山东省曲阜市2022-2023学年高三上学期8月开学考试英语试题

Four of the World's Most Amazing Train Journeys

The Beijing to Lhasa Express, China

Start: Beijing                   End: Lhasa

Distance: 2,330 miles       Duration（时长）: 40 hours

Connecting Beijing with Lhasa, the Z21 train transports its passengers from a modern city to a mysterious land. What's unusual is that the train climbs nearly 16,400 it on its journey to the roof of the world: the Tibetan plateau, where it passes yaks, flying prayer flags and snow—covered mountains.

The Reunification Express, Vietnam

Start: Hanoi                     End: Ho Chi Minh City

Distance: 1,072 miles       Duration: two days

Some railways run through historic cities, others run beside beautiful coastline and a few are famous for the colorful characters on board. The Reunification Express meets all these conditions. It travels over a thousand miles from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. There's no better way of exploring all the glories in between.

The California Zephyr, USA

Start: Chicago                   End: San Francisco

Distance: 2,438 miles        Duration: 52 hrs 40 mins

As for appreciating the breathtaking scenery of the North American continent, nothing compares with Amtrak's California Zephyr train. This journey travels nearly 2,500 miles across prairies, deserts, the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada on its way.

London to Fort William on the Caledonian Sleeper, UK

Start: London                        End: Fort William

Distance: 509 miles               Duration: 13 hrs 30 mins

Starting from crowded central London to the dry and cold air and beautiful views of the Scottish Highlands through one overnight train journey is a perfect example of experiencing the romance of rail travel. It's just a pity that the whole experience—from delicious foods and drinks to being taken into la-la land—feels like it's over very quickly.

When Su Bingtian was first added to the track and field team of his junior high school, what he did most was not training or competing, but carrying bags for his senior teammates and watching them running.

Nobody, including Su himself, would believe the small boy could one day become the first Asian man to reach the 100m final at the World Championships, running side-to-side with the fastest sprinters in the world.

Born in a rural area in China's southeastern province of Guangdong, Su started training in athletics in 2003. After 12 years of fast progress, Su emerged from a bag-carrier to the fastest man in the world most populous country, breaking the national record after he clocked 9.99 seconds at the IAAF Diamond League Eugene leg on May 30. He is the first and only Chinese that have ever dipped under the 10-second barrier. He attributed such progress to a revolutionary technique change starting from last winter.

When Su first began to train in sprinting, he had been using his right foot to start off. But he always found his third step a little bit weak and unsteady which would affect his intermediate running and the whole rhythm. After consulting with his coach Yuan Guoqiang, China's first national record holder, Su has changed his way to start with his left foot going forward first.

"It was like a desperate gamble, a brand new start for me. I knew if it works I would find some room to improve, otherwise it could lead to the end of my career," Su said.

"To be honest, I am not fully prepared for such pressure and intensive media coverage. I will learn to deal with it as soon as possible. But training and competing will always be my priority," said a determined Su. "I hope my story can encourage those young people to believe that Chinese can also run fast. I do not think I am a hero. I am just a step-stone, like my coach Yuan, a step-stone to pave the way for more youngsters to push the speed limit for China."

The elderly residents (居民) in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely.

The project was dreamed up by a local charity (慈善组织) to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people's wellbeing (福利). It is also being used to help patients suffering dementia (老年痴呆), a serious illness of the mind. Staff in care homes have reported a reduction in the use of medicine where hens are in use.

Among those taking part in the project is 80-year-old Ruth Xavier. She said: "I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school. "

"I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they've gone to bed."

"It's good to have a different focus. People have been bringing their children in to see the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I'm enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful."

There are now 700 elderly people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East, and the charity has been given financial support to roll it out countrywide.

Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Penfold Street, one of the first to embark on the project (项目), said: "Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here."

Lynn Lewis, director of Notting Hill Pathways, said, "We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities."

Canada is a highly developed capitalist country. It is one of the major tourism players all over the world because of its unique glamour (魅力). Over the years, arts and culture has lived and breathed in every corner of Canada. You can have a really good experience when you go on a trip in Canada. Do you know why it is so obvious that Canada improves and develops in art, culture, sport and so on? Due to a racial and immigrant (移民) population, the variety and richness of art and sports is very evident (明显的).

Since World War I, Canada has produced an impressive amount of writing. From novel to poetry, the selection is wide. Native writers are also becoming better known across Canada in recent years.

Musicians are reaching a higher level of recognition in the world music scene. Everything from country to pop, classical to heavy rock can be found across Canada and across the globe performed by Canadian artists.

Canadian photography as well as painting by Canadians is not well-known outside of Canada but recognition is increasing.

The National Film Board, a film crew in Canada, is the primary producer of movies in Canada. However, many Hollywood studios are turning to Canada as a source for locations and as an alternative (选择) to the more expensive US. Many well-known actors, directors, screen writers and movies come from Canada and often scoop international awards (奖) for their work.

French art was the first to appear in Canada along the St Lawrence in and around Quebec. Since then the amount of art and artists has increased.

