1 . Staying alone can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. It offers a unique opportunity for self-reflection, personal growth, and independence. When we are alone, we can connect with our inner selves and discover our strengths and weaknesses.

In the quietness of being alone, we can escape the noise and distractions of the outside world. It allows us to slow down, be present, and appreciate the simple moments in life.     1     For example, we can read a book, listen to music, or pursue a hobby. Without the pressures of social interactions, we can focus on our own thoughts and feelings, gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Being alone also encourages independence and problem-solving skills.     2     It teaches us adaptability as we go through challenges and uncertainties. We become more self-dependent and capable of handling various situations on our own.

    3     Taking time away from the constant demands of others allows us to focus on our own needs and refuel our energy reserves. It’s important to recognize that taking time for ourselves is not selfish, but rather a necessary part of self-care. By recharging our batteries, we ultimately become more productive and fulfilled in our personal and professional lives.

    4     While staying alone can be beneficial, humans are social beings by nature. We desire companionship, support, and shared experiences. It is important to reach out to loved ones, build meaningful relationships, and engage in social activities that bring us happiness and fulfillment.

In conclusion, staying alone can be a trans formative experience.     5     Embracing the state of being alone can lead to personal growth, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. So, let us not fear being alone but embrace it as an opportunity for self-reflection and self-empowerment.

A．Being alone can increase your sense of connection to other people.

B．In fact, there are many disadvantages to being alone.

C．We can take the time to engage in activities that bring us joy.

D．When there is no one else around to rely on, we learn to make decisions independently.

E．It enables self-entertainment, independence, and refreshment in our own company.

F．However, it is essential to strike a balance between staying alone and social connection.

G．Moreover, staying alone allows us to recharge and refresh.

2 . 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。

I’ve always had a super skill for growing big fruit and vegetables, and my tomatoes, pumpkins (南瓜)and peppers regularly win prizes in Syracuse, Nebraska. The one thing I struggled with was pumpkins. For the first few years, I did not pay much attention to my pumpkins. But it wasn’t until I attended a pumpkin-growing meeting six years ago in Portland, Oregon that my interest developed into a favorite hobby.

I got talking to a woman called Charity who held the world record for the longest river journey by pumpkin boat. I’d never heard of anyone paddling(划桨)in a pumpkin before, but once the idea was in my head, I had to try it. Within a few weeks, Charity’s 15.09-mile record was beaten by a man who completed a 25.5-mile voyage. If there’s one thing I’ve never lacked, it’s optimism, and I decided that with the right pumpkin, I could do better.

I spent thousands of dollars on special pumpkin seeds. But the pumpkins that had won the river-paddling records were more than huge. This year I noticed one particular pumpkin. My wife called it Berta, and we watched with excitement over the next few weeks as Berta put on 12 to 15 pounds a day. I finally cut it off when it reached 846 pounds. It was a tough decision, but I wanted it to be big enough for me to fit inside. I had to test Berta on water. I lowered it into a pond to see how it was going to float, marked the water level and then cut it open.

On 27 August this year, right after my 60th birthday we set out early for the Missouri River with Berta tied to the back of a truck. I had a paddle and was wearing a lifejacket. Berta was eased into the river and I carefully climbed in. It was like sitting in a huge bottle every move I made caused Berta to tilt (倾斜), so I had to lean to get it back to keep balance.

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。

Paragraph 1: Much of the trip passed safely, but there were occasional troubles and many curious onlookers.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: But I was determined to set a new record.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 . As a schoolgirl, I lived a few years on the island of Mauritius. I_________much of my free time lying around on the soft shores of the Indian Ocean. But all this_________at the age of 16, when I returned to the town of Cumbernauld, Scotland in what felt like the coldest winter ever.

It took me some time to_________this life, returning home from school in the dark, head bowed against the freezing _________, shoes filled with icy water. After one_________walk home, my Aunt Sandra, with whom I then lived,_________me with steaming corned beef hash (咸牛肉丁). Like a_________ dog, I tore into it.

