2026届最新高考模拟三轮冲刺卷 阅读理解 七选五之议论文、记叙文专练

**基本信息** 聚焦议论文与记叙文七选五题型，通过25篇典例系统训练上下文逻辑衔接能力，强化语言理解与思维逻辑的融合。 **专项设计** |模块|题量/典例|题型特征|知识逻辑| |----|-----------|----------|----------| |议论文|12篇|考查主题句定位、观点衔接、过渡词运用|遵循“提出观点—论证分析—总结升华”逻辑链，强化论点与论据的匹配| |记叙文|13篇|侧重情节发展、情感变化、细节补充|围绕“事件起因—发展过程—结果影响”叙事线，训练时空顺序与情感线索的把握|

2026届最新高考模拟三轮冲刺卷 阅读理解 七选五之 议论文、记叙文专练 (1) I vividly remember the process of moving in for the first time: stuffing clothes, comfort items, and pieces of my childhood into various bags and boxes. It was a whirlwind (旋风) of excitement. 1 What would it be like living at college? Would I get along with my roommate? How would I make friends with complete strangers? 2 I had always felt like I struggled more than others to find “my people.” In high school, I had a few close friends, but it always seemed like everyone else had these big, inseparable friend groups that did everything together. I wanted that, and the sense of belonging, too. Like many, I was attracted by the first people I met in college. 3 We lived next to each other, ate together, and stayed up late together. They were my early friend group, and they brought laughter, growth, and memories — both positive and negative. Those highs and lows taught me an important lesson: Not every friendship is meant to last, and that’s okay. Your friendships don’t just impact your social life — they affect your motivation, your academics, and, among other things, your sense of self. I have found it valuable to surround myself with people who share my values to keep me grounded. 4 College is one of the few places in life where you’re surrounded by people from vastly different backgrounds and experiences. Keeping an open mind is just as important as finding common ground. College can be, and probably will be, chaotic. People come and go. You’ll probably cry over friendships that didn’t work out. 5 That’s all part of the process. Over time, you will find your people. A. They’re part of your story. B. But it was also filled with uncertainty. C. I wouldn’t trade my friendship for anything. D. They mostly so happened to be the people on my floor. E. That said, don’t limit yourself to just those who are like you. F. You may smile at memories with people no longer close with. G. Of all the unknowns, the last question consumed me the most. 【答案】1. B 2. G 3. D 4. E 5. F 【难度】0.65 【导语】这是一篇夹叙夹议文。文章结合作者在大学的经历讲述了如何在大学交朋友、正确的友谊观以及如何对待失去的友情。 1. 上文“I vividly remember the process of moving in for the first time: stuffing clothes, comfort items, and pieces of my childhood into various bags and boxes. It was a whirlwind (旋风)of excitement. (我清晰地记得第一次搬进去的情景：把衣服、贴心物件，还有承载着童年回忆的物品，一一塞进大大小小的袋子和箱子里。那真是一段满心激动的时光。)”描述了作者兴奋的状态，下文“What would it be like living at college? Would I get along with my roommate? How would I make friends with complete strangers? (住在大学里会是什么样子？我能和我的室友处得好吗？我怎么和完全陌生的人交朋友？)”指出了作者的一系列担忧。由此可知，作者在兴奋的同时也有一些不确定的地方。B项“但它也充满了不确定性。”符合语境，承上启下。故选B。 2. 下文“I had always felt like I struggled more than others to find “my people.” In high school, I had a few close friends, but it always seemed like everyone else had these big, inseparable friend groups that did everything together. I wanted that, and the sense of belonging, too. (我一直觉得，自己比别人更难找到 “同类挚友”。高中时，我有几个要好的朋友，但总感觉其他人都有那种庞大又形影不离的朋友圈，做什么事都一起。我也渴望那样的圈子，渴望那种归属感。)”推测，最让作者困惑的问题是在大学如何交到志同道合的朋友。G项“在所有的未知中，最后一个问题最让我困惑。”符合语境，承接上文的最后一个问题，下文解释作者担心的原因。故选G。 3. 上文“Like many, I was attracted by the first people I met in college. (和许多人一样，我被大学里遇到的第一批人所吸引。)”指出作者被遇到的第一批人吸引，由此推测，空处可能陈述这群人指的是“哪群”。D项“他们大多碰巧是我这一层的人。”符合语境，they指代上文的the first people。故选D。 4. 上文“I have found it valuable to surround myself with people who share my values to keep me grounded. (我发现同和我有共同价值观的人在一起让我脚踏实地是很有价值的。)”指出与有共同价值观的人在一起很有价值，后文“College is one of the few places in life where you’re surrounded by people from vastly different backgrounds and experiences. Keeping an open mind is just as important as finding common ground. (大学是人生中少数能让你被背景和经历截然不同的人围绕的地方之一。保持开放心态，和寻找共同话题同样重要。)”转而陈述要和不同背景和经历的人交往。由此可知，在大学不要局限于与自己有共同价值观的人在一起。E项“尽管如此，不要把自己局限在只和与你相似的人交往上。”符合语境，承上启下。故选E。 5. 上文“College can be, and probably will be, chaotic. People come and go. You’ll probably cry over friendships that didn’t work out. (大学可能会是，而且大概率就是混乱无序的。身边的人来来去去，你或许还会为那些无疾而终的友谊掉眼泪。)”指出身边的朋友可能离开，下文“That’s all part of the process. Over time, you will find your people. (这都是成长过程中的一部分。久而久之，你总会找到与自己合拍的挚友。)”指出随着时间的流逝我们可以找到挚友。由此推测，空处承接上文继续陈述可能会怎样对待失去的友谊。F项“你可能会微笑着回忆那些不再亲近的人。”符合语境。故选F。 (2) A heart-stopping rescue mission unfolded in Herber-Overgaard, Arizona, when a mare (母马) and her baby became trapped in a dangerously drying mud hole. 1 The rescue began with a call from a group of photographers who had been visiting the area to photograph the famous Heber Wild Horses. They contacted Friends of the Heber Wild Horses (FWHW) for guidance on the best places to see the herds. 2 FWHW had been monitoring the area closely and had even offered to deliver water to prevent emergencies like this one — permits from the Forest Service are required for such efforts. Shortly after noon, an urgent message came through: “Help Horse trapped in mud.” Without hesitation, volunteers sprang into action, gathering ropes and enlisting the help of a neighbor. When they arrived, a local couple were already working alongside the photographers. 3 Over the course of more than an hour, they worked tirelessly to do the saving job. The baby horse waited anxiously on the bank, calling out to her mother. The rescue team worked cautiously, letting the mare rest between attempts. 4 Although shaky on her feet, she managed to stand and rejoin her baby. Together, the pair walked off into the forest-safe at last. 5 “We deeply admire the level of communication, cooperation, and determination that went into this rescue.” the organization wrote. They have since notified the Forest Service to address the dangerous condition of the mud hole to prevent future incidents. A. Ultimately, they got her safely out. B. Their heroism showed teamwork works miracles. C. They freed the baby first, then worked to rescue the mare. D. A photographer kept going back into the mud to fix the rope. E. Thanks to quick action, both horses are now safely wild again. F. At a suggested site, a dried tank had become a deadly mud trap. G. FWHW thanked everyone for the teamwork that saved the horses. 【答案】1. E 2. F 3. C 4. A 5. G 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇新闻报道。文章报道了一匹母马和它的幼崽被困在亚利桑那州赫伯-奥弗加德一个危险的泥坑中，经过救援人员的努力，最终成功将它们救出的故事。 1. 上文“A heart-stopping rescue mission unfolded in Herber-Overgaard, Arizona, when a mare (母马) and her baby became trapped in a dangerously drying mud hole.(在亚利桑那州的赫伯-奥弗加德，一匹母马和它的幼崽被困在一个危险的正在干涸的泥坑中，一场惊心动魄的救援行动就此展开)”讲述了一匹母马和它的幼崽被困在危险的泥坑中，一场惊心动魄的救援行动就此展开。E选项“Thanks to quick action, both horses are now safely wild again.(由于行动迅速，两匹马现在都安全地回到了野外)”承接上文，说明由于救援行动迅速，两匹马最终都安全地回到了野外，与上文一起简要概括了这一新闻事件，构成完整的新闻导语。故选E项。 2. 根据上文“They contacted Friends of the Heber Wild Horses (FWHW) for guidance on the best places to see the herds.(他们联系了赫伯野马之友组织，询问观赏马群的最佳地点)”可知，摄影师们联系了赫伯野马之友组织，询问观赏马群的最佳地点。F选项“At a suggested site, a dried tank had become a deadly mud trap.(在一个建议的地点，一个干涸的水箱变成了一个致命的泥坑陷阱)”承接上文，说明在赫伯野马之友组织建议的一个地点，一个干涸的水箱变成了一个致命的泥坑陷阱，导致母马和幼崽被困，句中“a suggested site”与上文“the best places to see the herds”相照应。故选F项。 3. 根据上文“When they arrived, a local couple were already working alongside the photographers.(当他们到达时，一对当地夫妇已经在和摄影师们一起开始救援工作了)”以及下文“Over the course of more than an hour, they worked tirelessly to do the saving job. The baby horse waited anxiously on the bank, calling out to her mother.(在一个多小时的时间里，他们不知疲倦地工作着，进行救援。小马焦急地在岸边等着，呼唤着它的妈妈)”可知，救援人员到达现场后，开始展开救援工作。C选项“They freed the baby first, then worked to rescue the mare.(他们先救出了幼崽，然后努力营救母马)”承上启下，说明救援人员先救出了幼崽，然后努力营救母马，符合语境。故选C项。 4. 上文“The rescue team worked cautiously, letting the mare rest between attempts.(救援人员小心翼翼地工作，让母马在每次尝试之间休息)”介绍了救援人员的救援方式，下文“Although shaky on her feet, she managed to stand and rejoin her baby.(尽管她站得摇摇晃晃，但还是设法站起来，回到了幼崽身边)”说明母马最终被救了出来，回到了幼崽身边。A选项“Ultimately, they got her safely out.(最终，他们把她安全地救了出来)”承上启下，说明救援人员的方法奏效，最终成功将母马救出，上下文语意连贯。故选A项。 5. 下文““We deeply admire the level of communication, cooperation, and determination that went into this rescue.” the organization wrote.(“我们对这次救援行动中所展现出的沟通、合作和决心深感钦佩。”该组织写道)”是赫伯野马之友组织对救援的评价。G选项“FWHW thanked everyone for the teamwork that saved the horses.(赫伯野马之友组织感谢所有参与救援马匹的团队合作)”与下文共同构成组织官方回应，其中“teamwork”与下文的“communication, cooperation”相照应。故选G项。 (3) No More Chicken Wings, Please! Could I eat another bite? I scanned the passenger seat of my car, piled with takeaway chicken wings. Being overfull was a familiar feeling as a food critic, but maybe I’d simply reached the end of the road. Six years earlier, I’d been thrilled to land this job. Driving hundreds of miles weekly, I sometimes ate out 4-5 times a day as I pursued stories, unearthing under-the-radar places, dishes and people. 1 “Wait! You get paid to eat? What a hard life! You have my dream job,” they’d say. Outwardly, it was a dream, and complaining seemed ungracious. So, I rarely told anyone that the work was not all peaches and cream. I rushed from plate to plate, deadline to deadline, postponing medical appointments. 2 “I’d like to see that number a little lower,” said my doctor as she studied my soaring cholesterol. “I know, but I can’t control what I eat,” I told her. Some food writers had mastered the art of taking one bite of everything, but I’d finish dishes I loved. I watched my weight tick upward, and workouts had minimal effect. The occasional case of food poisoning was a job hazard, yet long-term over consumption took the real toll. One day, my doctor squinted at the screen. “Well,” she warned. “it looks like you’re pre-diabetic.” 3 I processed this news while tucking into fish tacos down the street. I couldn’t just not eat the tacos, could I? I hung on for another year but started daydreaming about home cooking. 4 “My time at the paper has come to an end,” I told my boss from my car. “Are you sure?” she leaned forward. Yes, I was. 5 It took months to retrain my colossal appetite, but I hoped those months would earn me extra years. Nine months on — though missing a regular paycheck - I’ve reversed weight gain, and my blood sugar is fine. The biggest surprise? Stress reduction reversed aging. “You look so different,” friends say. “You just look ... relaxed.” A. OK, so my blood sugar level was now a cause of concern as well. B. I felt as if an enormous weight had instantly dropped off my mind. C. It was six orders of wings in a single afternoon that finally did me in. D. The constant deadlines left me with no time for hobbies or personal life. E. Whenever someone asked what I did for a living, their eyes lit up at the response. F. On the odd occasion I made it to the doctor, my blood levels told an alarming story. G. People often asked me if I could recommend a good restaurant for their special occasions. 【答案】1. E 2. F 3. A 4. C 5. B 【难度】0.65 【导语】这是一篇记叙文。文章以作者作为美食评论家的经历展开，讲述了这份看似令人羡慕的工作背后，因频繁外出就餐、暴饮暴食导致的健康危机，最终作者选择辞职，回归健康生活方式并收获身体与精神双重改善的故事。 1. 上文“Six years earlier, I’d been thrilled to land this job. Driving hundreds of miles weekly, I sometimes ate out 4-5 times a day as I pursued stories, unearthing under-the-radar places, dishes and people. (六年前，我兴奋地得到了这份工作。为了挖掘美食故事，我每周驱车数百英里，有时一天要在外就餐四五次，探寻那些不为人知的餐馆、菜品和人物。)”描述了美食评论家工作的日常，下文““Wait! You get paid to eat? What a hard life! You have my dream job,” they’d say. (他们会说：“等等！你吃饭还能拿工资？这日子也太舒服了吧！这可是我梦寐以求的工作啊。”)”是他人对这份工作的评价。E项“每当有人问我是做什么工作的，听到我的回答后他们都会眼前一亮。”承上启下，“asked what I did for a living”衔接下文他人的评价，“eyes lit up”体现出他人对这份工作的羡慕，逻辑连贯。故选E。 2. 上文“So, I rarely told anyone that the work was not all peaches and cream. I rushed from plate to plate, deadline to deadline, postponing medical appointments. (所以，我很少告诉别人这份工作并非事事顺心。我从一场饭局赶往下一场饭局，从一个截止日期奔向另一个截止日期，还常常推迟体检预约。)”讲述了工作的辛劳和对健康的忽视，下文““I’d like to see that number a little lower,” said my doctor as she studied my soaring cholesterol. (“我希望这个数值能再降一点。”医生看着我飙升的胆固醇数值说道。)”是医生对作者健康状况的评价。F项“偶尔去看医生时，我的各项血液指标都呈现出令人担忧的结果。”承上启下，“made it to the doctor”对应上文的“postponing medical appointments”，“blood levels told an alarming story”衔接下文的“soaring cholesterol”，符合段落逻辑。故选F。 3. 上文“One day, my doctor squinted at the screen. “Well,” she warned. “it looks like you’re pre-diabetic.” (有一天，医生眯着眼看着检查屏幕，警告我说：“看起来你已经处于糖尿病前期了。”)”是医生给出的健康预警，下文“I processed this news while tucking into fish tacos down the street. I couldn’t just not eat the tacos, could I? (我一边在街边吃着鱼肉塔可，一边消化这个消息。我总不能连塔可都不吃了吧？)”体现出作者得知预警后的复杂心情。A项“好吧，这么说来我的血糖水平也成了需要担忧的问题。”承接上文，“blood sugar level was now a cause of concern”对应医生所说的“pre-diabetic”，同时体现出作者对健康问题的认知，贴合语境。故选A。 4. 上文“I hung on for another year but started daydreaming about home cooking. (我又坚持了一年，但内心已经开始向往家常菜的味道了。)”体现出作者想要放弃这份工作的想法，下文““My time at the paper has come to an end,” I told my boss from my car. (“我在报社的工作生涯该结束了。”我在车里对老板说道。)”是作者做出的辞职决定。C项“正是某天下午一口气吃的六份鸡翅，最终让我下定了决心。”承上启下，“six orders of wings in a single afternoon”呼应文章开头的炸鸡翼场景，“finally did me in”体现出这件事成为压垮骆驼的最后一根稻草，促使作者做出辞职决定，逻辑通顺。故选C。 5. 上文“Yes, I was. (是的，我心意已决。)”体现出作者辞职的坚定态度，下文“It took months to retrain my colossal appetite, but I hoped those months would earn me extra years. (我花了好几个月的时间才调整好自己暴饮暴食的胃口，但我希望这几个月的付出能为我换来更长久的寿命。)”描述了辞职后的生活改变。B项“我感觉心里好像一下子卸下了千斤重担。”承接上文，体现出作者辞职后的轻松释然，同时为下文回归健康生活的内容做铺垫，符合文章情感变化的节奏。故选B。 (4) I’ve spent 30 years in schools, watching thousands of parents engage with kids and educators. Too often, parents interfere too much, thus depriving children of confidence that might have come from struggle while exhausting themselves. 1 Most Americans, nowadays, think young people won’t outperform their parents, facing fiercer competition for college admissions, jobs and housing. Therefore, they take more pains to help kids get ahead without complaints. Biologically, parents are wired to protect kids from suffering instead of being depressed to watch them struggle. Their first response is to remove obstacles, which are easy for adults but overwhelming for kids. 2 It leads to “Helicopter Parents” who fly in to rescue the children in crisis and “Snowplow Parents” who are willing to clear all the obstacles in their children’s way. A young person who grows accustomed to having a parent intervene on his behalf feels anxious and sometimes at a loss. 3 Personally, I advocate for “Lighthouse Parents”: 4 For instance, a child comes home feeling overwhelmed by school and frustrated that she is doing all the work for a big project that is due next week. The parents just acknowledge her: “Wow, that sounds a lot. I can tell you are working really hard. Do you have ideas about what you want to do?” 5 Likewise, by setting boundaries and supporting kids while letting them navigate challenges, Lighthouse Parents allow their children the freedom to handle hard situations independently to overcome them. The key is learning when to step back and let them feel and pick their own way. A. They guide rather than control. B. Lighthouse Parents, by contrast, listen first. C. Such parents want to “fix” everything quickly. D. This desire to protect often has an opposite effect. E. Though this has long been the case, it’s worsening. F. He is too dependent to have faith in his own ability. G. Lighthouses are used to guide sailors to avoid crashing into rocks. 【答案】1. E 2. D 3. F 4. A 5. G 【难度】0.65 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章以作者30年的校园观察为切入点，指出当下父母对孩子干预过多的育儿现状，分析了直升机父母、扫雪机父母的育儿方式带来的负面影响，进而倡导灯塔父母的育儿理念，即引导而非控制，让孩子独立面对并解决挑战。 1. 上文“Too often, parents interfere too much, thus depriving children of confidence that might have come from struggle while exhausting themselves. (父母往往干预过多，这不仅剥夺了孩子从挫折中获得自信的机会，也让自己筋疲力尽。)”点明父母过度干预孩子的现象及弊端，下文“Most Americans, nowadays, think young people won’t outperform their parents, facing fiercer competition for college admissions, jobs and housing. Therefore, they take more pains to help kids get ahead without complaints. (如今，大多数美国人认为年轻人无法超越父辈，他们面临着大学录取、工作和住房方面更激烈的竞争。因此，父母们不辞辛劳地帮助孩子取得成功。)”说明当下这一现象愈发严重的原因和表现。E项“尽管这种情况长期存在，但如今愈发严重了”承上启下，既承接上文提及的父母过度干预的现象，又通过递进引出下文该现象加剧的现状，逻辑连贯。故选E。 2. 上文“Biologically, parents are wired to protect kids from suffering instead of being depressed to watch them struggle. Their first response is to remove obstacles, which are easy for adults but overwhelming for kids. (从生理上讲，父母天生就会保护孩子免受苦难，不愿看着他们挣扎。他们的第一反应是清除障碍，这些障碍对成年人来说轻而易举，但对孩子来说却难以应对。)”说明父母保护孩子、为其清除障碍的本能行为，下文“It leads to “Helicopter Parents” who fly in to rescue the children in crisis and “Snowplow Parents” who are willing to clear all the obstacles in their children’s way. A young person who grows accustomed to having a parent intervene on his behalf feels anxious and sometimes at a loss. (这就催生了“直升机父母”和“扫雪机父母”，前者会在孩子遇到危机时立刻赶来救援，后者则愿意为孩子清除前进道路上的所有障碍。习惯了父母代劳的年轻人会感到焦虑，有时甚至不知所措。)”阐述了这种本能行为带来的负面影响。D项“这种保护的意愿往往会产生适得其反的效果”承上启下，承接上文父母的保护行为，又引出下文该行为带来的不良后果，为下文介绍直升机父母、扫雪机父母做铺垫，符合语境。故选D。 3. 上文“A young person who grows accustomed to having a parent intervene on his behalf feels anxious and sometimes at a loss. (习惯了父母代劳的年轻人会感到焦虑，有时甚至不知所措。)” 指出父母过度干预让孩子产生的负面情绪，F项“他会变得过于依赖，对自己的能力失去信心”承接上文，进一步阐述父母过度代劳给孩子带来的深层影响，与上文的“焦虑、不知所措”形成递进，贴合父母过度干预的弊端这一核心，逻辑通顺。故选F。 4. 上文“Personally, I advocate for “Lighthouse Parents”: (就我个人而言，我倡导“灯塔父母”的理念：)”引出灯塔父母的育儿理念，下文“For instance, a child comes home feeling overwhelmed by school and frustrated that she is doing all the work for a big project that is due next week. The parents just acknowledge her: “Wow, that sounds a lot. I can tell you are working really hard. Do you have ideas about what you want to do?” (例如，一个孩子放学回家，因学校的事情感到心力交瘁，还为下周要交的一个大型项目独自承担所有工作而沮丧。父母只是对她说：“哇，这听起来真的不容易。我能看出来你真的很努力。你有什么想做的打算吗？”)” 用例子具体说明灯塔父母的做法。A项“他们引导孩子，而非控制孩子”承上启下，精准概括了灯塔父母的核心育儿理念，同时为下文的举例做总起，符合语境。故选A。 5. 下文“Likewise, by setting boundaries and supporting kids while letting them navigate challenges, Lighthouse Parents allow their children the freedom to handle hard situations independently to overcome them. (同样，灯塔父母会设定界限、支持孩子，同时让他们自己应对挑战，给予孩子独立处理并克服困境的自由。)”进一步阐释灯塔父母的育儿做法和意义，G项“灯塔的作用是指引水手避开礁石”引领下文，从字面含义解释“灯塔”的作用，通过比喻的方式呼应“灯塔父母”的名称，为下文阐述灯塔父母指引孩子的育儿理念做铺垫，逻辑连贯。故选G。 (5) Are you able to cook a healthy meal? Are you able to manage your money well? Are you able to sew on a button? 1 This highlights a significant gap in modern education, which heavily prioritizes academic achievement and strict testing, often at the expense of practical life skills. Schools have done well in preparing us to be academic achievers in school, but may not have prepared us well enough in developing life skills. 2 For those without these basic skills, the pandemic lockdown was a rude shock. With restaurants closed and home services stopped, it would have been satisfying to cook a meal or fix a light bulb. It’s a shame that schools produce scholarly individuals who are unprepared for simple home tasks. 