things seriously. I ______ myself with lesson plans, taught with enthusiasm, and stayed ______ with the students. I had no hesitation in ______ the kids when they got the answer right, and encouraged them if they didn’t.

One day when the kids were _______, a girl approached and handed me a ______ before she went home. On it was a lovely drawing full of childlike wonder, ______ by the words, “You are the best teacher I have ever had!” It really amazed me that one of my kind comments had ______ that girl’s heart greatly. I took that note home and ______ put it in a folder, looking on it as a ______ because it was very important. Anytime I was feeling down I would look at it and it proved to be a ______ .

That experience showed me the ______ of just a single kind word. It encouraged me to continue to try my best each day to ______ love and kindness through my words and actions. Wish the same for others.

1.

A．first-rate

B．well-paid

C．labor-saving

D．full-time

2.

A．escaped

B．demanded

C．arose

D．arranged

3.

A．jumped at

B．thought about

C．waited for

D．dreamt of

4.

A．occupied

B．amused

C．concerned

D．contented

5.

A．familiar

B．positive

C．strict

D．consistent

6.

A．evaluating

B．supporting

C．instructing

D．congratulating

7.

A．graded

B．dismissed

C．tested

D．taught

8.

A．note

B．gift

C．parcel

D．book

9.

A．judged

B．indicated

C．emphasized

D．accompanied

10.

A．hardened

B．touched

C．broken

D．gladdened

11.

A．simply

B．casually

C．carefully

D．eagerly

12.

A．reminder

B．treasure

C．proof

D．secret

13.

A．comfort

B．fortune

C．fantasy

D．privilege

14.

A．target

B．application

C．power

D．principle

15.

A．clarify

B．find

C．feel

D．spread

3 . In 2016, when I was on the graduate scheme (计划) at Deutsche Bank, Marie Inafidon, chief executive of Stemettes, who encourages girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), was also working there. I didn’t meet her at the time, but I did read an article about her and her career.

Learning at 21 years old about the career of a young black woman’s succeeding in a traditionally white male-dominated industry was one of the most influential things that ever happened to me. It gave me confidence that it was possible to do well in the office and work on personal external project at the same time.

Role models can play a central role in shaping a young professional’s career. They are especially important if you belong to an under-represented group for whom a lack of representation in the workplace can lead to feeling isolated and lacking in confidence. They can help those just starting out, whether or not they are a graduate as I was, to believe in their own abilities.

There’s a growing need to have accessible role models. Given the tendency to exaggerate (夸大) success stories, hearing from women who talk honestly about the challenges they have faced, either when starting a business or forming a new career path, is much more effective. A study revealed that 70 per cent of girls say they think differently about their futures after hearing from women role models.

I’m frequently asked about what businesses could be doing to increase racial diversity in the workplace. A good starting point is to actively promote and support the voices of the people in the organisation that are leading positive change and inspiring others. This makes a real difference. Unlike the tokenism (装样子) I still come across, which results in individuals being made the lone representative for a group without real support from the organisation.

Things came full circle for me when I interviewed Ms. Inafidon for my book in 2019. I was able to tell her of the incredible impact her passion and confidence had had on me as a graduate trainee and how grateful I would always be for that.

1. What do we learn about Marie Inafidon？

A．She became successful at 21.

B．She was a trainee at Deutsche Bank.

C．She encouraged girls to take up STEM-related work.

D．She helped the author with her external project personally.

2. Who can benefit most from role models in the work place according to the third paragraph？

A．Experienced professionals.	B．A graduate eager to succeed.
C．People without special abilities.	D．The young from an under-represented group.

3. What is effective in changing girls’ mindset？

A．Taking on challenging projects.

B．Reading more made-up success stories.

C．Starting their own business as early as possible.

D．Listening to women role models share their experiences.

4. What should businesses do to increase racial diversity in the workplace according to the author?

A．Encourage positive opinions.

B．Make more colored people authorities.

