1 . PAUL HEMINGTON, 57, is the Assistant Operations Manager at Cheddar Gorge（切达峡谷） and Caves cheddargorge.co.uk
I moved to SOMERSET mainly for my family. My daughter was getting married and I didn’t want to live six hours away, so we made the move. Once we moved, we were made unneeded and it was a mad race to get work. I ended up at here at Cheddar Gorge and Caves.
Cheddar Gorge is like nothing else in the UK. It’s a unique phenomenon, because although there are other caves in the country, you don’t have the gorge elsewhere. This is a major geological feature, it’s three miles long and there’s just this natural, raw beauty. I can sit at my desk in guest services and look out at part of the gorge. It’s amazing.
The Cheddar Gorge spirit is strong. You know, not having worked here or heard about the area, you come here and it gets under your skin in the right way. You become part of it, it becomes part of you. I’m very passionate about it. And there’s the amazing wildlife, the geology, the prehistory — Cheddar Man is still one of the greatest finds in the UK.
Every day at Cheddar Gorge and Caves is different. You’ve got the rock sports side of things, the climbing, the caving. We take people through the caves on tours and we have pre-history, which we do with the museum, whereby we have schools come in and do demonstrations with them. We will dress up as genuinely as we can to reproduce the time period of the Cheddar Man, which is the Mesolithic period, so 10,000 years ago. We do fire lighting, for example, and hopefully it’s inspiring to the young people! It’s really cool to be in the museum garden and have part of the gorge as the background while you’re doing it, so you can really submerge yourself in that moment.
My favourite spot is when you go past the peak on the walk and you can look back down into the gorge or across to the reservoir. The view is amazing. Yes, you can see pictures of it, but honestly you have to be there to fully appreciate it. You might hear some buzzards or see some sheep or goats while you’re up there, just to enhance the experience!
1. PAUL HEMINGTON originally moved to Cheddar Gorge to __________.| A．settle down in the countryside | B．be closer to his daughter |
| C．land a job as a tour guide | D．take part in a competitive race |
| A．affects you deeply | B．bothers you greatly |
| C．increases your strength | D．improves your skin condition |
| A．He goes to the school to give lectures on pre-history. |
| B．He demonstrates to young people how to climb rocks. |
| C．He participates in recreating the scenes in the Mesolithic period. |
| D．He decorates the museum garden to make it look like the gorge. |
| A．How he adapts to the local way of life. |
| B．What major local attractions are worth seeing. |
| C．Why Cheddar Gorge ranks first as a natural wonder. |
| D．What makes Cheddar Gorge so special to him. |
2 . There are a lot of good and logical reasons not to say what you think, especially when others disagree. Offending people isn’t nice, and it can lead to social consequences. Nodding along might seem practical or charitable, despite the fact that you are screaming disagreement on the inside. However, the true act of charity is to say what you really think. Your committing to complete honesty can be an act of love.
One of my friends takes honesty to the extreme. He calls talks with others that get to the complete truth of things, even difficult admissions in views, “love conversations”. Once two people have such a conversation, his theory goes, they can understand each other and act accordingly. As a philosophical matter, my friend’s belief of “love conversations” is Kantian. The German philosopher Kant argued that lying to others prevents them from making choices based on the truth, which is contradictory with friendship and love.
In the 1990s, Brad Blanton argued when the truth is hard to accept, telling it can have costs, including social disapproval and broken relationships. But it is worth the consequences because it can reduce stress, deepen connections with others, and reduce emotional reactivity.
Both sides can’t be right here. Either Kant, Blanton, and my friend are embracing a faulty theory, or our society is missing a big opportunity for moral growth. You might say that little white lies are a society lubricant (润滑剂). They can even seem virtuous. After telling a white lie, I sometimes pat myself on the back, turning my evil into a virtue inside my own head. Some lies might make life easier, but they don’t necessarily make life happier. I wouldn’t want my wife to tell me what she thinks I want to hear, as if we were strangers avoiding conflict, and finding out that she had done so would make me feel distrusted and therefore hurt our relationship. I don’t want a stranger to tell me she likes my writing if she doesn’t, because unreal compliments make me suspicious.