3 For example, financial management fosters responsibility and caution, while lessons on investment teach wealth growth. Equipped with this literacy, students can better discuss financial goals with parents, and budgeting knowledge can steer them away from overspending. Thus, in our complex world, schools must teach beyond academic subjects. After all, all the responsibility cannot be transferred to the home. The argument for parents teaching practical life skills overlooks modern realities. Many working parents lack the time, and some may not possess the proficiency themselves. 4 Sandra Carey, a writer, puts it appropriately: “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” School is not simply a place to pass knowledge and prepare us for a career. 5 A. Thus, a balanced approach is needed early on. B. For instance, many communities offer evening classes for adults. C. Instead, it equips us with the wisdom to construct a fulfilling life. D. Not many of us can confidently nod our heads to these questions. E. Consequently, the central role in bridging this gap must fall to our schools. F. By integrating practical skills, schools can teach a more complete set of life values. G. Yet practical skills such as cooking and housekeeping are essential in the real world. 【答案】1. D 2. G 3. F 4. E 5. C 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章主要讲述了现代教育中重学术轻实践技能的问题，强调学校应教授实用生活技能以帮助学生构建充实人生。 1. 由上文“Are you able to cook a healthy meal? Are you able to manage your money well? Are you able to sew on a button? (你会做一顿健康的饭吗？你能很好地管理你的钱吗？你会缝纽扣吗？)”提出的一系列问题可知，本空应是对这些问题的回应。D选项“Not many of us can confidently nod our heads to these questions. (我们中很少有人能自信地对这些问题点头。)”是对上文问题的直接回应，表示很少有人能自信地回答这些问题，符合题意。故选D。 2. 由上文“Schools have done well in preparing us to be academic achievers in school, but may not have prepared us well enough in developing life skills. (学校在培养我们在学校成为学术成就者方面做得很好，但在培养我们的生活技能方面可能做得不够好。)”及下文“For those without these basic skills, the pandemic lockdown was a rude shock. (对于那些没有这些基本技能的人来说，疫情封锁是一个沉重的打击。)”可知，本空应强调实践技能的重要性。G选项“Yet practical skills such as cooking and housekeeping are essential in the real world. (然而，烹饪和家务等实践技能在现实世界中是必不可少的。)”能承上启下，强调实践技能的重要性，符合题意。故选G。 3. 由下文“For example, financial management fosters responsibility and caution, while lessons on investment teach wealth growth. (例如，财务管理培养责任感和谨慎性，而投资课程教授财富增长。)”可知，本空应总起说明学校教授实用技能的作用。F选项“By integrating practical skills, schools can teach a more complete set of life values. (通过整合实用技能，学校可以教授一套更完整的人生价值观。)”可以概括下文的例子，起到总起的作用，符合题意。故选F。 4. 由上文“After all, all the responsibility cannot be transferred to the home. The argument for parents teaching practical life skills overlooks modern realities. Many working parents lack the time, and some may not possess the proficiency themselves. (毕竟，所有的责任都不能转移到家庭。父母教授实践生活技能的观点忽视了现代现实。许多上班族父母缺乏时间，有些父母自己可能也不具备这些技能。)”可知，本空应提出解决这一问题的建议。E选项“Consequently, the central role in bridging this gap must fall to our schools. (因此，弥补这一差距的核心作用必须落在我们的学校身上。)”能承接上文，提出学校应在弥补这一差距中发挥核心作用，符合题意。故选E。 5. 由上文“School is not simply a place to pass knowledge and prepare us for a career. (学校不仅仅是传授知识和为我们准备职业的地方。)”及下文“Sandra Carey, a writer, puts it appropriately: “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” (作家桑德拉·凯里恰当地表达了这一点：“永远不要把知识和智慧混为一谈。一个帮助你谋生；另一个帮助你创造生活。”)”可知，本空应强调学校应传授的更深层次的东西。C选项“Instead, it equips us with the wisdom to construct a fulfilling life. (相反，它赋予我们构建充实生活的智慧。)”能承上启下，强调学校应赋予我们构建充实生活的智慧，符合题意。故选C。 (6) Finding Your Voice in Family Expectations Growing up in a family of successful entrepreneurs, Lila had always been expected to take over the family’s import business. Every family dinner revolved around market trends and client meetings, and her love for pottery was dismissed as a “childhood hobby.” When she finally decided to pursue a career in ceramics, she felt a crushing sense of guilt for letting her parents down. 1 As life coach Mara explains, honoring your own truth doesn’t mean rejecting your family — it means building a life that feels authentic to you. Here are key steps to navigate this delicate balance. Start by clarifying what “authenticity” means for you. 2 For Lila, the biggest source of stress was the constant pressure to attend business events she had no interest in. She resolved this by setting a clear schedule: two evenings a week for family business, and the rest dedicated to her studio. This small shift freed her from the constant feeling of being pulled in two directions. Once you’ve defined your priorities, communicate them with kindness and consistency. 3 Lila’s parents were initially hurt that she wouldn’t be at every family gathering, but she reassured them that her love for them hadn’t changed — she just needed space to grow in her own way. It’s also crucial to validate both your own emotions and those of your family. 4 It’s natural to feel guilty for straying from tradition, and your loved ones may grieve the future they imagined for you. Recognizing these feelings doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong choice; it means you’re human. Above all, reject the idea that choosing yourself is selfish. Setting boundaries isn’t about turning your back on your family — it’s about protecting the part of you that makes you unique. 5 Many people have walked this path before you, and their stories can offer comfort and guidance. A. And remember, you’re not the first to walk this path. B. In fact, honoring your truth is an act of courage, not selfishness. C. Pinpoint the situations that drain your energy most. D. Change may feel uncomfortable for your family at first. E. Sometimes delegating tasks can ease the pressure. F. Always put your family’s expectations above your own dreams. G. Feeling guilty doesn’t mean you’re a disappointment. 【答案】1. G 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. A 【难度】0.5 【导语】本文是一篇夹叙夹议文。文章通过丽拉的故事，探讨了如何在家庭期望与个人真实追求之间找到平衡，并给出了明确自我、善意沟通、接纳情绪、拒绝自我指责等具体建议。 1. 上文“When she finally decided to pursue a career in ceramics, she felt a crushing sense of guilt for letting her parents down. (当她最终决定从事陶瓷事业时，她因让父母失望而感到一种沉重的内疚感)”描述了丽拉选择自我道路后的内疚感。G选项“Feeling guilty doesn’t mean you’re a disappointment. (感到内疚并不意味着你让人失望)”承接上文，对“内疚感”进行理性解读，指出这种感受不等于事实。下文“As life coach Mara explains, honoring your own truth doesn’t mean rejecting your family — it means building a life that feels authentic to you. (正如生活教练玛拉所解释的那样，尊重自己的真实并不意味着拒绝你的家庭——而是构建一种让你感到真实的生活)”则进一步从正面阐释追求自我的意义，与G选项共同完成对“内疚感”的认知重构。故选G项。 2. 上文“Start by clarifying what “authenticity” means for you. (首先要理清“真实”对你意味着什么)”提出了明确自我真实需求的第一步。C选项“Pinpoint the situations that drain your energy most. (精准找出最消耗你能量的情境)”承接上文，具体指出了“理清真实”的实操方法——识别能量消耗源。下文“For Lila, the biggest source of stress was the constant pressure to attend business events she had no interest in. She resolved this by setting a clear schedule: two evenings a week for family business, and the rest dedicated to her studio. (对丽拉来说，最大的压力源是不断被要求参加她毫无兴趣的商业活动。她通过设定明确的时间表解决了这个问题：每周两个晚上用于家族生意，其余时间留给她的工作室)”则是这一方法的具体例证，形成“方法——例证”关系。故选C项。 3. 上文“Once you’ve defined your priorities, communicate them with kindness and consistency. (一旦你确定了自己的优先事项，就要以善意和一致性的方式传达它们)”提出了沟通的重要性。D选项“Change may feel uncomfortable for your family at first. (改变起初可能会让你的家人感到不适)”承接上文，预见到沟通后可能出现的家庭反应(不适)。下文“Lila’s parents were initially hurt that she wouldn’t be at every family gathering, but she reassured them that her love for them hadn’t changed — she just needed space to grow in her own way. (丽拉的父母起初因她不能参加每次家庭聚会而感到受伤，但她向他们保证，她对他们的爱没有改变——她只是需要空间以自己的方式成长)”则用丽拉的例子具体展示了这种“不适”(initially hurt)以及如何通过善意沟通化解。故选D项。 4. 上文“It’s also crucial to validate both your own emotions and those of your family. (认可自己及家人的情绪也至关重要)”提出了接纳情绪的重要性。B选项“In fact, honoring your truth is an act of courage, not selfishness. (事实上，尊重自己的真实是一种勇气的行为，而非自私)”承接上文，点明在接纳情绪后应持有的核心认知——追求自我是勇气而非自私。下文“It’s natural to feel guilty for straying from tradition, and your loved ones may grieve the future they imagined for you. Recognizing these feelings doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong choice; it means you’re human. (因偏离传统而感到内疚是自然的，你的家人也可能会为他们曾为你设想的未来感到惋惜。认识到这些感受并不意味着你做出了错误的选择；而是意味着你是人)”则具体解释了需要接纳哪些情绪，并进一步强调接纳的意义，与B选项共同强化对读者自我选择的肯定。故选B项。 5. 上文“Above all, reject the idea that choosing yourself is selfish. Setting boundaries isn’t about turning your back on your family — it’s about protecting the part of you that makes you unique. (最重要的是，拒绝“选择自己就是自私”的观念。设定界限不是背弃家庭——而是保护你身上使你独特的那部分)”强调了拒绝自我指责、保护独特性的重要性。A选项“And remember, you’re not the first to walk this path. (并且记住，你不是第一个走这条路的人)”承接上文，用“And”自然补充了另一个重要提醒——你并非孤例。下文“Many people have walked this path before you, and their stories can offer comfort and guidance. (许多人之前已经走过这条路，他们的故事可以提供安慰和指引)”则进一步阐述了这一提醒的价值——先行者的故事可供借鉴。故选A项。 (7) From the moment humankind first closed its eyes and slipped into the shifting landscapes of sleep, dreams have haunted (萦绕) and fascinated us. At night, images rise uninvited: loved ones long gone, gods who speak in riddles, beasts both feared and admired, and journeys across impossible places. 1 They were messages, and visions — a secret language whispered by the universe to the soul. In ancient China, the Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou) and other classical texts describe dream interpretation as a means to predict the future. Dreams were believed to reveal disturbances in the balance of yin and yang, or it could signal harmony restored. For example, a dream of flowing water might symbolize life’s continuity. 2 One of the most famous dream passages in Chinese philosophy comes from Zhuangzi. He once dreamed he was a butterfly. Upon waking, he questioned whether he was a man who dreamed he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming he was a man. 3 It vividly captured the Chinese view of dreams as a space which is a mix of reality and illusion (错觉). 4 Researchers in neuroscience explain dreams as patterns of brain activity, memory processing, and emotional regulation. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, where most vivid dreaming occurs, is now understood as crucial for learning and psychological balance. Sigmund Freud suggested dreams were wish-fulfillments; Carl Jung saw them as messages from the collective unconscious. Though modernity explains dreams with science, it cannot remove their poetic charm. We are still dreamers, still seekers, still interpreters of the night’s riddles. 5 We walk with gods, with ancestors, with the timeless mysteries of existence. A. This dream has been retold for centuries. B. Likewise, broken objects could warn of trouble. C. To the ancients, dreams were never meaningless. D. How dreams are interpreted varies from culture to culture. E. Today, science throws light on the distinct roles of dreams. F. The ancients remind us that even in sleep, we are not alone. G. Dreams are inspirations that prepare us for real-life challenges. 【答案】1. C 2. B 3. A 4. E 5. F 【难度】0.75 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章主要讲述了梦境在不同文化和科学视角下的意义及影响，强调梦境的诗意魅力与人类永恒的探索精神。 1. 由上文“At night, images rise uninvited: loved ones long gone, gods who speak in riddles, beasts both feared and admired, and journeys across impossible places. (夜晚，不请自来的画面浮现：早已离去的亲人、说着谜语的神灵、既令人恐惧又令人钦佩的野兽，以及穿越不可能之地的旅程。)”及下文“They were messages, and visions—  a secret language whispered by the universe to the soul. (它们是信息，是幻象——宇宙对灵魂低语的秘密语言。)”可知，上文描述了梦境中出现的各种画面，下文说明这些梦境是宇宙对灵魂低语的秘密语言，本空应说明对于古人来说，梦境不是没有意义的。C选项“To the ancients, dreams were never meaningless. (对于古人来说，梦从来都不是没有意义的。)”能承上启下，符合语境。故选C。 2. 由上文“For example, a dream of flowing water might symbolize life’s continuity. (例如，梦见流水可能象征着生命的延续。)”可知，上文举例说明梦境的象征意义，本空应继续举例说明其他梦境的象征意义。B选项“Likewise, broken objects could warn of trouble. (同样，破碎的物体可能预示着麻烦。)”能承接上文，符合语境。故选B。 3. 由上文“One of the most famous dream passages in Chinese philosophy comes from Zhuangzi. He once dreamed he was a butterfly. Upon waking, he questioned whether he was a man who dreamed he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming he was a man. (中国哲学中最著名的梦境段落之一来自庄子。他曾经梦见自己是一只蝴蝶。醒来后，他质疑自己是一个梦见自己变成蝴蝶的人，还是一只现在梦见自己变成人的蝴蝶。)”及下文“It vividly captured the Chinese view of dreams as a space which is a mix of reality and illusion (错觉). (它生动地捕捉到了中国人对梦境的看法，即梦境是现实与幻觉交织的空间。)”可知，上文描述了庄子的梦境，下文说明这个梦境生动地体现了中国人对梦境的看法，本空应说明这个梦境被传颂了很久。A选项“This dream has been retold for centuries. (这个梦已经被传颂了几个世纪。)”能承上启下，符合语境。故选A。 4. 由下文“Researchers in neuroscience explain dreams as patterns of brain activity, memory processing, and emotional regulation. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, where most vivid dreaming occurs, is now understood as crucial for learning and psychological balance. Sigmund Freud suggested dreams were wish-fulfillments; Carl Jung saw them as messages from the collective unconscious. (神经科学领域的研究人员将梦境解释为大脑活动、记忆处理和情绪调节的模式。大多数生动梦境发生在快速眼动（REM）睡眠期间，现在人们认为这对学习和心理平衡至关重要。西格蒙德·弗洛伊德认为梦境是愿望的实现；卡尔·荣格则认为梦境是来自集体无意识的信息。)”可知，下文从科学的角度解释了梦境的作用和意义，本空应引出这一话题。E选项“Today, science throws light on the distinct roles of dreams. (今天，科学揭示了梦境的不同作用。)”能引出下文，符合语境。故选E。 5. 由下文“We walk with gods, with ancestors, with the timeless mysteries of existence. (我们与神灵同行，与祖先同行，与永恒的存在之谜同行。)”可知，下文说明我们与神灵、祖先和永恒的存在之谜同行，本空应说明在睡眠中我们也不孤单。F选项“The ancients remind us that even in sleep, we are not alone. (古人提醒我们，即使在睡眠中，我们也不孤单。)”能引出下文，符合语境。故选F。 (8) Li Jianhua has been engaged in college and postgraduate entrance application guidance for over ten years. He breaks down complicated admission policies and major selection rules into easy-to-understand words for students and parents. 1 A Senior 3 student from a remote mountain area once asked nervously, “Can my score get me into a suitable college?” He comforted her patiently and worked out a detailed application plan for free. 2 He has donated 500,000 yuan to his alma mater annually for six consecutive years to set up a scholarship fund, covering tuition fees for hundreds of poor freshmen every year. At the donation ceremony, the school principal said sincerely, “Your generosity removes financial worries for students in need.” Long-distance running has been his fixed habit to cope with heavy work pressure. No matter how late he finishes lectures or how busy his business trips are, he never gives up this hobby. Even after working till midnight in a hotel, he still finishes a 12-kilometer run. 3 He often tells friends that this habit keeps him in a good state for work. He always advocates educational equity and practices helpful actions in daily work. 4 His colleague recalled that he once spent three full hours guiding a poor student through application steps for free. He has been combining professional work with public welfare all the time. 5 A. Cherish every warm deed around. B. It relieves work stress effectively. C. This offers timely help to them. D. He sticks to his kind original aspiration. E. He offers free guidance to needy students. F. Professional guidance helps numerous families avoid wrong further-education choices. G. Selfless love and persistent efforts light up thousands of poor students’ college dreams. 【答案】1. E 2. F 3. B 4. D 5. G 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文，主要讲述升学指导师李建华十多年来专注高考与考研志愿指导，热心公益、资助贫困学生，坚持长跑解压，始终坚守初心、助力教育公平的事迹。 1. 前文“Li Jianhua has been engaged in college and postgraduate entrance application guidance for over ten years. He breaks down complicated admission policies and major selection rules into easy-to-understand words for students and parents.(李建华从事大学和考研申请指导十余年，将复杂的招生政策和专业选择规则转化为学生和家长易懂的语言。)”和后文“A Senior 3 student from a remote mountain area once asked nervously, ‘Can my score get me into a suitable college?’ He comforted her patiently and worked out a detailed application plan for free. (一位来自偏远山区的高三学生紧张地问：“我的分数能上合适的大学吗？”他耐心安慰并免费制定了详细的申请计划。)”通过具体事例展现他免费帮助贫困学生的行为，空处应概括这一行为。E项“他为贫困学生提供免费指导。”符合语境，引出下文，故选E。 2. 前文“A Senior 3 student from a remote mountain area once asked nervously, ‘Can my score get me into a suitable college?’ He comforted her patiently and worked out a detailed application plan for free.(曾有一位来自偏远山区的高三学生紧张地问：“我的分数能考上合适的大学吗？”他耐心安慰她，并免费为她制定了详细的报考方案。)”前文指出他免费为偏远山区学生做志愿规划，后文“He has donated 500,000 yuan to his alma mater annually for six consecutive years to set up a scholarship fund, covering tuition fees for hundreds of poor freshmen every year.(他连续六年每年向母校捐赠50万元设立奖学金，每年资助数百名贫困新生学费。)”讲他连续多年捐款设立奖学金帮助贫困新生，F项“专业指导帮助无数家庭避免升学选择失误”承接上文，陈述他的专业指导为学生升学选择带来的积极作用，引出下文他为大学新生捐资助学的事迹，符合语境，故选F。 3. 前文“Long-distance running has been his fixed habit to cope with heavy work pressure. No matter how late he finishes lectures or how busy his business trips are, he never gives up this hobby. Even after working till midnight in a hotel, he still finishes a 12-kilometer run.(长跑是他应对工作压力的固定习惯。无论讲座多晚结束或出差多忙，他从不放弃。即使在酒店工作到半夜，他仍跑12公里。)”指出他坚持长跑，后文“He often tells friends that this habit keeps him in a good state for work.(他常告诉朋友这个习惯让他保持良好的工作状态。)”后文说明跑步能缓解压力并带来良好状态，由此可知，空处应承接上文，指出跑步缓解压力的作用，和下文共同指出跑步的好处。B项“它能有效缓解工作压力。”符合，故选B。 4. 前文“He always advocates educational equity and practices helpful actions in daily work.(他一直倡导教育公平，并在日常工作中践行助人行为。)”指出他始终坚持教育公平、践行助人善举，后文“His colleague recalled that he once spent three full hours guiding a poor student through application steps for free.(同事回忆他曾花整整三小时免费指导贫困学生填报流程。)”后文用具体事例说明他的善良与初心，由此可知，他一直坚守善良，空处应指出这一点。D项“他坚守善良的初心”承上启下，符合语境，故选D。 5. 前文“He has been combining professional work with public welfare all the time.(他一直将本职工作与公益相结合。)”前文指出他始终把工作和公益结合，G项“无私的爱与不懈的努力点亮了万千贫困学子的大学梦”对前文进行总结，更贴合“助学圆梦”主题，升华主旨。故选G。 (9) Professional organizer Breaks Down Her Unusual Job In 2014, Kayleen Kelly took her professional organizing business full-time. She thought she was starting a business that would consist mostly of making messy homes into “beautiful homes” and taking before and after photos. 1 You often think primarily of the type of professional organizer who focuses directly on arranging a beautiful and pleasing space—even one that looks good on Instagram. However, many people who seek out Kelly’s service are struggling with mental health issues, injuries, illness, or are experiencing the death of a loved one. 2 They might not have the mental energy for the projects. In 2020, Kelly took her experience online in order to help people globally. Her content breaks down her tips and tricks for viewers looking to tidy up their lives. 3 Kelly does all the physical labor of collecting garbage, sorting other items accordingly, cutting out unwanted items and finally, containing what is left (the four steps of the Declutter Core Method) for her clients herself. 