1 . Signs That You Are Growing
Growing is a lifelong process. Here are the signs that show that you are actually growing and not getting stuck in the process.
Often, we see how badly people look when they get overly upset due to unimportant things. So the first sign of maturity (成熟) is letting the small things go and not getting angry over a tiny detail that didn’t go as you planned.
You start forgiving and understanding other people
When we are young, we are often unforgiving. As we mature, we are better able to understand the world beyond black and white.
You always complete things that matter
Immature people don’t know when to commit (承诺) themselves and their energy or resources are always not well employed.
You accept the possibility of being wrong
Being mature is knowing that you are always growing up. You are never done learning and developing. This means that you don’t set yourself up as the highest authority.
| A．You follow the crowd |
| B．You let the small things go |
| C．Instead, mature people focus on completing things that matter |
| D．Immature and mature people can both have plans for their lives |
| E．Rather, you open your mind to other ideas and new possibilities |
| F．Becoming more understanding is a sign of strength, not weakness |
| G．Mature people appear more confident, however, they are not overconfident |
2 . Two hours west of a perfectly sunny summer’s day in Clackamas, Oregon a foggy breeze awaited me on the Lincoln City coast. After a year of volunteering remotely with Ocean Blue Project, today is a long-awaited beach cleanup.
I didn’t expect to take away more than just trash from the beach cleanup. At first glance, the beach appears clean. However, beach cleanups require much more attention than a quick look over. Within just a couple of hours, 71 of us volunteers managed to pick up 171 pounds of debris. Actually, we’ve got much more than that.
Beach cleanups connect us to nature and provide an escape from the world for a little bit. They also provide a learning opportunity outside of the participation part. When you sit over a pile of—let’s face it—garbage, you pick out one by one the pieces left behind by others. You see first hand the impact we’re having on our environment and account for what is left behind the most. Each cigarette butt and plastic bottle sets the tone for how we should be approaching our everyday lives, which is to stop pollution.
Personally, the time spent by the ocean and away from my phone fills me with peace and calmness as I focus my attention only on the moment, looking for the little devils trying to pollute the ocean. With a pound or two less out of the ocean, I always feel a bit more optimistic about the world to come.
This boots-on-the-sand way of making a difference grants me a feeling of accomplishment and purpose. Rather than pondering the dire task of saving the planet or researching and writing ways to do so, I get to physically make a difference. And there’s nothing that can replace that instant gratification of making positive change for your community and your planet.
After the cleanup, my eyes are now expertly trained to spot loose trash and inorganic materials anywhere I step. Imagine what a huge difference we could all make collectively if we simply stopped and picked up that water bottle or wrapper off the ground instead of passing it by.
1. Which of the following can best describe the author’s first beach cleanup with Ocean Blue Project?| A．Effortless and far-reaching. | B．Annoying but rewarding. |
| C．Painstaking but fruitful. | D．Demanding and inefficient. |
| A．Maintaining good physical health. |
| B．Gaining great insight into oceans. |
| C．Developing researching ways to save the earth. |
| D．Improving our mental health. |
| A．Satisfaction. | B．Gratitude. |
| C．Impression. | D．Curiosity. |
| A．What I’ve Learned from a Beach Cleanup |
| B．How Well I Performed in a Beach Cleanup |
| C．How Much Attention a Beach Cleanup Requires |
| D．Why Volunteering with Ocean Blue Project Matters |
It was the last day of the month-long summer camp. All the camp leaders and volunteers were preparing for the grand wrap-up event that evening. Some were setting up chairs and tables outside; some were preparing water balloons for games we would play later; and some were cutting fruits and veggies for snacks.
One of the leaders, George, came to me, handed me a small broom and a dustpan, and asked me to sweep the gym. Alone. While the others were chatting and laughing outside. While the gym was dusty and stuffy (不通风的) after weeks of camp and crafts.
I didn’t have a choice. I was sixteen, and George was my elder. I was a staff member at camp, and George was my employer. I put on as cheerful a face as I could and began to sweep the floor of the gymnasium.
Every time I made a decent (合宜的) pile of dust and scraps (残羹剩饭) to push into the dustpan, I had a nice little part of the gym cleared. But I would look up and see the rest of the gym and realize how big the job was. The whole situation felt so unfair.
I wasn’t really happy then. I’m not proud of it, but I was angry as well. I could hear the sounds of people talking, laughing, and generally having a great time outside. There was silence in the gym, except for my sweep, sweep, sweep.
