1 . Last summer, I was suffering from too much stress, I’d just graduated from a challenging doctoral program and was ________ from the years of research, study and writing. I took a vacation to celebrate, but the academic intensity had become a ________ . Sitting on the beautiful lawn of the hotel on Mackinac Island, I just felt like I should be studying or working as usual.

________ seeing natural beauty would have relaxed me, but I couldn’t ________ . I couldn’t help looking at my cell phone repeatedly in case I missed something important. “ Enough,” I murmured. I needed to ________ , but why couldn’t I?

A dragonfly buzzed around me. With each ________ , this creature’s wings changed color — blue one moment, green the next. Dragonflies usually fascinated me with their quick movements that ________ me of acrobats (杂技演员) in the wind, but I wasn’t in the ________ that day. What I needed then was ________ , not movement. As if on cue, the dragonfly came to rest on a blade of grass in front of me.

I watched that dragonfly carefully for many minutes. So did the dragonfly. “It’s not a matter of relaxing,” it seemed to say. “It’s a matter of ________ the now, the here. Life is so short. Be here in the moment and let the ________ take care of itself.” Suddenly, I ________ this beautiful creature, who only had months to live, was “instructing” me about the ________ of life and felt much relaxed. The dragonfly seemed ________ that its message had been delivered. It sprang from the grass and flew away. I didn’t see it again. But I would never forget what it taught me: Be here and ________ yourself.

1.

A．distracted

B．withdrawn

C．exhausted

D．separated

2.

A．tradition

B．strength

C．burden

D．habit

3.

A．Generally

B．Eventually

C．Particularly

D．Exactly

4.

A．settle down

B．break down

C．slow down

D．get down

5.

A．concentrate

B．unwind

C．continue

D．pause

6.

A．movement

B．change

C．advance

D．performance

7.

A．convinced

B．informed

C．reminded

D．warned

8.

A．way

B．mood

C．state

D．position

9.

A．progress

B．admiration

C．consideration

D．stillness

10.

A．remembering

B．understanding

C．appreciating

D．recognizing

11.

A．life

B．history

C．moment

D．future

12.

A．guessed

B．realized

C．agreed

D．admitted

13.

A．value

B．content

C．reality

D．principle

14.

A．concerned

B．doubtful

C．satisfied

D．regretful

15.

A．enjoy

B．collect

C．suit

D．conduct

2 . Most people as they get older start to take life a little slower and enjoy a leisurely pace. But it is not for Kerry, who ________ pole dancing in her 50s, has no ________ of slowing down any time soon. She’s even ________ her life “began at 50”.

The super fit gran ________ an eating disorder from a young age. Now in the best ________ of her life, she looked back on her youth and claimed she was once told she was “too fat to be a dancer”, sparking an eating disorder and being ________ conscious of her weight. After taking up dancing she felt ________ in her new lease of life.

“At the age of 47 I made a list of things I wanted to ________ and I’ve always wanted to do dancing, but I was worried I was too ________. It was so late in life,” said Kerry. ________ planning on doing one class to ________ it off her list, she found a passion and love for the sport and made a living from it, even participating in ________ too. “I feel like fate really put this in my ________, not only to recover my body but to get rid of the ________ that comes with it,” she explained. Now, she’s on a mission to ________ women that their age doesn’t have to hold them back.

1.

A．kept on

B．took up

C．hoped for

D．subscribed to

2.

A．intentions

B．doubts

C．tasks

D．feelings

3.

A．promised

B．predicted

C．checked

D．claimed

4.

A．remembered

B．indicated

C．battled

D．regretted

5.

A．shape

B．hobby

C．emotion

D．aspect

6.

A．occasionally

B．permanently

C．constantly

D．purposely

7.

A．curious

B．competitive

C．confident

D．awkward

8.

A．make

B．try

C．quit

D．win

9.

A．old

B．fat

C．weak

D．sensitive

10.

A．Still

B．Hardly

C．Never

D．Only

11.

A．cross

B．cut

C．see

D．drop

12.

A．races

B．parades

C．parties

D．shows

13.