4 That is to make the decisions of what to cut and what to clear out. While Kelly’s job is demanding, what keeps her going is the emotional shift she sees in clients. “When I meet these people, they are saying, ‘Come rescue me, I’m dying,’” she says. “ 5 You can’t beat that. That’s what keeps me coming back.” A. Kelly has a large following on social media. B. I see the look on their face at the end of the session. C. These include what she names “Declutter Core” method. D. But she soon realized her job was more about the people. E. There is a lot of shame and prejudice around having messes. F. They are willing to tidy up but might not know where to start. G. So they can save mental energy for the toughest part of the job. 【答案】1. D 2. F 3. C 4. G 5. B 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文，主要讲的是专业整理师Kayleen Kelly与众不同的工作经历与感悟。 1. 前文提到“She thought she was starting a business that would consist mostly of making messy homes into “beautiful homes” and taking before and after photos.(2014 年，凯琳·凯利（Kayleen Kelly）将她的专业整理业务转为全职经营。她原以为自己开启的这项事业，主要就是将杂乱无章的家打造成“温馨美宅”，然后拍摄整理前后的对比照片。)”，说明她原本以为自己的工作主要是把杂乱的房子变成漂亮的房子并拍照。而后文又指出“However, many people who seek out Kelly’s service are struggling with mental health issues, injuries, illness, or are experiencing the death of a loved one.(然而，许多寻求凯利服务的人都正遭受着心理健康问题、伤痛、疾病的困扰，或是正经历着亲人离世的悲痛。)”，即很多寻求她服务的人有各种心理或生活上的问题。前后形成转折关系，所以这里用D选项“But she soon realized her job was more about the people.(但她很快意识到，她的工作更多的是与别人打交道。)”来转折，表明她很快意识到自己的工作更多的是关于帮助他人，符合语境。故选D。 2. 此空前面“However, many people who seek out Kelly’s service are struggling with mental health issues, injuries, illness, or are experiencing the death of a loved one.(然而，许多寻求凯利服务的人都正遭受着心理健康问题、伤痛、疾病的困扰，或是正经历着亲人离世的悲痛。)”描述了寻求服务的人有各种困难状况，后面“They might not have the mental energy for the projects.(他们可能没有精力去开展整理项目。)”说他们可能没有精力去做整理项目。那么中间应该是说他们有整理的意愿，只是不知道从哪里开始，F选项“They are willing to tidy up but might not know where to start.(他们愿意整理，但可能不知道从哪里开始。)”正好承接上文，说明他们有整理的想法但缺乏行动的切入点，为后文没有精力做铺垫，逻辑连贯。故选F。 3. 前文“Her content breaks down her tips and tricks for viewers looking to tidy up their lives.(她的内容为那些想要整理生活的人详细讲解了各种小窍门。)”说明她的内容为想要整理生活的人分享了技巧。后文详细介绍了“Declutter Core Method(整理核心方法)”的四个步骤。所以这里用C选项“These include what she names “Declutter Core” method.(其中包括她所称的“核心整理”方法。)”来引出后面关于这个方法的具体内容，起到承上启下的作用。故选C。 4. 前文“Kelly does all the physical labor of collecting garbage, sorting other items accordingly, cutting out unwanted items and finally, containing what is left (the four steps of the Declutter Core Method) for her clients herself.(Kelly会亲自为客户完成所有的体力劳动，包括收集垃圾、对其他物品进行分类、剔除不需要的物品，最后整理好剩下的东西（这就是“整理核心法”的四个步骤）。)”说明Kelly亲自为客户做所有的体力劳动，包括收集垃圾、分类物品等。那么空格处应该是说明她这样做的原因，G选项“So they can save mental energy for the toughest part of the job.(这样他们就可以为工作中最困难的部分节省精力。)”表示这样客户就可以节省精力去做工作中最困难的部分，即做决定该扔掉什么和清理什么，这也正是她这样做的原因，因此G选项符合逻辑。故选G。 5. 前文提到客户一开始说“Come rescue me, I’m dying(快来救我，我快死了)”，表达了他们当时非常糟糕的状态。后文说“You can’t beat that. That’s what keeps me coming back.(没有什么能比得上这种感觉。这就是让我不断坚持下去的原因。)”说明没有什么能比得上这个，这就是让她坚持回来的原因。那么中间应该是描述让她坚持的原因的具体内容，B选项“I see the look on their face at the end of the session.(在服务结束时，我看到他们脸上的表情。)”表示她在服务结束时看到客户脸上的表情，这种表情带来的积极影响让她坚持这份工作，符合语境。故选B。 (10) About a year ago, our dishwasher broke down. We called a repairman and were told it would have to be replaced. 1 So my mother asked me to wash dishes by hand after dinner. To understand why this upset me so much, you need to know what my life was like as a university senior. 2 Homework assignments, projects and tests competed for my attention and time. I caged myself in a prison of my own ambitions and expectations, cut off from many aspects of the world. So when I first started washing dishes, I felt annoyed. I was in a rush to be done with them, eager to get back to my endless list of tasks. 3 For about 15 minutes every day, I realized that I could slow down time and forget everything in the world. As my mind, eyes and hands focused on a simple task that would always result in success, I found peace. Though the new dishwasher arrived eventually, I continued to wash dishes by hand. This task became more relaxing and educational than I could have imagined. 4 From my kitchen window, I watched the seasons change: the tomato plant grew in summer, gave its fruit in fall, and died back in winter. Then new green was showing in spring. I kept these sights in mind, thinking on time itself. Washing dishes taught me to think of the completion of a task as the ultimate reward, not praise or a prize. I learned to be more relaxed about deadlines. 5 A. It definitely allowed me to recover. B. Now I can enjoy whatever task I’m doing. C. I was running around stressed most of the day. D. It took a while for the model we ordered to arrive. E. But a new dishwasher was out of our consideration. F. I should have accomplished them with even greater efforts. G. Washing dishes, though, caused an admirable transformation in me. 【答案】1. D 2. C 3. G 4. A 5. B 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了作者因洗碗机故障洗碗，从中获得成长的经历。 1. 上文“We called a repairman and were told it would have to be replaced.(我们打电话给修理工，被告知洗碗机必须更换)”说明洗碗机无法修理，需要更换。空后“So my mother asked me to wash dishes by hand after dinner. (所以我妈妈让我晚饭后手洗碗)”说明暂时无法使用新洗碗机，需要手动洗碗。空处和前文为顺接关系，说明新洗碗机无法立即到位。选项D“It took a while for the model we ordered to arrive.(我们订购的型号花了一段时间才到)”的“took a while to arrive”解释了为什么需要手动洗碗，与后文内容相呼应，符合语境。故选D。 2. 上文“To understand why this upset me so much, you need to know what my life was like as a university senior. (要理解为什么这让我如此沮丧，你需要知道我作为大四学生的生活是什么样的)”说明下文将介绍作者大四的生活状态。空后“Homework assignments, projects and tests competed for my attention and time.(家庭作业、项目和考试都在争夺我的注意力和时间)”描述了作者忙碌的状态。空处承接前文，具体说明作者的生活状态。选项C“I was running around stressed most of the day.(我大部分时间都在紧张地忙碌)”具体体现了作者大四的忙碌与压力，与后文的任务繁重相呼应，符合语境。故选C。 3. 上文“So when I first started washing dishes, I felt annoyed. I was in a rush to be done with them, eager to get back to my endless list of tasks.(所以当我刚开始洗碗时，我感到很恼火。我急于洗完，渴望回到我无尽的任务清单上)”说明作者一开始对洗碗很反感、很急躁。空后“For about 15 minutes every day, I realized that I could slow down time and forget everything in the world.(每天大约15分钟，我意识到我可以放慢时间，忘记世界上的一切)”说明作者后来对洗碗的态度发生了转变。空处为转折关系，体现作者的变化。选项G“Washing dishes, though, caused an admirable transformation in me.(然而，洗碗给我带来了令人钦佩的转变)”中的“though”表转折，“transformation”呼应后文作者态度的变化，与上下文内容相衔接，符合语境。故选G。 4. 上文“This task became more relaxing and educational than I could have imagined.(这项任务比我想象的更放松、更有教育意义)”说明洗碗给作者带来了积极影响。空后“From my kitchen window, I watched the seasons change: the tomato plant grew in summer, gave its fruit in fall, and died back in winter. Then new green was showing in spring. I kept these sights in mind, thinking on time itself.(从我家厨房的窗户望去，我目睹了四季的更替：番茄植株在夏季生长，秋季结出果实，冬季又逐渐枯萎。而到了春天，又会萌发出新的绿意。我将这些景象铭记于心，思考着时间的本质)”具体描述了洗碗时的收获。空处承接前文，进一步说明洗碗的积极作用。选项A“It definitely allowed me to recover.(它确实让我得到了恢复)”中的“It”指代“washing dishes”，“recover”呼应前文的“relaxing”，体现洗碗对作者的积极影响，与后文内容相呼应，符合语境。故选A。 5. 上文“Washing dishes taught me to think of the completion of a task as the ultimate reward, not praise or a prize. I learned to be more relaxed about deadlines.(洗碗教会我把完成一项任务视为最终的奖励，而不是表扬或奖品。我学会了对截止日期更放松)”说明作者从洗碗中学会了正确的做事态度。空处为总结句，体现作者的转变与收获。选项B“Now I can enjoy whatever task I’m doing.(现在我可以享受我正在做的任何任务)”总结了作者从洗碗中获得的成长，呼应前文的态度转变，作为文章结尾，符合语境。故选B。 (11) When Becca’s parents informed her that the family would be hiking to Big Bend National Park in West Texas for spring break, Becca was not excited, because the only things she knew about it were some things her friend Shayla had told her that the cell phone signal was not very good, and that there was very little to do. 1 . Becca threw her bag into the car, rolling her eyes, and asked how long it was going to take to get to the infamous park. “It’s about a five-hour drive,” her mom replied. 2 . “Is the scenery at least good along the way?” she complained extremely unhappily. 3 . She rested her head against a pillow and immediately fell asleep. After hours of tossing (翻转) and turning in the uncomfortable back seat. Becca was awakened by her mother’s excited announcement: “We’re here!” Looking wide-eyed into the canyon (峡谷), Becca suddenly spotted a large animal. “Dad, look!” she shouted. After a while, Becca thought about the opinions her friend Shayla had shared with her. “See, a mountain lion! Amazing!” The three of them stared at it in open-mouthed astonishment. 4 . “Uh, Mom, Dad,” Becca finally said as the lion slid into some tall bushes. “I didn’t know Big Bend is so beautiful or that mountain lions live here. I can hardly believe what I am seeing!” “Yeah, honey. That’s the wonder of nature — you’re always discovering something new!” her mom exclaimed in excitement. “That’s true. Becca. Just keep our minds open to things. 5 !” her dad added. A. We’ll definitely find miracles in nature B. Hearing that, her mood soured even more C. Becca was surprised by the breathtaking sight D. Shayla went back to her room to sleep in silence E. You should work with, not against, Mother Nature F. Becca jumped unwillingly into the back seat without a word G. So, she questioned her parents’ decision from the bottom of her heart 【答案】1. G 2. B 3. F 4. C 5. A 【难度】0.85 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了Becca从抗拒去Big Bend国家公园到被壮丽自然景观震撼并爱上大自然的转变过程。 1. 由上文“Becca was not excited, because the only things she knew about it were some things her friend Shayla had told her that the cell phone signal was not very good, and that there was very little to do. (Becca并不兴奋，因为她对Big Bend国家公园的了解仅来自朋友Shayla的描述——手机信号不好，没什么可做的)”及下文“Becca threw her bag into the car, rolling her eyes, and asked how long it was going to take to get to the infamous park. (Becca把包扔进车里，翻着白眼，问要多久才能到达那个“臭名昭著”的公园)”可知，上文说明Becca因朋友的负面信息而不兴奋，下文是她质疑父母决定后的不满动作，本空应说明她对这件事持有的负面的情绪或态度。G选项“So, she questioned her parents’ decision from the bottom of her heart. (所以，她从心底质疑父母的决定)”能承上启下，符合语境。故选G。 2. 由上文““It’s about a five-hour drive,” her mom replied. (“大约五个小时的车程，”妈妈回答)”及下文““Is the scenery at least good along the way?” she complained extremely unhappily. (“沿途的风景至少好点吧？”她极其不满地抱怨道)”可知，上文提到漫长的车程，下文是Becca的抱怨，本空应说明她听到车程后的心情变化。B选项“Hearing that, her mood soured even more. (听到这个，她的心情更糟了)”中“that”指代“五个小时车程”，“mood soured even more”承接上文的“not excited”，引出下文的抱怨，符合语境。故选B。 3. 由下文“She rested her head against a pillow and immediately fell asleep. (她把头靠在枕头上，立刻睡着了)”及“After hours of tossing (翻转) and turning in the uncomfortable back seat. (在不舒服的后座上翻转了几个小时后)”可知，下文提到她在后座睡觉的动作，本空应说明她上车的动作。F选项“Becca jumped unwillingly into the back seat without a word. (Becca不情愿地跳进后座，一句话也没说)”中“unwillingly”对应下文的“uncomfortable back seat”，“without a word”引出“immediately fell asleep”的动作，符合语境。故选F。 4. 由上文“The three of them stared at it in open-mouthed astonishment. (他们三个目瞪口呆地盯着它)”及下文““I didn’t know Big Bend is so beautiful or that mountain lions live here. I can hardly believe what I am seeing!” (“我不知道Big Bend这么美，也不知道这里有美洲狮。我简直不敢相信眼前的一切！”)”可知，上文提到他们对美洲狮的震惊，下文是Becca对眼前景象的感叹，本空应说明她被景象震惊的状态。C选项“Becca was surprised by the breathtaking sight. (Becca被这令人窒息的景象震惊了)”中“breathtaking sight”指代“峡谷和美洲狮的景象”，“surprised”承接上文的“open-mouthed astonishment”，引出下文的感叹，符合语境。故选C。 5. 由上文““Yeah, honey. That’s the wonder of nature — you’re always discovering something new!” her mom exclaimed in excitement. (“是的，宝贝。这就是自然的奇迹——你总是能发现新事物！”妈妈兴奋地喊道)”及““That true. Becca. Just keep our minds open to things. (“没错，Becca。只要保持开放的心态)”可知，上文妈妈提到自然的奇迹和发现新事物，爸爸强调保持开放心态，本空应承接“自然奇迹”的主题。A选项“We’ll definitely find miracles in nature. (我们一定会在自然中找到奇迹)”中“miracles in nature”对应妈妈的“wonder of nature”，“definitely find”承接爸爸的“keep our minds open”，符合语境。故选A。 (12) Have you ever walked away from a conversation with the sinking feeling that you said too much? Not because you were impolite or inconsiderate — but because you tried to explain yourself to someone who didn’t really want to understand? 1 Over-explaining happens often in our daily lives. This behavior originated in early survival strategies. For those raised in emotionally unpredictable households, clarity may be a form of self-protection to prevent punishment or emotional fallout. 2 People who have ever undergone trauma tend to explain a lot to avoid conflict or rejection. Regardless of origin, the pattern is the same: We spend unnecessary energy trying to justify our right to take up space, to say no, or to make choices others might not like. 3 Clear language like “I’ve made my decision,” and “Let’s shift the conversation,” can actually do the trick. These direct statements prioritize emotional honesty without over-disclosure. And they don’t leave space for negotiation where none is guaranteed. 4 You spend less of it in practicing, defending, or recovering, and you needn’t always react to others’ discomfort. You also start attracting a different kind of relationship. It is based not on performance or submission, but on mutual respect. 5 You begin healing the part of you that believed love had to be earned through explanation. The version of you who felt unsafe being misunderstood learns a new truth: Your worth was never conditional or dependent on being agreeable or persuasive. A. If so, you are not alone. B. But maybe the biggest shift is internal. C. Like any behavioral change, this takes practice. D. But it’s not impossible to rid ourselves of the trouble. E. When you stop over-explaining, you reclaim emotional energy. F. Have you ever explained to show your politeness and consideration? G. Over-explaining can also come from the way our brain is wired by past experiences. 【答案】1. A 2. G 3. D 4. E 5. B 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章以生活中“对话后因过度解释而不安”的常见场景引入，深入分析了过度解释的起源，随后提出改变过度解释的方法，最后阐述停止过度解释带来的积极影响。 1. 根据前文“Have you ever walked away from a conversation with the sinking feeling that you said too much? Not because you were impolite or inconsiderate — but because you tried to explain yourself to someone who didn’t really want to understand? (你是否曾在一场对话后离开时，带着一种自己说得太多的不安感？不是因为你无礼或考虑不周——而是因为你试图向一个根本不想理解你的人解释自己？)”引出“过度解释”的话题，可知，此空需回应这种经历是否普遍。A选项“If so, you are not alone. (如果是这样，你并不孤单。)”中“if so”直接承接前文的设问场景，又自然过渡到下文“Over-explaining happens often in our daily life. (过度解释在日常生活中很常见。)”的论述，符合语境。故选A项。 2. 根据前文“Over-explaining happens often in our daily lives. This behavior originated in early survival strategies. For those raised in emotionally unpredictable households, clarity may be a form of self-protection to prevent punishment or emotional fallout. (过度解释在日常生活中很常见。这种行为源于早期的生存策略。对于在情绪不稳定的家庭中长大的人来说，清晰的解释可能是一种自我保护方式，以防止惩罚或情绪波动。)”可知，前文已提及过度解释的一个起源（早期生存策略与家庭环境），此空需补充其他起源。G选项“Over-explaining can also come from the way our brain is wired by past experiences. (过度解释也可能源于过去经历塑造的我们的大脑思维模式。)”中“also”体现递进关系，补充了“过往经历”这一起源，符合语境。故选G项。 3. 根据前文“Regardless of origin, the pattern is the same: We spend unnecessary energy trying to justify our right to take up space, to say no, or to make choices others might not like. (无论起源如何，这种模式都是相同的：我们花费不必要的精力，试图证明自己有权利占据空间、说“不”或做出别人可能不喜欢的选择。)”可知，前文指出了过度解释的问题与负面影响，此空需转折并引出解决方法。D选项“But it’s not impossible to rid ourselves of the trouble. (但要摆脱这个困扰并非不可能。)”中“but”形成转折，打破前文“过度解释带来困扰”的负面氛围，“not impossible”传递出“可改变”的积极信号，自然引出后文“Clear language like “I’ve made my decision,” and “Let’s shift the conversation,” can actually do the trick. (像‘我已经做了决定’和‘我们换个话题吧’这样简洁的表达其实能解决问题。)”的具体方法，符合语境。故选D项。 4. 根据后文“You spend less of it in practicing, defending, or recovering, and you needn’t always react to others’ discomfort. (你会少花精力去练习、辩解或恢复，也不必总是对别人的不适做出反应。)”可知，后文描述的是“停止过度解释”后节省精力的好处，此空需总领该内容。E选项“When you stop over-explaining, you reclaim emotional energy. (当你停止过度解释时，你会重新获得情感能量。)”中“reclaim emotional energy”直接概括了后文“少花精力在辩解、恢复”的核心好处，符合语境。故选E项。 5. 根据前文“You also start attracting a different kind of relationship. It is based not on performance or submission, but on mutual respect. (你还会开始吸引一种不同类型的关系。这种关系不基于表现或顺从，而是基于相互尊重。)”及后文“You begin healing the part of you that believed love had to be earned through explanation. (你开始疗愈内心那个认为“爱需要通过解释来争取”的部分。)”可知，前文阐述的是停止过度解释带来的“外在关系”变化，后文说明内在变化，故此空需转折并深入到“内在”层面。B选项“But maybe the biggest shift is internal. (但或许最大的改变在于内在。)”符合语境，引起下文。故选B项。 (13) As an enthusiastic reader, I’ve always believed that the key to understanding the world lies in the pages of a book. 1 They introduce us to characters who feel as real as the people around us. This connection between readers and the text is what makes literature so powerful, and it’s why I value my personal library. It’s a collection that reflects my journey through the world of words. My library is not vast, but each book is carefully chosen. I have a mix of types in my collection, ranging from classic literature to contemporary fiction. 2 Each type offers a different perspective, a new way of looking at life. While some books challenge my thinking, others provide comfort. It’s important to have a balance. A well-organized library is like a well-balanced diet for the mind. Among my favourites are the works of Jane Austen and George Orwell. Austen's sharp observations on society and relationships are timeless. Her characters are imperfect yet charming. Orwell, on the other hand, offers a stark (冷峻的) view of the world. 3 Both authors, though different in style, have taught me invaluable lessons about humanity. 4 Biographies (传记) and life stories offer insights into the lives of extraordinary individuals. They remind us that greatness comes in many forms. Reading about the struggles and successes of others can be incredibly inspiring. It’s a reminder that we all have the potential to make a difference. These stories encourage me to reflect on my own life and what I wish to leave behind. My library is a reflection of who I am. It’s a sign of my love of learning and my desire to understand the world. Each book is a stepping stone on my journey of discovery. They are companions in loneliness and guides in times of uncertainty. 5 A. I also enjoy non-fiction. B. I believe in the power of variety. C. My library goes beyond a collection of books. D. His stories are a warning and a call to action. E. Through them, I continue to explore, to grow, and to dream. F. The stories we read shape our world view and broaden our minds. G. Historical fiction, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. 【答案】1. F 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. E 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是记叙文。主要讲述了作者对书籍的热爱，通过阅读，塑造了自己的世界观和人生观。 1. 根据前文“As an enthusiastic reader, I’ve always believed that the key to understanding the world lies in the pages of a book.(作为一个热心的读者，我一直认为，了解世界的关键在于一本书的页面)”以及后文“They introduce us to characters who feel as real as the people around us. This connection between readers and the text is what makes literature so powerful, and it’s why I value my personal library.(他们向我们介绍了一些和我们周围的人一样真实的人物。读者和文本之间的这种联系使文学如此强大，这也是我珍惜我的个人图书馆的原因)”可知，这里是在说我们读到的故事会给我们带来什么，所以F项“The stories we read shape our world view and broaden our minds.(我们读的故事塑造了我们的世界观，开阔了我们的视野)”承接上文，塑造了我们的世界观也就是上文提到的了解世界，并引出下文，符合文意。故选F项。 2. 根据前文“I have a mix of types in my collection, ranging from classic literature to contemporary fiction.(我的藏书种类繁多，从古典文学到当代小说都有)”以及后文“Each type offers a different perspective, a new way of looking at life.