1 . 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. |
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. |
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. |
A.Hurry makes waste. | B.Understanding each other is vital. |
C.Sometimes fast is just too fast. | D.Trust is the bridge of communication. |
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3 . It has been another long, rough winter here in the mountains of my home. And today as I looked at the broken
A foot of snow had fallen and was rapidly melting. The
I got out of my car
Sometimes we all do good things in this life only to get
A.branches | B.fences | C.blocks | D.bricks |
A.adventures | B.laughter | C.scenery | D.memories |
A.rainbow | B.runoff | C.flood | D.fountain |
A.dug | B.constructed | C.formed | D.built |
A.driving | B.walking | C.riding | D.sailing |
A.car | B.river | C.road | D.hill |
A.headed | B.knocked | C.kicked | D.stepped |
A.reluctantly | B.quickly | C.happily | D.quietly |
A.longer | B.shorter | C.heavier | D.lighter |
A.threw | B.pushed | C.buried | D.pulled |
A.stood up | B.lay down | C.sat down | D.stayed up |
A.sprayed | B.hit | C.sucked | D.poured |
A.difficulty | B.benefit | C.beginning | D.result |
A.rewarded | B.injured | C.encouraged | D.confused |
A.desire | B.love | C.seed | D.dream |
It was the second day I left my lovely hometown for the city to live with my grandfather, who was taking me to the supermarket for the first time.
“I forgot. You’ve never seen a supermarket before, have you?”
I shook my head, indicating indifference to the surroundings.
“Imagine it like this,” Grandfather said, “This store’s speaking to you. It is telling you some of the new things that you’ve never learned.” I did not understand.
“A trading post in a remote town only shows you a small part of the world. This store speaks of a world that is a very big place.”
“So I should just forget my roots, is that it?” Angry and upset, I was expressing my reluctance to live here.
“Absolutely not. Carry it with you, so that you may freely navigate in both worlds, big and small.”
Ignoring words from him, my gaze fell on a woman selecting some green apples. I thought so what if it’s a big world, but I’d rather purchase whatever in a trading post for they only stocked one type of apples, at least all ripe!
Noticing the expressions on my face, Grandfather chuckled. He gracefully walked over to the table where the green apples were and selected half a dozen.
“You’ll get a stomachache if you consume green apples,” I said.
Grandfather appeared as though he was going to laugh again, but he didn’t.
There was no word any more. I followed him while Grandfather filled the cart with our necessities, encountering numerous new items. I was burning to ask him what those strange foods were, and what their flavors and origins were. However, I kept it in my mind that I was supposed to be bored and uninterested in anything, thus, keeping silent all the way.
As we exited the supermarket, Grandfather was smiling as if he understood some private jokes. About halfway back, he gestured for me to stop, bending over to find the plastic bag.
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: He picked out a green apple.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: With his words in mind I couldn’t help taking a bite, too. _
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5 . In Lincoln Elementary School, the students went wild with excitement on hearing the announcement of the upcoming science fair. Among the
Alex envisioned creating a volcano model for the fair, complete with a(n)
Their working together became a lively
On the science fair day, the school gym was full of scientific wonders. When Alex and Mia confidently introduced their project and skillfully
Alex’s decision to
A.daring | B.curious | C.hesitant | D.eager |
A.theory | B.biology | C.experiments | D.adventures |
A.burning | B.erupting | C.talent | D.gravity |
A.struggling | B.offering | C.demanding | D.managing |
A.well-intended | B.self-absorbed | C.hard-working | D.easy-going |
A.replace | B.accompany | C.join | D.instruct |
A.exchange | B.race | C.change | D.challenge |
A.sharing | B.checking | C.doubting | D.acquiring |
A.aimlessly | B.randomly | C.leisurely | D.tirelessly |
A.initiated | B.born | C.planned | D.located |
A.analyzed | B.designed | C.filmed | D.demonstrated |
A.contract | B.recognition | C.permit | D.degree |
A.reach out | B.get through | C.give in | D.look up |
A.competition | B.dignity | C.discipline | D.cooperation |
A.destination | B.subject | C.must | D.signal |
1.解释这句话的含义;
2. 给合事例谈一下你的理解。
注意:
1. 写作词数应为80左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Being a person of value
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7 . As to psychological well-being, the comfort zone is frequently perceived as a haven, a familiar location where individuals feel calm and peaceful. Pushing beyond this psychological state might have benefits.