“What was that” I asked, feeling the warm glow of the meal reaching my bones. “Have you ever_________corned beef hash before” said my aunt, in her strong Scots_________

No. But now, Tuesday nights were “corned beef hash night”. A real__________warmer, my aunt’s hash was made with a tin of corned beef, fried onions and much potato. It was the first meal I learned to cook on my own. As a student, I would cook it for friends, throwing a fried egg on top for luxury.

Unlike other popular foods of the time, corned beef will never be__________. It doesn’t really look like meat, but you’ll soon forget that when you __________the salty, sour and spicy flavour.

Corned beef is__________as the food of the poor. This meat may never__________it into the kitchens of foodies, but they are missing the trick! Frying this beef with onion and potato__________transforms it—it isn’t paradise, but it’s pretty close.

1.

A．killed

B．saved

C．waited

D．spent

2.

A．lost

B．began

C．changed

D．continued

3.

A．adapt to

B．lead to

C．adapt from

D．lead in

4.

A．cloud

B．wind

C．rain

D．weather

5.

A．easy

B．heavy

C．casual

D．pleasant

6.

A．sent

B．welcomed

C．provided

D．shared

7.

A．happy

B．alone

C．hungry

D．dirty

8.

A．eaten

B．fried

C．learned

D．cooked

9.

A．voice

B．sound

C．whisper

D．accent

10.

A．spring

B．summer

C．autumn

D．winter

11.

A．suitable

B．affordable

C．fashionable

D．available

12.

A．taste

B．imagine

C．bring

D．purchase

13.

A．seen

B．read

C．heard

D．respected

14.

A．take

B．make

C．shake

D．bake

15.

A．rarely

B．truly

C．widely

D．previously

4 . Very occasionally, I escape to the city. Boarding the train, I watch the North Sea flash by and disappear. I like to stare out of its window and look for deer standing in fields, or the sight of a red kite in the sky.

    1     The rough edges of Northumberland become smoother and softer the further south I travel, until the fields are swallowed by buildings.

    2     In other words, they do not fully understand my choice. At the same time, they glance over my shoulder at the wide beaches and distant hills. But while the middle of nowhere holds its own charm, I always find a trip to the city nourishing in its own special way. The city codes of life in the south feel familiar to me: standing on the right of the escalator (自动扶梯), always moving. Sitting on the train, I watch tired faces, beautiful faces, wise faces, and young faces.     3    

When I am here, the possibilities who I could become feel endless. The streets are filled with sights and sounds that leave me breathless and hungry for more.     4     Somehow lost in the beauty and attraction all around me, I am filled with the feeling that I can be whoever I choose.

At home, most of the diversity lies in the landscape. The beautiful vastness of Northumberland feeds my reflective soul and taps into my creativity, but I am an outgoing person who enjoys being with others.     5     In it, there are more chances that I can get along with people. Both the ones I already know and those I have yet to meet may be whom I get along with.

Following an escape, I return to writing alone at my desk, watching the sky burn pink outside as candles shine and daughters sleep inside.

A．I absorb all in and feel less ordinary.

B．It is this that I miss the most about the city.

C．Choosing to escape now is definitely not a wise choice.

D．Some people are confused about the concept of escaping to a city.

E．With the train travelling forward, what is shown in front of me varies.

F．Many of the conveniences of the cities cannot be enjoyed in the villages.

G．I wonder what lives these people are leading and form stories in my head.

5 . Your moral compass, conscience, and ethics may all sound like the same set of values, but your moral compass can sometimes steer you away from rigid societal laws. Thus, when you’re faced with a decision, how you react is often driven by personal values you’ve acquired.     1    

What is your moral compass?

Morality is what defines whether an action is perceived as good or bad. Morals guide your individual behavior within a society, which aren’t fixed.     2     Your moral compass provides guidance in making ethical decisions, while your conscience serves as an internal alarm system to alert you when you have violated our moral code. As for ethics, they tend to be the cultural and societal standards that outline how “everyone” is expected to behave.

    3    

According to modern psychologists, moral development is a part of three phases in childhood.

· Pre-conventional phase: Behaviors are driven by punishment avoidance and rewards.

· Conventional phase: Laws and rules of society are considered to gain others’ approval.

· Post-Conventional phase: Moral decisions are made from the perspective of individual rights.