(每种类型都提供了不同的视角，一种看待生活的新方式)”可知，这里是说不同类型的书教会我们不同的东西，所以B项“I believe in the power of variety.(我相信变化的力量)”承接上文，引出下文，符合文意。故选B项。 3. 根据前文“Among my favourites are the works of Jane Austen and George Orwell. Austen's sharp observations on society and relationships are timeless. Her characters are imperfect yet charming. Orwell, on the other hand, offers a stark (冷峻的) view of the world.(我最喜欢的是简·奥斯汀和乔治·奥威尔的作品。奥斯汀对社会和人际关系的敏锐观察是永恒的。她的角色不完美，但很迷人。另一方面，奥威尔提供了一种冷酷的世界观)”可知，本段主讲简·奥斯汀和乔治·奥威尔，简·奥斯汀已讲完，空处结构应是作者对奥威尔作品的评价，所以D项“His stories are a warning and a call to action.(他的故事是一个警告，也是一个行动的号召)”符合文意，His stories指的就是奥威尔的作品。故选D项。 4. 设空位于段首，为本段中心句，根据后文“Biographies (传记) and life stories offer insights into the lives of extraordinary individuals. They remind us that greatness comes in many forms. Reading about the struggles and successes of others can be incredibly inspiring. It’s a reminder that we all have the potential to make a difference. These stories encourage me to reflect on my own life and what I wish to leave behind.(传记和生平故事提供了对非凡人物生活的洞见。他们提醒我们，伟大有多种形式。阅读别人的奋斗和成功故事会给人以难以置信的鼓舞。它提醒我们，我们都有潜力做出改变。这些故事鼓励我反思自己的生活，以及我希望留下的东西)”可知，本段和上文呼应，上文提到作者喜欢的小说，本段为非小说书籍。所以A项“I also enjoy non-fiction.(我也喜欢非小说类作品)”符合文意，为本段中心句。故选A项。 5. 设空位于段尾，是对前文的总结，根据前文“My library is a reflection of who I am. It’s a sign of my love of learning and my desire to understand the world. Each book is a stepping stone on my journey of discovery. They are companions in loneliness and guides in times of uncertainty.(我的图书馆反映了我是什么样的人。这是我对学习的热爱和对了解世界的渴望的标志。每本书都是我探索之旅的垫脚石。它们是孤独时的伴侣，迷茫时的向导)”可知，此处讲述书籍对自己的帮助，所以E项“Through them, I continue to explore, to grow, and to dream. (通过它们，我继续探索、成长和梦想)”符合文意，为对前文的总结，在书籍的帮助下，作者继续前行。故选E项。 (14) About a year ago, our dishwasher broke down. We called a repairman and were told it would have to be replaced. 1 So my mother asked me to wash dishes by hand after dinner. To understand why this upset me so much, you need to know what my life was like as a university senior. 2 Homework assignments, projects and tests competed for my attention and time. I caged myself in a prison of my own ambitions and expectations, cut off from many aspects of the world. So when I first started washing dishes, I felt annoyed. I was in a rush to be done with them, eager to get back to my endless list of tasks. 3 For about 15 minutes every day, I realized that I could slow down time and forget everything in the world. As my mind, eyes and hands focused on a simple task that would always result in success, I found peace. Though the new dishwasher arrived eventually, I continued to wash dishes by hand. This task became more relaxing and educational than I could have imagined. 4 From my kitchen window, I watched the seasons change: the tomato plant grew in summer, gave its fruit in fall, and died back in winter. Then new green was showing in spring. I kept these sights in mind, thinking on time itself. Washing dishes taught me to think of the completion of a task as the ultimate reward, not praise or a prize. I learned to be more relaxed about deadlines. 5 A. It definitely allowed me to recover. B. Now I can enjoy whatever task I’m doing. C. I was running around stressed most of the day. D. It took a while for the model we ordered to arrive. E. But a new dishwasher was out of our consideration. F. I should have accomplished them with even greater efforts. G. Washing dishes, though, caused an admirable transformation in me. 【答案】1. D 2. C 3. G 4. A 5. B 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了作者因洗碗机故障洗碗，从中获得成长的经历。 1. 上文“We called a repairman and were told it would have to be replaced.(我们打电话给修理工，被告知洗碗机必须更换)”说明洗碗机无法修理，需要更换。空后“So my mother asked me to wash dishes by hand after dinner. (所以我妈妈让我晚饭后手洗碗)”说明暂时无法使用新洗碗机，需要手动洗碗。空处和前文为顺接关系，说明新洗碗机无法立即到位。选项D“It took a while for the model we ordered to arrive.(我们订购的型号花了一段时间才到)”的“took a while to arrive”解释了为什么需要手动洗碗，与后文内容相呼应，符合语境。故选D。 2. 上文“To understand why this upset me so much, you need to know what my life was like as a university senior. (要理解为什么这让我如此沮丧，你需要知道我作为大四学生的生活是什么样的)”说明下文将介绍作者大四的生活状态。空后“Homework assignments, projects and tests competed for my attention and time.(家庭作业、项目和考试都在争夺我的注意力和时间)”描述了作者忙碌的状态。空处承接前文，具体说明作者的生活状态。选项C“I was running around stressed most of the day.(我大部分时间都在紧张地忙碌)”具体体现了作者大四的忙碌与压力，与后文的任务繁重相呼应，符合语境。故选C。 3. 上文“So when I first started washing dishes, I felt annoyed. I was in a rush to be done with them, eager to get back to my endless list of tasks.(所以当我刚开始洗碗时，我感到很恼火。我急于洗完，渴望回到我无尽的任务清单上)”说明作者一开始对洗碗很反感、很急躁。空后“For about 15 minutes every day, I realized that I could slow down time and forget everything in the world.(每天大约15分钟，我意识到我可以放慢时间，忘记世界上的一切)”说明作者后来对洗碗的态度发生了转变。空处为转折关系，体现作者的变化。选项G“Washing dishes, though, caused an admirable transformation in me.(然而，洗碗给我带来了令人钦佩的转变)”中的“though”表转折，“transformation”呼应后文作者态度的变化，与上下文内容相衔接，符合语境。故选G。 4. 上文“This task became more relaxing and educational than I could have imagined.(这项任务比我想象的更放松、更有教育意义)”说明洗碗给作者带来了积极影响。空后“From my kitchen window, I watched the seasons change: the tomato plant grew in summer, gave its fruit in fall, and died back in winter. Then new green was showing in spring. I kept these sights in mind, thinking on time itself.(从我家厨房的窗户望去，我目睹了四季的更替：番茄植株在夏季生长，秋季结出果实，冬季又逐渐枯萎。而到了春天，又会萌发出新的绿意。我将这些景象铭记于心，思考着时间的本质)”具体描述了洗碗时的收获。空处承接前文，进一步说明洗碗的积极作用。选项A“It definitely allowed me to recover.(它确实让我得到了恢复)”中的“It”指代“washing dishes”，“recover”呼应前文的“relaxing”，体现洗碗对作者的积极影响，与后文内容相呼应，符合语境。故选A。 5. 上文“Washing dishes taught me to think of the completion of a task as the ultimate reward, not praise or a prize. I learned to be more relaxed about deadlines.(洗碗教会我把完成一项任务视为最终的奖励，而不是表扬或奖品。我学会了对截止日期更放松)”说明作者从洗碗中学会了正确的做事态度。空处为总结句，体现作者的转变与收获。选项B“Now I can enjoy whatever task I’m doing.(现在我可以享受我正在做的任何任务)”总结了作者从洗碗中获得的成长，呼应前文的态度转变，作为文章结尾，符合语境。故选B。 (15) The Power of Thinking Differently Just in the past few weeks, my wife has become the supporter of the concept of zero-waste living. Zero-waste is obviously about changing behaviors to produce less waste. But as my wife shared with me all the inventive ways people are getting around using plastic or reusing clothes or controlling the desire to accrue (积累) things we don’t really need, I realized that, zero-waste starts with something else. 1 And in many ways, the first step, which is simply being willing to do something differently, can be the hardest step of all. This came to mind as I read a cover story in education. Ostensibly (表面上), it’s about more and more colleges agreeing to drop standardized tests as a required measure of student aptitude (天赋). 2 That is always going to be hard. But in recent decades, colleges have realized that the old ways of judging individual value, while not necessarily wrong, were narrow. While they identified one kind of student well, they did not account for a wide range of experiences, skills, and qualities that were no less important to achievement and success. 3 The tests weren’t good enough. Schools could do better. So what has happened? Schools are increasingly consenting to think differently about admissions. They have resolved to do the best they can to see the whole individual. 4 Some think dropping mandatory standardized tests is a mistake. However, once the first step is taken, the onward pull of reason and morality speed progress. At a time when there appears to be so much confusion in the world, it is possible to look out and instead see something else: the world struggling with the perpetual (长久的) task of consenting to new ideas. Politics today show how easily we can become stuck in the mentally familiar. 5 That can be an admissions officer wanting to be more thoughtful in extending the benefits that her school offers. Or it can be a zero-waste blogger asking us all to think differently about how we contribute to greater balance in the world. The only constant is the universal need for progress, and that will never leave us where it found us. A. It starts with consenting (同意) to change thought. B. Undoubtedly there have been missteps along the way. C. In short, they left a lot of amazing people out and didn’t even know it. D. But at its heart, it reveals something more fundamental: how we judge individual value. E. They offer the most challenging academic programs and ensure every student’s physical and mental health. F. The world, on the other hand, is constantly demanding that we be kinder and more connected and think ever larger. G. Many universities known to be highly selective in their admissions policies received more applicants than usual. 【答案】1. A 2. D 3. C 4. G 5. F 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。本文讲述了不同思维方式的力量，通过零浪费生活和大学录取标准的变化来阐述这一主题。 1. 上文“But as my wife shared with me all the inventive ways people are getting around using plastic or reusing clothes or controlling the desire to accrue things we don’t really need, I realized that, zero-waste starts with something else. (但当我妻子和我分享人们想出的各种方法来避免使用塑料、重复使用衣服或控制购买我们并不真正需要的东西的欲望时，我意识到，零浪费始于其他的东西。)”说明“零浪费”不仅仅是一种行为上的改变，其背后有更深的含义。下文“And in many ways, the first step, which is simply being willing to do something differently, can be the hardest step of all.(在很多方面，第一步，也就是愿意以不同的方式做事，可能是最难的一步。)”强调了改变思想或思维方式的重要性，这是实现零浪费的第一步，也是最难的一步。选项A“它始于同意改变思想”符合语境，起到了承上启下的作用。故选A。 2. 上文“Ostensibly, it’s about more and more colleges agreeing to drop standardized tests as a required measure of student aptitude.(表面上，这是关于越来越多的大学同意放弃将标准化考试作为学生能力的必要衡量标准。)”介绍了越来越多的大学同意放弃将标准化考试作为学生能力的必要衡量标准这一现象。空处需要解释这一变化背后的更深层次原因。选项D“但在其核心，它揭示了更根本的东西：我们如何判断个人价值”符合语境，揭示了这一变化背后的核心问题，即我们如何判断个人价值。故选D。 3. 上文“While they identified one kind of student well, they did not account for a wide range of experiences, skills, and qualities that were no less important to achievement and success.(虽然他们很好地识别出了一种类型的学生，但他们并没有考虑到一系列对成就和成功同样重要的经验、技能和品质。)”指出了过去判断学生价值的方式的局限性。选项C“简而言之，他们错过了很多优秀的人，甚至都不知道”符合语境，进一步说明了这种局限性导致的后果，即很多优秀的人被忽视。故选C。 4. 上文“They have resolved to do the best they can to see the whole individual.(他们决心尽自己所能看到学生的全貌。)”说明了学校在录取学生时，不再仅仅看重标准化考试的成绩，而是更注重学生的全面素质。选项G“许多以录取政策高度选择性而闻名的大学收到了比往常更多的申请者”符合语境，可能是因为学校改变了录取标准，吸引了更多不同类型的申请者。下文“Some think dropping mandatory standardized tests is a mistake. (有些人认为取消强制性标准化考试是个错误。)”中的“dropping mandatory standardized tests”与选项G中的“highly selective in their admissions policies”相呼应，进一步说明了学校录取政策的变化。故选G。 5. 下文“That can be an admissions officer wanting to be more thoughtful in extending the benefits that her school offers. Or it can be a zero-waste blogger asking us all to think differently about how we contribute to greater balance in the world.(这可能是一位招生官想要更有思考地扩展她所在学校提供的福利。或者可能是一位零浪费博主要求我们所有人以不同的方式思考我们如何为世界更大的平衡做出贡献。)”中的“thinking differently”与选项F中的“think ever larger”相呼应，进一步说明了我们需要改变思维方式，以更广阔的视野来看待问题。选项F“另一方面，世界不断地要求我们更加善良、更加团结，思考得更广泛”符合语境。故选F。 (16) Are you able to cook a healthy meal? Are you able to manage your money well? Are you able to sew on a button? 1 This highlights a significant gap in modern education, which heavily prioritizes academic achievement and strict testing, often at the expense of practical life skills. Schools have done well in preparing us to be academic achievers in school, but may not have prepared us well enough in developing life skills. 2 For those without these basic skills, the pandemic lockdown was a rude shock. With restaurants closed and home services stopped, it would have been satisfying to cook a meal or fix a light bulb. It’s a shame that schools produce scholarly individuals who are unprepared for simple home tasks. 3 For example, financial management fosters responsibility and caution, while lessons on investment teach wealth growth. Equipped with this literacy, students can better discuss financial goals with parents, and budgeting knowledge can steer them away from overspending. Thus, in our complex world, schools must teach beyond academic subjects. After all, all the responsibility cannot be transferred to the home. The argument for parents teaching practical life skills overlooks modern realities. Many working parents lack the time, and some may not possess the proficiency themselves. 4 Sandra Carey, a writer, puts it appropriately: “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” School is not simply a place to pass knowledge and prepare us for a career. 5 A. Thus, a balanced approach is needed early on. B. For instance, many communities offer evening classes for adults. C. Instead, it equips us with the wisdom to construct a fulfilling life. D. Not many of us can confidently nod our heads to these questions. E. Consequently, the central role in bridging this gap must fall to our schools. F. By integrating practical skills, schools can teach a more complete set of life values. G. Yet practical skills such as cooking and housekeeping are essential in the real world. 【答案】1. D 2. G 3. F 4. E 5. C 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章主要讲述了现代教育中重学术轻实践技能的问题，强调学校应教授实用生活技能以帮助学生构建充实人生。 1. 由上文“Are you able to cook a healthy meal? Are you able to manage your money well? Are you able to sew on a button? (你会做一顿健康的饭吗？你能很好地管理你的钱吗？你会缝纽扣吗？)”提出的一系列问题可知，本空应是对这些问题的回应。D选项“Not many of us can confidently nod our heads to these questions. (我们中很少有人能自信地对这些问题点头。)”是对上文问题的直接回应，表示很少有人能自信地回答这些问题，符合题意。故选D。 2. 由上文“Schools have done well in preparing us to be academic achievers in school, but may not have prepared us well enough in developing life skills. (学校在培养我们在学校成为学术成就者方面做得很好，但在培养我们的生活技能方面可能做得不够好。)”及下文“For those without these basic skills, the pandemic lockdown was a rude shock. (对于那些没有这些基本技能的人来说，疫情封锁是一个沉重的打击。)”可知，本空应强调实践技能的重要性。G选项“Yet practical skills such as cooking and housekeeping are essential in the real world. (然而，烹饪和家务等实践技能在现实世界中是必不可少的。)”能承上启下，强调实践技能的重要性，符合题意。故选G。 3. 由下文“For example, financial management fosters responsibility and caution, while lessons on investment teach wealth growth. (例如，财务管理培养责任感和谨慎性，而投资课程教授财富增长。)”可知，本空应总起说明学校教授实用技能的作用。F选项“By integrating practical skills, schools can teach a more complete set of life values. (通过整合实用技能，学校可以教授一套更完整的人生价值观。)”可以概括下文的例子，起到总起的作用，符合题意。故选F。 4. 由上文“After all, all the responsibility cannot be transferred to the home. The argument for parents teaching practical life skills overlooks modern realities. Many working parents lack the time, and some may not possess the proficiency themselves. (毕竟，所有的责任都不能转移到家庭。父母教授实践生活技能的观点忽视了现代现实。许多上班族父母缺乏时间，有些父母自己可能也不具备这些技能。)”可知，本空应提出解决这一问题的建议。E选项“Consequently, the central role in bridging this gap must fall to our schools. (因此，弥补这一差距的核心作用必须落在我们的学校身上。)”能承接上文，提出学校应在弥补这一差距中发挥核心作用，符合题意。故选E。 5. 由上文“School is not simply a place to pass knowledge and prepare us for a career. (学校不仅仅是传授知识和为我们准备职业的地方。)”及下文“Sandra Carey, a writer, puts it appropriately: “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” (作家桑德拉·凯里恰当地表达了这一点：“永远不要把知识和智慧混为一谈。一个帮助你谋生；另一个帮助你创造生活。”)”可知，本空应强调学校应传授的更深层次的东西。C选项“Instead, it equips us with the wisdom to construct a fulfilling life. (相反，它赋予我们构建充实生活的智慧。)”能承上启下，强调学校应赋予我们构建充实生活的智慧，符合题意。故选C。 (17) A Third-Generation Luthier Tells His Story I’ve had the honor and blessing of growing up as a luthier’s apprentice (制琴师的学徒). My grandfather and his brother started as furniture makers, then switched to building and repairing instruments in Mexico in 1928. 1 There, they made guitars for renowned musicians,including Andrés Segovia. This move built our family’s name in fine instrument making. I grew up surrounded by this craft, apprenticing under my father and grandfather. By age five, I was playing classical guitar; by seven, assisting with repairs; and by twelve, I had built my first instrument. 2 A luthier carefully selects tonewoods, shapes the body and neck, and builds complex wiring for electric models. Every step influences the final instrument’s sound, playability, and longevity. Today, we live in a world dominated by mass production. 3 Our focus remains on careful restoration, custom creation, and fine-tuning each instrument to meet the musician’s needs. We believe every guitar deserves individual attention, whether it’s preserving a classic family guitar or realizing a player’s dream instrument. 4 My daughters are learning the art of crafting with their own hands and the  science behind resonance, sustain, and vibration. They represent the living continuation of a tradition that values patience, skill, and heartfelt creation. Ultimately, being a luthier is about shaping sound and preserving heritage. Each instrument we build or restore becomes a unique piece of art. 5 It is the art of being a luthier, a handed-down craft of shaping sound and preserving heritage, one instrument at a time. A. Yet here, we still work by hand. B. Over time, guitars suffer wear and tear. C. It carries forward a story nearly a century ago. D. They taught me guitar building combines craft with art. E. However, we see it not just as a profession but an art form. F. More importantly, this craft now reaches a fourth generation. G. They opened a workshop in Los Angeles later for better opportunities. 【答案】1. G 2. D 3. A 4. F 5. C 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了作者作为第三代制琴师学徒的成长经历，家族制琴传统的传承，以及制琴工艺的艺术价值与文化意义。 1. 上文“My grandfather and his brother started as furniture makers, then switched to building and repairing instruments in Mexico in 1928. (我的祖父和他的兄弟最初是家具制造商，然后在1928年转向在墨西哥制造和修理乐器。)”讲述了祖父和兄弟的制琴事业起源，下文“There, they made guitars for renowned musicians, including Andrés Segovia. (在那里，他们为著名音乐家制作吉他，包括安德烈斯·塞戈维亚。)”说明他们去了某个地方为著名音乐家制作吉他，G项“他们后来在洛杉矶开了一家工作室，以获得更好的机会。”说明他们为了更好的机会去了洛杉矶，承上启下。故选G。 2. 根据上文“By age five, I was playing classical guitar; by seven, assisting with repairs; and by twelve, I had built my first instrument. (五岁时，我开始弹古典吉他；七岁时，协助修理；十二岁时，我制作了我的第一件乐器。)”和下文“A luthier carefully selects tonewoods, shapes the body and neck, and builds complex wiring for electric models. Every step influences the final instrument’s sound, playability, and longevity. (制琴师精心挑选音木，塑造琴身和琴颈，并为电吉他制作复杂的线路。每一步都影响着最终乐器的音色、可演奏性和使用寿命。)”可知，前文描述作者学徒经历，空白后详述制琴工艺。D项“他们教会我吉他制作结合了工艺与艺术。”符合语境，点明制琴是手艺与艺术的结合，引出下文对制琴工艺的具体描述。故选D。 3. 根据上文“Today, we live in a world dominated by mass production. (今天，我们生活在一个由大规模生产主导的世界。)”和下文“Our focus remains on careful restoration, custom creation, and fine-tuning each instrument to meet the musician’s needs. (我们仍然专注于精心修复、定制创作和微调每一件乐器，以满足音乐家的需求。)”可知，前句强调“大规模生产主导”，空白后转折“我们专注修复与定制”。A项“然而，在这里，我们仍然手工制作。”中的 “Yet”与上文构成转折，突出依旧手工制作的理念，与下文一致。故选A。 4. 下文“My daughters are learning the art of crafting with their own hands and the science behind resonance, sustain, and vibration. They represent the living continuation of a tradition that values patience, skill, and heartfelt creation. (我的女儿们正在学习用自己的双手制作的艺术，以及共鸣、持续和振动背后的科学。她们代表着一种重视耐心、技巧和衷心创作的传统的活生生的延续。)”说明作者的女儿们正在学习制琴，制琴传统已经传到了第四代，F项“更重要的是，这门手艺现在已经传到了第四代。”符合语境，引出下文，说明制琴传统已经传到了第四代。故选F。 5. 根据上文“Ultimately, being a luthier is about shaping sound and preserving heritage. Each instrument we build or restore becomes a unique piece of art. (最终，作为一名制琴师就是塑造声音和保存遗产。