During a break between sweeps, I looked up. George was quietly and matter-of-factly moving the speakers and cleaning the stage at the front of the gym. I noticed he worked alone as well. He didn’t seem particularly excited about what he was doing, but I noted the calmness and joy in his eyes as he went about his work, doing what had to be done because he was there and he was able to do it.
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。
I watched him silently for the next ten minutes.
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“Thanks, Laura.” he said and nodded as if acknowledging the small sacrifice I had made.
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4 . When I first met Sarah, all I noticed was her drool (口水) running from the corner of her mouth. As Mrs. Wagner pushed the wheelchair toward me, I felt
For the entire morning, I was uneasy.
She patted (拍) my shoulder
Why? I didn’t need a deskmate with running drool! I decided to
Mrs. Wagner asked me, “Natalie, although Sarah cannot kick, she can
I had to
Firstly, Matt kicked the ball and it came to me. I
“You got him out!” I
At the end of the day, Sarah read a journal entry to us, “My first day of school went well. I
Sarah smiled at me. I didn’t
| A．upset | B．interested | C．calm | D．ashamed |
| A．Luckily | B．Finally | C．Obviously | D．Actually |
| A．taken | B．recovered | C．changed | D．returned |
| A．anxiously | B．pleasantly | C．eagerly | D．gently |
| A．contact | B．ignore | C．approach | D．inspire |
| A．discovered | B．studied | C．wondered | D．recognized |
| A．hands | B．schedule | C．throat | D．shoes |
| A．hold | B．throw | C．kick | D．keep |
| A．perform | B．nod | C．react | D．sigh |
| A．campus | B．classroom | C．stage | D．playground |
| A．handed | B．showed | C．hit | D．lifted |
| A．guessed | B．shouted | C．thought | D．replied |
| A．meaningful | B．unusual | C．tiring | D．exciting |
| A．had fun | B．took risks | C．kept on | D．thought about |
| A．imagine | B．mention | C．notice | D．like |
5 . The sun prepared to rest for the evening, and I intended to follow. Looking forward to setting my camera aside for an evening, I
I hoped the boy would find someone else to take his
I
I have learned much about myself and life through photography. The outer
Photography has become my connection to the world. I’m privileged to see others, like that Surma boy,
| A．looked | B．marched | C．headed | D．crawled |
| A．fished | B．dogged | C．foxed | D．petted |
| A．energetic | B．zealous | C．shameful | D．tired |
| A．photograph | B．hand | C．advice | D．place |
| A．happened | B．managed | C．turned | D．agreed |
| A．flashed | B．lifted | C．hid | D．disappeared |
| A．awarded | B．instructed | C．noticed | D．evaluated |
| A．eagerness | B．politeness | C．wildness | D．loneliness |
| A．naturally | B．awkwardly | C．angrily | D．ambitiously |
| A．concern | B．force | C．surprise | D．cheer |
| A．reached for | B．went through | C．broke into | D．acted on |
| A．shots | B．signals | C．exercises | D．copies |
| A．worse | B．better | C．riskier | D．clearer |
| A．adventures | B．memories | C．achievements | D．experiences |
| A．Drawing | B．Passing | C．Reflecting | D．Relying |
| A．taught up in | B．fed up with | C．looking up to | D．making up for |
| A．celebrated | B．remembered | C．seen | D．admired |
| A．captured | B．changed | C．Identified | D．neglected |
| A．other than | B．rather than | C．regardless of | D．as for |
| A．informs | B．accuses | C．warns | D．reminds |
6 . I had a quick short stay in Detroit Airport before heading home. Knowing my gate number, I got there with 5 minutes to spare and stood waiting for “Gate 3” to be called.
I was already very tired and had an important call scheduled for an hour after I was set to get home. But then I heard the announcement, “It seems we have overbooked the flight. Would anyone care to volunteer to stay for the later departure in 4 hours?” And the gate attendant was anxiously waiting for someone to volunteer.
I looked around and saw businessmen needing to work, moms needing to meet their kids, kids needing to see their friends. Even though I wanted to be home just as much as anyone, something inside me said that I should extend some kindness to this group of strangers.
I picked up my bag, approached the desk, and told the gate attendant my decision. Smile spread on the face of her. As she was processing my ticket, I was happy to see all the other passengers could now board their flight and I had been able to help. The attendant handed me my boarding pass for the later flight and another piece of paper, then said, “This is for your kindness.” I saw that it was a 700-dollar voucher to fly anywhere in the world during the next year!
