A篇
We all have a soft spot for a bit of romance, which can make us feel special. Pat Coulter, inspired by this, decided to take her adorable dog, Poppy, to the romantic Scotney Castle in the beautiful Kentish countryside.
Scotney Castle, rated with “3 Pawprint” by the National Trust, is a dreamy destination. Encompassing over 700 acres of open space, it's a haven for dogs and their owners. Pat and Poppy managed to arrive early and avoid the crowds, immediately soaking in the timeless tranquility of the place. The visitor centre and the dog - friendly tea room were perfect for a quick refreshment after their journey.
The estate has a rich and fascinating history. The original sandstone building was excavated from beneath the grand house. The grand house, designed in Elizabethan - revival style, was built in the early 1830s. Standing in an impressive, elevated position, it seems much younger than its actual age. During the Victorian era, people were nostalgic, and the owner, Edward Hussey, was inspired to build a fine country residence as a tribute to the grand properties of the past.
Today, the quarry on the estate has become a fun - filled area. It's a favorite spot for children to play hide - and - seek among the colorful azaleas and rhododendrons. And if that weren't exciting enough, a mighty iguanodon footprint was discovered etched in the sandstone. The estate has changed hands over the years, and currently, it's owned by Christopher Hussey, the former editor of Country Life magazine, and his wife, Betty. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or just looking for a relaxing day out with your furry friend, Scotney Castle has something wonderful to offer.
What do we know about Scotney Castle
A. It is located in a big city.
B. It is not accessible to dogs.
C. It has a history of about 200 years.
D. It was once owned by a famous writer.
Which of the following is the main idea of the last paragraph
A. The fun activities on the estate.
B. The recent discovery on the estate.
C. The current owner of the estate.
D. The various attractions of the estate.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Pat Coulter is a writer for a magazine.
B. Poppy enjoyed the trip as much as Pat Coulter.
C. The Victorian - era architecture is out of date.
D. The discovery of the iguanodon footprint was made by accident.
答案
C
解析：根据文中 “The grand house, designed in Elizabethan - revival style, was built in the early 1830s.” 可知，大房子建于 19 世纪 30 年代初，到现在大约有 200 年历史，C 选项正确。从 “Pat Coulter, inspired by this, decided to take her adorable dog, Poppy, to the romantic Scotney Castle in the beautiful Kentish countryside.” 可知城堡在乡村，A 选项错误；由 “Scotney Castle, rated with ‘3 Pawprint’ by the National Trust... it's a haven for dogs and their owners.” 可知狗可以进入，B 选项错误；根据 “currently, it's owned by Christopher Hussey, the former editor of Country Life magazine” 可知现在的主人是杂志前编辑，不是著名作家，D 选项错误。
D
解析：最后一段既提到了采石场是孩子们玩耍的好去处，又提到了发现的恐龙足迹，还介绍了现在的主人，整体是在讲这个庄园的各种吸引人之处，D 选项正确。A、B、C 选项都只是该段的部分内容。
B
解析：从 “Pat Coulter, inspired by this, decided to take her adorable dog, Poppy, to the romantic Scotney Castle” 以及 “Encompassing over 700 acres of open space, it's a haven for dogs and their owners.” 可以推断出，Pat Coulter 带 Poppy 去游玩，且庄园很适合狗狗，所以 Poppy 应该和 Pat Coulter 一样享受这次旅行，B 选项正确。文中未提及 Pat Coulter 的职业，A 选项错误；文中没有表明维多利亚时代的建筑过时，C 选项错误；文中没有提及恐龙足迹的发现是否偶然，D 选项错误。
B篇
On her first day at a new job, Gemma was feeling a bit nervous as she hadn't eaten breakfast. To make up for it, she was looking forward to the delicious lunch her mum had packed—a favorite cheese and coleslaw sandwich along with some popped cookies. Dressed smartly in a navy skirt and cream blouse, Gemma entered the office with high hopes of a great start as a trainee legal secretary.
Annie, who worked on the fourth floor and was quite friendly despite looking a bit stressed, was supposed to show Gemma around. As they walked through the office, Annie introduced Gemma to the kitchen area. There, Gemma noticed a fridge and asked if she could put her lunchbox in it. After that, they encountered a formidable - looking woman wearing bright red lipstick in the corridor. Annie whispered that it might be the office manager, Geraldine, and that Gemma should be careful as she was strict.
Later, Gemma delivered some documents to the wrong people by mistake. Feeling a bit clumsy and in need of a pick - me - up, she went to the kitchen to get her lunch. She took a big bite of her sandwich, only to find that something was wrong. It tasted like egg and bacon, not the cheese and coleslaw she expected. In horror, she realized she had taken the wrong lunchbox.
