• 1、Green tea is widely recognized for its proven potential to protect the heart, brain and metabolism, while sugary bottled and bubble teas may do far more harm than good to human health. This is the finding of a comprehensive scientific research, recently published by a professional research team from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

    The research links regular tea consumption, especially green tea, to significantly reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Regular drinkers also show slower age-related cognitive decline, better muscle preservation and lower all-cause death rates. These positive effects are supported by both laboratory tests and long-term human observation studies. Its health benefits mainly come from natural polyphenols (多酚), especially catechins (儿茶素). Green tea has been studied exhaustively, while the exact health effects of black, oolong and white tea remain less explored by the scientific community.

    Yet the research also warns of hidden health risks tied to commercial tea products. Highly processed options like bottled and bubble teas often contain harmful artificial additives, such as added sugars, sweeteners and preservatives. Heavy long-term tea drinkers may also face low-level risks from pesticide residues or heavy metals in a small number of tea leaf samples. These risks are often overlooked by most daily tea drinkers.

    Overall, the study concludes that freshly brewed tea offers the most reliable and consistent health benefits. Moderate regular intake of brewed tea may effectively cut risks of common chronic diseases, while processed tea products should be consumed with proper caution. The authors note further targeted research is needed to clarify effects across different tea types and consumer groups, to provide scientific guidance for public daily tea drinking habits.

    (1)、What does the underlined word "exhaustively" in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
    A、In a wide range. B、In an overlooked manner. C、In a brief manner. D、In a repeated way.
    (2)、How does the author develop the content in the third paragraph?
    A、By quoting the research review. B、By making a comparison. C、By giving definitions. D、By providing examples.
    (3)、What is the authors' attitude towards freshly brewed tea?
    A、Objective. B、Approving. C、Cautious. D、Reserved.
    (4)、What is the text mainly about?
    A、The unique health benefits of green tea. B、Hidden risks of commercial processed teas. C、A scientific review on tea and human health. D、Effects of different teas on human body.
  • 2、The wind blew over the mountain as Liu Sitong waited at the starting line of the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games. Below her, the course plunged steeply, twisting and dropping nearly 750 meters. Sharp turns, sudden dips, and narrow gates followed one another, testing every skier's skill.

    "Stay in control at the start," her coach Wang Jingping reminded her. Liu nodded. Four cable cars and three warm-up runs had brought her here.

    At 31, the sitting-class skier faced one of the toughest courses she had ever encountered. Rolling bumps threatened to lift her into the air, requiring careful timing and precise control.

    "The bumps are tricky," she said before the race. "I must choose the right line and turn at the exact moment."

    Alpine skiing was unpredictable. A single mistake could end a run. Liu had already competed in all five events and earned three bronze medals, yet medals were not her only goal.

    "Our goal is to show courage," she had told her teammates. "Standing on the starting line is already a victory."

    Taking a deep breath, Liu leaned forward and pushed off. The icy wind roared past her as she navigated each curve, handled every bump, and passed every gate with precision. The crowd's cheers echoed along the slope, urging her forward.

    With a final sharp turn, she crossed the finish line. Her time was not the fastest, but her run was clean and controlled. Liu smiled, her heart racing. She had faced the mountain and conquered it on her terms. In that moment, she understood what true victory meant — just as she had believed before the race: it was not the fastest time, but the courage to step up, the focus to keep going, and the determination to challenge herself again and again.

    (1)、What do we know about the Tofane course from the text?
    A、It needs three pre-race warm-up runs. B、It is steep and highly skill-demanding. C、It has a total length of 750 meters. D、It is designed for professional para skiers only.
    (2)、What is Liu's biggest concern before the race?
    A、The track's sharp turns. B、The exact timing for turns. C、The 750-meter vertical drop. D、The rolling bumps on the track.
    (3)、What can we infer from Liu Sitong's words in Paragraph 6?
    A、Taking part itself reflects great courage. B、Winning relies on hard training. C、Medals mean a lot to athletes. D、Medals matter more than races.
    (4)、Which best describes Liu Sitong according to the text?
    A、Careful and calm. B、Talented and focused. C、Brave and determined. D、Modest and ambitious.
  • 3、In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of vitality, courage, and progress. When this zodiac animal appears in China's intangible cultural heritage (ICH), it inspires creative works with rich cultural meaning. Horse images appear in traditional crafts and performances, showing the close relationship between people and this energetic animal. These traditions preserve old skills while expressing hopes for strength, success, and good fortune. Here are four examples of intangible cultural heritage featuring horse motifs.

    Chinese Paper-cutting

    Chinese paper-cutting, a UNESCO-listed ICH, is a widely practiced folk art across China. Using scissors or knives, artists cut delicate patterns from red paper to decorate homes during festivals. In the Year of the Horse, families create horse designs to celebrate the Spring Festival and send good wishes.