I got to my new gate and took a seat next to a power outlet so that my laptop would make it through the extra four hours. 1 rescheduled that important call. And then I got a lot of work done, which was a wonderful silver lining.
When my flight started boarding, I was surprised to discover that my new boarding pass was for a seat in first class. I thought about how grateful I was for everything that had happened, and how it was all because of the chain effects of kindness. I gave with the intention to serve others, with no thought of reward, and that kindness was returned to me with an amazing upgrade.
1. The airport announcement was made to ______.| A．ask someone to take next flight |
| B．give information about a delayed flight |
| C．inform that the flight was about to take off |
| D．tell passengers the flight had been cancelled |
| A．A reward of 700 dollars | B．An offer of first-class seat. |
| C．The request of the attendant. | D．His concern about other passengers. |
| A．Boring but productive. | B．Challenging but acceptable. |
| C．Satisfying and efficient. | D．Relaxing and worthwhile. |
| A．Every Effort Counts | B．Time Is Treasure |
| C．Patience Is Appreciated | D．Kindness Gives Back |
7 . My friend never did well in school but always had a sharp eye for beauty. One day I was busy arranging some flowers in a vase but just couldn’t get them to look right. She came along, and with a few skillful waves of her hand, transformed them into a stunning bouquet. When praised for having this amazing ability, she shrugged off the compliment. She simply didn’t view her creativity as anything special.
Too often we underestimate our own talents in this way. Maybe it’s because we’ve become used to believing that only abilities like a high I.Q., a gift for mathematics or a large vocabulary have cognitive (认知的) value. I was fortunate to learn otherwise at a young age.
When I entered high school, a guidance counselor told my mother I wasn’t college material because I had performed miserably on the spelling section of a standardized test. Thankfully my mother recognized my other intellectual (智力的) gifts and stood up for me, insisting I be put into the college-track curriculum. This experience literally defined the course of my life. It showed me how important it is not to accept a label someone else put on me and it allowed me to realize my full potential.
In the early 1980’s, Howard Gardner, a prominent Harvard researcher, pioneered a concept of “multiple intelligences”. In his book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, he suggested that intelligence is not limited to a traditional interpretation but instead includes a wide range of cognitive abilities.
What I love about the multiple intelligences theory is that it allows you to reframe your own abilities and talents, especially those that don’t necessarily fit into neat academic boxes. While it’s true one must meet a basic level of intelligence for achievement, the analytical skills measured by I.Q. do not tell the whole story. This is why we should celebrate all of our talents and abilities. They’re part of what makes your individual brain so wonderful and unique.
1. Whose ability is probably underestimated according to the author?| A．A child who has a large vocabulary. |
| B．A child who is good at building Lego blocks. |
| C．A child who has an easy time learning how to multiply. |
| D．A child who quickly fits into academic learning process. |
| A．It suited me well to take college-track courses. |
| B．Intelligence can be interpreted by various abilities. |
| C．Spelling ability in a standardized test is of great value. |
| D．A high I. Q. makes no sense in realizing my full potential. |
| A．To introduce a new topic. | B．To clarify a concept. |
| C．To recommend the book. | D．To support his opinion. |
| A．Change Your Cognitive Value. |
| B．Develop Your Academic Ability. |
| C．Appreciate Your Multiple Intelligences. |
| D．Explore the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. |
8 . I am a professor of clinical psychology. Some time ago, I got halfway through a day of teaching before a co-worker pointed out to me I was quite carelessly wearing a pair of different shoes, one red and one black. I felt so embarrassed and upset but I would have to go teach my course like this. When I noticed how much I wanted to disappear and avoid this situation, I was determined to face it instead. I walked into class and announced to the students that I was wearing two shoes from different pairs, and directed their attention to my feet. Everyone laughed and we went on with class. Years later, a student in that class told me that this was the moment she first thought that maybe, just maybe, she could be a professor, too.
I shared my mistake because I realized that trying hide it was interfering with my ability to concentrate my mind on my teaching — but I had no idea that it would also help shorten the psychological distance between my students and myself.
Many contexts may punish or shame people for making mistakes. Our efforts to avoid them result from our desires for success, and how others will respond to our mistakes. We might feel self-criticism and shame if we do make some.
However, mistake making is part of learning new things, and it can draw us closer to others. It opens up the possibility of accepting mistakes gladly, letting us be more open and engaged in what we are doing.
