Saturn, an alligator, aged 84, died at the Moscow Zoo. That in itself made Saturn unusual. In the wild, the normal life span for an alligator is 30 to 50 years. But longevity was the least unusual aspect of Saturn’s life story.
Saturn was born somewhere in Mississippi in 1936 and was shipped to the Berlin Zoo from which he disappeared on November 23rd, 1943, when the zoo was stricken in an air bombing campaign. Of the 16,000 animals once kept in the Berlin Zoo, fewer than 100 survived the war. Saturn was one of them.
When he got freedom in 1943, Saturn was 7 years old. In June 1946, an almost adult Saturn was discovered and captured by British army. The alligator was then turned over to the allied Soviet troops in Berlin who sent him on to Moscow where he would live in the next 74 years.
It was in Moscow that word got around that Saturn was a pet which belonged to Adolf Hitler. This undocumented episode with Hitler made Saturn a public figure.
“Even if he belonged to someone,” the zoo’s announcement of Saturn’s death says, “animals are not involved in war and politics.” Officials at the Moscow Zoo treated him as an honored guest. “We tried to take care of him with great care and attention. He was picky about food.” Even among his keepers, he knew who he liked. He perfectly remembered the trusted keeper.
If a zoo animal can be a historical figure, officials say this one qualifies.
“Saturn is a whole era for us. There is not the slightest exaggeration,” the announcement of his death said. “He came after the victory in WWII — and witnessed its 75th anniversary. It is a great happiness that each of us could look into his eyes, just quietly being near. He saw many of us as children. We hope that we did not disappoint him.”
Death may not end Saturn’s public career. It has been reported that his body will be maintained and placed on show at Moscow’s Charles Darwin Museum of Biology.
1. What does the underlined “That” in Paragraph 1 refer to?A.Saturn’s death. | B.Saturn’s longevity. |
C.Saturn’s life story. | D.Saturn’s living conditions. |
A.Saturn was born and raised in the Berlin Zoo in 1936. |
B.Saturn survived an air attack and got freedom in 1943. |
C.Saturn got caught by the allied Soviet troops in 1946. |
D.Saturn celebrated its 75th birthday and died in 2020. |
A.He was kept a pet there. | B.He could remember all the keepers. |
C.He lived a go-as-you-please life. | D.He got well-known as a picky eater. |
A.His story with Adolf Hitler. | B.His uncommon 84-year lifespan. |
C.He will be on show after death. | D.He was identified as a history witness. |
A.To introduce an unusual alligator. | B.To draw visitors to the Museum in Moscow. |
C.To present the impact of war on poor animals. | D.To show a close bond between man and animals. |
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【推荐1】A songbird jumps around in the woods near Washington, D. C. On its back it carries a very small, lightweight electronic device called a tag (标签). Ecologist Emily Williams watches from behind a bush. On this clear spring day, she says, “Now I’m watching to see whether he’s found a mate.” The bird has moved to a nearby tree where there is another robin. When the bird leaves, this new device it carries will send data about its position to a special satellite, then back to Williams’ computer.
The Georgetown University researchers have been attaching tracking (跟踪) tags on birds and animals for many years. But, the International Space Station and the involved satellite now provide new ways to receive the information sent by the tags. The new system permits scientists to watch songbird movements from a faraway place in much greater detail than before.
“We’re in a sort of golden age for bird research,” said Adriaan Dokter, an ecologist at Cornell University, adding that the technology is improving as the tags are made smaller and smaller. “We can track a robin by satellite with smaller and smaller chips. The device that the robin wears can report its immediate place on Earth, within about 10 meters. Ten years ago, that was unthinkable,” said the scientist, who is not involved in Williams’ study.
A second new device, for only the heaviest robins, provides more information about the bird’s movements; future versions may also measure the humidity and barometric pressure of the space the bird occupies. The devices are known as ICARUS tags.