    Morin Khuur Craftsmanship

    The morin khuur, or horsehead fiddle, is a traditional Mongolian bowed instrument. It is named after the horse-head carving on its neck. With its deep, smooth sound, the instrument reflects the vast grasslands and the Mongolian people's close connection with horses.

    Shui Horsetail Embroidery

    Shui horsetail embroidery from Sandu Shui Autonomous County in Guizhou is a unique craft of the Shui people. Using horsetail hair as a key material, artisans create bold patterns with a slight raised effect for baby carriers and traditional clothing.

    Bamboo Horse Dance

    The bamboo horse dance is a lively folk performance dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. Dancers wear bamboo horse props around their waists and move as if riding horses, bringing excitement and joy to festivals.

    (1)、Why do people make horse-themed paper-cuttings nationwide?
    A、To decorate new houses. B、To develop traditional folk art. C、To create complex cultural patterns. D、To embrace the Year of the Horse.
    (2)、What gives the morin khuur its name?
    A、Its unique deep sound. B、Its long history in old times. C、The horse-head decoration on it. D、Its close link with the grasslands.
    (3)、What do the last two ICH items have in common?
    A、They are both made of horsetail hair. B、They both serve folk life needs. C、They both date back to Tang. D、They are both performed by dancers.
  • 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。

    The Wind Phone

    Every morning Mario visited his neighbor, Mr. Harper. Together they sat at the edge of his garden on the hill, looking down at the port. They made a game of spotting Mario's dad as he unloaded the morning catch, and Mr. Harper's daughter, Fiona, as she cleaned the fish one after another. "I see them!" Mario would say. Mr. Harper would laugh. "You win again, Mario." It was their favorite game.

    Mario's dad loved the ocean. He'd say, "Listen, Mario, the ocean's saying good morning." The lapping waves would whisper: O-mor-ning. O-mor-ning. Mario always returned the greeting, "Good morning, ocean." But on the day the big wave came, the ocean didn't whisper. It roared (咆哮). A big, watery hand swept into the port, grabbing everything — and everyone — in its grasp. Everyone lost someone that day. It took Mario's dad, Fiona, and it even took Mario's voice. Silence hung over the village like a dark, heavy cloud.

    Spring came. Here and there stood peach-trees that broke into delicate flowers of pink. One day: Tap-tap-tap. Bang-bang-bang. Mario watched from his window. Mr. Harper was building something in his garden. But what? It was a phone booth (电话亭), painted white and with many panes (窗格) of glass. Mr. Harper went inside and his voice floated out. "Fiona? It's your father. I miss you." Mario was confused. Fiona had been grabbed by the ocean, just like Mario's dad. When Mr. Harper left, Mario crept inside. An old-fashioned phone sat on a table. No plugs, no wires. It was a phone connected to nowhere.

    Mr. Harper visited his phone booth every day. Soon other villagers did too. They lifted the receiver to their ears and their voices floated on the wind. "Hello, cousin. Today I fixed the boat. I'll fish again soon." "Sister, how're you? I rode your bike today. It fits me now."

    For the first time since the big wave came, Mario wanted to use his voice. He went down to the port and screamed at the ocean. "Bring our people back!" Still, the waves lapped gently. O-mor-ning. O-mor-ning. Mario sighed and looked up.

    注意:

    (1)续写词数应为150左右;

    (2)请按如下格式在答题卷的相应位置作答。

    Mr. Harper's phone booth sat high on the hill like a lighthouse.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    As Mario stepped out, he spotted Mr. Harper down at the port.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • 5、假定你是李华,上周你们班级利用课间为英语老师送上了生日惊喜。请你给英国朋友Alice写一封邮件分享这次经历,内容包括:

    1.你们的做法;

    2.你的感想。

    注意:

    1.写作词数应为80左右;

    2.请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。

    Dear Alice,

    Guess what? We surprised our English teacher last week!

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Yours,

    Li Hua

  • 6、阅读下面短文,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

    Picture yourself as the hero in a Chinese martial-arts (武术) novel. There are two paths to improve your powers. Do you choose zhengxiu, the orthodox (正统的) one that (typical) demands decades of practice in a cave? do you risk xiexiu, the unorthodox way? Traditional values warn against those who cheat (establish) systems. But xiexiu has acquired a life among certain youngsters. It now represents a (depart) from the proper way: more efficient, more creative or simply less bound by convention. In recent months, videos with the term (draw) billions of views on social media. Some are just rebranded life tricks, such as learning English through fan fiction. Others turn into the absurd (荒谬的): reading advanced mathematics a sleep aid.

    Many young adults see xiexiu as a middle path between "996" office culture and "lying flat". An unstable economy, rising housing costs and shaky job (prospect) have already made the path through adulthood more uncertain. So why not turn to xiexiu?