Desperate to avoid an embarrassing situation, Gemma quickly put the bitten - section of the sandwich back, closed the lunchbox, and placed it back in the fridge. Just then, she saw Geraldine's name on the lunchbox she had mistakenly eaten from. Panicking, she wrote a hasty note on a sticky note, “I am so sorry, Geraldine. I ate some of your lunch by mistake.” Will Geraldine accept her apology Only time will tell.
Why did Gemma feel nervous on her first workday
A. She didn't have a proper outfit.
B. She was unfamiliar with the office layout.
C. She hadn't had breakfast.
D. She was afraid of the office manager.
What can we learn about the lunchbox mix - up
A. Gemma took Geraldine's lunchbox on purpose.
B. Gemma realized the mistake after taking a bite.
C. The lunch in the wrong box was not delicious at all.
D. Annie helped Gemma find out the owner of the wrong lunchbox.
How did Gemma deal with the situation after realizing her mistake
A. She threw away the bitten sandwich.
B. She explained the situation to Annie immediately.
C. She replaced the bitten sandwich and left a note.
D. She waited for Geraldine to come and apologize in person.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Annie was the office manager.
B. Gemma might have a hard time explaining to Geraldine.
C. Geraldine was a very kind - hearted person.
D. Gemma often made careless mistakes in her work.
答案
C
解析：根据文章第一段 “On her first day at a new job, Gemma was feeling a bit nervous as she hadn't eaten breakfast.” 可知，Gemma 第一天工作感到紧张是因为没吃早餐，C 选项正确。A 选项 “没有合适的着装” 与原文中 “Dressed smartly in a navy skirt and cream blouse” 不符；B 选项 “不熟悉办公室布局” 和 D 选项 “害怕办公室经理” 虽然文中有相关情节，但不是她紧张的原因。
B
解析：从文章第三段 “She took a big bite of her sandwich, only to find that something was wrong. It tasted like egg and bacon, not the cheese and coleslaw she expected. In horror, she realized she had taken the wrong lunchbox.” 可知，Gemma 是咬了一口之后才意识到拿错了午餐盒，B 选项正确。A 选项 “故意拿了 Geraldine 的午餐盒” 错误；C 选项 “错拿的午餐不好吃” 文中未提及；D 选项 “Annie 帮助 Gemma 找出错误午餐盒的主人” 文中未体现。
C
解析：依据文章最后一段 “Desperate to avoid an embarrassing situation, Gemma quickly put the bitten - section of the sandwich back, closed the lunchbox, and placed it back in the fridge. Just then, she saw Geraldine's name on the lunchbox she had mistakenly eaten from. Panicking, she wrote a hasty note on a sticky note, ‘I am so sorry, Geraldine. I ate some of your lunch by mistake.’” 可知，Gemma 把咬过的三明治放回去，关上餐盒放回冰箱，还留了便条，C 选项正确。A 选项 “扔掉咬过的三明治” 错误；B 选项 “立刻向 Annie 解释情况” 文中未提及；D 选项 “等着 Geraldine 来并亲自道歉” 与原文不符。
B
解析：从文中 “Annie whispered that it might be the office manager, Geraldine, and that Gemma should be careful as she was strict.” 以及 Gemma 紧张地留便条道歉可知，Gemma 可能很难向 Geraldine 解释清楚这件事，B 选项正确。A 选项 “Annie 是办公室经理” 与原文不符；C 选项 “Geraldine 是非常善良的人” 文中未体现；D 选项 “Gemma 在工作中经常犯粗心的错误” 没有依据，文中只提到了这次拿错午餐盒的事。
B篇（1）
The first day at work and the last day in the office are among life's most memorable moments. However, many people often fail to prepare for what comes next—retirement, which can have a significant impact on their wealth and even their health. So, it's crucial to start planning for this important stage, and understanding the state pension is a good beginning.
Expert Stephanie Hawthorne explains the basics of the state pension. It is automatically paid at a flat rate that increases every year, based on either inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index, CPI), earnings growth, or 2.5%—this is known as the “triple lock”. The amount you're entitled to depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions (NICs) you have. NICs are deducted from your earnings if you earn above 12,750. You need to pay at least 10% of your earnings between 12,750 and 50,270. To qualify for any state pension, you generally need at least 10 years of NICs, and 35 qualifying years for the full pension.
Currently, the state pension age is 66 for both men and women. The government has plans to raise it to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and to 68 between 2044 and 2046. There are also discussions about further increasing it to 68 by 2037 and 69 by 2039, but these proposals are yet to be approved by Parliament.