我们制作或修复的每一件乐器都成为一件独特的艺术品。)”和下文“It is the art of being a luthier, a handed-down craft of shaping sound and preserving heritage, one instrument at a time. (这是一种制琴的艺术，一种代代相传的塑造声音和保存遗产的手艺，一次一件乐器。)”可知，前句说乐器成为“独特艺术品”，空白后总结“制琴师的艺术”，总体说明这是保存遗产的手艺，有历史意义。C项“它延续了近一个世纪前的故事。”中的“It”指代乐器，说明乐器传承着近百年的故事，与文章开头 1928 年的家族历史及结尾的传承主题相契合。故选C。 (18) The Last Living Monet Every winter, the head gardener at Claude Monet’s garden in the tiny French village of Giverny sits down to a pile of seed lists’ for disappointment. Avisard knows he must grow at least 520,000 plants to recreate these historic grounds. But each year at least 10 seed varieties he selected the previous season will disappear. 1 When Monet moved to Giverny in 1883, nurseries (苗圃) were covered with Victorian flowers. Many of his favored varieties have since gone extinct or been completely changed as people prefer both harder (耐寒的) plants and flowers with ever-increasing blooms. This season, Avisard is crazy about growing a taller pelargonium (天竺葵), a clumped-flower (簇状花) cousin to the geranium (老鹳草) that Monet famously planted in several red and pink beds in front of his pink house. “ 2 ” Avisard says. “To bring them back would be a resurrection (起死回生).” Head gardener since 2016, Avisard now leads a dozen gardeners, twice as many as Monet enlisted. 3 Wetter winters followed by hot, dry summers lead to earlier crowds of pests. In addition, the management of tourists poses a significant challenge. 4 “It’s complicated.” says Avisard, “ 5 ” He and Giverny’s gardeners seek to please a man they’ve never met by creating a space so identifiable that it reminds strangers of paintings they see hanging in museums the world over. As seeds disappear, the task only gets harder. “We want people to look out like Monet and see what he saw.” A. You can’t buy them anywhere. B. As with fashion, people’s tastes in flowers change. C. The tourists have to feel like they are in Monet’s paintings. D. These gardeners struggle with a wildly changing ecosystem. E. Monet’s garden symbolizes impressionist art and natural beauty. F. His work includes planting, researching and sourcing rare seeds. G. Nearly 800,000 visitors flock to the area every year between April and October. 【答案】1. B 2. A 3. D 4. G 5. C 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文，讲述了莫奈花园首席园丁Avisard为重现莫奈花园历史原貌，面临种子消失、生态系统变化及游客管理等诸多挑战，仍努力让游客感受如同置身莫奈画作中的故事。 1. 根据上文“But each year at least 10 seed varieties he selected the previous season will disappear (但每年他上一季挑选的至少10种种子品种会消失)”以及下文“Many of his favored varieties have since gone extinct or been completely changed as people prefer both harder (耐寒的) plants and flowers with ever - increasing blooms (他喜欢的许多品种此后已经灭绝或完全改变，因为人们更喜欢耐寒的植物和花朵越来越大的品种)”可知，前文提到每年有至少10种选定的种子品种消失，后文则指出莫奈时期的许多花卉品种因人们偏好耐寒、开花更多的品种而灭绝或被改变。B项“As with fashion, people’s tastes in flowers change(就像时尚一样，人们对花的品味也会改变)”起到了承上启下的作用，解释了花卉品种消失和改变的原因是人们的品味变化，符合语境，故选B项。 2. 根据前文“This season, Avisard is crazy about growing a taller pelargonium (天竺葵), a clumped - flower (簇状花) cousin to the geranium (老鹳草) that Monet famously planted in several red and pink beds in front of his pink house(这个季节，Avisard热衷于种植一种更高的天竺葵，这种簇状花是老鹳草的近亲，莫奈曾在他粉色房子前的几个红粉色花坛里种植过)”以及下文“To bring them back would be a resurrection (起死回生).( 将它们重新培育回来，无异于一次起死回生)”可知，前文提及阿维萨德热衷于培育一种莫奈曾种植的高株天竺葵，后文表示把它们带回来堪称起死回生，可推理出这种天竺葵现在很难买到，与A项“You can’t buy them anywhere(你在任何地方都买不到它们)”表达的含义一致，故选A项。 3. 根据前文“Wetter winters followed by hot, dry summers lead to earlier crowds of pests. In addition, the management of tourists poses a significant challenge(冬季潮湿，随后是炎热干燥的夏季，导致害虫提前大量出现。此外，游客管理也带来了重大挑战)”可知，前文介绍阿维萨德领导的园丁团队规模，后文则列举了潮湿冬季和干热夏季导致害虫提早滋生的问题。D项“These gardeners struggle with a wildly changing ecosystem(这些园丁与剧烈变化的生态系统作斗争)”作为过渡句，点明园丁们面临的核心难题是生态系统的剧烈变化，符合语境，故选D项。 4. 根据前文“In addition, the management of tourists poses a significant challenge(此外，游客管理也带来了重大挑战)”可知，前文提出游客管理也带来了重大挑战，G项“Nearly 800,000 visitors flock to the area every year between April and October(每年4月至10月，近80万游客涌入该地区)”用具体的游客数量数据支撑这一观点，解释了游客管理难度大的原因，具体说明游客管理方面的挑战，符合语境，故选G项。 5. 根据前文““It’s complicated.” says Avisard(“这很复杂。”阿维萨尔说道)”以及后文“He and Giverny’s gardeners seek to please a man they’ve never met by creating a space so identifiable that it reminds strangers of paintings they see hanging in museums the world over (他和吉维尼的园丁们试图通过创造一个如此独特的空间来取悦一个他们从未见过的人，这个空间能让陌生人想起他们在世界各地博物馆里看到的画作)”可知，前文阿维萨德说“这很复杂”，后文则说明园丁们的目标是打造辨识度高的空间，让游客联想到博物馆里的莫奈画作。C项“The tourists have to feel like they are in Monet’s paintings(游客们必须感觉他们置身于莫奈的画作中)”点明了“复杂”之处的核心目标，即让游客获得身临其境的体验，符合语境，故选C项。 (19) I love thinking about teams. I love thinking about how to create an environment that will make a group of people want to be on the team. I love considering the best ways to build a great team. Here is one of my favorite team concepts: the sign of a great team is not the absence of conflict. Rather, the sign of a great team is the ability to resolve conflict. 1 But our ability to consistently resolve that conflict impacts the kind of team we have more than any other variable. If we learn how to resolve the conflict, the team will be together for very long. Now, the “how” is the hardest part of conflict resolution. 2 But in my experience, the key aspect of consistent conflict resolution comes down to listening and respect. When we listen to each other and respect the opposing perspective (视角), we can have reasonable dialogue. 3 That we listen to and respect other perspectives does not mean we always have to agree. 4 That’s fine. But simple listening skills and demonstrations of respect are at the heart of consistent and reasonable conflict resolution. Great teams are not on the same page all the time. 5 So when you are trying to build a great team or when you think you have one and want to keep it great, spend some time thinking about how you will handle those difficult moments when the team is not on the same page. A. We can still agree to disagree. B. But great teams know how to get there. C. The best relationships take time and effort. D. It is always complex and often requires multiple steps. E. Then we are likely to be on our way to eventual resolution. F. People on a team often work together towards a common goal. G. That is because even the best teams unavoidably have conflict. 【答案】1. G 2. D 3. E 4. A 5. B 【难度】0.65 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章作者围绕“团队建设”这一主题，提出了核心观点——优秀团队的标志并非是没有冲突，而是具备解决冲突的能力。 1. 上文“Here is one of my favorite team concepts: the sign of a great team is not the absence of conflict. Rather, the sign of a great team is the ability to resolve conflict. (这是我最喜欢的一个团队理念：优秀团队的标志并非是没有冲突，而是具备解决冲突的能力。)”提出了关于优秀团队与冲突关系的核心观点，下文“But our ability to consistently resolve that conflict impacts the kind of team we have more than any other variable. (但相比其他任何因素，我们持续解决冲突的能力对团队的影响都更大。)”强调了解决冲突能力的重要性。G项“这是因为即使是最优秀的团队也不可避免地会产生冲突。”承上启下，“this”指代上文“优秀团队需具备解决冲突能力”的观点，解释了该观点的原因——冲突无法避免，从而自然衔接下文对“解决冲突能力”重要性的论述，逻辑连贯。故选G。 2. 上文“Now, the ‘how’ is the hardest part of conflict resolution. (如今，如何解决冲突是冲突处理中最难的部分。)”点明了冲突解决的难点在于具体方法，下文“But in my experience, the key aspect of consistent conflict resolution comes down to listening and respect. (但以我的经验来看，持续解决冲突的核心在于倾听和尊重。)”通过转折给出了冲突解决的关键要素。D项“它往往很复杂，通常需要多个步骤。”承接上文，“it”指代“conflict resolution”，进一步说明冲突解决的难度——复杂且步骤多，为下文转折引出核心解决方法做铺垫，符合语境。故选D。 3. 上文“When we listen to each other and respect the opposing perspective (视角), we can have reasonable dialogue. (当我们彼此倾听、尊重对立的视角时，就能进行理性的对话。)”指出了倾听和尊重能带来理性对话的结果，E项“那么我们就有可能朝着最终解决冲突的方向迈进。”承接上文，“then”承接前文“进行理性对话”的前提，说明该前提能推动冲突走向解决，形成逻辑上的递进，贴合段落关于冲突解决的论述。故选E。 4. 上文“That we listen to and respect other perspectives does not mean we always have to agree. (倾听并尊重他人的观点，并不意味着我们必须始终达成一致。)”表明了“倾听尊重”与“意见一致”的关系，下文“That’s fine. But simple listening skills and demonstrations of respect are at the heart of consistent and reasonable conflict resolution. (这没关系。但简单的倾听技巧和尊重的表现，是持续且理性解决冲突的核心。)”说明意见不一致也不影响冲突解决。A项“我们仍然可以求同存异。”承接上文，对“不必始终达成一致”进行具体阐释，即可以保留不同意见，同时衔接下文“这没关系”的表述，逻辑通顺。故选A。 5. 上文“Great teams are not on the same page all the time. (优秀的团队并非始终意见一致。)”指出优秀团队也会存在分歧，下文“So when you are trying to build a great team or when you think you have one and want to keep it great, spend some time thinking about how you will handle those difficult moments when the team is not on the same page. (因此，当你试图打造一支优秀团队，或者你认为自己已经拥有一支优秀团队并想保持其优秀时，花些时间思考如何处理团队意见不一致的艰难时刻。)”强调了处理分歧的重要性。B项“但优秀的团队知道如何达成共识。”承接上文，通过“but”转折，在承认团队会有分歧的基础上，点明优秀团队的核心能力——懂得如何达成共识，为下文提出“处理分歧”的建议做铺垫，符合文章主旨。故选B。 (20) I used to wake up and check my phone. Before my feet hit the floor, I was already deep in the day’s chaos: headlines, comments, breaking news alerts. Doomscrolling (刷屏成瘾) had become my morning routine. 1 I started each day tense and anxious. So I gave myself a quiet dare: no phone in the morning, for five straight weekdays. Naturally, breaking the habit wasn’t easy. The first morning, I reached for my phone automatically. I stopped myself and picked up a book instead. It felt odd, like trying to enjoy coffee without caffeine (咖啡因). But after a few pages, I found myself actually relaxed — not the emptiness of a scroll, but something steadier. 2 That had never happened before. Encouraged by the quiet start, I explored other ways. The next day I tried a cold shower. I wanted something that would force me fully awake. The shock factor was incredibly effective. 3 On Wednesday, I went for a run. I hated every step at first. But I came back awake, warm and proud. That feeling powered me through the day. 4 On Thursday, I journaled. No audience, just thoughts on paper. It felt honest, if not particularly exciting. On Friday, I reread an old letter and let the memories surface. It was quiet, uneventful and grounding. By the end of the week, the urge to check my phone had weakened. 5 Those phone-free mornings proved a quieter start was possible: no noise or half-truths. It’s not about perfection, but freedom from the scroll and the misinformation it feeds into our minds. A. But lately, I noticed the weight it carried. B. This left my mind surprisingly clear afterward. C. Some mornings were more reflective than active. D. It made me realize my dependence on my phone. E. I even finished a chapter before checking the time. F. That meant I stopped grabbing my phone on waking. G. It revealed the link between my phone use and daily anxiety. 【答案】1. A 2. E 3. B 4. C 5. F 【难度】0.75 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了作者通过一周无手机早晨的实践，摆脱刷屏成瘾，重获内心平静的经历。 1. 由上文“Doomscrolling (刷屏成瘾) had become my morning routine.(刷屏成瘾已经成为我每天早晨的例行习惯。)”及下文“I started each day tense and anxious.(我每天开始的时候都很紧张和焦虑。)”可知，上文说明刷屏成瘾已经成为作者的日常习惯，下文说明作者每天开始的时候都很紧张和焦虑，本空应说明作者注意到了刷屏成瘾带来的负面影响。A选项“But lately, I noticed the weight it carried.(但最近，我注意到了它带来的负担。)”能承上启下，符合语境。故选A。 2. 由上文“But after a few pages, I found myself actually relaxed — not the emptiness of a scroll, but something steadier.(但读了几页后，我发现自己真的很放松——不是刷屏带来的空虚，而是更稳定的感觉。)”可知，上文说明作者读书时获得了更稳定的感觉，本空应说明作者读书时的其他感受。E选项“I even finished a chapter before checking the time.(我甚至在查看时间之前读完了一章。)”能承接上文，符合语境。故选E。 3. 由上文“The next day I tried a cold shower. I wanted something that would force me fully awake. The shock factor was incredibly effective.(第二天我尝试了冷水澡。我想要一些能让我完全清醒的东西。冲击因素非常有效。)”可知，上文说明作者尝试了冷水澡，且冷水澡的冲击因素非常有效，本空应说明冷水澡对作者的影响。B选项“This left my mind surprisingly clear afterward.(这让我事后头脑异常清醒。)”中This指代上文提及的冷水澡，能承接上文，符合语境。故选B。 4. 由下文“On Thursday, I journaled. No audience, just thoughts on paper. It felt honest, if not particularly exciting. On Friday, I reread an old letter and let the memories surface. It was quiet, uneventful and grounding.(星期四，我写日记。没有观众，只有纸上的想法。这感觉很诚实，即使不是特别令人兴奋。星期五，我重读了一封旧信，让回忆浮现。它很安静，平淡无奇，让人脚踏实地。)”可知，下文说明作者在星期四和星期五的活动，这两天的活动偏安静、沉思，不像前几天运动那样活跃，本空应引出下文，说明有些早晨作者更倾向于反思。C选项“Some mornings were more reflective than active.(有些早晨更适合反思而不是活动。)”能引出下文，符合语境。故选C。 5. 由上文“By the end of the week, the urge to check my phone had weakened.(到周末的时候，我想看手机的冲动已经减弱了。)”可知，本段总结一周不看手机的成果，本空应说明这种变化带来的具体表现。F选项“That meant I stopped grabbing my phone on waking.(这意味着我醒来后不再抓手机了。)”能承接上文，符合语境。故选F。 (21) I put on a headset, and within seconds I am somewhere else. Ice sheets float on dark water. Wind brushes past my ears, sharp and restless. In the distance, mountains glow (发光) under the moonlight. Moments later, I find myself inside a museum, leaning close to a painting I have never seen in real life. 1 This is the promise of virtual reality (VR): a world delivered to us without leaving home. There is much to appreciate in this form of travel. 2 There is no need to consider weather conditions, health issues or financial pressure. You may enter distant places at any moment and leave just as freely. For those restricted by schedule, health, or income, VR quietly removes barriers that traditional travel often sets in place. 3 Travelers wander through unfamiliar streets, sample local dishes, and engage face-to-face with people shaped by different traditions. Such encounters awaken the senses and create lasting memories. More importantly, they change how places feel to us, not just how we understand them. This distinction is clear, because learning about a destination is not the same as being there. Virtual travel offers designed scenes and programmed sensations, but it remains carefully controlled. Real travel, by contrast, is shaped by unpredictability. 4 In those unplanned moments, understanding becomes lived rather than recorded. Virtual reality will undoubtedly continue to evolve, enriching how we preview journeys and imagine distant worlds. Still, it cannot replace actual presence. Travel is not simply about seeing farther; it is also about feeling where you stand. 5 A. I am not moving, yet I am traveling. B. Yet real travel leaves a deeper mark. C. My feet ache as my journey stretches across the day. D. Virtual journeys are convenient, time-saving, and widely accessible. E. Some knowledge, it seems, only arrives when your feet are on the ground. F. It demands choices, adaptation, and constant awareness of the unexpected. G. But the convenience may gradually weaken our desire to explore the real world. 【答案】1. A 2. D 3. B 4. F 5. E 【难度】0.65 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章通过作者的虚拟现实体验引入，探讨了虚拟旅行与现实旅行的区别，指出虚拟现实无法替代真实旅行所带来的感官体验和情感联结。 1. 前文“I put on a headset, and within seconds I am somewhere else. (我戴上头戴设备，几秒钟后就置身于别处。)”为接下来的虚拟现实旅游做好准备，继而描述作者在虚拟现实中的沉浸体验。后文“This is the promise of virtual reality (VR): a world delivered to us without leaving home. (这就是虚拟现实（VR）的愿景：一个无需离家便能抵达的世界。)”是对前文的概括总结，A选项“我没有移动，却正在旅行”概括了前文的虚拟旅行体验，又引出后文要讨论的核心内容，承接上文并点明主题。故选A。 2. 根据前文“There is much to appreciate in this form of travel. (这种旅行方式有很多值得欣赏的地方。)”可知，接下来应说明虚拟旅行的优点。D选项“虚拟旅行方便、省时且易于实现。”具体阐述了虚拟旅行的优势，与上文形成顺承关系。故选D。 3. 空处为本段第一句，应起总起作用。后文“Travelers wander through unfamiliar streets, sample local dishes, and engage face-to-face with people shaped by different traditions. Such encounters awaken the senses and create lasting memories. More importantly, they change how places feel to us, not just how we understand them. (旅行者漫步在陌生的街道上，品尝当地美食，与来自不同传统背景的人面对面交流。这些体验唤醒感官，创造持久的记忆。更重要的是，它们改变了我们对一个地方的情感认知，而不仅仅是理性理解。)”描述了真实旅行的独特体验和深刻影响，B选项“然而真实的旅行留下更深的印记。”引出对真实旅行的进一步阐述。故选B。 4. 根据前文“Real travel, by contrast, is shaped by unpredictability. (相比之下，真实旅行充满不可预测性。)”可知，本空应进一步说明这种不可预测性带来的影响。F选项“它要求人们做出选择、不断适应，并时刻留意突发情况。”具体解释了真实旅行中不可预测性所带来的挑战与体验，与前文形成解释关系。故选F。 5. 前文“Travel is not simply about seeing farther; it is also about feeling where you stand. (旅行不仅仅是看得更远，更是感受你所在的地方。)”强调真实旅行中的情感体验与身体在场的重要性，E选项“有些知识似乎只有当你脚踏实地时才能获得。”是前文内容的升华，点明真实旅行不可替代的价值。故选E。 (22) Do you know what makes you happy or do you just think you know? At first glance, these two questions look like the same thing. If you think something makes you happy, then it must make you happy. 1 Brainstorm a list of all the things that make you happy. Just write whatever comes into your mind without thinking about it too much. 2 Probably most of them, right? So, if you could spend most of your time doing all this fun stuff, you’d be really happy, surely? Well, maybe not. For most people, only doing things for fun isn’t enough for long-term happiness. 3 If most of the things on your list of what makes you happy fall under the category of “pleasure”, then that might be what you think makes you happy. But what will actually make you happy is balancing them out with activities that give your life purpose. Go back to your list of things that make you happy. 4 Can you make another list now you know that purpose is important for happiness? Now you have your lists, you need to find balance. But balance doesn’t mean you have to make pleasure–purpose a 50/50 split. It means achieving the ratio (比率) that works for you, and, of course, some activities might bring both pleasure and purpose. There’s an idea of “deciding, designing, doing”. First decide what things in life bring you pleasure and/or purpose — which is what your two lists are for. Then, don’t just think about these activities. 5 Happiness is built during the process. A. After all, you know yourself, don’t you? B. Work on these parts to maximize your happiness. C. The human brain quickly adapts to sources of pleasure. D. Design your life so you do as many of them as possible. E. Now look at that list and tick all the ones that are enjoyable. F. How many of them are activities that add to your sense of purpose? G. That’s because your happiness depends on a “pleasure–purpose balance”. 【答案】1. A 2. E 3. G 4. F 5. D 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章探讨了真正的幸福并不仅仅来自于享乐，而是来自于“愉悦”和“目标感”之间的平衡。 1. 上文“If you think something makes you happy, then it must make you happy. (如果你认为某件事能让你快乐，那么它一定能让你快乐。)”表达人们想当然地认为自己了解什么能带来快乐。A项“After all, you know yourself, don’t you?(毕竟，你了解你自己，不是吗？)”顺着上文逻辑，加强这种理所当然的观点，起到承接补充作用，为上文的判断提供了理由，使得段落逻辑完整。故选A。 2. 上文“Brainstorm a list of all the things that make you happy. Just write whatever comes into your mind without thinking about it too much. (头脑风暴，列出所有让你快乐的事情。写下你想到的任何东西，不要想太多。)”要求先列出让自己快乐的事情，写下你想到的任何事物是第一步操作；E项“Now look at that list and tick all the ones that are enjoyable. (现在看看这个列表，勾选所有令人愉快的)”承接列清单的动作，指导读者查看自己的清单，引出下文“Probably most of them, right? (可能是大多数，对吧？)”反问句，指出查看清单后会发现列的大都是让你快乐的事情，起到过渡作用，符合语境。故选E。 3. 上文“For most people, only doing things for fun isn’t enough for long-term happiness. (对大多数人来说，仅仅为了乐趣而做的事情不足以获得长期的幸福。)”提出只追求乐趣是不够的，只做享乐的事不足以带来长期快乐；下文“If most of the things on your list of what makes you happy fall under the category of “pleasure”, then that might be what you think makes you happy. But what will actually make you happy is balancing them out with activities that give your life purpose. (如果你清单上让你快乐的大多数事情都属于“快乐”的范畴，那么这可能就是你认为让你快乐的事情。但真正能让你快乐的是用给你生活目标的活动来平衡它们。)”指出真正的快乐是愉悦和有意义的活动的平衡；G项“That’s because your happiness depends on a ‘pleasure–purpose balance’. (那是因为你的快乐取决于‘快乐—目标平衡’。)”