河北石家庄精英中学2025-2026学年高二上学期12月月考英语试题

Language has a way of integrating everyday experiences into expressions that become timeless. "Butter someone up" traces back to an ancient Indian custom of throwing butter balls at statues of gods for good fortune. Despite its historical roots, the idiom keeps its charm as a metaphor for flattery (恭维，讨好) today. When someone is "as cool as a cucumber," they display a calm state, an observation rooted in the cucumber's ability to maintain cool temperatures internally on hot days.

Being able to weave food idioms into conversations can make it a richer one. When someone is described as "bringing home the bacon," it tells a story of success for rural festival traditions where bacon was awarded to winners. A playful reminder to "cut the mustard" might encourage someone to meet expectations, like in this sentence, "I don't think I can cut the mustard as a hockey player, so don't expect too much." Using "small potatoes" reveals a situation's insignificance, relaying a relaxed, yet well-understood feeling. Finally, inviting someone to "sit at the table" instantly speaks to inclusion, drawing parallels to dining's cooperative experience. In welcoming guests or food service conversations, these phrases can serve to lighten moods or build harmony among colleagues and guests.

The next time you're at a dinner party or a casual lunch, try integrating an idiom or two. You will not only heighten your communication but also deepen the shared experience around the food.

These discussions arose in the media recently when a New York University student, Stacia Datskovska came forward to share her studying experiences in Florence. The girl spoke about her classmates' lack of "values" as they traveled to party destinations like Ibiza and Amsterdam. "I watched as my study abroad classmates acted as if they could escape real-life obligations (义务) forever."

While many students travel on the weekends while studying abroad, the idea that these actions are consistent with a student's lack of success or inability to have a career is not accurate.

According to statistics from the University of California, Merced, "97% of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, whereas only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period."

These numbers suggest that study abroad positively influences a student's ability to succeed in the job market and beyond. "This experience specifically is one that opens your mind and exposes you to different people, different cultures and habits," said Simona diGiustino, from a study abroad program for students from all over the world. "It changes your life."

Upon the publishing of Datskovska's article, many students spoke out about the positives of the experience and how grateful they were to have the opportunity to go abroad. "I think we are so honored to be doing this," Tatyana Masters said, a student with IES Abroad's Rome program. "Getting to travel, meet new people, and discover the world beyond borders is something that has completely improved my understanding of the world. I've gained independence, structure, and certainty about my future that I never had before."

Overall, every experience differs in one's time away from home. Being thousands of miles away from everyone and everything you know requires a student to grow up quickly and make impactful decisions. This challenge can be met with excitement or a longing for the social rules, which proves to be a worthwhile cause in the long run.

When it comes to the intensity and effects of food noise, for some, food noise is like nonstop talk inside their heads about what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat, and so on. For others, "it might impact their sleep, or lead to guilt or shame around eating or anxious thoughts," says Goldman, a psychologist specializing in eating behavior. "It can impact relationships, leading to social withdrawal, and reduce people's engagement in other areas of their life."

Anyone can experience food noise but people with overweight often struggle with food noise more, which can make it difficult to lose weight. Also, if you have a lot of food rules or you've been dieting off and on for years, you may be more likely to experience food noise.

People taking Ozempic or Wegovy often report a drop in food noise. These drugs may be affecting the reward system in the brain in ways that resist food noise. By breaking these dopamine (多巴胺) reward pathways in the brain, these drugs are disrupting these disordered thought processes about food.

People who aren't taking these drugs can still take steps to ease food noise. Experts recommend looking at your health habits, including your sleep, eating patterns, hydration, exercise, and stress management. Meanwhile, make an effort to eat regularly and choose meals that are physically and psychologically satisfying. "When people give themselves permission to have what they want, it can have an amazing effect on reducing food noise," Goldman says.

Keep in mind, however, that food noise is a common suffering, so don't beat yourself up for it. Instead, exercise some self-compassion (自我同情), Goldman suggests, "The way we talk to ourselves matters, so be mindful about what you're saying to yourself about food noise.

The thumbs (大拇指) up is a common hand gesture of approval and agreement, or to convey that everything is going well. It indicates a job well done, or showing that you are okay with a plan. This is a clear and direct way to indicate a negative response of rejection.