1. What can we learn from “my friend” in Paragraph 2?| A．He admits other’s views with great honest. | B．He practices Kant’s philosophical theories. |
| C．He loves to discuss philosophy with others. | D．He prevents himself from difficult choices. |
| A．stressful and emotional | B．unacceptable and harmful |
| C．thoughtless but courageous | D．challenging but deserving |
| A．To distinguish his wife from a stranger. | B．To show his wife’s honesty and virtue. |
| C．To argue for the importance of frankness. | D．To stress avoiding suspicion in marriage. |
| A．Telling the truth can be an act of love. | B．The route to happier life lies in lies. |
| C．Little white lies are actually virtuous. | D．Our society is being corrupted by lies. |
3 . I have a strong faith that the pain is almost gone but the feeling of success will stay forever. I was among the 38,000 runners who participated in the marathon (马拉松赛跑), the largest event of its kind in Asia.
My decision to participate in the marathon was because of the insistence of my wife, who had run the half-marathon previously. This year, she wanted me to participate along with her. Unexpectedly, her application got rejected while mine got accepted.
Though I had been into fitness training before, it seemed to be a daunting task to run 21 km. I started training about 10 weeks before the day. I had made up my mind to finish the run. So I tried my best to accommodate training into my busy schedule whenever I could.
What’s more, I remembered that four weeks into my training, my shoes were worn. I searched and hunted and literally spent a fortune on a new pair of shoes. However, right on the first day of running with them, I felt that they were not for me. I preserved, thinking that my discomfort was because the shoes were new. Eventually, I gave up on them. I even tried looking for another new pair of shoes, but couldn’t find that were as comfortable as my old ones.
Finally, on 16th January 2011, I ran and completed the half-marathon. And I did it in my old shoes.
Now, when I think about it, it all seems so easy. All I had to do was to picture completing the run in good time in my mind.
What I have learned from the experience is that completing a marathon is like any other goal in life — largely a mind-over-matter phenomenon. In other words, unless you believe you can reach your goal, you’ve lost even before you begin. No doubt, factors such as hard work, experience and talent help to a greater or lesser degree. But without your belief that you will get there, every goal remains difficult to achieve.
1. Why did the writer participate in the marathon at first?| A．It was the largest event of its kind. |
| B．He had run the half-marathon previously. |
| C．His wife insisted on him participating. |
| D．He had been training for a long time. |
| A．The writer was the best among all the runners. |
| B．The writer tried his best to do some marathon training. |
| C．The writer’s fitness training before was only a little help to him in the run. |
| D．The writer’s old shoes were very expensive. |
| A．self-confidence is the primary factor in a marathon. |
| B．to win a marathon depends on your mind, not on your shoes |
| C．it would be easy if you made up your mind to begin it |
| D．belief can bring you success in a marathon |
| A．Practice Makes Perfect. | B．Insist on Your Decision |
| C．The Pain before Success | D．A Running Lesson |
As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist and I lived out this fantasy by setting up aquariums(鱼缸) at home. Then, at 20, I was introduced to photographer David Liittschwager, who hired me to help him with a magazine assignment on marine life.
David’s assignment was to document the amazing biodiversity found in the ocean. My role was to collect species for him to photograph. Every night, I would cast a floating lamp. Like moths drawn to a flame, mysterious creatures would emerge from the depths in search of this light. I’d then set up aquariums to house them as they waited for David to take their shot.
Those evenings made me feel as if I were on another planet. I had never imagined such strange life-forms could exist in our oceans. But I didn’t grasp the true magic of what was in front of me until I saw the photographs David took.
The biggest surprise was his image of a baby flounder. I caught this fish by accident. Only later did I notice its two tiny eyeballs staring back at me. But David’s photograph of this flounder revealed a universe of detail that even my eager eyes had missed. His macro lens magnified its ribs. The lightning-fast exposure froze its motion. A precisely aimed light released the rainbow hidden in its skin. And the black background removed all distractions to focus our attention on the quiet beauty at hand.
Years after that project, I was snorkeling(潜水) on a shallow reef. Out of the darkness, another baby flounder emerged and settled on my mask. This time I knew what to look for. Before working for David, I had assumed the goal of photography was simply to reproduce an observation so that others could share the same experience. It had never occurred to me that photography could expand our visual perception and therefore teach us to see the world anew.
2. Why was David’s image of a baby flounder the biggest surprise to the author?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
▶Encountering a baby flounder while snorkeling deepened the author’s understanding that photography could reproduce an observation.
4. What can help you see the world anew?(In about 40 words)
5 . It was 6 a.m. as I got on the train, ending my work one cold morning and I was lucky to get a seat. At that time of the morning, my eyes were not fully focused and at times I was half asleep. During that time the train was usually filled with construction workers heading out to start their work. On that particular morning I found myself drawn on the shoes of men sitting about 10 seats across from me.