    Last month, Guangming Daily declared the trend cheerful way for the young to deal with uncertainty and gain initiative. It stopped short of calling it a fight against authority, instead (describe) it as "a way to seek improvement". "Xiexiu isn't really about teaching you cooking methods — it's teaching you to rethink," reads one clear-eyed comment.

  • 7、​​​​​​​Since young, I had needed to write as one needs to breathe, but social values convinced me that writing wasn't1. Yet chaining myself to other2 frightened me. So I set foot on Iceland as an exchange student, giving myself one more year to3 what to do with my life. However, after a month of living in Iceland, I was still unaccustomed.

    One day, in class, I started writing a4 on my notebook. Outside, Mount Tindastóll's snowy heights were lit in pink from the late sunrise. I became so5 pressing its beauty into paper that I did not6 my teacher, Geirlaugur, until he cleared his throat and asked, "Poetry?" "Sorry," I said.

    Geirlaugur called me to his desk the next day. I was expecting7, but instead he handed me a collection of Icelandic nature poems. "Keep going, and your work will be8 one day. Onwards." he told me.

    From that day on, my relationship with Iceland9. I threw myself into reading Icelandic novels, found friendship and10, and realized that Icelanders11 writers. One friend told me12 that Iceland is a nation of writers: one in 10 would publish a book.

    I would not have become a13 were it not for Iceland. She14 my confidence in the worthiness of writing. Her mountains remain my15. And if I feel the old doubt, I remember Geirlaugur's voice. "Onwards."

    (1)
    A 、appealing B 、addictive C 、worthy D 、challenging
    (2)
    A 、professions B 、places C 、classes D 、activities
    (3)
    A 、remember B 、decide C 、change D 、escape
    (4)
    A 、recipe B 、poem C 、play D 、report
    (5)
    A 、absorbed in B 、skilled at C 、used to D 、concerned about
    (6)
    A 、greet B 、answer C 、approach D 、notice
    (7)
    A 、approval B 、criticism C 、sympathy D 、encouragement
    (8)
    A 、finished B 、analyzed C 、published D 、graded
    (9)
    A 、suffered B 、ended C 、continued D 、shifted
    (10)
    A 、belonging B 、wisdom C 、patience D 、kindness
    (11)
    A 、trust B 、envy C 、ignore D 、respect
    (12)
    A 、secretly B 、coldly C 、proudly D 、hopefully
    (13)
    A 、teacher B 、writer C 、editor D 、traveler
    (14)
    A 、renewed B 、shook C 、showed D 、maintained
    (15)
    A 、dream B 、choice C 、inspiration D 、destination
  • 8、As part of my research for my book, I'm doing an experiment — a "daily visit." I wanted to visit the same place every day, for an entire year, to see how that experience would affect my perceptions.

    A large place, a beautiful place, and an inexhaustible place. And so I decided on the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a treasure house within walking distance of my apartment — seven minutes, I timed it.

    But here's the thing: I've lived within walking distance of the Met for years. The museum had always been there, waiting, but I'd mostly ignored it.

    For me, the Met was an untapped possibility that I was eager to explore, and I wondered if other people felt the same way. I asked on social media. I'd assumed that my desire to visit the same place every day was fairly unusual, so I was surprised by how enthusiastically people embraced this idea. I heard from many people who already made daily visits, or who liked the idea of making daily visits, to places such as: the beach, public library, hiking trails, and even a castle!

    When I started this experiment of making a daily visit, I had no idea what to expect. Spoiler alert (剧透): I love this visit. I may visit the Met every day for the rest of my life. I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotations by Alberto Giacometti:

    Everything gains in grandeur (宏伟) every day, becomes more and more unknown, more and more beautiful.

    A. It's a highlight of my daily schedule.

    B. I was astonished by the flood of answers I received.

    C. Visiting the same place every day was not easy for me.

    D. The closer I come, the grander it is, the more remote it is.

    E. The fact that I could visit was no guarantee that I would visit.

    F. People who try new things and go to new places tend to be happier.

    G. For this challenge, I needed a place I could easily visit, day after day.

  • 9、Why does "bouba" sound round and "kiki" sound spiky (尖锐的)? This perception, known as "bouba-kiki" effect, is reliable all over the world, and for at least a century, scientists have considered it a clue to the origin of language, theorizing that maybe our ancestors built their first words upon these associations between sound and shape. But a new study published in Science adds an unexpected finding: baby chickens make these same pairings, suggesting that the link to human language may not be so unique.