A．opinion

B．strategy

C．path

D．dream

14.

A．memory

B．danger

C．power

D．negativity

15.

A．contact

B．protect

C．inspire

D．warn

3 . Eric loses his dog, Nova, on a walk. She has pulled the leash (绳子) from his hand in ________ of a rabbit. He puts up signs, ________ neighbors, and enlists friends to help search for Nova, but with no ________.

A week later, a beautiful woman named Vanessa shows up at Eric’s front door. She has Nova. After Nova and Eric reconnect in a chaotic, ________ display of affection, Eric thanks the woman. They talk for a while and seem to ________. Soon, Eric and Vanessa fall in love.

A couple of months go by. While driving on his way to pick up Vanessa, Eric is T-boned at full speed by a distracted driver who ________ a red light. Eric is ________ unconscious. Later, he finds himself in a hospital. A doctor ________ Eric of what has happened and explains that he has suffered a severe head ________ and that they will need to run a brain scan to ________ if there’s any chance of permanent brain damage.

The next day, the doctor comes into Eric’s room and tells him they have found a tumor (肿瘤) in his brain. “________, we only catch a tumor after someone realizes something’s wrong when they start to feel the ________ which is almost always too late, but this tumor is caught before it grows into any other areas of your brain, which in almost all cases becomes ________. Eric, this car accident basically saved your life.”

This ________ of events led Eric to realize that sometimes a ________ could be a blessing in disguise.

1.

A．pursuit

B．memory

C．defense

D．control

2.

A．brings

B．notifies

C．alerts

D．encourages

3.

A．answer

B．luck

C．wonder

D．way

4.

A．easy-going

B．far-reaching

C．heart-warming

D．ever-lasting

5.

A．check it out

B．leave it behind

C．pick it up

D．hit it off

6.

A．approached

B．encountered

C．ran

D．spotted

7.

A．knocked

B．pushed

C．beaten

D．carried

8.

A．accuses

B．convinces

C．informs

D．relieves

9.

A．tumor

B．spin

C．shot

D．injury

10.

A．determine

B．react

C．compare

D．prevent

11.

A．Unexpectedly

B．Occasionally

C．Fortunately

D．Normally

12.

A．accident

B．scars

C．symptoms

D．disasters

13.

A．rare

B．original

C．deadly

D．harmless

14.

A．schedule

B．chain

C．type

D．circle

15.

A．chance

B．misfortune

C．checkup

D．belief

4 . 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。

On the walk home from school, my friend, Cherry, happily said, “Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. I’ve been saving up for the past month and plan to buy my mother the perfume (香水) she’s been wanting for so long.” Her excitement made me realize that I hadn’t prepared anything special yet. But I only had a little money left. I began to regret spending so much on snacks every day. “See you next week!” Cherry’s voice pulled me back to reality. We waved goodbye as she went into a perfume shop.

I continued walking along the road, carefully thinking about what gift I should choose. I planned to buy something like flowers or chocolate, but now it seemed like those were way too simple. Therefore, I pushed open the door to a mall (商场) and tried to find the perfect gift. The bright lights illuminated (照亮) the collection of various goods. I picked up a lipstick (口红) but immediately (立即) put it back after seeing its price. I could never afford that! Then I walked into another shop and saw a lovely cup. This cup, besides being beautiful, would also remind my mother to drink water. It’d be a wonderful gift. I picked it up and turned it over to see the price listed, hoping it was not too expensive. But once again, I couldn’t afford it even with all the money that I had. Feeling sad, I continued to wander around the shops. Time flew by quickly, and before I knew it, the sky began to darken, so I had to go home.

Since there was no time or money for me to pick out a gift, I decided to make a simple card. When I finished, the clock on my bedroom wall struck 11 p.m. I held up the card, examining its hardcover, handwritten letters, and the tiny pictures I’d drawn of my mom and me. It’s probably never going to compare to the expensive gifts that my friends bought for their mothers, I thought sadly.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
Soon, morning came, and it was time to give my mother my handmade card.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“I love this card!” My mother said excitedly.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . So, I did it. I moved back home, despite all the disapproval. I left my good job, my relationship, and the endless opportunities.