I sat examining the shoes of men. Men from different walks of life, holding different jobs, thinking different thoughts, living different lives and despite what they did and how they looked, they all had something in common. They were all of the working class trying to achieve their dreams.
One day each of those men has to visit a shoe store to buy a new pair of shoes, a type that fits their working needs. For a short time those shoes look so good. Then one day they lose their shine; they no longer look as good, but guess what? The shoes feel right. Feet have found their own home within the comfort of those shoes.
If those shoes could talk, what kind of a tale do you think they would tell? If your shoes could talk, what do you think they would say about you? Would the story be about a journey filled with joy and fun? Or would the story be one filled with disappointment and regret?
We choose the shoes. Where we take them and when and how we wear them are up to us.
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?| A．It was cold that morning. |
| B．The author went to work by train. |
| C．The author worked during the night. |
| D．Construction workers usually began to work at 7 a.m. |
| A．By closely observing their shoes. | B．According to the way they walked. |
| C．On the basis of the lives they lived. | D．By distinguishing their facial features. |
| A．Fashionable. | B．Good. | C．Shiny. | D．Comfortable. |
| A．In a news report. | B．In a magazine. | C．In a biography. | D．In a history book. |
6 . I was then in my early twenties. Even though I was armed with a degree in Education, finding a
This year, when a golden opportunity
One day when the kids were
That experience showed me the
| A．first-rate | B．well-paid | C．labor-saving | D．full-time |
| A．escaped | B．demanded | C．arose | D．arranged |
| A．jumped at | B．thought about | C．waited for | D．dreamt of |
| A．occupied | B．amused | C．concerned | D．contented |
| A．familiar | B．positive | C．strict | D．consistent |
| A．evaluating | B．supporting | C．instructing | D．congratulating |
| A．graded | B．dismissed | C．tested | D．taught |
| A．note | B．gift | C．parcel | D．book |
| A．judged | B．indicated | C．emphasized | D．accompanied |
| A．hardened | B．touched | C．broken | D．gladdened |
| A．simply | B．casually | C．carefully | D．eagerly |
| A．reminder | B．treasure | C．proof | D．secret |
| A．comfort | B．fortune | C．fantasy | D．privilege |
| A．target | B．application | C．power | D．principle |
| A．clarify | B．find | C．feel | D．spread |
7 . I was a rising high school junior in the summer of 2021, when I took Philosophy 101 at Lehmon College, a
But that’s what
Then I did my best to explain that the wise philosopher was making a
After reflecting on the words even after the course was over, I realized Socrates was
| A．interview | B．survey | C．camp | D．course |
| A．Generally | B．Honestly | C．Roughly | D．Briefly |
| A．recommended | B．pushed | C．introduced | D．compared |
| A．secret | B．solution | C．attitude | D．behavior |
| A．happened | B．started | C．worked | D．ended |
| A．made up | B．put forward | C．went through | D．turned down |
| A．widened | B．clouded | C．narrowed | D．shut |
| A．difference | B．source | C．meaning | D．feature |
| A．defence | B．bet | C．story | D．claim |
| A．scared | B．curious | C．confident | D．confused |
| A．satisfy | B．challenge | C．block | D．expand |
| A．right | B．positive | C．rigid | D．cautious |
| A．dignity | B．commitment | C．failure | D．adjustment |
| A．inspired | B．forced | C．forgave | D．seized |
| A．but | B．simply | C．even | D．not |
The smell of defeat filled the air on a warm October evening. In the school parking lot stood Coach McDonald and me, a loser in the 160-pound weight class.
Coach McDonald’s hands firmly grasped my shoulders, his eyes looking through my uncertainty. “Billy,” his voice cut through the uneasy quiet. “The potential for you to become an excellent wrestler exists. It takes time,” he argued.
“Don’t you see? I lost... again. Ten matches. Never won.” Frustration struck me as I stepped away from Coach McDonald. Pulling my cell phone from my equipment bag, I said definitively, “I need to call my mom. She’ll pick me up.” I just wanted to get away as soon as possible and flung myself into Mom’s arms. She had always been my best friend and supporter.
While waiting for her to answer my call, the thought of quitting the sport rumbled in my mind. I was so frustrated at that time that I ignored the joy and satisfaction wrestling had brought to me.
Coach McDonald closed in. “Billy, look at me,” he said. “Pound for pound, you’re the strongest and most flexible (灵活的) kid on the team. That’s a winning combination. Master the techniques in practice, and victory will be yours, I promise.”