    The study was led by Maria Loconsole, a comparative psychologist at the University of Padua. She and her colleagues placed chicks in front of two panels: one featured a flowerlike shape with gently rounded curves; the other had a spiky shape like a cartoon explosion. They then played recordings of humans saying either "bouba" or "kiki" and observed the birds' behavior. When the chicks heard "bouba," 80 percent of them approached the round shape first and spent an average of more than three minutes exploring it compared with an average of just under one minute spent exploring the spiky shape. When the chicks heard "kiki," the opposite occurred.

    One long-standing theory that these associations are inspired by the shape your mouth makes when you say each word can now be ruled out, since the chicks showed the effect despite being unable to speak. Instead the "bouba-kiki" effect may originate from the physical properties of objects themselves. When round objects hit the ground or roll, they typically produce more continuous, low-frequency sounds than spiky ones. A built-in grasp of those dynamics, linking sight and sound, could help newborn animals quickly make sense of their environment, possibly to locate food or avoid predators (食肉动物).

    The "bouba-kiki" effect may have played a role in the emergence of language. But for chickens, this same tendency seems to serve a more evolutionary purpose. "Even if language is unique to humans," Loconsole says, "that doesn't mean that it comes from an ability that is unique to humans."

    (1)、What does the new study focus on?
    A、The origin of human language. B、Sound-shape connections in chicks. C、Animals' recognition of shapes. D、Brain-behavior relationships of birds.
    (2)、In what way do the chicks respond differently to the two sounds?
    A、Sound localization. B、Reaction speed. C、Exploration preference. D、Matching accuracy.
    (3)、What is paragraph 3 mainly about concerning the effect?
    A、Its historical context. B、Its potential application. C、Its overlooked limitation. D、Its possible explanation.
    (4)、What does Loconsole say about the effect?
    A、It originated in birds. B、It shows evolutionary tendency. C、It's shared across species. D、It's vital to language emergence.
  • 10、The room looks like your typical office: white walls, low ceilings, gray carpet worn thin from years of foot traffic. But for this vacant (空着的) office outside Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., real estate developers see potential.

    Cities across the U.S. are struggling with two problems: too much empty office space and not enough housing. Nationally, office vacancy rates reached roughly 20% in 2024, after years of employees working from home. At the same time, the national housing shortage is in the millions. Cities like D.C., are now betting that by turning empty offices into homes, one crisis can help solve the other.

    A project in D.C., which broke ground last month, is the largest such conversion (转化) in the city to date. The overall structure of the buildings will remain the same, but with major additions: a lighter-colored exterior will replace the gray concrete from the 1960s, and old inefficient windows will be replaced by larger ones that let in more light per unit. Plans include luxuries such as a pool and a dog park, with projected rent around $4,000 per month. Yet 60 units will be set aside as affordable housing. "We would love to do more," says Matt Pestronk, the president of a development company, "but unfortunately, almost all capital seeks a return. This was as much as we could afford to do."

    "The scale of the shortage far outpaces what conversions can provide." says Tracy Loh, a fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies adaptive reuse of old buildings. But she argues that these projects still matter, "It does kill two birds with one stone, in terms of providing some housing supply." And it tends to create housing in central, transit-accessible areas that are in high demand.

    The decline of manufacturing (制造业) in the late 20th century offers a glimpse of what comes next. When shifts happen in the economy and society, the built environment must change to match contemporary demand. Just as empty factory floors became trendy apartments, today's empty office spaces are turning into stylish kitchens and bedrooms.

    (1)、What are cities like DC trying to do?
    A、Repurpose empty offices. B、Tear down unused buildings. C、Build housing in suburbs. D、Encourage working from home.
    (2)、What can be inferred about the project in paragraph 3?
    A、It requires structural changes. B、It targets low-income families. C、It is funded by the government. D、It balances profit and social needs.
    (3)、What does Tracy Loh think of the conversion?
    A、Realistic. B、Far-reaching. C、Demanding. D、Short-sighted.
    (4)、What can be a suitable title for the text?
    A、Cities Are Caught in Crisis B、Housing Demand Is Crying for More C、Offices Are Becoming Homes D、Manufacturing Is Gaining a Second Life
  • 11、I am the world's leading climate change campaigner. Well, since last month. That's when we had the solar panels installed, linked to an app on my phone. Now, wherever I am, I can open the app and see how much electricity we are creating and how much we are consuming. Right now, we're exporting 2.37 kilowatts to the grid (电网). I enjoy the feeling. Yes, I'm saving the planet. More to the point: I'm making upwards of 10 cents an hour, DOING NOTHING.

    Certainly, you have to put in a bit of effort. Ever since I became an energy exporter, I have been patrolling (巡逻) the house, trying to maximize our production. Of course, I get some complaints from my wife, Jocasta, along the lines of "I was using that light to read a book" or "Why didn't you save my work before turning off my computer," but I think she is grateful for my assistance.