C．Include more people of different races.

D．Understand the true meaning of tokenism.

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。

When we were finally dismissed from the last class of the day, the students streamed out of the classrooms. It was another boring day after school. I dragged my feet home as I sighed. Yet another uneventful day, I thought. Little did I know that the day would take a turn for the worse.

The lift lobby (电梯间) of my flat was old and dirty. The walls, which were painted white, had been dirtied over many years. I reached my flat’s lobby, and pressed the lift button and went in. Just then, Mrs Lim, my elderly neighbour, hobbled (蹒跚) in. She looked ancient with tissue paper white hair, wearing a faded old-fashioned dress. I held the lift door open, flashing a friendly smile, and politely greeted her. I asked her how she felt that day and pressed the buttons. She thanked me for being so polite, then we were silent for the rest of the ride.

The lift fell down increasingly fast. There were loud clanking sounds here and there while the lift grew slower and slower. My heart beat hard and fast as my hands turned cold and wet with sweat. Unfortunately, the lift came to an abrupt stop at the fifth floor. I pressed the buttons hard several times, but it was of no help. The lights on the buttons had gone out. It soon dawned on me that we were trapped. An icy fear crept up my spine. Mrs Lim was hysterical (歇斯底里).

“We will never get out!” she cried with her face pale. It had become a colourless mask. I had no time to lose. I pressed the bell in the lift immediately. The sound was surely deafening, but what other choice did I have? Mrs Lim burst into tears. I tried my very best to comfort her, telling her that everything would be all right and that we needed to find out how to get out safely. Mrs Lim began having trouble breathing, and I immediately helped her sit down and loosened her collar.

Paragraph 1: Several minutes passed, but no help came.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: Bang! My hopes were lifted when I heard the firefighters on the other side of the lift door.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . The doorbell rang one mid-December evening. I frequently had unexpected visitors in those early days after my husband’s ________. But when my 6-year-old son opened the door, nobody was there. ________, on the doormat was a box, tied with a silver ________ and a note that said “On the First Day of Christmas...” A mystery.

Sam had died that fall, ________ me the single parent of our two boys, 6 and 8. My sons and I had already ________ to deal with Halloween, and Thanksgiving without Daddy. Still, I was afraid of Christmas. How could December have ________ without my husband?

The next night, the doorbell rang again. Another ________ came, decorated with the same silver ribbon (带子) and ________ the same card reading “On the Second Day of Christmas...”

For the next couple of nights, my boys waited near the front door to see who was leaving the gifts, but the bearer would always choose the moment they left to ________.

I didn’t know who the secret Santa was. But there was one thing I did know. In those dark days of ________, somebody was shining a light our way with a simple but ________ message: “You are loved.” It was such a strange feeling, to be left in darkness on the one hand and drawn so firmly toward ________ on the other. I believe hope will make a(n) ________.

After 11 days of offerings, we weren’t sure what to ________ when we approached home on that 12th night. I trusted there would be ________.

1.

A．promotion

B．death

C．retirement

D．operation

2.

A．Otherwise

B．Besides

C．Instead

D．Therefore

3.

A．rope

B．paper

C．flower

D．ribbon

4.

A．leaving

B．finding

C．naming

D．considering

5.

A．agreed

B．planned

C．managed

D．promised

6.

A．arrived

B．returned

C．ended

D．escaped

7.

A．book

B．toy

C．box

D．pet

8.

A．designing

B．including

C．showing

D．making

9.

A．get through

B．set off

C．move on

D．turn up

10.

A．regret

B．sadness

C．anger

D．disappointment

11.

A．annoying

B．funny

C．urgent

D．powerful

12.

A．dream

B．light

C．future

D．home

13.

A．difference

B．effort

C．comparison

D．contribution

14.

A．support

B．offer

C．expect

D．appreciate

15.