解释了上文观点的原因，点明文章核心概念，起到因果衔接作用，并引出将要详细论述的核心概念：快乐—目标平衡。故选G。 4. 上文“Go back to your list of things that make you happy. (回到让你快乐的事情清单上。)”建议重新查看清单；下文“Can you make another list now you know that purpose is important for happiness? (现在你知道目标对快乐很重要，能再列一份清单吗?”建议重新列一份强调目标的快乐清单；F项“How many of them are activities that add to your sense of purpose? (其中有多少是能增强你的目标感的活动？)”提出了一个具体的问题来引导读者对快乐清单进行更深层次的思考，且与下文写一份带来目标感的清单衔接。故选F。 5. 上文“There’s an idea of ‘deciding, designing, doing’. First decide what things in life bring you pleasure and/or purpose — which is what your two lists are for. Then, don’t just think about these activities. (这里有一个‘决定、设计、行动’的概念。首先决定生活中哪些事情能给你带来快乐和/或目标——这就是你的两张清单的用途。然后，不要只考虑这些活动。)”提到获得平衡的步骤是“决定、规划、行动”，并阐述了第一步“先决定哪些事带来愉悦/目标”。D项“Design your life so you do as many of them as possible.(规划你的生活，让自己能尽可能多做这些（愉悦/有目标的）活动)”对应步骤里的“规划”环节，和下文“Happiness is built during the process. (快乐建立在过程中)”衔接，照应上文“deciding, designing, doing”。故选D。 (23) When mastering a foreign language, many people believe that talent is the key to success. You’ve probably heard someone say, “I’m just not good at languages.” But is this really true? 1 The short answer: Talent plays a minor role. The belief that language learning requires talent often discourages many people from even trying. 2 Many multilingual speakers owe their success to disciplined practice, not natural ability. Research supports this view. The 10,000-Hour Rule suggests mastery requires repeated practice. 3 In this way, you can expand vocabulary and understand grammar better. Furthermore, motivation and self-discipline are better predictors of success than talent. So how can you master a language without talent? You can start by setting realistic goals. Break your journey into manageable steps, like learning 10 new words daily. 4 Make practice an essential part of your routine, whether for 15 minutes or an hour. Additionally, you will find yourself benefiting greatly from active learning techniques like shadowing native speakers and testing yourself with flashcards. Finally, take full advantage of immersive learning by watching shows in your target language or changing your phone’s language settings. 5 Research shows that consistency, persistence, and effective strategies are the true keys to success. Language learning isn’t about being born gifted — it’s about showing up and doing the work every day. A. Do you need natural talent to master a language? B. You can’t master a language without repeated practice. C. Hard work combined with talent without doubt pays off. D. Consistency is vitally important in language learning as well. E. It means regular exposure to listening, speaking, reading and writing. F. In short, the idea that talent is necessary to master a language is simply a myth. G. While natural talent might give some a head start, it’s far from the deciding factor. 【答案】1. A 2. G 3. E 4. D 5. F 【难度】0.65 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章反驳语言学习靠天赋的观点，指出坚持、自律与有效方法才是关键。 1. 上文“But is this really true?(但这是真的吗？)”对语言学习需要天赋提出疑问。空后“The short answer: Talent plays a minor role.(简短答案：天赋作用很小)”直接给出问题答案。空处和前文为顺接关系，提出核心疑问。选项A“Do you need natural talent to master a language?(掌握一门语言需要天赋吗？)”以设问句引出下文回答，与后文“The short answer”形成明确问答提示，衔接紧密。故选A。 2. 上文“The belief that language learning requires talent often discourages many people from even trying.(认为学语言需天赋的想法让很多人不敢尝试)”说明天赋论带来的消极影响。空后“Many multilingual speakers owe their success to disciplined practice, not natural ability.(多语言者成功靠自律练习而非天赋)”强调天赋并非关键。空处和前后文为转折过渡关系，表明天赋并非决定因素。选项G“While natural talent might give some a head start, it’s far from the deciding factor.(天赋或许让人起步快，但绝非决定因素)”先让步承认天赋作用，再转折否定其重要性，与后文否定天赋的观点形成提示呼应。故选G。 3. 上文“The 10,000-Hour Rule suggests mastery requires repeated practice.(一万小时定律表明精通需要反复练习)”提出反复练习的重要性。空后“In this way, you can expand vocabulary and understand grammar better.(这样能扩充词汇、更好理解语法)”说明练习带来的效果。空处和前文为解释关系，具体说明反复练习的方式。选项E“It means regular exposure to listening, speaking, reading and writing.(这意味着经常接触听说读写)”符合语境。E选项中的“It”指代前文的“repeated practice”，后文“In this way”又指代该选项内容，前后文均有明确指代提示。故选E。 4. 上文“Break your journey into manageable steps, like learning 10 new words daily.(把学习拆成可行步骤，如每天学10个单词)”讲述设定目标、拆分学习任务。空后“Make practice an essential part of your routine, whether for 15 minutes or an hour.(将练习纳入你的日常安排中，无论时间是15分钟还是1小时都行)”强调要坚持练习。空处和前后文为递进关系，引出坚持的重要性。选项D“Consistency is vitally important in language learning as well.(坚持在语言学习中也至关重要)”符合语境。D选项提出“Consistency”，与后文“routine”形成同义提示，契合上下文语境。故选D。 5. 下文“Research shows that consistency, persistence, and effective strategies are the true keys to success.(研究表明坚持、毅力和有效方法才是成功关键)”总结语言学习的真正关键。空处和后文为总结关系，对天赋论进行总结否定。选项F“In short, the idea that talent is necessary to master a language is simply a myth.(简而言之，学语言需天赋的观点只是谬论)”符合语境。F选项以“In short”表明总结，与后文总结全文的逻辑形成提示，契合段落功能。故选F。 (24) One early morning, as I walked around the block, a friend’s “hi” from my phone nearly stopped me in my tracks. 1 She talked me through a life update from the opposite side of the country. It felt like the surprise of an unexpected letter because we normally didn’t communicate that way. At the time, I only sent voice messages occasionally. Stage fright would kick in. I worried that I’d say the wrong thing, or that others would experience the same cringe (局促不安) upon hearing my voice that I do. 2 But recently, I’ve found myself recalling how my friend’s voice broke through loneliness. Particularly during a season that’s supposed to be all about love, I think about all the ways that can look-specifically, how we reach out and connect. As I’ve sent more random voice messages to loved ones, it’s become obvious how much I was longing for this point of connection with them. 3 There’s a level of closeness that comes with this kind of listening. 4 It allows you to take your time and speak without the pressure of an immediate response. You can fill it with laughter, pauses, and tone that a text message can’t convey. It’s a small act of presence, a way to say, “I’m thinking of you, and I want to connect in a way that feels human.” In a world where so much of our communication is quick, instrumental, and screen-based, voice messages are a rebellion (反抗). They’re a choice to be unpolished, to be real, and to invest time in someone else. 5 It’s just a friend’s “hi” in your pocket, waiting for you to hit play. A. In fact, I’m a late adopter of voice messaging. B. I find comfort in their voices even if I can’t see their faces. C. It was the first voice message I remember clicking play on. D. When we reach out, $ 2026届最新高考模拟三轮冲刺卷 阅读理解 七选五之 议论文、记叙文专练 (1) I vividly remember the process of moving in for the first time: stuffing clothes, comfort items, and pieces of my childhood into various bags and boxes. It was a whirlwind (旋风) of excitement. 1 What would it be like living at college? Would I get along with my roommate? How would I make friends with complete strangers? 2 I had always felt like I struggled more than others to find “my people.” In high school, I had a few close friends, but it always seemed like everyone else had these big, inseparable friend groups that did everything together. I wanted that, and the sense of belonging, too. Like many, I was attracted by the first people I met in college. 3 We lived next to each other, ate together, and stayed up late together. They were my early friend group, and they brought laughter, growth, and memories — both positive and negative. Those highs and lows taught me an important lesson: Not every friendship is meant to last, and that’s okay. Your friendships don’t just impact your social life — they affect your motivation, your academics, and, among other things, your sense of self. I have found it valuable to surround myself with people who share my values to keep me grounded. 4 College is one of the few places in life where you’re surrounded by people from vastly different backgrounds and experiences. Keeping an open mind is just as important as finding common ground. College can be, and probably will be, chaotic. People come and go. You’ll probably cry over friendships that didn’t work out. 5 That’s all part of the process. Over time, you will find your people. A. They’re part of your story. B. But it was also filled with uncertainty. C. I wouldn’t trade my friendship for anything. D. They mostly so happened to be the people on my floor. E. That said, don’t limit yourself to just those who are like you. F. You may smile at memories with people no longer close with. G. Of all the unknowns, the last question consumed me the most. (2) A heart-stopping rescue mission unfolded in Herber-Overgaard, Arizona, when a mare (母马) and her baby became trapped in a dangerously drying mud hole. 1 The rescue began with a call from a group of photographers who had been visiting the area to photograph the famous Heber Wild Horses. They contacted Friends of the Heber Wild Horses (FWHW) for guidance on the best places to see the herds. 2 FWHW had been monitoring the area closely and had even offered to deliver water to prevent emergencies like this one — permits from the Forest Service are required for such efforts. Shortly after noon, an urgent message came through: “Help Horse trapped in mud.” Without hesitation, volunteers sprang into action, gathering ropes and enlisting the help of a neighbor. When they arrived, a local couple were already working alongside the photographers. 3 Over the course of more than an hour, they worked tirelessly to do the saving job. The baby horse waited anxiously on the bank, calling out to her mother. The rescue team worked cautiously, letting the mare rest between attempts. 4 Although shaky on her feet, she managed to stand and rejoin her baby. Together, the pair walked off into the forest-safe at last. 5 “We deeply admire the level of communication, cooperation, and determination that went into this rescue.” the organization wrote. They have since notified the Forest Service to address the dangerous condition of the mud hole to prevent future incidents. A. Ultimately, they got her safely out. B. Their heroism showed teamwork works miracles. C. They freed the baby first, then worked to rescue the mare. D. A photographer kept going back into the mud to fix the rope. E. Thanks to quick action, both horses are now safely wild again. F. At a suggested site, a dried tank had become a deadly mud trap. G. FWHW thanked everyone for the teamwork that saved the horses. (3) No More Chicken Wings, Please! Could I eat another bite? I scanned the passenger seat of my car, piled with takeaway chicken wings. Being overfull was a familiar feeling as a food critic, but maybe I’d simply reached the end of the road. Six years earlier, I’d been thrilled to land this job. Driving hundreds of miles weekly, I sometimes ate out 4-5 times a day as I pursued stories, unearthing under-the-radar places, dishes and people. 1 “Wait! You get paid to eat? What a hard life! You have my dream job,” they’d say. Outwardly, it was a dream, and complaining seemed ungracious. So, I rarely told anyone that the work was not all peaches and cream. I rushed from plate to plate, deadline to deadline, postponing medical appointments. 2 “I’d like to see that number a little lower,” said my doctor as she studied my soaring cholesterol. “I know, but I can’t control what I eat,” I told her. Some food writers had mastered the art of taking one bite of everything, but I’d finish dishes I loved. I watched my weight tick upward, and workouts had minimal effect. The occasional case of food poisoning was a job hazard, yet long-term over consumption took the real toll. One day, my doctor squinted at the screen. “Well,” she warned. “it looks like you’re pre-diabetic.” 3 I processed this news while tucking into fish tacos down the street. I couldn’t just not eat the tacos, could I? I hung on for another year but started daydreaming about home cooking. 4 “My time at the paper has come to an end,” I told my boss from my car. “Are you sure?” she leaned forward. Yes, I was. 5 It took months to retrain my colossal appetite, but I hoped those months would earn me extra years. Nine months on — though missing a regular paycheck - I’ve reversed weight gain, and my blood sugar is fine. The biggest surprise? Stress reduction reversed aging. “You look so different,” friends say. “You just look ... relaxed.” A. OK, so my blood sugar level was now a cause of concern as well. B. I felt as if an enormous weight had instantly dropped off my mind. C. It was six orders of wings in a single afternoon that finally did me in. D. The constant deadlines left me with no time for hobbies or personal life. E. Whenever someone asked what I did for a living, their eyes lit up at the response. F. On the odd occasion I made it to the doctor, my blood levels told an alarming story. G. People often asked me if I could recommend a good restaurant for their special occasions. (4) I’ve spent 30 years in schools, watching thousands of parents engage with kids and educators. Too often, parents interfere too much, thus depriving children of confidence that might have come from struggle while exhausting themselves. 1 Most Americans, nowadays, think young people won’t outperform their parents, facing fiercer competition for college admissions, jobs and housing. Therefore, they take more pains to help kids get ahead without complaints. Biologically, parents are wired to protect kids from suffering instead of being depressed to watch them struggle. Their first response is to remove obstacles, which are easy for adults but overwhelming for kids. 2 It leads to “Helicopter Parents” who fly in to rescue the children in crisis and “Snowplow Parents” who are willing to clear all the obstacles in their children’s way. A young person who grows accustomed to having a parent intervene on his behalf feels anxious and sometimes at a loss. 3 Personally, I advocate for “Lighthouse Parents”: 4 For instance, a child comes home feeling overwhelmed by school and frustrated that she is doing all the work for a big project that is due next week. The parents just acknowledge her: “Wow, that sounds a lot. I can tell you are working really hard. Do you have ideas about what you want to do?” 5 Likewise, by setting boundaries and supporting kids while letting them navigate challenges, Lighthouse Parents allow their children the freedom to handle hard situations independently to overcome them. The key is learning when to step back and let them feel and pick their own way. A. They guide rather than control. B. Lighthouse Parents, by contrast, listen first. C. Such parents want to “fix” everything quickly. D. This desire to protect often has an opposite effect. E. Though this has long been the case, it’s worsening. F. He is too dependent to have faith in his own ability. G. Lighthouses are used to guide sailors to avoid crashing into rocks. (5) Are you able to cook a healthy meal? Are you able to manage your money well? Are you able to sew on a button? 1 This highlights a significant gap in modern education, which heavily prioritizes academic achievement and strict testing, often at the expense of practical life skills. Schools have done well in preparing us to be academic achievers in school, but may not have prepared us well enough in developing life skills. 2 For those without these basic skills, the pandemic lockdown was a rude shock. With restaurants closed and home services stopped, it would have been satisfying to cook a meal or fix a light bulb. It’s a shame that schools produce scholarly individuals who are unprepared for simple home tasks. 3 For example, financial management fosters responsibility and caution, while lessons on investment teach wealth growth. Equipped with this literacy, students can better discuss financial goals with parents, and budgeting knowledge can steer them away from overspending. Thus, in our complex world, schools must teach beyond academic subjects. After all, all the responsibility cannot be transferred to the home. The argument for parents teaching practical life skills overlooks modern realities. Many working parents lack the time, and some may not possess the proficiency themselves. 4 Sandra Carey, a writer, puts it appropriately: “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” School is not simply a place to pass knowledge and prepare us for a career. 5 A. Thus, a balanced approach is needed early on. B. For instance, many communities offer evening classes for adults. C. Instead, it equips us with the wisdom to construct a fulfilling life. D. Not many of us can confidently nod our heads to these questions. E. Consequently, the central role in bridging this gap must fall to our schools. F. By integrating practical skills, schools can teach a more complete set of life values. G. Yet practical skills such as cooking and housekeeping are essential in the real world. (6) Finding Your Voice in Family Expectations Growing up in a family of successful entrepreneurs, Lila had always been expected to take over the family’s import business. Every family dinner revolved around market trends and client meetings, and her love for pottery was dismissed as a “childhood hobby.” When she finally decided to pursue a career in ceramics, she felt a crushing sense of guilt for letting her parents down. 1 As life coach Mara explains, honoring your own truth doesn’t mean rejecting your family — it means building a life that feels authentic to you. Here are key steps to navigate this delicate balance. Start by clarifying what “authenticity” means for you. 2 For Lila, the biggest source of stress was the constant pressure to attend business events she had no interest in. She resolved this by setting a clear schedule: two evenings a week for family business, and the rest dedicated to her studio. This small shift freed her from the constant feeling of being pulled in two directions. Once you’ve defined your priorities, communicate them with kindness and consistency. 3 Lila’s parents were initially hurt that she wouldn’t be at every family gathering, but she reassured them that her love for them hadn’t changed — she just needed space to grow in her own way. It’s also crucial to validate both your own emotions and those of your family. 4 It’s natural to feel guilty for straying from tradition, and your loved ones may grieve the future they imagined for you. Recognizing these feelings doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong choice; it means you’re human. Above all, reject the idea that choosing yourself is selfish. Setting boundaries isn’t about turning your back on your family — it’s about protecting the part of you that makes you unique. 