    The only problem? Just last night, I turned off everything, but we were still consuming 0.05 of a kilowatt. I checked the fridge. It was not humming (哼鸣). All the overhead lights were out. Nothing was on standby. Yet there it was. I hardly slept, my mind trying to work through every corner of the house.

    Back at office, I find it hard to tear my eyes away from the app. Right now, it's midday. Jocasta is at home. I glance at the app. Oh no! Clouds overhead! Disaster! We're now producing nothing. Nothing at all. And consumption is suddenly through the roof. We're using up grid power. What's Jocasta up to? Running a factory?

    The next day, at work, around midday, I check the app just to calculate how much I've earned. What? Disaster! Clouds overhead again and yet power still being used. Jocasta is out of the house. Why, oh why, has Jocasta left the TV remote in reach of the dog? I must have a word with him. You see, sometimes it's hard to be ahead of your time.

    (1)、What can we learn about the author from paragraph 1?
    A、He is a creative businessman. B、He takes pride in the solar gains. C、He enjoys launching campaigns. D、He has a gift for app development.
    (2)、What does Jocasta complain about?
    A、The unknown waste of power. B、Her family's impatient attitude. C、The unstable supply of electricity. D、Her husband's unreasonable behavior.
    (3)、What does the underlined phrase "through the roof" in paragraph 4 mean?
    A、Rocketing. B、Changing. C、Freezing. D、Diving.
    (4)、What message does the text convey?
    A、Actions speak louder than words. B、A penny saved is a penny earned. C、Great minds think ahead of their time. D、Technology is a good servant but a bad master.
  • 12、Turnitin is an assessment tool to check similarity for text-based submissions. It compares a submitted assessment against a database of other papers and journals to detect similarity. However, Turnitin may be unsuitable for some submissions. You can use the workflow below to help determine if Turnitin is the right tool.

    ● What should I know?

    Step 1:

    Create your Turnitin assignment by selecting the plus icon on your module content and select External Apps from the menu.

    Step 2:

    Select Turnitin: Create assignment in Ultra from the list.

    Step 3:

    Enter a title, maximum points, the start date, due date, and feedback release date.

    ● Settings for Assignment details

    Title:

    Name the assignment something clear and descriptive.

    Instructions:

    You can use the instructions area to provide information or directions that are specific to this assignment, for example, if you want students to use their student number as the name of the work when they upload it.

    Max Grade:

    If you are using the default grading system, set the max grade as "23".

    If you are using Turnitin for formative work, or paper similarity checking, then you may wish to enter 0 as the max grade.

    Dates:

    The start date is when students can start to submit work, and it will also automatically hide the assignment from student view until that date.

    The feedback release date should be three weeks after the due date, for work that is being formally marked.

    (1)、What is Turnitin used for?
    A、Scanning assignments. B、Tracking academic progress. C、Checking text originality. D、Assessing class performance.
    (2)、Which of the following can be submitted to Turnitin?
    A、A group project report. B、An individual, text-based essay. C、A personal English video. D、A handwritten math assignment.
    (3)、Where can users give assignment requirements?
    A、Title. B、Instructions. C、Max Grades. D、Dates.
  • 13、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。

    At twenty-four, I moved to America, a massive 11,000 kilometers away from my homeland. The initial excitement of a new start soon faded, replaced by the harsh reality of fitting into an unfamiliar environment. Since I worked from home, my world was reduced to the four walls of my small apartment and a glowing laptop screen. I spent my days in video meetings where people spoke a language that was still a bit too fast for me to fully grasp. When the screens went dark, the silence of the rooms seemed to echo my own growing sense of displacement. I was physically in a new country, but mentally, I was still searching for a place to land.

    Desperate to break this suffocating (令人窒息的) isolation, I signed up as a volunteer at a local animal shelter. My supervisor, a kind woman named Sarah, introduced me to the residents. In the farthest corner of the cat section, she stopped before a small cage. "This is Luna," she whispered. "She was found abandoned in a rainy alley. She's terrified of everything."

    Luna was a small, grey-and-white cat with large, lonely green eyes. Whenever I approached, she would cower (畏缩) in the corner, her tiny body shaking at the slightest sound. Sarah told me that my only task was to help Luna feel safe again. For the first two weeks, I sat outside her cage for hours every day. I brought my laptop and worked there, or I would speak to her softly about the home I missed, describing the busy streets and the scent of my mother's cooking. I wanted to comfort her, but the invisible wall between us remained.

    One stormy afternoon, a sudden crash of thunder shook the shelter's roof. The lights flickered, and the animals began to cry out in fear. I looked at Luna, who trembled more than ever, her breath coming in quick, tiny gasps (喘气) as she tried to hide behind a small wooden box in her cage.