The comfort zone can be understood as a behavioral metaphor. Within a comfort zone, an individual takes on a state of minimal anxiety without a perception of risk, responding predictably to deliver a consistent level of performance. These include behaviors that people do commonly, find relaxing, or that take them away from high-stress situations. Engaging in the same manner over time leads to a predictable and familiar zone of comfort. As creatures of habit, we become dependent on these routines that we know we can complete well to feel secure. However, by stepping outside of our comfort zone, we learn about our ability to handle new situations and control risks, leading to greater self-confidence, and lower levels of anxiety.
One study found that individuals who are more secure in stepping out of their comfort zone are more likely to be excited by and look forward to new experiences, feeling greater confidence in their ability to take them on.
One behavior that demonstrates the benefits of stepping out of a comfort zone is learning to play a musical instrument. When we consider actions outside of our comfort zone, we must assess our desire to engage in that activity. By weighing the pros and cons, we evaluate how uncomfortable a situation may seem, and whether the danger of entering such an unknown situation will be worth the risk.
Music offers a safe way to step out of your initial comfort zone because you can begin by practicing in an isolated setting, which offers a casual, safe way to build a new skill set. By picking up and practicing a new instrument, you have proven to yourself that you are capable of meeting an unfamiliar objective, thus decreasing anxiety.
1. What does the underlined word “haven” in Paragraph 1 most probably mean?A.Habitat. | B.Shelter. | C.Community. | D.Destination. |
A.We recall the old experience. |
B.We think whether it is worth the risk. |
C.We evaluate our thirsty for the activity. |
D.We weigh the strengths and weaknesses. |
A.The definition of the comfort zone. |
B.The importance of psychological well-being. |
C.The process of learning a new musical instrument. |
D.The benefits of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. |
A.How to Identify Comfort Zone |
B.Staying Inside Comfort Zone is Important |
C.Stepping Outside Comfort Zone Promotes Learning |
D.How to Take Yourself Away from High-stress Situations |
8 . After over a decade of faithful service my old desktop computer finally died. It simply wouldn’t start. With no computer repair places open my daughter talked me into purchasing a new laptop to replace it. What followed was two days of pure frustration. It was like going from driving an old Model T Ford to flying the Space Shuttle.
After my daughter set it up, I looked for the old e-mail program I used to use, only to find that it wasn’t on this model. When I tried to download the older version again it wouldn’t work. I also had a terrible time downloading my old word processing program again. Then there were some difficulties of transferring all of my old stories that I had saved on a jump drive. The laptop computer’s fancy new programs were an icon minefield that I had to navigate. Each time I accidentally touched one of them it changed everything on my screen and I had to work hard to figure out how to change them back. In the end I had screwed up the settings so badly that I asked my daughter to do a reset so we could start over. Finally after two days I think we have set up the new computer to do the few simple things I need it to do so I can ignore the thousand other functions that I have no use for. I only hope it will work as long and faithfully as my old desktop did.
One thing I did learn from all of this is that when it comes to computers and life I want to keep things simple, simple, simple. Life is simple. Love is simple. It is we who make things complicated. Take some time today then to turn off your electronics and turn on your heart. Be a person, not a program. Be yourself, not your “Selfie”. Fill your days with purpose, your years with happiness, and your life with love.