When you reach the state pension age, you don't have to claim it immediately. Delaying can qualify you for higher payments when you do start receiving it. However, it's important to note that the state pension only covers the basics. Few people can live luxuriously on 221.20 a week. So, it's wise to make additional provisions if possible. The earlier you start saving, the bigger your pension will be.
What can we know about the state pension
A. It is paid at a fixed rate that never changes.
B. The amount one gets depends on their working years.
C. People must claim it as soon as they reach the state pension age.
D. It may not be enough to live a comfortable life.
What does the underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refer to
A. The state pension.
B. The state pension age.
C. The additional provision.
D. The retirement plan.
What can we infer from the passage
A. People should start planning for retirement as early as possible.
B. The state pension age for men is different from that for women.
C. The government's plan to raise the state pension age has been approved.
D. Paying more National Insurance contributions has no effect on the pension amount.
What is the main purpose of the passage
A. To introduce the importance of retirement planning.
B. To explain how to calculate the state pension.
C. To give an overview of the state pension.
D. To encourage people to work longer for a higher pension.
答案
D
解析：根据文章最后一段 “However, it's important to note that the state pension only covers the basics. Few people can live luxuriously on 221.20 a week.” 可知，国家养老金可能不足以让人过上舒适的生活，D 选项正确。从 “It is automatically paid at a flat rate that increases every year” 可知 A 选项 “固定不变” 错误；由 “The amount you're entitled to depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions (NICs) you have” 可知是取决于缴纳国民保险的合格年限，而非工作年限，B 选项错误；从 “When you reach the state pension age, you don't have to claim it immediately” 可知 C 选项 “必须马上申领” 错误。
A
解析：结合最后一段 “When you reach the state pension age, you don't have to claim it immediately. Delaying can qualify you for higher payments when you do start receiving it.” 的语境，这里说的是达到国家养老金领取年龄时，不必马上申领 “它”，延迟申领在开始领取时能获得更高的金额，所以 “it” 指的是 “the state pension（国家养老金）” ，A 选项正确。
A
解析：从文章第一段 “many people often fail to prepare for what comes next—retirement, which can have a significant impact on their wealth and even their health. So, it's crucial to start planning for this important stage” 以及最后一段 “The earlier you start saving, the bigger your pension will be.” 可推断出，人们应该尽早开始为退休做规划，A 选项正确。文中提到 “Currently, the state pension age is 66 for both men and women.”，B 选项 “男女退休年龄不同” 错误；“but these proposals are yet to be approved by Parliament” 表明政府提高退休年龄的计划尚未获批，C 选项错误；“The amount you're entitled to depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions (NICs) you have” 说明缴纳国民保险年限影响养老金数额，D 选项错误。
C
解析：文章主要从养老金的发放标准、领取条件、退休年龄计划以及领取注意事项等方面对国家养老金进行了介绍，C 选项 “对国家养老金进行概述” 符合主旨。A 选项 “介绍退休规划的重要性” 只是部分内容；B 选项 “解释如何计算国家养老金” 不全面；D 选项 “鼓励人们为更高养老金工作更久” 文中未体现。A篇
We all have a soft spot for a bit of romance, which can make us feel special. Pat Coulter, inspired by this, decided to take her adorable dog, Poppy, to the romantic Scotney Castle in the beautiful Kentish countryside.
Scotney Castle, rated with “3 Pawprint” by the National Trust, is a dreamy destination. Encompassing over 700 acres of open space, it's a haven for dogs and their owners. Pat and Poppy managed to arrive early and avoid the crowds, immediately soaking in the timeless tranquility of the place. The visitor centre and the dog - friendly tea room were perfect for a quick refreshment after their journey.
The estate has a rich and fascinating history. The original sandstone building was excavated from beneath the grand house. The grand house, designed in Elizabethan - revival style, was built in the early 1830s. Standing in an impressive, elevated position, it seems much younger than its actual age. During the Victorian era, people were nostalgic, and the owner, Edward Hussey, was inspired to build a fine country residence as a tribute to the grand properties of the past.
Today, the quarry on the estate has become a fun - filled area. It's a favorite spot for children to play hide - and - seek among the colorful azaleas and rhododendrons. And if that weren't exciting enough, a mighty iguanodon footprint was discovered etched in the sandstone. The estate has changed hands over the years, and currently, it's owned by Christopher Hussey, the former editor of Country Life magazine, and his wife, Betty. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or just looking for a relaxing day out with your furry friend, Scotney Castle has something wonderful to offer.
What do we know about Scotney Castle
A. It is located in a big city.
B. It is not accessible to dogs.
C. It has a history of about 200 years.
D. It was once owned by a famous writer.
Which of the following is the main idea of the last paragraph
A. The fun activities on the estate.
B. The recent discovery on the estate.
C. The current owner of the estate.
D. The various attractions of the estate.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Pat Coulter is a writer for a magazine.