Some people questioned me, “Why did you move back?” It was hard at first to admit that I liked being home, and that, actually, I didn’t prefer New York City (as so many people do). But after time, it became easier and less of an issue. And when they asked me why I moved back home, I confidently said, “Because I wanted to.” Many people welcomed me back into the community.

The first few months home were the most relaxing of my life. Every day I wake up to birds chirping, and sunlight coming in from the window-no traffic sounds or people screaming on the streets. It sounds like a Disney movie, but it’s so true! There is something about the air here-it’s clean. It smells good. I can also see the Grand Mesa (the largest flat-top mountain in the world) from my bedroom window. My work commute (通勤) is a four-minute car ride. And on summer nights, my favorite thing to do is watch the sunset from my porch because it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

I’ve been home for almost three years now, much to the surprise of my friends and family. Some friends even made bets on how long “this” would last. So far, I’m winning. But since I’ve been home my life has flourished. I realized that home, for me, is a place that inspires me. Because before, in the city, I felt like I had to compete with everyone to get ahead. Many times, forgetting what I was “fighting” for, I was clouded in competition and not passion. I lost touch with the other parts of myself, never quite realizing that the quiet country life provided that to me.

By coming home, I found myself again, the true me. I didn’t expect a city to give me opportunities because I could make my own.

1. Why does the author mention “a Disney movie” in Paragraph 3?

A．To introduce a new topic.	B．To provide more details.
C．To give a vivid description.	D．To support an argument.

2. How did the author win the bets with her friends?

A．By staying home longer than expected.	B．By getting used to country life quickly.
C．By wining competitions at workplace.	D．By leading a better life than in the city.

3. What is it that the author dislikes about city life?

A．Bad work relations.	B．Few job opportunities.
C．Longer work commute.	D．Too much competition.

4. What does the author refer to with the word “that” in Paragraph 4?

A．The goal she was fighting for.	B．Living to be her true self.
C．The chance of getting ahead of others.	D．A more comfortable life.

6 . My husband Robert and I had volunteered to help build an irrigation (灌溉) system for bananas in Zambia. The Heart of Africa Mission is run by local Zambians, with a focus on community development. We were there to share our agricultural (农业的) experience and knowledge with the African farmers.

We left snow-covered Alberta, Canada in January. We spent the next four weeks working side by side with the local Zambians in a banana plantation (种植园). The banana plantation would help make the Heart of Africa Mission self-supporting. It would also teach banana farming to the students there. Students would go on to teach others. It has done that and more. Through the jobs created, several families now have food, education for their children, and enough housing. The plantation is producing well and is a source of great pride for all who work there.

My husband worked hard at building the irrigation system. But the story he tells most often is of the young man who stopped us on one of our walks somewhere. He pointed to his bike, and laughing widely, told Robert, “Look, look, it still works.” Robert had repaired it for him. A bike in Zambia is like a truck in North America—necessary transportation for people and produce. Robert’s small effort made a big difference in this man’s life.

“We sure appreciate (感激) your sacrifice (牺牲),” our organizer often says. For us it was never a sacrifice, only an honor to have the chance to work in a place so far from our own, to be able to exchange ideas and thoughts. All this happened while living in a beautiful sunny country in the green of the rainy season, while at home in Alberta, the snow would cover the landscape (风景) for months. No, the volunteer work was never a sacrifice. It was only an honor.

1. What can we learn about the author from the first paragraph?

A．She likes to take adventures.	B．She is probably an expert in agriculture.
C．She started the Heart of Africa Mission.	D．She used to live in Africa for a long time.

2. Which of the following best describes the author’s volunteer job?

A．Costly.

B．Tiring.

C．Challenging.

D．Fruitful.

3. Why did the young man stop the author and her husband?

A．To ask for help.	B．To express his thanks.
C．To show his cycling skills.	D．To tell them about his work.