Martin Wikelski is director of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. His scientific team is working to improve the ICARUS technology. He hopes that more and better devices could help develop what he called “an Internet of animals”—a collection of sensors around the world giving us a better picture of the movement of life on the planet.
1. What is Emily Williams doing in the woods?A.Trying to catch a songbird. |
B.Observing a bird with a new device. |
C.Playing a bird game on the computer. |
D.Taking an adventure trip in the nature. |
A.Find the exact place of the robins quickly. |
B.Take control of the robins easily. |
C.Collect all the information from the satellite. |
D.Communicate with the robin in a faraway place. |
A.By explaining the reasons. | B.By making a comparison. |
C.By listing two new devices. | D.By analyzing the data. |
A.People can use more devices to keep healthy. |
B.Technology can give better ways to track animals. |
C.Human beings and animals can live in harmony. |
D.People will know more about animals from the Internet. |
【推荐2】Uni(海胆籽)can be found in Japanese restaurants. But what do you think about uni? It's not everyone's favourite food. Let's find out more about it.
What is it?
Uni is the Japanese word for sea urchin (海胆).Sea urchins are easy to recognize. They have long, thin spines (刺) which are dangerous.
Where can you find them?
Sea urchins live in seas in the world.
So what's inside a sea urchin?
Uni of course!
Describe uni to me.
A piece of uni is usually 1-3 centimetres long. When it has been cleaned, it looks a bit like a small tongue. It tastes like ice cream. The flavour is very rich.
If it is so rich, is it good for you?
A.You should never step on one! |
B.They prefer to be in warm water. |
C.However, today it's used in other dishes. |
D.Unlike most rich food, uni is good for you! |
E.We are more interested in what's inside them! |
F.Many people think that uni are the sea urchin's eggs. |
G.Uni does not taste like fish, but eating uni lets people think of the sea. |
【推荐3】When he was a small boy, he had loved butterflies. Oh, not to catch them, but to wonder at their designs and habits.
Now a grown man with his first son to be born in a few weeks, he found himself once again fascinated with a cocoon.He had it at the side of the park path. Somehow the branch had been knocked from the tree and the cocoon had survived undamaged and still attached to the branch.
As he had seen his mother do,he gently protected it by covering it with his handkerchief and high up for easy viewing and protection from their curious cat who would happily play with its silk.
The man watched and studied the silky cocoon. Almost unnoticeably at first, it moved. He watched more closely and soon the cocoon was trembling with activity. Nothing else happened. The cocoon remained attached to its part of the branch and there was no sign of wings
Finally it started shaking so much, the man thought the butterfly would die from the struggle. He opened the jar,took a sharp penknife from his desk, and carefully made a tiny cut in the side of the cocoon. Almost immediately, one wing appeared, followed by the other. The butterfly was free!
It seemed to enjoy its freedom and walked along the edge of the jar. But it didn’t fly. At first the man thought the wings needed time to dry ,but time passed and still the butterfly did not take off.
The man was worried and called up his neighbor who taught high school science. He told the neighbor how he had found the cocoon,placed it in the jar, and the terrible trembling as the butterfly struggled to get out. When he described how he had carefully made a small cut in the cocoon,the teacher stopped him, “Oh, that is the reason . You see,the struggle is what gives the butterfly the strength to fly.”
And so it is with us. Sometimes it’s the struggles in life that strengthen us the most.
1. The man brought the cocoon home because_________.A.his first son had always wanted a cocoon |
B.he planned to repair the broken cocoon by himself |
C.he was curious about how cocoons turned into butterflies |
D.he wanted to protect the cocoon from its hard environment |
A.cut a hole in the cocoon to let the butterfly out |
B.tried to keep his cat away from the cocoon |
C.sought his mother’s advice on what to do with it |
D.put it in a jar and covered the jar with his handkerchief. |
A.Freedom is a gift that everyone should cherish . |
B.The young should be given enough time to learn |
C.Struggles in life are what make people stronger |
D.Good intentions might lead to terrible results . |
A.Curious | B.Anxious |
C.Instructive | D.Humorous |
【推荐1】BEIJING — Chinese central authorities have released a set of guidelines on promoting the high-quality development of modern vocational education.