B. Poppy enjoyed the trip as much as Pat Coulter.
C. The Victorian - era architecture is out of date.
D. The discovery of the iguanodon footprint was made by accident.
B篇
On her first day at a new job, Gemma was feeling a bit nervous as she hadn't eaten breakfast. To make up for it, she was looking forward to the delicious lunch her mum had packed—a favorite cheese and coleslaw sandwich along with some popped cookies. Dressed smartly in a navy skirt and cream blouse, Gemma entered the office with high hopes of a great start as a trainee legal secretary.
Annie, who worked on the fourth floor and was quite friendly despite looking a bit stressed, was supposed to show Gemma around. As they walked through the office, Annie introduced Gemma to the kitchen area. There, Gemma noticed a fridge and asked if she could put her lunchbox in it. After that, they encountered a formidable - looking woman wearing bright red lipstick in the corridor. Annie whispered that it might be the office manager, Geraldine, and that Gemma should be careful as she was strict.
Later, Gemma delivered some documents to the wrong people by mistake. Feeling a bit clumsy and in need of a pick - me - up, she went to the kitchen to get her lunch. She took a big bite of her sandwich, only to find that something was wrong. It tasted like egg and bacon, not the cheese and coleslaw she expected. In horror, she realized she had taken the wrong lunchbox.
Desperate to avoid an embarrassing situation, Gemma quickly put the bitten - section of the sandwich back, closed the lunchbox, and placed it back in the fridge. Just then, she saw Geraldine's name on the lunchbox she had mistakenly eaten from. Panicking, she wrote a hasty note on a sticky note, “I am so sorry, Geraldine. I ate some of your lunch by mistake.” Will Geraldine accept her apology Only time will tell.
Why did Gemma feel nervous on her first workday
A. She didn't have a proper outfit.
B. She was unfamiliar with the office layout.
C. She hadn't had breakfast.
D. She was afraid of the office manager.
What can we learn about the lunchbox mix - up
A. Gemma took Geraldine's lunchbox on purpose.
B. Gemma realized the mistake after taking a bite.
C. The lunch in the wrong box was not delicious at all.
D. Annie helped Gemma find out the owner of the wrong lunchbox.
How did Gemma deal with the situation after realizing her mistake
A. She threw away the bitten sandwich.
B. She explained the situation to Annie immediately.
C. She replaced the bitten sandwich and left a note.
D. She waited for Geraldine to come and apologize in person.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Annie was the office manager.
B. Gemma might have a hard time explaining to Geraldine.
C. Geraldine was a very kind - hearted person.
D. Gemma often made careless mistakes in her work.
B篇（1）
The first day at work and the last day in the office are among life's most memorable moments. However, many people often fail to prepare for what comes next—retirement, which can have a significant impact on their wealth and even their health. So, it's crucial to start planning for this important stage, and understanding the state pension is a good beginning.
Expert Stephanie Hawthorne explains the basics of the state pension. It is automatically paid at a flat rate that increases every year, based on either inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index, CPI), earnings growth, or 2.5%—this is known as the “triple lock”. The amount you're entitled to depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions (NICs) you have. NICs are deducted from your earnings if you earn above 12,750. You need to pay at least 10% of your earnings between 12,750 and 50,270. To qualify for any state pension, you generally need at least 10 years of NICs, and 35 qualifying years for the full pension.
Currently, the state pension age is 66 for both men and women. The government has plans to raise it to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and to 68 between 2044 and 2046. There are also discussions about further increasing it to 68 by 2037 and 69 by 2039, but these proposals are yet to be approved by Parliament.
When you reach the state pension age, you don't have to claim it immediately. Delaying can qualify you for higher payments when you do start receiving it. However, it's important to note that the state pension only covers the basics. Few people can live luxuriously on 221.20 a week. So, it's wise to make additional provisions if possible. The earlier you start saving, the bigger your pension will be.
What can we know about the state pension
A. It is paid at a fixed rate that never changes.
B. The amount one gets depends on their working years.
C. People must claim it as soon as they reach the state pension age.
D. It may not be enough to live a comfortable life.
What does the underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refer to
A. The state pension.
B. The state pension age.
C. The additional provision.
D. The retirement plan.
What can we infer from the passage
A. People should start planning for retirement as early as possible.
B. The state pension age for men is different from that for women.
C. The government's plan to raise the state pension age has been approved.
D. Paying more National Insurance contributions has no effect on the pension amount.
What is the main purpose of the passage
A. To introduce the importance of retirement planning.
B. To explain how to calculate the state pension.
C. To give an overview of the state pension.
D. To encourage people to work longer for a higher pension.