Sport is a major part of today's society in Canada. Hockey is the most popular spectator sport (吸引大量观众的体育运动) with more participants taking part in curling. American style football and baseball are also very popular and all of these sports are played across Canada.

Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes are an essential part of what makes us humans. They are a crucial step in learning, growing, and improving yourself. Not making mistakes is actually the biggest mistake you can ever make. Below are some ways to help you learn from mistakes.

Take 100% responsibility. After making a mistake, reflect on it. Only accepting responsibility can make learning possible. Therefore, take 100% responsibility, accept the consequences (后果) and be part of the solution to the problem. The sooner you accept responsibility, the sooner the problem is identified, and the sooner a resolution will be possible.

Figure out the cause of the mistake. Figuring out the cause will also help you avoid repeating it next time. Determine the specific action that has led to the mistake. Take time to look into the events, see if there are things that need to be improved, and take time to work on them. Make the necessary changes to see the positive results.

You cannot change the mistakes that were made in the past, but you can take the lesson learnt and apply it when necessary. Don't move forward through life being afraid of making mistakes. The moment you see mistakes as lessons rather than mistakes, you will no longer have this crazy scare of meeting them along your journey.

Apologize if necessary. Apologizing for a mistake you have made, which has affected someone, can make a big difference. By apologizing, you are showing bravery.

Several months ago, a tornado (龙卷风) fiercely hit our city without any signs before. We hadn't1for it in advance, so we were just forced to go into our2actions. I happened not to be in the classroom when it attacked. Hearing the alarm screaming, I rushed 3as fast as I could back to the classroom.

Never did I imagine that we would put our regular4to use. Never did I imagine that my students had5against the wall and crouched (蹲) down on their knees. Their eyes were obviously filled with6as they asked if their parents, pets, and friends would be okay. I, along with other teachers, tried our best to7them, though we actually didn't know what the8would be.

I couldn't9the tornado any more. However, I'm very proud of my students who performed so well. In such a10and dangerous situation, they behaved beyond their ages. Never in my life had I seen them11instructions so quickly, without any hesitation (犹豫). Though some tears were dropping and some hearts were beating fast, the kids were incredibly (难以置信地)12. I'm extremely proud that they struggled to calm down because of their13in me.

Because of the tornado, I realized that my job as a teacher meant a lot. Behind every well-behaved students are a long line of teachers who have made it their life's14to educate them with safety, courage, calmness and trust. Though the tornado has presented (展现)15, I'm sure we can handle them one by one.

Polar bears are undergoing hunger in a world (warm) than ever before.

Polar bears live in the environment too cold for most animals. For most of the year, they live and hunt on Arctic sea ice. Nature has prepared (they) for the cold conditions. But nothing has prepared the bears for the danger threatens (威胁) their only home.

Polar bears' world is melting. Studies show that polar ice (reduce) by 9.8% every 10 years since 1978. Now about 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears depend sea ice for their (survive). "Sea ice is more than just the platform that the bears walk over," says Andrew Derocher, scientist who studies North American polar bear populations. "Without it, they can't exist."

(melt) and refreezing of polar ice is natural. But in a warmer world, the cycle speeds up, and polar bears have less time (hunt). Normally, they have three months in the spring when they gain more weight. The extra fat will be used, when the bears are not (active) hunting.

Volunteers wanted for part-time work at local wildlife park

● A love for animals.           ● Knowledge of wildlife.

● Fluency in spoken English.     ● 9 am to 3 pm five days a week.

注意：1）词数80左右；  2）请在答题卡的相应位置做答。

It was a day just like every other day. I woke up early in the morning and went to run on Mount Gracious with my dog, Bubbles. As I ran up the mountain, with my dog following close behind, I felt energetic and refreshed. Running in a natural environment never failed to make me feel alive. When I reached the top, I drank some water and enjoyed the beautiful sunrise. This scene always took my breath away, no matter how many times I had seen it.

Having rested enough, Bubbles and I made our way back down the mountain. As we were running downhill, I saw an unfamiliar path and decided to explore the area. The path was full of rocks. It was not easy to walk.

Suddenly, I slipped on a muddy patch, rolling down five meters before I managed to grab hold of an exposed root of a huge tree. I was safe for now. However, I was seriously injured (受伤的). My knees were badly hurt. My right foot was also dislocated (脱臼). I knew for sure I would be unable to make my way up or down the mountain without help. I called out to Bubbles and he barked loudly from above. It seemed like he understood that I needed help. He looked down at me pitifully before disappearing from sight.

As night fell, panic (恐慌) set in and scary thoughts went through my mind. There were many things that I had got to do. I couldn't die! This would not have happened if I had stuck to my usual path.

I was losing hope when I heard barking (狗吠声). It was Bubbles. I rubbed my eyes as I struggled to keep awake. But there was silence. Who could it be? Was I hallucinating (产生幻觉)? Then I heard some voices and more barking. Yes. Help was near, I knew. I could count on (依赖) my dog to get help.

Paragraph 1: Soon, I heard my parents calling my name.

Paragraph 2: Later, my parents told me what Bubbles had done to get help.