A modern vocational-education system should be established in China by 2025, and China's vocational education should be ranked among the best globally by 2035, according to the guidelines jointly released by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.
Primary and middle school students should receive formative courses on vocational education to cultivate their awareness of career planning, according to the guidelines. Priority should be given to training talent for emerging industries, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, modern agriculture and artificial intelligence, the document says, encouraging vocational schools to set up majors that meet market demand.
Vocational institutions should step up cooperation with enterprises to serve technological upgrading and product research in medium, small and micro businesses, the guidelines add. It also calls on vocational schools to improve the quality of teachers, innovate teaching models and promote overseas cooperation.
1. What guidelines have Chinese central authorities released on ?A.Set up completed system of modern education. | B.Reform Chinese education. |
C.Promote development of modern vocational education. | D.Achieve the next educational plan. |
A.In 2022. | B.In 2040. | C.In 2035. | D.In 2025. |
A.Cultivate their awareness of career plan. | B.Build up their confidence. |
C.Improve their study ability. | D.Encourage them. |
A.increase the number of students. | B.the quality of teachers. |
C.innovate teaching models. | D.promote overseas cooperation. |
【推荐2】The world of work is changing. Are people ready for the new job outlook? A survey of 15- year-olds across 41 countries by the OECD(经合组织) has found that teenagers may have unrealistic expectations about the kind of work that will be available.
Four of the five most popular choices are traditional professional roles: doctors, teachers, business managers and lawyers. Teenagers cluster around the most popular jobs, with the top ten being chosen by 47% of boys and 53% of girls.
This selection is partly due to wishful thinking on the part of those surveyed. Furthermore, teenagers can hardly be expected to have an in-depth knowledge of labour-market trends. They encounter doctors and teachers in their daily lives. Other popular professions, such as lawyers and police officers, are familiar from films and social media.
Some parts of the OECD survey are disturbing. More boys than girls expect to work in science or engineering. The problem continues in higher education; with the exception of biological and biomedical sciences, degrees in STEM Subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths ) are male-dominated. In America women earn just 35. 5% of undergraduate STEM degrees and 33. 7% of PhDs. Things are even worse in technology. In Britain only one in five computer-science university students is a woman. Women are underrepresented in some important fields of technology; they have only 12% of jobs in cloud computing, for example.
Women play a much bigger role in the health- and social-care sectors. The problem is that some of these jobs are not very well paid. Home-health and personal-care aides had median annual salaries in 2018 of just over 24,000. Some jobs in health care are extremely profitable, of course. But another gender imbalance emerges here: women make up only one-third of American health-care executives. In contrast, they tend to dominate the poorly paid social care workforce.
The biggest problem in the labour market, then, may not be that teenagers are focusing on a few well-known jobs. It could be a mismatch: not enough talented women move into technology and not enough men take jobs in social care. Any economist will recognise this as an inefficient use of resources. Wherever the root of the problem lies---be it the education system, government policy or corporate recruiting practices---it needs to be identified and fixed.
1. Many teenagers would like to choose some traditional jobs because_______.A.they are ready for these jobs |
B.these jobs are better known to them |
C.these jobs live up to their expectations |
D.they think these jobs are available to them |
A.In engineering |
B.In technology. |
C.In health care. |
D.In business. |
A.The mismatch of resources requires improving. |
B.Not enough men and women take jobs in society. |
C.Teenagers have unrealistic expectations about jobs. |
D.It's the education system that causes the problem in the labour market. |
A.Entertainment. | B.Education. |
C.Science. | D.Career. |
【推荐3】If you’re walking through Boston during a downpour, you might see a poem appear before your eyes.