How to find your moral compass?

It’s not always easy to know right from wrong, but you can try the following methods. Your moral compass is made up of your beliefs, so it may be helpful to actively review them.     4     You may also find it helpful to speak with people who can engage in open discussions about their moral positions.

    5     It is what guides your behavior in times when societal rules regarding human rights and conduct conflict with your beliefs. Just hold it firmly and properly.

A．How does your moral compass develop?

B．Your moral compass is your personal guide.

C．What are the modern concepts of moral compass?

D．Not everyone would reach the final level in their lifetime.

E．Another way is by learning about the societies around you.

F．They may change as you face new experiences and gain life lessons.

G．Some of these values, which affect your judgement, make up your moral compass.

6 . Ambition is a necessary quality in life. It is the ________which drives us on to use whatever talent we have got. If we haven’t got some degree of ambition, these talents will not be used for our own and others’ ________.

Ambition,________ , can have several faults. First of all, it can be________. We may not be able to see the limits of our own abilities, so we do ambitious things that are completely beyond us. Our career masters can see our good qualities and our limitations________. They may tell us that we haven’t the ability to deal with people and would not make good businessmen. We refuse to take their ________. We keep on trying. Many years and many ________ later we are forced to accept their judgement. But what a waste of time our ill-founded ambition has caused us!

Secondly, our ambition can be too concentrated. Our attention is devoted to one   ________aim, such as getting distinctions in a science subject. Everything that may draw us away from this aim is cut out of our lives. In the end we get our distinctions. But what   ________we have caused ourselves in the process! We are isolated beings only caring about a particular examination. And we probably won’t make good scientists. We________the breadth of vision necessary for success at a higher level.

Thirdly, our ambition can be limited to lifeless objectives. We want to gain money, or power, or membership of some circles. Persons who feel inferior try to________by seeking the respect of others through possession of these artificial signs of worth.

Fourthly, our ambition may be ________. Instead of directing some of our ambitions towards community improvement, we may exploit members of the community in the interests of self-advancements. In later life we may be ambitious for the success of our children but we regard this success as only a further ________of our own success.

Ambition is necessary in the lives of individuals—necessary for their own improvement and for the improvement of the community in which they live. But, like all blind forces, it must be ________ if it is not to cause disaster. It must be tightly controlled by the head and the heart. Otherwise ambition may demand too high a price ________human qualities.

1.

A．means

B．action

C．courage

D．force

2.

A．justice

B．affection

C．benefit

D．emotion

3.

A．however

B．therefore

C．besides

D．furthermore

4.

A．unpredictable

B．unusual

C．unfavorable

D．unrealistic

5.

A．positively

B．objectively

C．amusingly

D．negatively

6.

A．notice

B．solution

C．evaluation

D．measure

7.

A．occasions

B．recoveries

C．disappointments

D．miracles

8.

A．narrow

B．broad

C．separated

D．isolated

9.

A．damage

B．interest

C．cost

D．profit

10.

A．omit

B．value

C．own

D．lack

11.

A．give out

B．take in

C．turn down

D．make up

12.

A．self-centred

B．self-disciplined

C．self-satisfied

D．self-controlled

13.

A．time

B．mark

C．design

D．image

14.

A．directed

B．promoted

C．stimulated

D．demanded

15.

A．in the process of

B．in terms of

C．in spite of

D．in honor of

7 . As a child, I was proud of my southern origin. My own voice reflected my family’s past and present-part northern Mississippi, part Tennessee, all southern. There was no sound I loved more than my grandmother’s accent: thick, sweet, warm.

While growing up, I began to realize outside of our region, southerners were often dismissed as uncultured and ignorant. I was ready to leave behind my tiny town in West Tennessee, starting a new life and jumping at big chances in some far-off cities. In that embarrassing space between “teen” and “adult”, my accent was a symbol of everything I thought I hated about my life in the rural South. I feared it would disqualify me from being a noted magazine writer. I would have to talk less “country”. So I killed a piece of myself. I’m ashamed of it, but I’m more ashamed that I tried to kill that part of someone else-change Emily’s accent.