4. Why did the author consider the volunteer work an honor?

A．It enabled her to work harder.	B．It brought her public recognition.
C．It made her appreciate her life more.	D．It allowed her to experience different things.

7 . Dreaming of photographing the world’s beauty, I wrote a travel wish list and hung it on my wall, not expecting to actually go anywhere. However, a local photo contest gave me a _________. I chose the Grand Canyon, one of my bucket list places to visit, since I got my first camera.

The journey was _________, with unique touches like aspen trees towering and lizards (蜥蜴)rushing about. After a day’s _________, I decided to have a good rest and start fresh the next day for the mission to _________ the Canyon’s grandeur.

The next morning, I woke up early to capture (拍摄) the _________. Reaching the overlook, I found an elderly man alone on a bench. After exchanging _________, he noticed my camera and _________if I’d captured any favorites. I _________ shared a couple of photos, not anticipating any further conversation that followed. He _________, revealing that he and his late wife, Betty, visited the Grand Canyon annually for their anniversary. Her __________the previous year marked his first return without her and he spent each sunrise reflecting on their treasured __________. His heartfelt tales __________ me deeply, as I, too, had experienced a recent loss, making the moment __________.

Returning home with numerous photos, I __________the best from my adventures for the contest. This journey taught me the value of chasing dreams, embracing challenges, and __________with others through shared moments, making it a truly enriching experience.

1.

A．favor

B．break

C．suggestion

D．push

2.

A．tiring

B．puzzling

C．refreshing

D．encouraging

3.

A．traveling

B．meeting

C．talking

D．picnicking

4.

A．shoot

B．paint

C．describe

D．video

5.

A．trees

B．sunrise

C．lizards

D．birds

6.

A．gifts

B．ideas

C．numbers

D．greetings

7.

A．doubted

B．inquired

C．considered

D．checked

8.

A．elegantly

B．purposefully

C．hesitantly

D．gratefully

9.

A．opened up

B．dressed up

C．hurried up

D．cheered up

10.

A．running away

B．passing away

C．breaking down

D．settling down

11.

A．possessions

B．collections

C．memories

D．qualities

12.

A．entertained

B．inspired

C．concerned

D．touched

13.

A．available

B．comfortable

C．admirable

D．unforgettable

14.

A．purchased

B．guaranteed

C．selected

D．made

15.

A．competing

B．connecting

C．discussing

D．cooperating

8 . I started a “question of the day” section in a family text group. We’d talk about everything from movies to politics. But despite several warnings from loved ones that some of my responses were judgmental and that I was too quick to attack an opinion, I all but killed that group text. It had a good 12 people in it. We’d shared laughs, encouragement, and funny memes (表情包). It took only one conversation — which I was in the middle of — to end it.

I realized that I had a problem. The medium for my problem is the smartphone. Before smartphones enabled instant communication, people talked on the telephone. In person, you could cut in a “What do you mean by that?” to correct a misunderstanding before it got out of hand. Don’t get me wrong: I love a good group text. It makes me feel connected to people in a way that I just can’t seem to anymore, now that I have a wife and kids.

I’m learning, but I had a relapse (复发) recently. I joined a new text group. I introduced my “question of the day” feature. I fooled myself into thinking that I was encouraging a healthy debate on current events. No. Others in the group saw it as me trying to prove that my way was the right way. Then I made the mistake of sharing some personal information that one friend had told me during a phone conversation. I thought everyone knew. Then this friend started referring to me as a snitch — not terms of kind word. So I asked him about it — in person. That’s when he told me I’d shared sensitive information he hadn’t told anyone else. I apologized plentifully and came away from the conversation more determined to slow down my texts.

My new resolve seems to be working. You should be pleased to know that I have avoided making a few points that I was tempted (鼓动) to make in individual and group texts. In some cases, I didn’t even respond. I haven’t lost any more connections by doing this.

1. How does the author introduce the topic?

A．By making judgments on politics.	B．By responding to some text messages.
C．By presenting a personal experience.	D．By starting a funny conversation.

2. What problem does the author have in digital communication?

A．Ignoring the need to listen to others.	B．Making quick and sharp responses.
C．Failing to express himself timely.	D．Focusing on the issues of his own.