1. What was the author’s old computer’s problem?A.It was slow to function. | B.It crashed completely. |
C.It was out of date. | D.It kept restarting. |
A.She couldn’t forget her old computer. |
B.She regretted not repairing her old computer. |
C.She didn’t buy a more advanced computer. |
D.She had difficulty using the new computer. |
A.Useful. | B.Unnecessary. |
C.Disappointing. | D.Challenging. |
A.To explain her requirements for computers. |
B.To stress the importance of technology. |
C.To show the development of electronics. |
D.To express her attitude to life. |
9 . Traditional measures of success often prioritize academic achievements and job-specific knowledge, but recent research has shown that emotional intelligence may be a better predictor of success and well-being than IQ alone.
Picture this: you’re a leader with high EQ. Your team looks up to you because you inspire them, drive productivity and make decisions that take everyone’s emotions into account. You find win-win solutions that keep the team united if conflicts arise.
Consider how EQ can supercharge your career. First up: self-awareness. It’s like having a spotlight on your emotions, strengths, and weaknesses. When you truly understand yourself, you can make better decisions and set meaningful goals.
It’s time to shift our perspective and embrace emotional intelligence as a critical component of success.
A.Emotional intelligence helps cope with stress. |
B.Social awareness is another crucial aspect of EQ. |
C.Emotional intelligence goes beyond the office walls. |
D.By understanding others’ emotions, you can build strong bonds. |
E.It is now recognized as a vital factor in personal and professional growth. |
F.You create a positive work environment where ideas flow freely if changes take place. |
G.By recognizing its importance, we can make wiser decisions and lead more satisfying lives. |
10 . These days, many young people wonder if they would be better served by striking out on their own than pursuing a college education. In this rapidly evolving digital era, narratives of overnight success and entrepreneurial glory have flooded our social media feeds, fascinating the digital natives of Gen Z into questioning the worth of an expensive traditional college degree.
Contrary to popular belief, successful entrepreneurship is rarely seen among the young. Recent research suggests that the average age in the U. S. of founders when they launched their companies is 42, rising to 45 for those within the top 0.1% of earnings based on growth in their first five years. That’s even the case for high-tech startups. Indeed, successful entrepreneurship is frequently the result of years of learning, experimenting and risk-taking—traits cultivated over time.
Campuses create environments rich in intellectual diversity and foster cooperation among their inhabitants, promoting an entrepreneurial mindset. They encourage students to challenge established norms and develop their unique thinking patterns to create value — practices that are also key to entrepreneurial success. Thus, higher education is not just about attaining a degree; it’s more importantly about acquiring the skills and experiences that inspire and enable the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
But some may doubt since formal entrepreneurship itself isn’t typically a course of study, are all college majors capable of instilling entrepreneurial skills? Let’s examine the arts majors, which are often subjected to the most suspicion concerning their career paths. Consider a theater major. That curriculum often includes entrepreneurship-focused capabilities beyond stage direction, lighting, sound systems and performance. Students learn to mobilize resources, lead creative teams and navigate the uncertainties of a theatrical production — skills that are readily transferable to launching any entrepreneurial business.
Like a compass for the future, entrepreneurship guides us toward a society that prizes critical thinking, nurtures intellectual curiosity and champions innovation. Let’s not get swept away by short-lived trends or misleading narratives. Instead, we should appreciate the enduring value of college education.
1. What do the figures in paragraph 2 indicate?A.The chance of success multiplies with age. | B.Young people dominate high-tech startups. |
C.Quite a number of enterprises are in the red. | D.Successful entrepreneurship isn’t built in a day. |
A.Sticking to one’s own principles. | B.Acquiring knowledge from textbooks. |
C.Developing a startup mentality. | D.Following established norms and traditions. |
A.To illustrate it is complex and demanding. |
B.To prove people’s suspicion is reasonable. |
C.To show entrepreneurial skills can be integrated into all majors. |
D.To stress it is the launchpad for successful entrepreneurship. |
A.Arts. | B.Insights. | C.Entertainment. | D.News. |