    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。

    I opened the cage door and sat quietly beside her.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Luna's progress soon began to change me as well.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • 14、阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

    A Latin translation of The Tao Te Ching, (forget) in the British Library for more than 300 years, has recently been rediscovered and published through the efforts of Misha Tadd, a scholar at Nankai University.

    Tadd says, "Compared with The Analects of Confucius, which (root) in the traditions and rules of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), The Tao Te Ching does not involve specific names, places, social systems." This quality allows it to go beyond cultural boundaries and speak directly to universal human concerns.

    Tadd's connection with The Tao Te Ching began at the age of 14, when he came an English edition in a small-town library in the United States. That chance encounter sparked one-of-a-kind interest in Chinese culture.

    Years later, while (study) a Latin translation of The Republic by Plato, Tadd wondered if The Tao Te Ching could also be translated into Latin. His search eventually led him to the British Library, he discovered a Latin manuscript of the text, translated by early missionaries. He discovered parts of the manuscript were faded and (complete), and it was not until 2022 that he obtained a full digital scan of the work. He spent a long time transcribing, comparing, and annotating the text word by word. "It requires enduring (patient)," Tadd says.

    The thought system of The Tao Te Ching is grounded in China, but its interpretation and influence are now (true) global.

  • 15、​​​​​​​My dad is 68 and on a fixed income. He is too1 to ask for help, but I know money is tight. Yesterday, I went grocery shopping with him. He spent twenty minutes2 everything in his head, choosing generic brands and3 items back — doing that math my generation doesn't have to do anymore.

    At checkout, his card4. He wasn't even surprised; he just quietly asked the cashier to remove items until the total5 worked. The woman behind us in line, who didn't look6 at all, suddenly7 and said, "Ring it all up on mine."

    My dad refused. But the woman8. He refused harder, his face turning slightly red. She looked him9 in the eye and said, "Sir, someone did this for my family when I was 7 years old. I remember how10 it made my dad feel to be unable to provide. But I also remember how we ate that week. Let me pay it forward. You can pay me back by doing the same for someone else when you are11"

    She paid $83 for his groceries and12 to give her name. She just remarked that his turn would come and left. My dad cried in the car. Faced with numerous hardships, he never13 in his life, yet that stranger's silent understanding finally broke through his defenses.

    I'm going to remember this. Next time I see someone14 change at checkout, I'm going to be that15 for them. Kindness, I realized, is a chain that should never stop moving.

    (1)
    A 、tired B 、proud C 、lazy D 、anxious
    (2)
    A 、calculating B 、evaluating C 、reviewing D 、predicting
    (3)
    A 、taking B 、putting C 、throwing D 、pushing
    (4)
    A 、worked B 、disappeared C 、broke D 、declined
    (5)
    A 、eventually B 、constantly C 、occasionally D 、suddenly
    (6)
    A 、healthy B 、wealthy C 、friendly D 、lonely
    (7)
    A 、turned up B 、looked around C 、stepped forward D 、passed by
    (8)
    A 、hesitated B 、wondered C 、bargained D 、insisted
    (9)
    A 、sharply B 、directly C 、narrowly D 、fixedly
    (10)
    A 、small B 、brave C 、calm D 、restless
    (11)
    A 、lucky B 、able C 、generous D 、stable
    (12)
    A 、promised B 、failed C 、decided D 、refused
    (13)
    A 、took credit B 、gave way C 、held ground D 、took flight
    (14)
    A 、counting B 、trading C 、checking D 、saving
    (15)
    A 、cashier B 、witness C 、person D 、hero
  • 16、During the journey of achieving success, everyone often encounters obstacles that test their determination. Adversity is an unavoidable part of life, but the ability to manage it sets individuals apart. This ability is often referred to as Adversity Quotient (AQ).  While IQ and EQ focus on cognitive and emotional abilities, AQ focuses on one's capacity to bounce back from failure. Fortunately, researchers suggest that your AQ is not fixed and can be strengthened through several key strategies.

    Cultivate a growth mindset

    A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Instead of seeing challenges as unbeatable barriers, you should view them as chances to improve.. By focusing on learning and perseverance, individuals can significantly enhance their Adversity Quotient. This shift in thinking allows people to see themselves as active participants in their growth rather than passive victims.

    Having a strong support network is crucial in times of adversity. Surrounding yourself with positive individuals can provide encouragement and guidance. Sharing experiences and looking for support from others who have faced similar challenges can help in building resilience and enhancing your adaptability. Knowing you are not alone often provides the extra strength needed to keep moving forward.

    Learn from every setback

    Every failure presents an opportunity for learning and growth.  Reflecting on past experiences and identifying areas for improvement can contribute to the development of your resilience. This habit prevents individuals from being frozen by the fear of making mistakes again.