I met Emily in college. She was determined to work for the student newspaper, which was where I spent most of my waking hours, and we became friends. She, unlike me, accepted her roots. Early in our friendship, her mother asked where I was from, assuming it was somewhere up north. Then I felt my efforts paid off and even wanted to ignore the mistake.

Emily is two years younger and she cared about my opinion. I advised her to be more like me and hide her signature Manchester accent. I stressed that throughout our college years, often by making fun of her vowel (元音) sounds. I told myself I was helping her achieve her dream of working as a reporter. Now, I see that it was actually about justifying my hiding part of myself.

Grandma Carolyn used to tell me, “Girl, don’t forget where you come from.” Now I truly understand that. Many things have faded from memory, but this sticks in my mind with uncomfortable clarity. Now that I am grown and have left the South, it’s important to me.

1. What made the author want to leave her hometown?

A．Appeal of convenience in cities.

B．Her dream of becoming a writer.

C．Outside prejudice against southerners.

D．Her desire for the northern accent.

2. How did the author feel about the mistake of Emily’s mother?

A．Upset.

B．Pleased.

C．Ashamed.

D．Surprised.

3. Why on earth did the author try to change Emily’s accent?

A．To prove herself right.	B．To help Emily be a reporter.
C．To make herself influential.	D．To protect Emily’s self-dignity.

4. What message does the text want to convey?

A．Stay true to your roots.	B．Never do things by halves.
C．Hold on to your dreams.	D．Never judge a person by his accent.

8 . 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。

As a kid, I spent my summers with my grandparents in Texas, which was a welcome change from my Huston life of school and I loved it.

One of the best parts of spending summers with my grandparents was caravanning(乘房车度假)with the caravan club. Every few summers, we would join the trips organized by the caravan club and it was during one of these trips that my grandfather said to me the right words at the right time—it’s much harder to be kind than clever.

I wasn’t very old, maybe ten or eleven, but I was forming my opinions about the world, and of course, I thought I knew much more about things than I actually did.

I was then, as I am now, a big reader and a crazy fan for numbers. Anyone who has been on a long road trip knows that no matter how many books you bring, how beautiful the scenery is, you still have too much time to think. So I spent a good deal of my extra time calculating. I calculated gas mileage. I figured out the average per-item price of groceries bought over the course of the trip. And at some point, I saw an anti-smoking ad on TV. The announcer declared that every time a smoker took a puff of a cigarette(抽一口烟). he was shortening his life time by two minutes. My grandmother was a smoker. I hated it, and not just because I knew that it was bad for her. My guess is that any kid who rides for thousands of miles sitting in the smoke-filled backseat of a 1973 Olds car grows to hate smoking. So on one particularly long driving day, I decided to do the math.

I don’t remember exactly what the number was. Two minutes per puff, twenty puffs per cigarette, twenty cigarettes per pack, one pack a day for thirty years. About sixteen years? When I was satisfied that I had come up with a reasonably accurate number, I poked my head between the two front seats and tapped my grandmother on the shoulder.

注意:
1. 续写词数应为150左右:
2. 请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。

I told grandma that she had taken sixteen years off her life from smoking.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My grandpa got out of the car and asked me to follow.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . Winter goes and summer comes. The tides_______; the tides withdraw. All nature is a circle of moods and I am a_______of nature. It is one of nature’s_______, little understood, that each day I_______with moods that have changed from yesterday. Inside me is a wheel,_______turning. Like the flowers, today’s full blossom will_______, yet I will remember today’s dead flower carries the seed of tomorrow’s blossom.

And how will I master these emotions so that each day will be_______? Trees and plants depend on the weather to_______, but I make my own weather. I_______it with me. If I bring enthusiasm to my customers, they will________with enthusiasm and my weather will produce a harvest of sales and a lot of gold for me. I will learn this secret: weak is he who permits his thoughts to control his actions; strong is he who________his actions to control his thoughts. Each day I will follow this plan of battle before I am________by the forces of sadness,________and failure. I will know only those with inferior(较次的) ability can always be________, and I am not inferior. If I feel depressed I will sing. If I feel________I will remember my goals.Yet, some emotions approach me with a smile, which can also destroy me. If I become overly proud, I will remember my weaknesses. If I feel my skill is________, I will look at the stars.