Crossing arms is an American body language gesture, that indicates a series of feelings including defensiveness, discomfort, or being closed off. It's often used unconsciously (无意识地) in situations where a person feels uneasy or wants to protect themselves. For example, you may see a boss often crosses his arms while inspecting in his factory.

It involves two people slapping their open palms together. Simply raise your hand, palms (手掌) open, and face the other person, then hit your palms together with a bit of force. This is a great way to congratulate someone on a job well done, say after scoring a goal in a sports game, or following a successful presentation.

One way to master different American gestures is to watch how Americans hold themselves and interact non-verbally. You can also watch movies, TV shows to see how actors and presenters use body language to convey emotions and messages.

A. The high five indicates a celebration.

B. Here is why we need to learn some knowledge of it.

C. Here are some common American gestures for you to learn.

D. It could also mean confidence and authority in their position.

E. Like the thumbs up, nodding is a simple gesture that is easily understood.

F. Observe them in various settings such as parks, cafes, and social gatherings.

G. Thumbs down, on the other hand, is used to show disapproval or disagreement.

Studying abroad completely7 my life. I8 grew as an individual because I was9 to different cultures and experiences that caused me to internally reflect on my own. Moreover, I10 myself to say yes to opportunities that came my way and to11 all that life — had to offer. In terms of my academic goals, I always held myself accountable to do my work and stay12. For one of my classes, I got to explore London through its literature and quite literally take it to the streets, which13 me of why I chose my major in the first place!

Since going abroad, I've been pursuing opportunities that can boost my move abroad, and it's given me another14 to work towards. Through my experience abroad, I was able to grow in my15 and worldliness and make lifelong friends.

Zha Jiang Mian, which translates into "Fried Sauce Noodles," is a popular Beijing noodle dish (top) with zhajiang sauce and is unique to every family. It's so famous in China that the mere mention of it immediately makes people think of Beijing.

Originating in Shandong, zhajiangmian was introduced to Beijing by Qing Dynasty Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi during a trip from Beijing Xi'an. They went into a restaurant and ordered a bowl of zhajiangmian. Both found it amazingly (taste). Then, Empress Dowager Cixi commanded the chef who made the 'fried sauce noodles' be brought (cook) for them in the palace in Beijing. And it is said from then on, zhajiangmian has become more and more popular in Beijing and around China.

Modern zhajiangmian represents Chinese home cooking at its finest. Native Beijingers and northerners all have a slightly different take on this dish. Some like it (salty), while some like it sweeter. Some will even top it with raw garlic for extra kick.

Unfortunately, it also may be a (disappear) art. A commenter noted that it (be) quite some time since she had a (true) delicious bowl of zhajiangmian.

Another advantage is________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

1. 问候身体状况；

2. 提出合理的饮食建议。

注意：

1. 写作词数应为 80 个左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Dear Fred,

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Yours,

Li Hua

Things didn't go as I'd hoped. My mother's cancer spread. The doctors were saying she had only months to live, making the 45-minute drive from my mom's place in Maricopa, Arizona to my apartment in Gilbert longer by the day.

Nothing stood out.

Then I saw movement. Behind a fence on the right. Goats! Running and jumping with total abandon. Maybe 20 of them. Seeing them was so completely unexpected, I laughed out loud. Where had these crazy creatures come from? I'd made this drive hundreds of times and never seen them before. They looked so carefree. I had to check them out.

I pulled over, walked to the fence and sat beside it. I was content just to watch them do their thing. But a young white goat with floppy (松软的) ears came running up to me. Close enough to touch. I couldn't resist. I touched its soft coat, and it edged closer, nuzzling (用头或脸紧贴) against me.

Something rose through me, pushing away the sadness, filling the emptiness. Love. Pure love. What I'd been searching for my entire life. It warmed my soul. I'd done nothing to earn this goat's affection.

Yet it had been given to me.

Finally I left, practically floating to the car. "I'll see you soon," I told the goats.

A few days later, I brought Mom there. We sat along the fence, occasionally petting the goats but mostly just watching. After Mom's death, I wasn't sure what I should do next, only that it needed to involve goats.

"I want to get a goat of my own," I told my husband one day. "One I can train to be a comfort animal to bring happiness to those in need."

That's how I found myself visiting a goat farm. There were plenty of goats in sight.

注意：

1. 续写词数应为 150 个左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Then one goat caught my eye.

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The next day, I couldn't wait to take the well-trained Wally outdoors to do comfort work.

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