5 Many people have walked this path before you, and their stories can offer comfort and guidance. A. And remember, you’re not the first to walk this path. B. In fact, honoring your truth is an act of courage, not selfishness. C. Pinpoint the situations that drain your energy most. D. Change may feel uncomfortable for your family at first. E. Sometimes delegating tasks can ease the pressure. F. Always put your family’s expectations above your own dreams. G. Feeling guilty doesn’t mean you’re a disappointment. (7) From the moment humankind first closed its eyes and slipped into the shifting landscapes of sleep, dreams have haunted (萦绕) and fascinated us. At night, images rise uninvited: loved ones long gone, gods who speak in riddles, beasts both feared and admired, and journeys across impossible places. 1 They were messages, and visions — a secret language whispered by the universe to the soul. In ancient China, the Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou) and other classical texts describe dream interpretation as a means to predict the future. Dreams were believed to reveal disturbances in the balance of yin and yang, or it could signal harmony restored. For example, a dream of flowing water might symbolize life’s continuity. 2 One of the most famous dream passages in Chinese philosophy comes from Zhuangzi. He once dreamed he was a butterfly. Upon waking, he questioned whether he was a man who dreamed he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming he was a man. 3 It vividly captured the Chinese view of dreams as a space which is a mix of reality and illusion (错觉). 4 Researchers in neuroscience explain dreams as patterns of brain activity, memory processing, and emotional regulation. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, where most vivid dreaming occurs, is now understood as crucial for learning and psychological balance. Sigmund Freud suggested dreams were wish-fulfillments; Carl Jung saw them as messages from the collective unconscious. Though modernity explains dreams with science, it cannot remove their poetic charm. We are still dreamers, still seekers, still interpreters of the night’s riddles. 5 We walk with gods, with ancestors, with the timeless mysteries of existence. A. This dream has been retold for centuries. B. Likewise, broken objects could warn of trouble. C. To the ancients, dreams were never meaningless. D. How dreams are interpreted varies from culture to culture. E. Today, science throws light on the distinct roles of dreams. F. The ancients remind us that even in sleep, we are not alone. G. Dreams are inspirations that prepare us for real-life challenges. (8) Li Jianhua has been engaged in college and postgraduate entrance application guidance for over ten years. He breaks down complicated admission policies and major selection rules into easy-to-understand words for students and parents. 1 A Senior 3 student from a remote mountain area once asked nervously, “Can my score get me into a suitable college?” He comforted her patiently and worked out a detailed application plan for free. 2 He has donated 500,000 yuan to his alma mater annually for six consecutive years to set up a scholarship fund, covering tuition fees for hundreds of poor freshmen every year. At the donation ceremony, the school principal said sincerely, “Your generosity removes financial worries for students in need.” Long-distance running has been his fixed habit to cope with heavy work pressure. No matter how late he finishes lectures or how busy his business trips are, he never gives up this hobby. Even after working till midnight in a hotel, he still finishes a 12-kilometer run. 3 He often tells friends that this habit keeps him in a good state for work. He always advocates educational equity and practices helpful actions in daily work. 4 His colleague recalled that he once spent three full hours guiding a poor student through application steps for free. He has been combining professional work with public welfare all the time. 5 A. Cherish every warm deed around. B. It relieves work stress effectively. C. This offers timely help to them. D. He sticks to his kind original aspiration. E. He offers free guidance to needy students. F. Professional guidance helps numerous families avoid wrong further-education choices. G. Selfless love and persistent efforts light up thousands of poor students’ college dreams. (9) Professional organizer Breaks Down Her Unusual Job In 2014, Kayleen Kelly took her professional organizing business full-time. She thought she was starting a business that would consist mostly of making messy homes into “beautiful homes” and taking before and after photos. 1 You often think primarily of the type of professional organizer who focuses directly on arranging a beautiful and pleasing space—even one that looks good on Instagram. However, many people who seek out Kelly’s service are struggling with mental health issues, injuries, illness, or are experiencing the death of a loved one. 2 They might not have the mental energy for the projects. In 2020, Kelly took her experience online in order to help people globally. Her content breaks down her tips and tricks for viewers looking to tidy up their lives. 3 Kelly does all the physical labor of collecting garbage, sorting other items accordingly, cutting out unwanted items and finally, containing what is left (the four steps of the Declutter Core Method) for her clients herself. 4 That is to make the decisions of what to cut and what to clear out. While Kelly’s job is demanding, what keeps her going is the emotional shift she sees in clients. “When I meet these people, they are saying, ‘Come rescue me, I’m dying,’” she says. “ 5 You can’t beat that. That’s what keeps me coming back.” A. Kelly has a large following on social media. B. I see the look on their face at the end of the session. C. These include what she names “Declutter Core” method. D. But she soon realized her job was more about the people. E. There is a lot of shame and prejudice around having messes. F. They are willing to tidy up but might not know where to start. G. So they can save mental energy for the toughest part of the job. (10) About a year ago, our dishwasher broke down. We called a repairman and were told it would have to be replaced. 1 So my mother asked me to wash dishes by hand after dinner. To understand why this upset me so much, you need to know what my life was like as a university senior. 2 Homework assignments, projects and tests competed for my attention and time. I caged myself in a prison of my own ambitions and expectations, cut off from many aspects of the world. So when I first started washing dishes, I felt annoyed. I was in a rush to be done with them, eager to get back to my endless list of tasks. 3 For about 15 minutes every day, I realized that I could slow down time and forget everything in the world. As my mind, eyes and hands focused on a simple task that would always result in success, I found peace. Though the new dishwasher arrived eventually, I continued to wash dishes by hand. This task became more relaxing and educational than I could have imagined. 4 From my kitchen window, I watched the seasons change: the tomato plant grew in summer, gave its fruit in fall, and died back in winter. Then new green was showing in spring. I kept these sights in mind, thinking on time itself. Washing dishes taught me to think of the completion of a task as the ultimate reward, not praise or a prize. I learned to be more relaxed about deadlines. 5 A. It definitely allowed me to recover. B. Now I can enjoy whatever task I’m doing. C. I was running around stressed most of the day. D. It took a while for the model we ordered to arrive. E. But a new dishwasher was out of our consideration. F. I should have accomplished them with even greater efforts. G. Washing dishes, though, caused an admirable transformation in me. (11) When Becca’s parents informed her that the family would be hiking to Big Bend National Park in West Texas for spring break, Becca was not excited, because the only things she knew about it were some things her friend Shayla had told her that the cell phone signal was not very good, and that there was very little to do. 1 . Becca threw her bag into the car, rolling her eyes, and asked how long it was going to take to get to the infamous park. “It’s about a five-hour drive,” her mom replied. 2 . “Is the scenery at least good along the way?” she complained extremely unhappily. 3 . She rested her head against a pillow and immediately fell asleep. After hours of tossing (翻转) and turning in the uncomfortable back seat. Becca was awakened by her mother’s excited announcement: “We’re here!” Looking wide-eyed into the canyon (峡谷), Becca suddenly spotted a large animal. “Dad, look!” she shouted. After a while, Becca thought about the opinions her friend Shayla had shared with her. “See, a mountain lion! Amazing!” The three of them stared at it in open-mouthed astonishment. 4 . “Uh, Mom, Dad,” Becca finally said as the lion slid into some tall bushes. “I didn’t know Big Bend is so beautiful or that mountain lions live here. I can hardly believe what I am seeing!” “Yeah, honey. That’s the wonder of nature — you’re always discovering something new!” her mom exclaimed in excitement. “That’s true. Becca. Just keep our minds open to things. 5 !” her dad added. A. We’ll definitely find miracles in nature B. Hearing that, her mood soured even more C. Becca was surprised by the breathtaking sight D. Shayla went back to her room to sleep in silence E. You should work with, not against, Mother Nature F. Becca jumped unwillingly into the back seat without a word G. So, she questioned her parents’ decision from the bottom of her heart (12) Have you ever walked away from a conversation with the sinking feeling that you said too much? Not because you were impolite or inconsiderate — but because you tried to explain yourself to someone who didn’t really want to understand? 1 Over-explaining happens often in our daily lives. This behavior originated in early survival strategies. For those raised in emotionally unpredictable households, clarity may be a form of self-protection to prevent punishment or emotional fallout. 2 People who have ever undergone trauma tend to explain a lot to avoid conflict or rejection. Regardless of origin, the pattern is the same: We spend unnecessary energy trying to justify our right to take up space, to say no, or to make choices others might not like. 3 Clear language like “I’ve made my decision,” and “Let’s shift the conversation,” can actually do the trick. These direct statements prioritize emotional honesty without over-disclosure. And they don’t leave space for negotiation where none is guaranteed. 4 You spend less of it in practicing, defending, or recovering, and you needn’t always react to others’ discomfort. You also start attracting a different kind of relationship. It is based not on performance or submission, but on mutual respect. 5 You begin healing the part of you that believed love had to be earned through explanation. The version of you who felt unsafe being misunderstood learns a new truth: Your worth was never conditional or dependent on being agreeable or persuasive. A. If so, you are not alone. B. But maybe the biggest shift is internal. C. Like any behavioral change, this takes practice. D. But it’s not impossible to rid ourselves of the trouble. E. When you stop over-explaining, you reclaim emotional energy. F. Have you ever explained to show your politeness and consideration? G. Over-explaining can also come from the way our brain is wired by past experiences. (13) As an enthusiastic reader, I’ve always believed that the key to understanding the world lies in the pages of a book. 1 They introduce us to characters who feel as real as the people around us. This connection between readers and the text is what makes literature so powerful, and it’s why I value my personal library. It’s a collection that reflects my journey through the world of words. My library is not vast, but each book is carefully chosen. I have a mix of types in my collection, ranging from classic literature to contemporary fiction. 2 Each type offers a different perspective, a new way of looking at life. While some books challenge my thinking, others provide comfort. It’s important to have a balance. A well-organized library is like a well-balanced diet for the mind. Among my favourites are the works of Jane Austen and George Orwell. Austen's sharp observations on society and relationships are timeless. Her characters are imperfect yet charming. Orwell, on the other hand, offers a stark (冷峻的) view of the world. 3 Both authors, though different in style, have taught me invaluable lessons about humanity. 4 Biographies (传记) and life stories offer insights into the lives of extraordinary individuals. They remind us that greatness comes in many forms. Reading about the struggles and successes of others can be incredibly inspiring. It’s a reminder that we all have the potential to make a difference. These stories encourage me to reflect on my own life and what I wish to leave behind. My library is a reflection of who I am. It’s a sign of my love of learning and my desire to understand the world. Each book is a stepping stone on my journey of discovery. They are companions in loneliness and guides in times of uncertainty. 5 A. I also enjoy non-fiction. B. I believe in the power of variety. C. My library goes beyond a collection of books. D. His stories are a warning and a call to action. E. Through them, I continue to explore, to grow, and to dream. F. The stories we read shape our world view and broaden our minds. G. Historical fiction, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. (14) About a year ago, our dishwasher broke down. We called a repairman and were told it would have to be replaced. 1 So my mother asked me to wash dishes by hand after dinner. To understand why this upset me so much, you need to know what my life was like as a university senior. 2 Homework assignments, projects and tests competed for my attention and time. I caged myself in a prison of my own ambitions and expectations, cut off from many aspects of the world. So when I first started washing dishes, I felt annoyed. I was in a rush to be done with them, eager to get back to my endless list of tasks. 3 For about 15 minutes every day, I realized that I could slow down time and forget everything in the world. As my mind, eyes and hands focused on a simple task that would always result in success, I found peace. Though the new dishwasher arrived eventually, I continued to wash dishes by hand. This task became more relaxing and educational than I could have imagined. 4 From my kitchen window, I watched the seasons change: the tomato plant grew in summer, gave its fruit in fall, and died back in winter. Then new green was showing in spring. I kept these sights in mind, thinking on time itself. Washing dishes taught me to think of the completion of a task as the ultimate reward, not praise or a prize. I learned to be more relaxed about deadlines. 5 A. It definitely allowed me to recover. B. Now I can enjoy whatever task I’m doing. C. I was running around stressed most of the day. D. It took a while for the model we ordered to arrive. E. But a new dishwasher was out of our consideration. F. I should have accomplished them with even greater efforts. G. Washing dishes, though, caused an admirable transformation in me. (15) The Power of Thinking Differently Just in the past few weeks, my wife has become the supporter of the concept of zero-waste living. Zero-waste is obviously about changing behaviors to produce less waste. But as my wife shared with me all the inventive ways people are getting around using plastic or reusing clothes or controlling the desire to accrue (积累) things we don’t really need, I realized that, zero-waste starts with something else. 1 And in many ways, the first step, which is simply being willing to do something differently, can be the hardest step of all. This came to mind as I read a cover story in education. Ostensibly (表面上), it’s about more and more colleges agreeing to drop standardized tests as a required measure of student aptitude (天赋). 2 That is always going to be hard. But in recent decades, colleges have realized that the old ways of judging individual value, while not necessarily wrong, were narrow. While they identified one kind of student well, they did not account for a wide range of experiences, skills, and qualities that were no less important to achievement and success. 3 The tests weren’t good enough. Schools could do better. So what has happened? Schools are increasingly consenting to think differently about admissions. They have resolved to do the best they can to see the whole individual. 4 Some think dropping mandatory standardized tests is a mistake. However, once the first step is taken, the onward pull of reason and morality speed progress. At a time when there appears to be so much confusion in the world, it is possible to look out and instead see something else: the world struggling with the perpetual (长久的) task of consenting to new ideas. Politics today show how easily we can become stuck in the mentally familiar. 5 That can be an admissions officer wanting to be more thoughtful in extending the benefits that her school offers. Or it can be a zero-waste blogger asking us all to think differently about how we contribute to greater balance in the world. The only constant is the universal need for progress, and that will never leave us where it found us. A. It starts with consenting (同意) to change thought. B. Undoubtedly there have been missteps along the way. C. In short, they left a lot of amazing people out and didn’t even know it. D. But at its heart, it reveals something more fundamental: how we judge individual value. E. They offer the most challenging academic programs and ensure every student’s physical and mental health. F. The world, on the other hand, is constantly demanding that we be kinder and more connected and think ever larger. G. Many universities known to be highly selective in their admissions policies received more applicants than usual. (16) Are you able to cook a healthy meal? Are you able to manage your money well? Are you able to sew on a button? 1 This highlights a significant gap in modern education, which heavily prioritizes academic achievement and strict testing, often at the expense of practical life skills. Schools have done well in preparing us to be academic achievers in school, but may not have prepared us well enough in developing life skills. 