广东肇庆市第一中学2025-2026学年高二第一学期期末英语试题

Cheaper gateway

Instead of flying directly from cities like Beijing or Shanghai, travelers now take high-speed trains to nearby second or third-tier cities and catch international flights there. These newly opened routes often cost far less. For example, flights from smaller airports such as Datong or Yuncheng can be less than half the price of those from major hubs. In addition, these airports are usually more efficient, with shorter lines and simpler procedures, making the travel experience more relaxed.

Smart deals

Experts point out that this trend is not just about saving money. Young travelers are making careful choices to improve the value of their trips. By spending less on transportation, they can afford better food, accommodation and activities. Low ticket prices are made possible by cooperation between airlines, travel agencies and local governments, which offer subsidies to reduce operating costs. As a result, affordable international travel has become a regular option rather than a luxury.

Tourism boost

Cheap international flights also help attract foreign visitors. With more direct routes and visa-free policies, smaller cities are becoming new entry points to China. This not only increases tourist numbers but also boosts local hotels, restaurants and employment. In this way, smart travel choices are benefiting both travelers and local economics.

Wang Sihan, an 18-year-old freshman majoring in early childhood education, noticed the booth and stopped to learn more. She decided to join because the program was closely related to her major, and she wanted to put what she learned into practice. As a volunteer, Wang tutors a young girl with language development delays, and the slow progress has taught her to take the work seriously and stay patient. Like many new volunteers, Wang did not realize that she was becoming part of a program with a history of nearly thirty years. The tutoring program has long been one of the university's most important volunteer activities.

According to Yang Yifan, a university official, the program was started by students who hoped to give back to society through knowledge. Over the years, it has worked with local volunteer groups and organizations supporting people with disabilities, which has helped it reach more families in need. Volunteers visit local communities, learn about each child's situation, and then provide one-on-one tutoring. So far, nearly 1,500 students have taken part in the program, offering more than 27,000 hours of service and helping hundreds of children.

The tutoring program not only helps children improve their studies, but also benefits the volunteers themselves. Through tutoring, students become more patient, responsible, and aware of social needs. By sharing knowledge, volunteers and children grow together, showing that small actions can really change lives.

By blending TCM with modern baking, hospital bakeries have become attractive destinations for young consumers who care about health. Many of them believe such bread can provide both daily nourishment (营养) and mild health benefits. Wu Min, a visitor from Sichuan province, said she bought dozens of loaves as gifts after learning about the bakery online, a practice that has become common among young travelers.

This trend is not limited to large cities. In Xishuangbanna, a hospital produces Swiss rolls containing sour rose hips, following the local Dai tradition of adding medicinal plants to food. Similarly, a hospital in Guizhou province has introduced "fish mint bread", combining a local ingredient with baking to satisfy both curiosity and health awareness. According to hospitals, these products aim to make traditional medicine part of everyday life.

Experts point out that young people today face health problems caused by heavy workloads and irregular schedules. While they pay increasing attention to health management, many prefer affordable and convenient solutions. They are more willing to embrace the concept of "food as medicine". A recent report shows that people aged 18 to 35 account for 83.7 percent of health and wellness consumers in China, and social media has played a key role in spreading related trends.

However, specialists also warn of potential risks. Many medicinal breads fail to clearly state the types and amounts of herbal ingredients or provide dietary guidance. Without clear industry standards, consumers may develop unrealistic expectations. Experts stress that such products should be viewed with caution, as improper promotion could damage public trust in traditional Chinese medicine in the long term.

Some scientists argued that the rapid spread of AI should not weaken critical thinking. Michael Levitt, professor at Stanford University, noted that while AI systems may provide powerful answers, humans remain responsible for asking meaningful questions. In his view, curiosity, risk-taking and skepticism are essential in both science and technology, since knowledge can only be trusted when supported by evidence.

On the business side, leaders stressed how important it is to use laws and morals to guide interactions between humans and AI. Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, said that AI should not be seen only as a tool, but as a partner that works with humans. He explained that sustainable development depends on a "win-win" approach, in which people, countries and intelligent systems share responsibility and communicate with each other.

Beyond making rules, companies were encouraged to take on greater social responsibility. Businesses should go beyond profit and contribute to a sustainable future through AI training, social support and cooperation between technology and human creativity to solve social problems.

Government representatives also talked about the importance of digital development. They noted that Beijing has developed a strong digital economy supported by many AI companies and skilled workers. Future plans include expanding the "AI Plus" program and using digital technology to improve cultural exchange and international cooperation.

However, participants also warned that AI and big data bring challenges, such as problems related to data use and cultural imbalance. Leaders in education said that the best way to close digital gaps is to accept different cultures and encourage fairness and shared learning. Only by combining technological progress with human values, they concluded, can society achieve shared prosperity in the digital age.

With casual online communication on the rise, many overlook proper English punctuation — yet it's the backbone of clear, professional writing. This guide focuses on four essential marks to help you polish your writing.

Commas: The Most Versatile Mark

Commas serve several critical roles. They set off appositives (e.g., "Lila, my neighbor, is a writer") and separate list items (the "Oxford comma" boosts clarity). For example, "a soft, warm blanket" needs a comma to avoid reading the adjectives as a single unit. Another use is separating introductory phrases: "After finishing my essay, I took a walk."