A．something

B．nothing

C．anything

D．everything

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。

Born into a medical family, Amar, a 15-year-old boy, was expected to be a doctor, but deep down in his heart, he was eager to take up writing as his future career. He was in a great dilemma whether to pursue his dream or live up to his parents’ expectation. until one day when his father gifted him a parrot.

The parrot had two hazy lines in her neck: black and red. Amar knew the hazy lines mark the stage of learning. “When there is a good teacher, how can his student be stupid” ,he used to believe. It was absolutely true.

Metto’s cage was yellow with a big door and a shiny silver rod (杆) running through the centre. Metto’s world was fantastic, surrounded by eight-foot white walls with some plum trees. And a lawn, with a palm tree in the middle, was dotted with multiple-color roses.

Back home from school every afternoon, Amar always slid the door of the cage up for Metto to set her free nearby the palm tree. Metto could set herself free because she learned how to slide up the door but she had never tried to do so. It was either love with Amar or, might be, she had never tasted the taste of a bigger world.

Amar always talked with Metto in Pashto (普什图语). Whenever Amar fished out peanuts from his pocket, Metto talked frequently “Toti choori khore” —parrot! Wanna eat choori. She had learned one more sentence after meeting with a friend belonging to jungle outside the white walls. She always said that at the end of meal “Da wakht bam teer she”—this shall to be passed, which Amar had never taught her.

Amar saw her friend coming daily and sitting in the plum tree nearby Metto’s cage. He let them and did nothing. “The new one can never succeed in winning her. After all, I feed her well. She will never leave me”, Amar murmured. But he didn’t know the new teacher had taught her something the old one hadn’t. It was the outer world with untouchable horizon.

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。

One day, on the way to feed her, Amar was shocked at what Metto was doing.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

His head hanging down; Amar came back home after long running.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . Here we are, wrapping up 2023 in a red bow like one of the holiday presents in a TV commercial. It was a year full of poetic discoveries for our editorial team and especially for me. I encountered so many new-to-me poets. Diana Solís from the December 2022 issue and Joyce Mansour from the June 2023 issue are examples of this: poets with whom I was unfamiliar and who have now become part of my daily conversation. Living in Chicago, I might have encountered Diana Solís some other way. She is an icon of revolutionary poetry and photography. What a gift to learn, to be enthusiastic about new poetics like I’m still in the front row of the classroom, trying to do my best.

Two truths I’ve learned about Chicago since moving here: Chicago is a city that holds things close and doesn’t need to show off about its riches. And there are riches everywhere —great music all over the place, the best pizza, an embarrassment of architectures, and, of course, poetry on every corner. Nelson Algren said every great writer must spend time in Chicago.

The final version of 2023 is from a distinguished Chicagoan, the poet and journalist Frank Marshall Davis. When I read his work for the first time, I was struck by the truth of the poems, his clear-eyed critique(批评). He was a truth teller when no one wanted to listen. This issue also includes poems of another Chicago great, Li-Young Lee. His poems taught me how to think about romance as an engine for a poem. Multiple generations of poets have been using the man’s gestures in their love poems, often without realizing it, because even their teachers were borrowing from Li-Young Lee too.

So maybe that is why this issue has me in my holiday feels. Poems can be for the poet and the community concurrently, an offering of the self that indicates the care of the giver.

1. What is the occupation of the author?

A．A magazine editor.	B．A news reporter.
C．A blog writer.	D．A Chicagoan poet.

2. What does the author think of the year 2023?

A．Everything was new in this year.	B．It was a year of poetry revolutionary.
C．New poets led the way in this year.	D．It was a year of discovery and learning.

3. What impresses the author most about Chicago?

A．The great art everywhere.	B．Its multicultural atmosphere.
C．The economic development.	D．Its hidden music and poems.

4. Why does the author mention poets Frank Marshall Davis and Li-Young Lee?

A．To set examples for young poets.

B．To show the great impact of poems.

C．To promote their unique writing technique.

D．To emphasize the importance of poetry reading.