【正文】 （共兩節(jié)，滿分 45 分） 第一節(jié) 完形填空（共 20 小 題； 每小題 分 ， 滿分 30 分） 閱讀下 短 文，從短文后各題所給四個選項（ A、 B、 C 和 D)中 ，選出 可以填入空白處的最佳選項，并在答題卡上將該項涂黑 。 Second Edition, you can . A. get 10 new recent tests B. learn some testtaking methods C. receive a gift from the College Board D. enjoy a discount on SAT online course 23. The author of The Official SAT Study Guide: Second Edition is A. a wellknown anization B. an experienced teacher C. a famous college D. an excellent student 24. Which of the following is TRUE about The Official SAT Study Guide: Second Edition? A. There are no sample essays in the book. B. It has received negative opinions from reviewers. C. The first edition was published on July 21,2021. D. It also includes something about the PSAT/NMSQT. B When viewed from the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia, St. John?s Church presents a picture of dignity and grace. This graystoned beauty surrounded by a park made a wonderful setting for the wedding my wife and I attended in Manayunk. At the church, I ran into an old friend? Casper Barrata, who happened to be assigned to the Mass (彌撒 ). Now 73, Casper was a brilliant and talented softball pitcher (投手 ) back in the Men?s Leagues of Philadelphia in the mid60s. I didn?t recognize the now silverhaired fellow until my brotherinlaw John Kay mentioned his name to me! After a very pleasant greeting and praising each other on how good the other was at playing the game back then, Casper asked if I remembered a letter of encouragement I had written to him back in 1964. It appeared that Casper fell on hard times pitching, as pitchers sometimes do, and he wasn?t pitching too well for a period of time. I didn?t recall the letter, but he said, “Yes, I still have it, and I continue to read it anytime things aren?t going too well.” He went on to say that he had read the letter many times over the past 40 years, and the situation always seemed to improve. I was speechless! He continued, “You don?t remember?” I said, “Sadly, no, I don?t.” But I did ask if I could have a copy of the letter. He said he would it to me. After Casper finished work at Murphy?s wedding, we met on the steps of the church. Casper came up to me and presented the letter. He lived a block away from the church and ran home to get it after the Mass. The envelope had faded and turned yellow, and so was the letter inside. That letter had to be nearly 50 years old. In simple terms, the letter read: These hard times are temporary: Maintain your passion for the game. Never quit and you will be back on top again shortly. Hang in there! Casper Barrata once again became the best pitcher in the League and remained to be a thorn in our team?s side every time he pitched against us. 25. Why did the author go to the church? A. To get married. B. To hold a wedding. C. To attend a wedding. D. To meet his friend Casper Barrata. 26 What does the underlined sentence show in Paragraph 2? A. The author was moved by Casper. B. The author wasn?t good at speaking. C. The author admired Casper too much. D. The author didn?t recall the letter at all. 27. Why did Casper keep the letter for decades? A. The letter was sent by his best friend. B. The letter inspired him in his sport career. C. The letter was written by a softball pitcher. D. The letter helped him recall something in the past. C How many hours does it take to be fluent in English? There are plenty of people in the UK for whom even basic English is a problem. According to the survey, 726,000 people in England and Wales said they could not speak English well, and another 138,000 said they did not speak it at all. Ling, 40, who arrived five years ago from China, found it difficult to learn English. “When I came here I was pregnant and so I was at home for the next three years. It took me longer to learn as I was very busy with the children.” Eventually she was able to begin taking classes and now speaks good conversational English. But even with classes, it can be a long process to pick up the language. Age is the most important factor in language acquisition, acquisition, says Mila Vulchanova, professor of linguistics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. “There is a sensitive period in language learning, which is biologically determined, with an onset at birth and a decline around puberty. So the younger the immigrant, the better. Since this decline is only gradual, teenagers are at an advantage over adults,” he says. There are a number of systems for grading English. The government expects immigrants to reach “ESOL Entry 3” or “B1 level”