     With the right mindset, strong external support, and a habit of reflecting on setbacks, anyone can navigate life's storms and emerge stronger than before. Resilience, after all, is not about never falling, but about how quickly you get back up.

    A. Lean on a reliable community

    B. Expand your social connection

    C. Focusing on the negative side of a crisis is a natural tendency.

    D. This internal perspective acts as a guide through hardship.
    E. High AQ individuals actively draw lessons from their failures.

    F. It serves as a practical tool to evaluate one's future potential.

    G. Embracing these shifts in attitude will lead to lasting growth.

  • 17、Poet and Harvard Professor Henry Wadsworth Longfellow famously said, "Music is the universal language of mankind." A new Harvard study suggests he may have been right.

    The study conducted by a research team found that people around the world could identify lullabies (摇篮曲), dance songs, and comforting songs — regardless of the songs' cultural origin — after hearing just a 14-second clip (片段). The finding suggests that not only is music deeply rooted in human nature, but that some types of songs break cultural boundaries.

    The findings are based on a wide-reaching experiment in which 750 online participants in 60 countries listened to brief clips of songs collected from nearly 90 small societies around the world, including hunter-gatherers and some special farmers. Participants then answered six questions, rating each clip according to whether they believed the song was used for dancing, calming a baby, treating illness, or expressing love. Two additional uses — mourning (哀悼) the dead and telling a story — were included as controls.

    The data showed that despite participants' unfamiliarity with the cultures, the random sampling of each song, and the short duration of the samples, people were able to reliably infer the songs' functions, and that their ratings were consistent across the world.

    The findings ran counter to expert expectations. The team had also asked professionals, including performers, composers, psychologists, and scientists about whether they believed people would be able to identify the song types. Their answer was no. And not only that, but they predicted that people's responses will be inconsistent with one another. "That's not what we found," the researchers said.

    The researchers also wanted to know whether listeners were recognizing certain non-musical characteristics of the songs. To test that, the team conducted a second study. This time, they asked listeners about a number of contextual and musical features, ranging from the gender of the singers to the rhythm of the song.

    When data from the two studies were combined, the results showed that songs of the same function shared similar characteristics — lullabies, for example, tended to be slower and simpler than dance music — suggesting that something about musical characteristics crosses cultural boundaries.

    (1)、What did the participants do in the first study?
    A、They distinguished functions of the songs. B、They identified the cultural origins of the songs. C、They recognized the non-musical characteristics of the songs. D、They sorted the songs according to the gender of the singers.
    (2)、What does the underlined part "ran counter to" in paragraph 5 probably mean?
    A、Were equal to. B、Were similar to. C、Were superior to. D、Were opposite to.
    (3)、Why did the researchers carry out the second study?
    A、To test the musical knowledge of a wider audience. B、To collect more diverse songs from various cultures. C、To confirm the surprising results from the first one. D、To explore the underlying reasons behind the findings.
    (4)、What can we learn from the two studies?
    A、Listeners recognize music by its rhythm. B、Something about music might be universal. C、Dance music is usually slower and simpler. D、Cultural similarities lead to similar musical features.
  • 18、A study led by Professor Michael T. French shows that there is a strong connection between high school grades and how much money people earn later in life. The research, which was published in the Eastern Economic Journal, found that each additional point on a high school grade point average (GPA) can increase a person's earnings by about 12% for men and 14% for women when they become adults.

    Previous research has already shown that higher levels of education are connected to higher earnings, but the exact relationship between high school grades and income wasn't well understood. French notes that while good grades are important for getting into college, this study is the first to show their impact on how much money people make later in life.

    The study used information from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, looking at the records, demographics (人口特征) , and backgrounds of over 10, 000 people. Their educational background and income were checked when the participants were between 24 and 34 years old, which was about ten years after they finished high school.

    The study looked at data for men and women separately and found that women generally have higher high school GPAs, but men earn more money each year. However, no matter the gender, a higher GPA makes it twice as likely for someone to finish college.

    It's also interesting to note that without considering GPA and other performance measures, students from disadvantaged backgrounds seem to have lower levels of education compared to their peers (同龄人) . However, when these factors are included, these groups of students achieve higher levels of education if they have similar high school GPAs to their peers. This could be because students with good grades, regardless of their initial socioeconomic status, are more motivated to go to college.

    By understanding the importance of high school performance, teachers and counselors (辅导员) can help students see how it affects both their short-term goals like getting into college and their long-term goals like how much they'll earn as adults. The findings of the research are important for policymakers and educators who want to help students succeed.