Semicolons: Connecting Related Ideas

Semicolons link closely related independent clauses: "The rain stopped; the sun peeked through clouds." This works when list items already contain commas: "I visited Rome, Italy; Kyoto, Japan; and Vancouver, Canada."

Colons: Introducing and Clarifying

Colons introduce specific lists or key examples. Never use a colon if the list flows naturally (e.g., "The cart had milk, bread and eggs" needs no colon).

Apostrophes serve two main roles: showing possession and forming contractions. For singular nouns, add ‘s (e.g., "the dog's leash"); for plural nouns ending in "s," add s'. One common pitfall is using apostrophes to form plurals (e.g., "apple's" for "apples"). Mixing up "it's" (contraction) and "its" (possessive) is another top mistake.

Consistency matters most in punctuation. Using the same style throughout a piece keeps writing cohesive. With practice, these rules will feel intuitive, making your writing clear and polished.

A. Apostrophes: Quotes & Emphasized words

B. Apostrophes: Key Uses and Mistakes to Avoid

C. They also clarify complex lists with internal commas.

D. However, mastering these basics is simpler than you might think.

E. Commas also separate consecutive adjectives that describe a noun.

F. For example, use them after phrases like "the following" to list items.

G. Semicolons should never be mixed with commas in a single sentence.

After he hung up, his eyes looked3, as if he carried a heavy weight. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but we couldn't understand each other. I just put my hand on his shoulder and smiled softly. That feeling of helplessness4 me — I couldn't stop thinking about how lonely he must feel.

Determined to connect, I started5 late every night to learn basic sign language. I watched online tutorials and practiced gestures repeatedly. This morning, I gathered all my courage to approach him. I signed "hello" and asked "how are you" with6 movements.

His face lit up with a7 smile — shocked yet warm. He didn't say a word, but pulled out his phone and typed a message. When I read "Thank you" on the screen, my heart felt full. We didn't have a long conversation, but that simple exchange made all the late nights and8 days worthwhile.

As the subway pulled into the station, he signed "see you tomorrow" before leaving. I realized communication isn't just about words. A little effort to9 others' worlds can10 loneliness and build bridges of kindness. That day, I didn't just learn sign language — I learned how to11 with my heart.

12 that small interaction, I understood that kindness needs no words. It's the willingness to put in13 to understand someone different. Our exchange was14, but it left a deep impression on both of us. It taught me that the most powerful15 in the world is not speech, but empathy and care.

For people in Yunnan Province, wild mushrooms are more than daily food. They are deeply rooted in local culture. During the mushroom season, collecting and cooking mushrooms (regard) as a meaningful experience. Zhang Yunjia, a 33-year-old chef from Yunnan, hopes to bring this experience to diners in Beijing.

At her restaurant, Under Clouds Green, Zhang has created a seasonal menu (inspire) by autumn. She cautiously chooses wild mushrooms from Yunnan and fresh organic vegetables from farms near Beijing, which help her dishes show the beauty of the season and leave diners with a gentle memory of fall. What (make) Zhang's cooking stand out is not only its taste but its artistic design. Some dishes allow guests to spread colorful mushroom sauces like (paint) a picture, while others look like small gardens, making diners feel as if they are eating in nature. Every detail shows Zhang's imagination and love for her work.

The flavors of her food remind people traditional Yunnan cooking. Light soups and simple side dishes bring warmth and comfort, while the (care) presentation shows her respect for each ingredient. Many of her ideas can be traced back to her childhood memories in Yunnan, stir-fried mushrooms, rice noodles and soft rice cakes were part of everyday life.

Zhang believes that uniqueness of Yunnan cuisine lies in the rich (diverse) of its ingredients and spices. Through her cooking, she hopes that diners can (true) experience the spirit and flavor of Yunnan with every bite.

1. 演讲稿简介；

2. 请求修改并表达感激。

注意：

1. 词数100左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Mr. Smith,

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Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

It was the third week of my senior year, and our class was organizing a charity sale to raise money for the local children's hospital. Everyone was busy preparing: some brought hand-made crafts, some donated books, and others planned to sell snacks. I was in charge of the craft stall with my best friend Lily, excited to contribute.

Just as we set up the stall, a new student named Lin Xiao stood awkwardly nearby. She had transferred to our class a month earlier and rarely spoke, always sitting quietly by the window. I noticed she held a canvas bag full of delicate paper cranes and origami flowers, her fingers twisting the strap nervously. "Do you want to join our stall?" I asked with a smile. She shook her head quickly, mumbled "I'm not good at talking to people," and hurried away.

By noon, our stall was crowded, but I couldn't stop thinking about Lin Xiao. I remembered how lonely I felt when I first moved to the city — no friends, no one to talk to. Lily noticed my distraction and said, "Why not go find her? Those paper crafts look beautiful; they'll definitely sell well." Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the classroom.

When I pushed the door open, Lin Xiao was sitting at her desk, staring at her crafts with a sad expression. Before I could speak, the classroom loudspeaker announced: "The charity sale will end in two hours. Please bring all your items to the playground as soon as possible."

注意：

1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；

2. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。

I gently tapped Lin Xiao on the shoulder and said softly, "Your crafts are amazing — let's share them with others."

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By the time the charity sale ended, we had sold all of Lin Xiao's crafts and raised a lot of money.

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