3. Why was the author attacked by his friend in the text group?

A．He gave away the privacy of his friend.

B．He always made mistakes on current events.

C．He made a fool of himself in chatting.

D．He liked enquiring personal information.

4. What does the author learn from his experience?

A．Hurry makes waste.	B．Understanding each other is vital.
C．Sometimes fast is just too fast.	D．Trust is the bridge of communication.

9 . What you believe in has a magic way of shaping your reality. The concept of “you can become what you believe” is more than just a motivational quote. It’s a truth that stresses the remarkable influence of your mindset (心态) on your journey through life. At the heart of this idea lies the distinction between two fundamental mindsets: the growth mindset and the fixed mindset.

The growth mindset is a mindset that embraces the idea that abilities and intelligence can be developed through devotion, effort, learning, and perseverance. Those with a growth mindset grow better on challenges, viewing them as opportunities to learn and improve. Effort is seen as a path to mastery, and setbacks are viewed as stepping stones on the journey to success. Criticism is taken constructively as a chance to improve skills, and the success of others serves as inspiration and a blueprint for one’s own progress.

In contrast, the fixed mindset is characterized by the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and talents are fixed characteristics that cannot be changed. People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges, fearing that failure might reveal their limitations. They avoid pushing themselves because they see it as a sign of their weakness. Criticism is frequently interpreted as a personal attack, and envy or anger can be stirred up by others’ achievement. In nature, a fixed mindset limits individuals to their current abilities and limits their potential for growth.

The power of a growth mindset lies in its capacity to drive positive change. By believing in the potential for growth and improvement, individuals open themselves to a world of possibilities. “If you imagine less, less will be what you, undoubtedly deserve. Do what you love and don’t stop until you get what you love. Work as hard as you can, and think big, “Debbie Millman, a writer, designer, educator, artist and brand consultant said.

1. What is the author’s argument?

A．People’s mindsets are diverse.	B．One’s heart affects one’s mindset.
C．Mindset determines what one can be.	D．Mindset depends on one’s character.

2. What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us about the growth mindset?

A．Its limitation.	B．Its possibility.
C．Its disadvantages,	D．Its characteristics.

3. What way does the author use to illustrate the two different mindsets?

A．Giving examples.	B．Making comparisons.
C．Conducting analysis.	D．Quoting famous sayings.

4. What might be Debbie Millman’s suggestion?

A．Think carefully before you act.	B．Imagine less and practice more.
C．Stay true to yourself and never change.	D．Pursue your dreams and never give up.

10 . Whenever we make a choice, whether it’s as big as getting married or as small as an argument with a friend, we are driven by our values. Values tend to be single-word concepts like freedom, equality, selflessness, honesty.     1     They’re a kind of moral GPS we can use to navigate through life. If you know your values, you have directions that point you toward the people and actions and habits that are best for you.

One way to recognize the values by which you live is look at how you spend your money.     2     Do you really spend your money wisely? we often have a strange perspective on what’s “worth it”, which doesn’t quite make sense if you reflect on it later.

Pay attention to who you talk to, what you watch, and what you do with your time.     3     If you’re just going from one day to the next without questioning your values, you’ll be swayed by what everyone else — from your family to marketing professionals — wants you to think. A thought comes into my mind and I ask myself: Does this fit my chosen values or those that others have selected for me?

    4     If you’re an overworked parent who wants to make your kids your priority, make friends with other parents who hold the same idea, so you can exchange support and advice.

Values make it easier for you to surround yourself with the right people, make tough career choices, use your time more wisely, and focus your attention where it really matters to you.     5    

A．All of these push values and beliefs.

B．Is your precious time wasted or well spent?

C．Your bills actually reflect what matters most to you.

D．That might sound rather abstract, but these values are really practical.

E．Who you surround yourself with helps you stick to your values and achieve your goals.

F．Without them we are swept away by outside voice instead of following our inner voice.

G．When we drive through a new area, we wander aimlessly if we don’t know the directions.