We can say words of kindness and self-compassion to ourselves: Mistakes are natural and human; we can be kind to ourselves for this error and still try to do better next time; noticing our own imperfections can help us to be kind to others when we notice they are imperfect, too. When we practice our mistakes in this way, they can become opportunities to open up to others, learn about ourselves, and connect even more with what matters to us.
1. How does the author develop paragraph 1?| A．By giving some examples. | B．By following time order. |
| C．By doing scientific experiments. | D．By sharing personal experience. |
| A．Shameful. | B．Unexpected. | C．Punishable. | D．Unaccepted. |
| A．Intentions to avoid mistakes. | B．Advantages of making mistakes. |
| C．Possibilities of making mistakes. | D．Efforts to avoid making mistakes. |
| A．They interfere with what we are doing. |
| B．They draw too much attention from us. |
| C．They are big opportunities to get us improved. |
| D．They make us feel irresponsible and defeated. |
9 . Last year, I found myself in a situation: at a friend’s drinks, speaking to a total stranger. Not long into our conversation, my brain started searching for escape routes. I’m comfortable admitting that, before COVID-19, I didn’t think “meeting new people” was on my list of preferred pastimes. Maintaining relationships takes time, so why open myself up to someone new if there’s no obvious connection?
Then the pandemic hit. Like many people, I was restricted to a year of limited socializing with a very small circle of friends. I’ve met a handful of new colleagues over Zoom in the last 12 months—but I can’t remember one meaningful in-person connection with someone new.
To my surprise, I now have a strong desire for meeting new people. I’d love to connect with a friend-of-a-friend at the pub or a new colleague over a slightly-too-warm white wine after work. I miss having unexpected things in common with people, but also hearing new perspectives on issues outside my own experiences.
The sense of connection with a new person can be thrilling. A 2018 study explored what happened to the brains of young adults when they met new people, and found that even 10 minutes of social interaction with a new person boosts cognitive performance. Other studies have linked new social interaction to better social and emotional wellbeing and improved life satisfaction.
I may not have had a “lockdown glow up” in the aesthetic (美感) sense, but I have learned about myself. Before the pandemic, I hadn’t realized that new people were a vital part of my social ecosystem. As the end of lockdown approaches. I’m prepared to find the courage to show strangers a less guarded version of myself.
1. What can we learn about the author before the pandemic?| A．He loved being alone. |
| B．He was outgoing and sociable. |
| C．He enjoyed making new friends. |
| D．He had no desire to meet new people. |
| A．link new social interaction to better life |
| B．show the benefits of meeting new people |
| C．imply the anxiety caused by meeting new people |
| D．explain how the pandemic affects human brains |
| A．It pays to open yourself up to old friends. |
| B．It’s vital to guard yourself against strangers. |
| C．Meeting new people may bring excitement to life. |
| D．Zoom help people build close connections with strangers. |
| A．The author didn’t think well of the lockdown. |
| B．Lockdown enhanced the author’s aesthetic ability. |
| C．The author’s aesthetic ability needed to be improved. |
| D．The pandemic helped the author better understand himself. |
10 . Once there was a farmer with a wife and two sons. He became quite
After some time, his wife died and
So he thought about this for a long time and he
And he called his neighbors and said, “I’m going to
So the neighbors provided them with
Certainly the brothers didn’t want to be robbed of the
So the brothers sat down and one
But the other brother said, “No, I think our father was saying that the
So like all the other
| A．rich | B．strong | C．clever | D．busy |
| A．hard | B．easy | C．different | D．ordinary |
| A．always | B．often | C．never | D．sometimes |
| A．also | B．thus | C．ever | D．still |
| A．work | B．move | C．study | D．play |
| A．healthy | B．sick | C．foolish | D．wise |
| A．brothers | B．friends | C．children | D．relatives |
| A．showed | B．taught | C．visited | D．called |
| A．lost | B．hidden | C．planted | D．put |
| A．harvest | B．find | C．buy | D．use |
| A．leave | B．travel | C．die | D．disappear |
| A．look at | B．look out | C．look after | D．look for |
| A．relief | B．money | C．water | D．food |
| A．gold | B．silver | C．oil | D．coal |
| A．dug | B．piled | C．operated | D．searched |
| A．advised | B．asked | C．followed | D．doubted |
| A．loved | B．cared | C．understood | D．cheated |
| A．gardening | B．fishing | C．building | D．farming |
| A．roots | B．stones | C．fields | D．pipes |
| A．farmers | B．workers | C．fishers | D．builders |