2 For those without these basic skills, the pandemic lockdown was a rude shock. With restaurants closed and home services stopped, it would have been satisfying to cook a meal or fix a light bulb. It’s a shame that schools produce scholarly individuals who are unprepared for simple home tasks. 3 For example, financial management fosters responsibility and caution, while lessons on investment teach wealth growth. Equipped with this literacy, students can better discuss financial goals with parents, and budgeting knowledge can steer them away from overspending. Thus, in our complex world, schools must teach beyond academic subjects. After all, all the responsibility cannot be transferred to the home. The argument for parents teaching practical life skills overlooks modern realities. Many working parents lack the time, and some may not possess the proficiency themselves. 4 Sandra Carey, a writer, puts it appropriately: “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” School is not simply a place to pass knowledge and prepare us for a career. 5 A. Thus, a balanced approach is needed early on. B. For instance, many communities offer evening classes for adults. C. Instead, it equips us with the wisdom to construct a fulfilling life. D. Not many of us can confidently nod our heads to these questions. E. Consequently, the central role in bridging this gap must fall to our schools. F. By integrating practical skills, schools can teach a more complete set of life values. G. Yet practical skills such as cooking and housekeeping are essential in the real world. (17) A Third-Generation Luthier Tells His Story I’ve had the honor and blessing of growing up as a luthier’s apprentice (制琴师的学徒). My grandfather and his brother started as furniture makers, then switched to building and repairing instruments in Mexico in 1928. 1 There, they made guitars for renowned musicians,including Andrés Segovia. This move built our family’s name in fine instrument making. I grew up surrounded by this craft, apprenticing under my father and grandfather. By age five, I was playing classical guitar; by seven, assisting with repairs; and by twelve, I had built my first instrument. 2 A luthier carefully selects tonewoods, shapes the body and neck, and builds complex wiring for electric models. Every step influences the final instrument’s sound, playability, and longevity. Today, we live in a world dominated by mass production. 3 Our focus remains on careful restoration, custom creation, and fine-tuning each instrument to meet the musician’s needs. We believe every guitar deserves individual attention, whether it’s preserving a classic family guitar or realizing a player’s dream instrument. 4 My daughters are learning the art of crafting with their own hands and the  science behind resonance, sustain, and vibration. They represent the living continuation of a tradition that values patience, skill, and heartfelt creation. Ultimately, being a luthier is about shaping sound and preserving heritage. Each instrument we build or restore becomes a unique piece of art. 5 It is the art of being a luthier, a handed-down craft of shaping sound and preserving heritage, one instrument at a time. A. Yet here, we still work by hand. B. Over time, guitars suffer wear and tear. C. It carries forward a story nearly a century ago. D. They taught me guitar building combines craft with art. E. However, we see it not just as a profession but an art form. F. More importantly, this craft now reaches a fourth generation. G. They opened a workshop in Los Angeles later for better opportunities. (18) The Last Living Monet Every winter, the head gardener at Claude Monet’s garden in the tiny French village of Giverny sits down to a pile of seed lists’ for disappointment. Avisard knows he must grow at least 520,000 plants to recreate these historic grounds. But each year at least 10 seed varieties he selected the previous season will disappear. 1 When Monet moved to Giverny in 1883, nurseries (苗圃) were covered with Victorian flowers. Many of his favored varieties have since gone extinct or been completely changed as people prefer both harder (耐寒的) plants and flowers with ever-increasing blooms. This season, Avisard is crazy about growing a taller pelargonium (天竺葵), a clumped-flower (簇状花) cousin to the geranium (老鹳草) that Monet famously planted in several red and pink beds in front of his pink house. “ 2 ” Avisard says. “To bring them back would be a resurrection (起死回生).” Head gardener since 2016, Avisard now leads a dozen gardeners, twice as many as Monet enlisted. 3 Wetter winters followed by hot, dry summers lead to earlier crowds of pests. In addition, the management of tourists poses a significant challenge. 4 “It’s complicated.” says Avisard, “ 5 ” He and Giverny’s gardeners seek to please a man they’ve never met by creating a space so identifiable that it reminds strangers of paintings they see hanging in museums the world over. As seeds disappear, the task only gets harder. “We want people to look out like Monet and see what he saw.” A. You can’t buy them anywhere. B. As with fashion, people’s tastes in flowers change. C. The tourists have to feel like they are in Monet’s paintings. D. These gardeners struggle with a wildly changing ecosystem. E. Monet’s garden symbolizes impressionist art and natural beauty. F. His work includes planting, researching and sourcing rare seeds. G. Nearly 800,000 visitors flock to the area every year between April and October. (19) I love thinking about teams. I love thinking about how to create an environment that will make a group of people want to be on the team. I love considering the best ways to build a great team. Here is one of my favorite team concepts: the sign of a great team is not the absence of conflict. Rather, the sign of a great team is the ability to resolve conflict. 1 But our ability to consistently resolve that conflict impacts the kind of team we have more than any other variable. If we learn how to resolve the conflict, the team will be together for very long. Now, the “how” is the hardest part of conflict resolution. 2 But in my experience, the key aspect of consistent conflict resolution comes down to listening and respect. When we listen to each other and respect the opposing perspective (视角), we can have reasonable dialogue. 3 That we listen to and respect other perspectives does not mean we always have to agree. 4 That’s fine. But simple listening skills and demonstrations of respect are at the heart of consistent and reasonable conflict resolution. Great teams are not on the same page all the time. 5 So when you are trying to build a great team or when you think you have one and want to keep it great, spend some time thinking about how you will handle those difficult moments when the team is not on the same page. A. We can still agree to disagree. B. But great teams know how to get there. C. The best relationships take time and effort. D. It is always complex and often requires multiple steps. E. Then we are likely to be on our way to eventual resolution. F. People on a team often work together towards a common goal. G. That is because even the best teams unavoidably have conflict. (20) I used to wake up and check my phone. Before my feet hit the floor, I was already deep in the day’s chaos: headlines, comments, breaking news alerts. Doomscrolling (刷屏成瘾) had become my morning routine. 1 I started each day tense and anxious. So I gave myself a quiet dare: no phone in the morning, for five straight weekdays. Naturally, breaking the habit wasn’t easy. The first morning, I reached for my phone automatically. I stopped myself and picked up a book instead. It felt odd, like trying to enjoy coffee without caffeine (咖啡因). But after a few pages, I found myself actually relaxed — not the emptiness of a scroll, but something steadier. 2 That had never happened before. Encouraged by the quiet start, I explored other ways. The next day I tried a cold shower. I wanted something that would force me fully awake. The shock factor was incredibly effective. 3 On Wednesday, I went for a run. I hated every step at first. But I came back awake, warm and proud. That feeling powered me through the day. 4 On Thursday, I journaled. No audience, just thoughts on paper. It felt honest, if not particularly exciting. On Friday, I reread an old letter and let the memories surface. It was quiet, uneventful and grounding. By the end of the week, the urge to check my phone had weakened. 5 Those phone-free mornings proved a quieter start was possible: no noise or half-truths. It’s not about perfection, but freedom from the scroll and the misinformation it feeds into our minds. A. But lately, I noticed the weight it carried. B. This left my mind surprisingly clear afterward. C. Some mornings were more reflective than active. D. It made me realize my dependence on my phone. E. I even finished a chapter before checking the time. F. That meant I stopped grabbing my phone on waking. G. It revealed the link between my phone use and daily anxiety. (21) I put on a headset, and within seconds I am somewhere else. Ice sheets float on dark water. Wind brushes past my ears, sharp and restless. In the distance, mountains glow (发光) under the moonlight. Moments later, I find myself inside a museum, leaning close to a painting I have never seen in real life. 1 This is the promise of virtual reality (VR): a world delivered to us without leaving home. There is much to appreciate in this form of travel. 2 There is no need to consider weather conditions, health issues or financial pressure. You may enter distant places at any moment and leave just as freely. For those restricted by schedule, health, or income, VR quietly removes barriers that traditional travel often sets in place. 3 Travelers wander through unfamiliar streets, sample local dishes, and engage face-to-face with people shaped by different traditions. Such encounters awaken the senses and create lasting memories. More importantly, they change how places feel to us, not just how we understand them. This distinction is clear, because learning about a destination is not the same as being there. Virtual travel offers designed scenes and programmed sensations, but it remains carefully controlled. Real travel, by contrast, is shaped by unpredictability. 4 In those unplanned moments, understanding becomes lived rather than recorded. Virtual reality will undoubtedly continue to evolve, enriching how we preview journeys and imagine distant worlds. Still, it cannot replace actual presence. Travel is not simply about seeing farther; it is also about feeling where you stand. 5 A. I am not moving, yet I am traveling. B. Yet real travel leaves a deeper mark. C. My feet ache as my journey stretches across the day. D. Virtual journeys are convenient, time-saving, and widely accessible. E. Some knowledge, it seems, only arrives when your feet are on the ground. F. It demands choices, adaptation, and constant awareness of the unexpected. G. But the convenience may gradually weaken our desire to explore the real world. (22) Do you know what makes you happy or do you just think you know? At first glance, these two questions look like the same thing. If you think something makes you happy, then it must make you happy. 1 Brainstorm a list of all the things that make you happy. Just write whatever comes into your mind without thinking about it too much. 2 Probably most of them, right? So, if you could spend most of your time doing all this fun stuff, you’d be really happy, surely? Well, maybe not. For most people, only doing things for fun isn’t enough for long-term happiness. 3 If most of the things on your list of what makes you happy fall under the category of “pleasure”, then that might be what you think makes you happy. But what will actually make you happy is balancing them out with activities that give your life purpose. Go back to your list of things that make you happy. 4 Can you make another list now you know that purpose is important for happiness? Now you have your lists, you need to find balance. But balance doesn’t mean you have to make pleasure–purpose a 50/50 split. It means achieving the ratio (比率) that works for you, and, of course, some activities might bring both pleasure and purpose. There’s an idea of “deciding, designing, doing”. First decide what things in life bring you pleasure and/or purpose — which is what your two lists are for. Then, don’t just think about these activities. 5 Happiness is built during the process. A. After all, you know yourself, don’t you? B. Work on these parts to maximize your happiness. C. The human brain quickly adapts to sources of pleasure. D. Design your life so you do as many of them as possible. E. Now look at that list and tick all the ones that are enjoyable. F. How many of them are activities that add to your sense of purpose? G. That’s because your happiness depends on a “pleasure–purpose balance”. (23) When mastering a foreign language, many people believe that talent is the key to success. You’ve probably heard someone say, “I’m just not good at languages.” But is this really true? 1 The short answer: Talent plays a minor role. The belief that language learning requires talent often discourages many people from even trying. 2 Many multilingual speakers owe their success to disciplined practice, not natural ability. Research supports this view. The 10,000-Hour Rule suggests mastery requires repeated practice. 3 In this way, you can expand vocabulary and understand grammar better. Furthermore, motivation and self-discipline are better predictors of success than talent. So how can you master a language without talent? You can start by setting realistic goals. Break your journey into manageable steps, like learning 10 new words daily. 4 Make practice an essential part of your routine, whether for 15 minutes or an hour. Additionally, you will find yourself benefiting greatly from active learning techniques like shadowing native speakers and testing yourself with flashcards. Finally, take full advantage of immersive learning by watching shows in your target language or changing your phone’s language settings. 5 Research shows that consistency, persistence, and effective strategies are the true keys to success. Language learning isn’t about being born gifted — it’s about showing up and doing the work every day. A. Do you need natural talent to master a language? B. You can’t master a language without repeated practice. C. Hard work combined with talent without doubt pays off. D. Consistency is vitally important in language learning as well. E. It means regular exposure to listening, speaking, reading and writing. F. In short, the idea that talent is necessary to master a language is simply a myth. G. While natural talent might give some a head start, it’s far from the deciding factor. (24) One early morning, as I walked around the block, a friend’s “hi” from my phone nearly stopped me in my tracks. 1 She talked me through a life update from the opposite side of the country. It felt like the surprise of an unexpected letter because we normally didn’t communicate that way. At the time, I only sent voice messages occasionally. Stage fright would kick in. I worried that I’d say the wrong thing, or that others would experience the same cringe (局促不安) upon hearing my voice that I do. 2 But recently, I’ve found myself recalling how my friend’s voice broke through loneliness. Particularly during a season that’s supposed to be all about love, I think about all the ways that can look-specifically, how we reach out and connect. As I’ve sent more random voice messages to loved ones, it’s become obvious how much I was longing for this point of connection with them. 3 There’s a level of closeness that comes with this kind of listening. 4 It allows you to take your time and speak without the pressure of an immediate response. You can fill it with laughter, pauses, and tone that a text message can’t convey. It’s a small act of presence, a way to say, “I’m thinking of you, and I want to connect in a way that feels human.” In a world where so much of our communication is quick, instrumental, and screen-based, voice messages are a rebellion (反抗). They’re a choice to be unpolished, to be real, and to invest time in someone else. 5 It’s just a friend’s “hi” in your pocket, waiting for you to hit play. A. In fact, I’m a late adopter of voice messaging. B. I find comfort in their voices even if I can’t see their faces. C. It was the first voice message I remember clicking play on. D. When we reach out, we can better understand others’ difficulties. E. Sometimes, connection doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. F. I think better in writing, I’d tell myself, holding on to my text messages. G. A voice message is a conscious choice for thoughtful, heartfelt connection. (25) It was through Bill Bryson’s book The Lost Continent: Travel in Small-Town America that I first experienced small-town travelling. I was interested instantly on reading it, for driving across the countryside is always something I like. 1 True, the convenience and modernity are what small towns don’t have. However, caught up in the crowd, people tend to lose the true meaning of life. They are moving quickly in the streets, as if there were steamy lava (炙热的熔岩) chasing them. Many tourists don’t realize the real purpose for travelling is to relax. 2 They manage to escape a nine-to-five schedule of annoying work, only to dive into a nine-to-five schedule of shopping or forcing themselves into packed tourist sites. 3 You don’t get trapped in space filled with tourists, but miles of fields and woods. You don’t get tiny parks with crowds of people, but natural forests where rare animals can be seen. Villagers say hi to you warmly as you drive here and farmers will warmly invite you home. I once travelled to the Midwest and drove through the countryside. The scenery was absolutely magnificent. 4 Farmers’ houses were in and out of sight behind golden corn. Ponds (池塘) hid themselves behind woods, where a lone fisherman sat there, enjoying life. Suddenly, it seemed to me that life couldn’t be better. Just throw away the sadness and burdens (负担) that annoy us. What matters is the simple happiness of enjoying life. 5 A. I have never been a fan of huge cities. B. Cities are full of people we don’t know. C. Roads found their way through cornfields. D. Big cities and small towns have their own uniqueness. E. In big cities, they just leave one busy center, and get right into another. F. Those problems, however, simply disappear into air in the countryside. G. So why not leave the noisy cities behind, and get lost in the streets of small towns? 1 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $