高級(jí)中學(xué)名校試卷PAGEPAGE1福建省龍巖市九校聯(lián)考2025-2026學(xué)年高三上學(xué)期11月期中英語(yǔ)試題第一部分聽(tīng)力(略)第二部分閱讀(共兩節(jié)，滿(mǎn)分50分)第一節(jié)(共15小題;每小題2.5分，滿(mǎn)分37.5分)閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。ANowadays,itiseasytoorderholidaygiftsonlineandhavethemarriveatyourdoorindays.Butholidaymarketsofferalargecollectionofuniquelocalgifts,makingyourshoppingalittlemorefun.CarytownFarmersMarketWhenopenedinabankparkinglotatfirst,ithadspacefor20vendors(攤販).Asinterestgrew,itgotcontrolofacityblockandaddedanartisanmarket.AndlateritmovedtonearbyCityStadium.ScheduledonDec.16,andonDec.17,theholidaymarketwilloffermusic,foodtrucks,andmimosasandcraftbeerfromtheRichmondKickers.ColumbusCireleHolidayMarketWhatbetterwaytoendaperfectwinterywalkthroughCentralParkthanwiththeEuropean-styleoutdoorholidaymarket?Thereareover100artisansanddesignerssellingtheirspecialfoods,handmadejewelry,art,andmuchmore.StopbytheholidaymarketforuniquegiftsandtreatsfromNovember28toDecember31.HolidayVillagesPresentedbytheRichmondNightMarket,itdoublesasanartsandcultureevent.Onthemainstage,DJsandbandsprovideasoundtrackwithroomtodance.IntheCreativeKidsHangout,familiescanjoininactivities.Itwillalsoofferachancetowatchanartistatworkonapiece.Itis“doublethefun”becauseit’satwo-dayevent,Dec.2-3,fromnoonto8p.m.StonyPointSip&ShopItislocatedatStonyPointFashionParkwhereshopperswithdrinksinhandcanvisitnearly50localandindependentvendorsofferingclothinganddecorations,candles,beautysupplies,andtoysforpetsandkids.ItopensonNov.24andthenrunsonSaturdaysandSundaystillDec.24.Thereisnoentryfeetoattend.Dogsarewelcome.1.WhydidCarytownFarmersMarkettakeoveracityblock?A.Itslocationwaschanged. B.Itsparkinglotbecamelarger.C.Itmetmoreartists’needs. D.Itattractedmoreshoppers.2.Whichofthefourholidaymarketslaststhelongest?A.HolidayVillages. B.StonyPointSip&Shop.C.ColumbusCircleHolidayMarket. D.CarytownFarmersMarket.3.WhatismentionedaboutStonyPointSip&Shop?A.Itoffershomedeliveryservice. B.Itsellsgoodsmainlyforchildren.C.Itisadog-friendlyholidaymarket. D.Itprovidesfreedrinksforcustomers.BInthehistoryofJamaica’sWinterOlympicparticipation,BenjaminAlexander’snameisregardedasapioneer-andhisjourneyreadslikeascriptofunlikelycourage.BornintheUKtoaJamaicanfather,Alexanderspenthis20sandearly30sfarfromsnow:firstinfinance,thenspinningtracksasaninternationalDJinShanghaiandHongKong.At32,acasualskitriptoCanadachangedhislife-hestumbled27timesonhisfirstday,yetleftthemountain,determinedtoturnthisnewfoundpassionintosomethingbigger.Whatfollowedwasasix-yearhardshipthatdefiedallodds.MovedbyJamaica’ssmall,underfundeddelegation(代表團(tuán))atthePyeongChang2018Games,AlexanderquithislucrativeDJcareertotrainfull-time.Withnonationalteamsupport,hesleptinhostels,consulted28coachesacross12countries,andlogged450trainingdaysinWyoming’sharshwinters-allwhilecrowdfundingtocovercosts.InJanuary2022,hemadehistory:ataqualifyingtournamentinCapeVerde,hesecuredaspotattheBeijingWinterOlympics,becomingJamaica’sfirst-everalpineskier.Thoughhefinished46thinthemen’sgiantslalom,hispresenceattheopeningceremony-carryingJamaica’sflagamidcheers-wasavictoryinitself.ForTheGleaner,Alexander’sstoryismorethanapersonaltriumph;it’sablametothemyththat“it’stoolatetochasedreams”andawake-upcallforCaribbeanwintersports.HischoicetowalkawayfromastablecareerforashotattheOlympicsisatestamenttostubbornhope,whilehislackofresourceshighlightsthebarriersfacingathletesfromwarm-weathernations.Today,the39-year-oldisn’trestingonhishonors.HenowleadsJamaica’sSkiFederation,buildingayouthtrainingprogramandpartneringwithlocalschoolstointroduceskiingtokidswho’veneverseensnow.“Mymedalisn’tapodiumfinish,”hetoldourreporter.“It’sakidinKingstonsaying,‘Ifhecandoit,socanI.’”ForJamaica,Alexanderisn’tjustaskier-he’sabridgebetweenasun-soakednationandthesnowyslopesofpossibility.4.WhatdoweknowaboutBenjaminAlexanderaccordingtothefirstparagraph?A.HewasbornandraisedinJamaica.B.HeworkedasaDJintropicalAsiancities.C.HeplannedtoexpandhisDJcareerinternationally.D.HefellrepeatedlyduringhisfirstskiingexperienceinCanada.5.HowdidAlexanderfundhistrainingfortheOlympics?A.ThroughsupportfromJamaica’sSkiFederation.B.ByrelyingonhissavingsfromhisDJcareer.C.Viacrowdfundingandstayinginlow-costhostels.D.Throughsponsorshipsfromwintersportsbrands.6.WhichwordscanbestdescribeBenjaminAlexander?A.Braveandhelpful. B.Honestandthankful.C.Determinedandencouraging. D.Strictanddemanding.7.WhatcanwelearnfromthestoryofBenjaminAlexander?A.Practicemakesperfect. B.Betterlatethannever.C.Constantdrippingwearsawayastone. D.Nothingisimpossibletoawillingmind.CAsanaudioengineerwithtwodecadesofexperience,PatrickHelenhaslongbeencaptivatedbyhowsoundshapeshumanemotion.Butitwasa2018encounterwithadeafteenager—whodescribedmusicas“ablankspace”despitefeelingbassvibrationsatconcerts—thatsparkedhismission:toturninvisiblesoundintotangibletouch,lettingthehearing-impaired“hear”musicthroughtheirskin.Afterthreeyearsofresearchanddevelopment(R&D)and117prototypeiterations,HelenunveiledtheTactiSoundSuitin2021.Thelightweight,wearablesuitisembeddedwith24micro-vibrationsensors,eachcalibratedtocapturedistinctsoundfrequencies:lowbassnotestriggergentlerumblingsinthewaistband,mid-rangemelodiespulseontheforearms,andhigh-pitchedharmoniescreatesubtlevibrationsneartheshoulders.Awirelessreceiverconnectsthesuittoanyaudiosource—fromconcertspeakerstosmartphones—convertingsoundwavesintoprecisetactilesignalsinrealtime.Forthedeafandhardofhearing,thesuitistransformative.Ina2023trialatPeterborough’sRoyalNationalInstituteforDeafPeople,89%ofparticipantsreported“feelingthestructureofmusic”forthefirsttime.MiaCarter,a19-year-olddeafstudent,describedherexperienceataclassicalconcert:“Theviolin’svibratomovedupmyarmlikeabreath,andthecello’sbassmademychestfeelfull—likeIwashuggingthemusic.”Beyondentertainment,Helendesignedthesuittobeaccessible:it’smachine-washable,battery-poweredfor12hours,andispriced30%lowerthansimilarassistivedevices.Helen’svisionextendsfurther.He’spartneringwithmusicschoolstointegrateTactiSoundintodeafeducation,andplanstoaddcustomizablevibrationpatternsfordifferentgenres-jazz’ssyncopationmightfeellikequicktapsonthewrists,whileopera’screscendoscouldbuildfromtheanklestothechest.“Musicisn’tjustabouthearing,”hesays.“It’saboutfeelingconnectedtosomethingbigger.Thissuitisjustatooltogivethatconnectionback.”8.WhatsparkedPatrickHelen’smissiontodeveloptheTactiSoundSuit?A.Atrialfordeafpeoplein2023. B.Adeafteenager’sdescriptionofmusic.C.His20-yearcareerasanaudioengineer. D.Thehighcostofexistingassistivedevices.9.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“calibrated”inParagraph2mostlikelymean?A.Randomlyplaced. B.Carefullyadjusted.C.Loudlyamplified. D.Easilyremoved.10.WhydoestheauthorincludeMiaCarter’sexperienceinParagraph3?A.Topromotetheproduct’saffordability.B.Toemphasizethesuit’stechnicalspecifications.C.Tocompareclassicalandmodernmusiceffects.D.Toillustratetheemotionalimpactofthesuitonusers.11.Whereisthistextmostlikelyfrom?A.Aproductadvertisement. B.Ascienceandtechnologynewsreport.C.AbiographyofPatrickHelen. D.Amusiceducationtextbook.DScientistshavefoundawaytousecyanobacteria-usuallycalledblue-greenalgae(海藻)—topoweramicroprocessornonstopformorethansixmonths.Thesystemusesinexpensiveandmostlyrecyclablematerials,withitskeypartbeingasafephotosynthetic(光合作用的)algaenamedsynechocystis.TheirstudywaspublishedinthejournalEnergy&EnvironmentalScience.PaoloBombelli,aresearcherfromtheUniversityofCambridgeandthemainwriterofthepaper,said,“Weweresurprisedbyhowsteadilythesystemworkedforsuchalongtime.Wethoughtitmightstopafterafewweeks,butitjustkeptrunning.”AsMatthewSparkesreportedinNewScientist,theteammadeacontainerwithaluminumandclearplastic,thenputthebacteriainside.Thedevice,aboutthesizeofoneAAbattery,wasplacedoutsideawindowinBombelli’shomefromFebruarytoAugust.ItsuccessfullypoweredanArmCortex-M0+processor.TheauthorsexplainedinthestudythatthistypeofprocessoriswidelyusedinInternetofThings(IoT)devices—likehomeappliancesconnectedtotheInternet.Theresearcherssettheprocessortoworkincycles:45minutesofcomputingfollowedby15minutesofstandby.Evenwithoutlight,thecyanobacteriacanstillgenerateelectricalenergy.Scientistsguessthisisbecausethealgaeprocesssomeoftheirstoredfoodinthedark,whichcreatesanelectricalcurrent.ChristopherHowe,aprofessorattheUniversityofCambridgeandco-seniorauthorofthepaper,noted,“ThegrowingIoTneedsmoreandmorepower.Webelievethispowershouldcomefromsystemsthatgenerateenergy,notjuststoreitlikebatteries.Ourphotosyntheticdevicedoesn’trundownlikeabatterybecauseituseslightallthetime.”Rightnow,thecyanobacteriasystemisn’tstrongenoughtorunalldevices.Forexample,adesktopcomputerwouldneed333millionsuchalgaedevicestoworknormally.Buttheteamsaysthesystemcouldbemadelarger—thoughmoreresearchisneededtofindouthowmuchitcanbescaledup.12.Whatisthekeypartofthecyanobacteriapowersystem?A.Synechocystis. B.Amicroprocessor. C.Aluminumcontainer. D.Cheaprecyclablematerials.13.Whatallowscyanobacteriatoproduceenergyevenwithoutlight?A.Usingstoredlightenergy. B.Processingstoredfood.C.Absorbingenergyfrombatteries. D.GettingpowerfromIoTdevices.14.Whatcanweinferaboutthecyanobacteriasystemfromthetext?A.Itwillsoonreplaceallbatteries. B.Ithasnopotentialtopowerlargedevices.C.Furtherresearchisneededtoexpanditspower. D.Itcanalreadypowerdesktopcomputersnormally.15.Whichofthefollowingisthebesttitleforthetext?A.AlgaeGeneratesElectricalEnergyinDark B.ScientistsDevelopAlgae-PoweredSystemC.CyanobacteriaPowersMicroprocessorLong D.CyanobacteriaActsasIoTDevicePowerSource第二節(jié)(共5小題;每小題2.5分，滿(mǎn)分12.5分)閱讀下面短文，從短文后的選項(xiàng)中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)為多余選項(xiàng)。Whetherit’sfittinginenoughseatingorfindingcreativewaystodecoratethewalls,balancingfunctionalityandaestheticdesigninasmalllivingroomcanbechallenging.____16____Afewstrategicdesignchangescanvisuallyexpandyourlivingroom.●Considerinstallingbuilt-ins.Customshelvesandcabinetscanmaximizespaceinsmalllivingrooms.“Built-inbookcasesadddepthwhilestoringitemsneatly,”saysRachelHumphreysofHumphreyOrrInteriors.“Positionthetopshelfatceilingheight—thisdrawseyesupward,creatingatallerroomillusion.”Choosemulti-functionaldesigns,likewindowseatswithhiddenstorage,tocombinepracticalitywithvisualappeal.____17____●____18____Youmightwishtohaveasofa,sidetable,coffeetable,andtwodecorativechairs,butlimitedspacemeansyoucannotkeepthemall.Humphreyssuggestsasimplerchoice:“Alargesofa(orL-shapedsofa),acoffeetable,andonechairareenough.Thiskeepstheroomtidyandensureseasymobility.”●Addamirrororusespecialpaint.“____19____Adecorativemirroronthewallcreatesanairyfeel.Ifmirrorsaren’tyourstyle,usehigh-glosspaintinstead.Itbounceslightaroundtheroom,brighteningthespaceandenhancingthesenseofopenness,”advisesHumphreys.●Hangthecurtainsextrahigh.AccordingtoHumphreys,oneofthebesttricksistoinstallcurtainsmuchhigherthanthetopofthewindowtodrawtheeyeupward.Agoldenruleistohangtherods(長(zhǎng)桿)abouttwo-thirdsupfromthedistancebetweenthetopofthewindowtotheceiling.____20____Besuretomeasuremorethanonce,soyoudon’taccidentallyorderthewrongsize.A.Purchaselessfurniture.B.Clearoutallunnecessaryitems.C.Itvisuallyraisesceilingsandexpandsthespace.D.Isitpossibletomakeasmalllivingroomlookmoreluxuriousandelegant?E.So,howdoyoutransformasmallspaceintoacomfortableandinvitingone?F.Thisisbecausereflectivesurfacesalwayshelpcreateaninstantsenseofspace.G.Thisapproachnotonlysavesfloorspacebutalsoelevatestheroom’soverallaesthetic.第三部分語(yǔ)言運(yùn)用(共兩節(jié)，滿(mǎn)分30分)第一節(jié)(共15小題;每小題1分，滿(mǎn)分15分)閱讀下面短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。Oneday,IcameacrossWilliam,a____21____stoneworker,whilehewasconstructingarockwall.Hishandswere____22____fromyearsofhandlingstoneandbrick.Iaskedhimto____23____arockfa?ade(立面)forourfireplace.Althoughhepreferredoutdoortasks,heagreedtoconsideritandsooncalledtosayhewasavailable.Rightontime,Williamshowedupwithgray____24____andcement.Despitehisphysicaldisability,William____25____thefacadeonhisown.Hecarefullyselectedtherocks,emphasizinghis____26____forflatpiecesforthebase.Heusedhishammerandchisel(鑿子)to____27____thestone,demonstratingremarkable____28____.Toenhancethevisualeffect,Williamalso____29____thecolorofthecementlines.Hestudiedeachrock,turningitinhishandsbeforedeterminingwhereto____30____it.Therockfacadewascompletedinafewdaysandhispatienceandprecisionwere____31____ineverypieceheshaped.William’sworkethicsand____32____wereprofoundlymotivating.Ratherthanviewingtasksasmerelabor,heembracedthemaschallengestoconquer.Thoughhiscraftwasas____33____astheveryrocksheshaped,hemasteredtheartofsimplification.Hestudiedthemandsplitthemintosmaller,more____34____components.Williamunderstoodsomethingthatmanyofusstillhaven’t____35____—takethehardthingsinlifeandbreakthemdownintosomethingwecanhandle,onepieceatatime.21.A.strict B.new C.lazy D.skilled22.A.marked B.frozen C.raised D.exposed23.A.paint B.build C.measure D.move24.A.plastics B.woods C.metals D.stones25.A.turnedto B.gaveaway C.workedon D.pickedup26.A.need B.hate C.fear D.joy27.A.break B.shape C.sort D.cover28.A.courage B.patience C.craft D.strength29.A.lightened B.darkened C.mixed D.removed30.A.place B.hide C.sell D.throw31.A.faint B.vague C.evident D.unclear32.A.principles B.methods C.style D.attitude33.A.simple B.fragile C.tough D.easy34.A.complex B.manageable C.valuable D.unique35.A.forgotten B.shared C.taught D.learned第二節(jié)(共10小題;每小題1.5分，滿(mǎn)分15分)閱讀下面短文，在空白處填入1個(gè)適當(dāng)?shù)膯卧~或括號(hào)內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。InthefertileplainsofSichuan,ZengFanyu,____36____nationalinheritoroftheintangibleculturalheritageofYongchuanfermented(發(fā)酵)blackbeancraftsmanship,____37____(spend)over30yearsprotectingthis300-year-oldflavortreasure—somethingshefondlycalls“themagicofsoybeans”.Thecraft____38____(follow)anoldandstrictprocess:firstly,plump(飽滿(mǎn)的)localsoybeansareimmersedinspringwaterfor12hours,thensteameduntiltenderbutnotmushyandfinallyplacedintraditionalearthenjarsforfermentation,____39____lastsfrom10monthstoawholeyear.Zengisverycareful____40____everydetail;evena5-minuteover-steamingoraslighttemperaturechangeinthefermentationroomwouldruinthebeans’rich,delicioustaste.Today,while____41____(preserve)thecoretradition,sheinnovatesboldly.Shecombinestraditionalbacterialstrains(菌株)withcarefullyselectednewonestomakethebeansmore____42____(taste),anddevelopstrendyflavorslikespicygarlicandsavorybeeftosuityoung____43____(people)taste.“EveryblackbeancarriesthetastememoryofSichuanfamilies—ofgrandma’sstir-friesanddad’sbraisedpork,”shesays.Itistheperfectmixof____44____(loyal)toheritageandcreativeadaptationthatkeepsYongchuanfermentedblackbeans,the____45____(replaceable)soulofSichuancuisine,fragrantthroughgenerations.第四部分寫(xiě)作(共兩節(jié)，滿(mǎn)分40分)第一節(jié)(滿(mǎn)分15分)46.假定你是李華，你的英國(guó)朋友Tom對(duì)今年的九三閱兵(VictoryDayparade)非常感興趣。請(qǐng)你回信告知相關(guān)情況，內(nèi)容包括：(1)閱兵的時(shí)間、地點(diǎn);(2)閱兵的意義;(3)你的感悟。注意：(1)寫(xiě)作詞數(shù)應(yīng)為80個(gè)左右;(2)請(qǐng)按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。DearTom,___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Yours,LiHua第二節(jié)(滿(mǎn)分25分)47.閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開(kāi)頭語(yǔ)續(xù)寫(xiě)兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。TheraintappedhardontheclassroomwindowasIhurriedtomydesk.Suddenly,Ispottedsomethingsmallandbrowncurledupinapuddle(小水洼)underanoaktreebesideourteachingbuilding—toostilltobealeaf.Withcuriosity,Irushedouttoit.However,whenIkneltdown,mybreathcaught:asparrowwithonewingbroken,feathersknotted,eyeshalf-closed.“Don’tmove,”Iwhispered,wrappingherinmyhandkerchief,thendashedback.Ms.Sophie,myEnglishteacher,helpedmemakeanestfromashoeboxandtissues.“Weneedtoactfast,”shesaid.“Whoknowsaboutbirds?”Mia,whofedstraycatsdaily,raisedherhand,“Myuncleisavet—hecanshowushowtocurethewing.”Jake,ourartclubmember,grabbedhisdrawingbook,“I’lldrawdiagramssowewon’tmessup.”Lila,whousuallykepttoherself,spokeup:“Icanresearchwhatsparrowseatonline.”Thatafternoon,ourgroupcrowdedaroundtheshoebox.MiagentlyheldthesparrowwhileJakecarefullyattachedasmallsticktoherbrokenwing.Lilareadaloudfromherphone:“Warmwaterandcrushedblueberries,butonlyadropatatime.”Itooknotes,markingwhenwefedherorchangedthetissues.Atonepoint,thesparrowchirped(發(fā)啁啾聲)softly,andweallfroze,grinning.Forthefirsttime,weweren’tjustclassmates-wewereateam,eachdoingwhatwedidbest.Problemspoppedup.Thesparrowrefusedfoodthenextday,andLilapanicked.“Didwehurther?”Miacheckedandshookherhead.“Maybeshe’sscared.Let’sleaveheraloneforawhile.”Wetookturnssittingbythewindow,talkingsoftlysoshewouldgetusedtoourvoices.注意：(1)續(xù)寫(xiě)詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150個(gè)左右；(2)請(qǐng)按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。ByFriday,somethingdifferenthappened.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Thencamethenewsthatthevetsaidthesparrowwasreadytofly.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________福建省龍巖市九校聯(lián)考2025-2026學(xué)年高三上學(xué)期11月期中英語(yǔ)試題第一部分聽(tīng)力(略)第二部分閱讀(共兩節(jié)，滿(mǎn)分50分)第一節(jié)(共15小題;每小題2.5分，滿(mǎn)分37.5分)閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。ANowadays,itiseasytoorderholidaygiftsonlineandhavethemarriveatyourdoorindays.Butholidaymarketsofferalargecollectionofuniquelocalgifts,makingyourshoppingalittlemorefun.CarytownFarmersMarketWhenopenedinabankparkinglotatfirst,ithadspacefor20vendors(攤販).Asinterestgrew,itgotcontrolofacityblockandaddedanartisanmarket.AndlateritmovedtonearbyCityStadium.ScheduledonDec.16,andonDec.17,theholidaymarketwilloffermusic,foodtrucks,andmimosasandcraftbeerfromtheRichmondKickers.ColumbusCireleHolidayMarketWhatbetterwaytoendaperfectwinterywalkthroughCentralParkthanwiththeEuropean-styleoutdoorholidaymarket?Thereareover100artisansanddesignerssellingtheirspecialfoods,handmadejewelry,art,andmuchmore.StopbytheholidaymarketforuniquegiftsandtreatsfromNovember28toDecember31.HolidayVillagesPresentedbytheRichmondNightMarket,itdoublesasanartsandcultureevent.Onthemainstage,DJsandbandsprovideasoundtrackwithroomtodance.IntheCreativeKidsHangout,familiescanjoininactivities.Itwillalsoofferachancetowatchanartistatworkonapiece.Itis“doublethefun”becauseit’satwo-dayevent,Dec.2-3,fromnoonto8p.m.StonyPointSip&ShopItislocatedatStonyPointFashionParkwhereshopperswithdrinksinhandcanvisitnearly50localandindependentvendorsofferingclothinganddecorations,candles,beautysupplies,andtoysforpetsandkids.ItopensonNov.24andthenrunsonSaturdaysandSundaystillDec.24.Thereisnoentryfeetoattend.Dogsarewelcome.1.WhydidCarytownFarmersMarkettakeoveracityblock?A.Itslocationwaschanged. B.Itsparkinglotbecamelarger.C.Itmetmoreartists’needs. D.Itattractedmoreshoppers.2.Whichofthefourholidaymarketslaststhelongest?A.HolidayVillages. B.StonyPointSip&Shop.C.ColumbusCircleHolidayMarket. D.CarytownFarmersMarket.3.WhatismentionedaboutStonyPointSip&Shop?A.Itoffershomedeliveryservice. B.Itsellsgoodsmainlyforchildren.C.Itisadog-friendlyholidaymarket. D.Itprovidesfreedrinksforcustomers.BInthehistoryofJamaica’sWinterOlympicparticipation,BenjaminAlexander’snameisregardedasapioneer-andhisjourneyreadslikeascriptofunlikelycourage.BornintheUKtoaJamaicanfather,Alexanderspenthis20sandearly30sfarfromsnow:firstinfinance,thenspinningtracksasaninternationalDJinShanghaiandHongKong.At32,acasualskitriptoCanadachangedhislife-hestumbled27timesonhisfirstday,yetleftthemountain,determinedtoturnthisnewfoundpassionintosomethingbigger.Whatfollowedwasasix-yearhardshipthatdefiedallodds.MovedbyJamaica’ssmall,underfundeddelegation(代表團(tuán))atthePyeongChang2018Games,AlexanderquithislucrativeDJcareertotrainfull-time.Withnonationalteamsupport,hesleptinhostels,consulted28coachesacross12countries,andlogged450trainingdaysinWyoming’sharshwinters-allwhilecrowdfundingtocovercosts.InJanuary2022,hemadehistory:ataqualifyingtournamentinCapeVerde,hesecuredaspotattheBeijingWinterOlympics,becomingJamaica’sfirst-everalpineskier.Thoughhefinished46thinthemen’sgiantslalom,hispresenceattheopeningceremony-carryingJamaica’sflagamidcheers-wasavictoryinitself.ForTheGleaner,Alexander’sstoryismorethanapersonaltriumph;it’sablametothemyththat“it’stoolatetochasedreams”andawake-upcallforCaribbeanwintersports.HischoicetowalkawayfromastablecareerforashotattheOlympicsisatestamenttostubbornhope,whilehislackofresourceshighlightsthebarriersfacingathletesfromwarm-weathernations.Today,the39-year-oldisn’trestingonhishonors.HenowleadsJamaica’sSkiFederation,buildingayouthtrainingprogramandpartneringwithlocalschoolstointroduceskiingtokidswho’veneverseensnow.“Mymedalisn’tapodiumfinish,”hetoldourreporter.“It’sakidinKingstonsaying,‘Ifhecandoit,socanI.’”ForJamaica,Alexanderisn’tjustaskier-he’sabridgebetweenasun-soakednationandthesnowyslopesofpossibility.4.WhatdoweknowaboutBenjaminAlexanderaccordingtothefirstparagraph?A.HewasbornandraisedinJamaica.B.HeworkedasaDJintropicalAsiancities.C.HeplannedtoexpandhisDJcareerinternationally.D.HefellrepeatedlyduringhisfirstskiingexperienceinCanada.5.HowdidAlexanderfundhistrainingfortheOlympics?A.ThroughsupportfromJamaica’sSkiFederation.B.ByrelyingonhissavingsfromhisDJcareer.C.Viacrowdfundingandstayinginlow-costhostels.D.Throughsponsorshipsfromwintersportsbrands.6.WhichwordscanbestdescribeBenjaminAlexander?A.Braveandhelpful. B.Honestandthankful.C.Determinedandencouraging. D.Strictanddemanding.7.WhatcanwelearnfromthestoryofBenjaminAlexander?A.Practicemakesperfect. B.Betterlatethannever.C.Constantdrippingwearsawayastone. D.Nothingisimpossibletoawillingmind.CAsanaudioengineerwithtwodecadesofexperience,PatrickHelenhaslongbeencaptivatedbyhowsoundshapeshumanemotion.Butitwasa2018encounterwithadeafteenager—whodescribedmusicas“ablankspace”despitefeelingbassvibrationsatconcerts—thatsparkedhismission:toturninvisiblesoundintotangibletouch,lettingthehearing-impaired“hear”musicthroughtheirskin.Afterthreeyearsofresearchanddevelopment(R&D)and117prototypeiterations,HelenunveiledtheTactiSoundSuitin2021.Thelightweight,wearablesuitisembeddedwith24micro-vibrationsensors,eachcalibratedtocapturedistinctsoundfrequencies:lowbassnotestriggergentlerumblingsinthewaistband,mid-rangemelodiespulseontheforearms,andhigh-pitchedharmoniescreatesubtlevibrationsneartheshoulders.Awirelessreceiverconnectsthesuittoanyaudiosource—fromconcertspeakerstosmartphones—convertingsoundwavesintoprecisetactilesignalsinrealtime.Forthedeafandhardofhearing,thesuitistransformative.Ina2023trialatPeterborough’sRoyalNationalInstituteforDeafPeople,89%ofparticipantsreported“feelingthestructureofmusic”forthefirsttime.MiaCarter,a19-year-olddeafstudent,describedherexperienceataclassicalconcert:“Theviolin’svibratomovedupmyarmlikeabreath,andthecello’sbassmademychestfeelfull—likeIwashuggingthemusic.”Beyondentertainment,Helendesignedthesuittobeaccessible:it’smachine-washable,battery-poweredfor12hours,andispriced30%lowerthansimilarassistivedevices.Helen’svisionextendsfurther.He’spartneringwithmusicschoolsto