    (1)、What is the main value of French's study?
    A、Proving the value of higher education. B、Measuring GPA's effect on future income. C、Finding women get higher grades than men. D、Using a large national survey for research.
    (2)、What is paragraph 4 intended to do?
    A、To question the reliability of the data. B、To stress the great importance of college. C、To focus on the issue of gender inequality. D、To present two key findings of the study.
    (3)、What is suggested about disadvantaged students with good grades?
    A、They lack the drive to attend college. B、Their GPAs should be assessed differently. C、They can achieve educational success equally. D、Their family background still holds them back.
    (4)、What can be the best title for the text?
    A、The Gender Gap in Grades and Income B、Financial Background Affects Achievement C、High School Grades matter for Future Earnings D、A Study on Education Equality and Career Success
  • 19、Dear Mom,

    It's me, Faisal Abdullah Malik, your son from Pakistan, who crossed the border for a heart transplant. You saved my life a decade ago by making a decision that only a mother as extraordinary as you could make.

    On 26 December 2014, both our lives changed forever. Karthick, your beloved son, was brought to Tirupur Government Hospital, near Coimbatore, in southern India, after a tragic road accident. He was later transferred to G. Kuppusamy Naidu Memorial (GKNM) Hospital. When the doctors declared him brain dead, you had to face the unthinkable, holding his hand, saying your silent goodbyes.

    In the depths of that unimaginable grief, Mom, you made a choice that speaks of boundless courage and selflessness. You not only gave me Karthick's heart but also donated five other organs, giving the gift of life to six strangers. You made this difficult decision without ever questioning the race, religion, or nationality. Your decision was solely about saving lives.

    Today, as a father of two growing children, I can truly understand the magnitude of your sacrifice. I can only imagine the storm of emotions you must have battled. Did you question if it was the right decision? Did you fear it was too much to bear? And yet, in the darkest hour of your life, you chose life for others. You chose hope. I know Karthick must be so proud of you, as am I, Mom. I am alive today because of your strength.

    Tearing apart the political divide, I have longed to meet you, Mom. I have travelled to Chennai several times since receiving Karthick's heart, always hoping to somehow find a way to Coimbatore. But my medical visa restricts me from travelling outside Chennai. You might be wondering why I don't even call you? Names of donors and recipients are kept confidential, and I feel helpless.

    Allah tells us in The Qur'an, "Whoever saves a life, it is as if they saved all of humanity." Mom, you embody it. I love you, Mom, forever and always.

    Yours always,

    Faisal

    (1)、What can we learn about Karthick from the text?
    A、He donated all his organs to six strangers. B、He received treatment in GKNM Hospital. C、He died immediately in the road accident. D、He was a man of courage and selflessness.
    (2)、Which of the following words can best describe the mother?
    A、Noble and open-minded. B、Friendly and hard-working. C、Loyal and strong-willed. D、Modest and warm-hearted.
    (3)、Why did Faisal feel "helpless" in the letter?
    A、His poor health prevented his traveling. B、He lost touch with his mother in India. C、He was limited in his travel and contact. D、The government banned border crossing.
    (4)、What is the author's primary purpose in writing this letter?
    A、To ask for medical assistance. B、To advocate for organ donation. C、To record his transplant experience. D、To express his sincere gratitude.
  • 20、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。

    For years, my next-door neighbor, Mark, and I had a routine. Every summer, while he visited his grandchildren in another state, I would care for his beloved garden. It was a masterpiece of colorful flowers and plump, juicy tomatoes, all carefully planned and cared for. In return for my efforts, Mark always brought me back a box of salted caramel candies from his favorite shop up north. It was a simple, perfect exchange of trust and friendship.

    This year, however, was different. A major work deadline left me stressed. When Mark knocked with his usual request, I almost said no. Seeing his hopeful face, I agreed. For the first week, I was diligent, watering every evening. But as my deadline got closer, my visits became rushed. I'd quickly spray the hose (软管) over everything, not paying attention to the details.

    One evening, I noticed the soil around the plants was bone dry, but my mind was on the report I had to finish. I gave everything a quick shower, my eyes fixed on my laptop screen through the window. I failed to notice I'd left the hose running against the fence, creating a steady stream flowing toward Mark's flower beds.

    The next morning, I stepped outside and froze in horror. The vibrant flower bed was a muddy mess — many flowers bent and beaten-down by the water. Guilt washed over me as I tried propping up broken stems, but it was useless.

    The day Mark returned, I saw him pull into his driveway. He got out, waved cheerfully at me, and then walked towards his garden. I watched from my window as his steps slowed. He stopped and just stood there, staring at the damage. He didn't turn to look at my house. He just quietly walked into his home, his shoulders slumped. The silence from his house was louder than any angry words. I wanted to go over, to explain, to apologize, but my pride and shame held me back. Days turned into a week, and we avoided each other, the comfortable wave between us replaced by a painful distance.

    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。

    As my conscience was tearing me apart, I knew I couldn't let this continue.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    As I turned to leave, he called out, "Hey, wait."

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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