With this new knowledge I will make________of a person’s anger of today, for he doesn’t know the secret of controlling his mind. No longer will I judge a man on one________. This secret will be my key to great wealth. From this moment I am________to control whatever personality awakes in me each day. I will control my fate, which is to become the greatest________in the world!

1.

A．advance

B．disappear

C．exist

D．fall

2.

A．native

B．colleague

C．supporter

D．part

3.

A．jokes

B．secrets

C．experiences

D．awards

4.

A．break in

B．wake up

C．take off

D．give out

5.

A．constantly

B．temporarily

C．casually

D．elegantly

6.

A．appear

B．blow

C．fade

D．spread

7.

A．anxious

B．natural

C．additional

D．productive

8.

A．sow

B．grow

C．separate

D．shelter

9.

A．fold

B．follow

C．carry

D．load

10.

A．react

B．review

C．recite

D．repeat

11.

A．obtains

B．regards

C．allows

D．observes

12.

A．chosen

B．seized

C．received

D．witnessed

13.

A．self-awareness

B．self-control

C．self-esteem

D．self-pity

14.

A．behind the scene

B．on the bottom line

C．at the end of the rope

D．out of sight

15.

A．insignificant

B．improper

C．impolite

D．unconscious

16.

A．concrete

B．inadequate

C．abstract

D．unmatched

17.

A．use

B．fun

C．sure

D．sense

18.

A．view

B．meeting

C．experiment

D．idiom

19.

A．limited

B．reserved

C．prepared

D．afraid

20.

A．salesman

B．player

C．architect

D．designer

10 . Many years ago, I was living with my best friend and we had many happy moments together. But there was one night that ________ our lives forever.

On the night of November 25, 2011, I got into a fistfight with my best friend in our kitchen. It all started because I was trying to help him. He was drinking a lot, arguing with everyone and ________ himself from others by keeping silent most of the time. This had been going on for weeks and finally I decided it was time for a(an) ________ I told him that he needed to stop drinking so much and tried to ________ his alcohol and he got angry and started ________ with me. It was scary, but by the end of the night, we were able to calm down and talk to each other.

I thought alcohol ________ was his main problem. But he was just using alcohol to ________ himself through. He was lonely, heartbroken and struggling to connect with people. So during the Christmas season a few weeks later, I gave him a ________ that I didn’t even know I had.

That Christmas my friend didn’t have any place to go, so I invited him home to my parents’ house in Lancaster. They ________ cleaned up our guest room for him and even bought him some Christmas gifts. I’ll never forget the night we arrived at my home. My parents were already ________, but my mom had prepared dinner for us, baked some cookies and left us a note. My parents are known for their ________, so I wasn’t surprised by this warm welcome. But when my friend read my mom’s note and saw all that she had prepared, he broke down and cried. That’s when I ________ how much I took my loving family for granted.

That year my friend and I both received gifts that we would ________ forever. I gave him the gift of a warm, loving, safe place to spend Christmas. And he gave me the gift of a new ________ on life. If I hadn’t shared my home with him, I wouldn’t have understood how ________ I am.

1.

A．defined

B．inspired

C．created

D．changed

2.

A．defending

B．separating

C．protecting

D．locking

3.

A．communication

B．investigation

C．exploration

D．promotion

4.

A．put up

B．take away

C．break out

D．call off

5.

A．talking

B．crying

C．fighting

D．laughing

6.

A．access

B．addition

C．abuse

D．affection

7.

A．look

B．break

C．drive

D．carry

8.

A．time

B．holiday

C．gift

D．family

9.

A．happily

B．generally

C．formally

D．hurriedly

10.

A．awake

B．asleep

C．available

D．absorbed

11.

A．generosity

B．curiosity

C．ability

D．creativity

12.

A．admitted

B．realized

C．recognized

D．accepted

13.

A．exchange

B．present

C．treasure

D．appreciate

14.

A．day

B．test

C．skill

D．eye

15.

A．kind

B．grateful

C．blessed

D．healthy