I coughed and pulled my sweaty shirt off my chest. “When, Coach?”
With a knowing look, Coach said, “Do you know how long it took me to win my first match?” He stood up straight, squinting (斜视) like he was recalling a tough time. “During my first year, I lost every match. I ended the season 0-11. I didn’t lose at all in the following two years, including two state championships. Billy, that can be you someday. But it’ll never happen if you quit.”
In that silent moment, I felt a slight pain within me, but it was weak, not strong enough to change my mind. Coach cleared his throat, glancing at his watch. “Well, I’m hungry.”
“And my mom’s here,” I said. Then I jumped into her car.
注意：1.续写词数应为150左右;2.请按如下格式作答。
In the car, I told her I lost again and I was hesitating about quitting the team.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The next day, I walked into the training field again.
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9 . It was a sunny weekend. I had planned to go mountain climbing in the suburbs with Daniel. However, a sudden heavy rain that morning disrupted my plan. Looking out of the window, I couldn’t help feeling a little
However, Daniel
We walked through the narrow streets and admired the
After hearing
This experience made me realize that life always has unexpected surprises and twists. Sometimes,
| A．disabled | B．disappointed | C．disgraceful | D．disturbed |
| A．suggested | B．claimed | C．answered | D．demanded |
| A．museum | B．community | C．street | D．neighborhood |
| A．admired | B．agreed | C．jumped | D．permitted |
| A．sunny | B．chilly | C．gloomy | D．clear |
| A．ancient | B．crowded | C．spacious | D．various |
| A．Gradually | B．Slowly | C．Suddenly | D．Quickly |
| A．tired | B．angry | C．energetic | D．relieved |
| A．question | B．curiosity | C．control | D．danger |
| A．action | B．measures | C．responsibility | D．initiative |
| A．about | B．from | C．out | D．into |
| A．listened | B．talked | C．came | D．pointed |
| A．complete | B．correct | C．full | D．useful |
| A．with | B．up | C．in | D．to |
| A．changing | B．scheduling | C．making | D．following |
10 . Have we reached the peak of the culture war? Looking at my social media feeds, it seems that polarised thinking and misinformation have never been more common. How am I supposed to feel when users I once admired now draw on questionable evidence to support their beliefs?
Perhaps it is time for us all to adopt a little “existential humility”. I came across this idea in a paper by Jeffrey Greenat Virginia from Common Wealth University and his colleagues. They build on a decade of research examining the benefits of “intellectual humility” more generally — our ability to recognise the errors in our judgement and remain aware of the limits of our knowledge.
You can get a flavour of this research by rating your agreement with the following statements, ranging from 1 (not at all like me) to 5 (very like me): I question my own opinions because they could be wrong; I recognise the value in opinions that are different from my own; in the face of conflicting evidence, I am open to changing my opinions.
People who score highly on this assessment are less likely to form knee-jerk reactions on a topic, and they find it easier to consider the strengths or weaknesses of a logical argument. They are less likely to be influenced by misinformation, since they tend to read the article in full, investigate the sources of a news story and compare its reporting to other statements, before coming to a strong conclusion about its truth.
Developing “intellectual humility” would be an excellent idea in all fields, but certain situations may make it particularly difficult to achieve. Greenat points out that some beliefs are so central to our identity that any challenge can activate an existential crisis, as if our whole world view and meaning in life are under threat. As a result, we become more insistent in our opinions and seek any way to protect them. This may reduce some of our feelings of uncertainty, but it comes at the cost of more analytical thinking.
For these reasons, Greenat defines “existential humility” as the capacity to entertain the thought of another world view without becoming so defensive and closed-minded. So how could we achieve it? This will be the subject of future research, but the emotion of awe (a feeling of great respect and admiration) may offer one possibility. One study found that watching awe-inspiring videos about space and the universe led to humbler thinking, including a greater capacity to admit weaknesses.
Perhaps we could all benefit from interrupting our despair with awe-inspiring content. At the very least, we can try to question our preconceptions before offering our views on social media and be a little less ready to criticize when others disagree.
1. Regarding the culture war on social media, the author is _______.| A．embarrassed | B．concerned | C．panicked | D．stressed |
| A．Existential humility reduces the threat to identity. |
| B．People with intellectual humility tend to jump to conclusions. |
| C．Awe could promote existential humility by encouraging modest thinking. |
| D．The higher you score on the assessment, the more you stick to your values. |
| A．Overcome an Existential Crisis | B．Show a Little Humility |
| C．The Path to Screening Information | D．The Approach to Achieving Humility |