Titled “Raining Poetry”, this art installation was a collaboration, which needs efforts between the nonprofit Mass Poetry and the city of Boston. The first poems were installed to honour the start of National Poetry Month. Several more were added since then. The poems are invisible during dry and sunny weather, but they appear like magic once raindrops start falling from the sky.
“We want to bring poetry to the people,” said Sara Siegel, program director for Mass Poetry. The poems were selected by Danielle Legros Georges, Boston’s poet laureate (桂冠诗人). Scattered throughout the city, Georges selected the poems mainly based on their relationship to Boston. Another factor was their general themes of water and rain.
The poems were installed by members of the Mayor’s Mural Crew,an organization that introduces young artists to the process of creating public art. The poems can be fixed to the sidewalk in minutes. It will wear away in six to eight weeks. However, the city of Boston and Mass Poetry plan on carpeting city sidewalks with more poems. “It’s a public art project, as the poems are and will be installed in public sites in Boston, and meant for everyone,” Georges said. “I think this is a wonderful way to bring poetry to the people.”
The poems appear throughout the city. While all of the poems currently installed are written in English, Siegel hopes to add new ones in the many languages. “Our hope is in the next two years everyone in the state will encounter a poem in their daily lives at least once or twice a month,” Siegel tells Guerra. “This is a fun and unusual way to bring poetry to the people.”
1. What does the underlined word “collaboration” in Paragraph 2 mean?A.Wonder. | B.Success. |
C.Challenge. | D.Cooperation. |
A.To inspire people to show interest in poetry. |
B.To let people experience the power of poetry. |
C.To make poetry come into people’s daily life. |
D.To honour the start of National Poetry Month. |
A.Those about public art. |
B.Those related to English. |
C.Those linked with Boston. |
D.Those about water and rain. |
A.About six days. | B.About a month. |
C.Several minutes. | D.About seven weeks. |
【推荐1】Bats are mammals which give birth to live young and produce milk to feed them. Over sixty different kinds occur in Australia. Most eat insects, but eight feed only on flowers and fruit, and are known as fruit-bats or flying-foxes. Four of these are among the world's largest bats. They may weigh up to one kilogram and their wings may span(跨越)more than a meter.
The favorite food of flying-foxes is the blossom of eucalypts(桉树)and some other native trees, and various bush fruits. The bats are beneficial to the trees because they act as pollinators(传粉者)and dispersers(扩散器)of their seeds. The great distances they can fly means they carry pollen and seeds far from the parent tree.
Camps are places where the large flying-foxes gather during the day, sometimes in many thousands. Along the coast they may be in mangroves(红树林),further inland they are often in deep rainforests, and west of the Dividing Range they are usually along water-courses. Their location may be known only to a few local people. The same campsites tend to be used year after year, although not necessarily every year, or all year round.
Damage to cultivated fruit varies greatly from one year to the next and between different areas. The factors controlling it are not well understood. Some areas rarely experience attacks, others do so most years, Widespread shortages of natural food, such as those occur during droughts, may cause large numbers of animals to move well beyond their usual range in search of food. This applies particularly to Little Red Flying-foxes, which occur further inland than the other species.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?A.The weight of bats. | B.The usual size of bats. |
C.The main food of bats. | D.The species of bats. |
A.They eat nothing but fruits. | B.They prefer fruit to flowers. |
C.They are also known as fruit-bats. | D.They are known as the largest bats. |
A.they eat harmful insects |
B.they help trees to grow abundantly |
C.they keep many native trees free of disease |
D.they act as cleaners for trees and flowers |
A.live in groups in the daytime | B.camp in places where there are no water |
C.prefer mangroves to rainforests | D.camp in different places year after year |
【推荐2】A reusable bottle will save you money in the long run while helping you reach your hydration goals. Let’s check out these reusable water bottles in 2019!
Klean Kanteen Reflect Bottle (Stainless steel), $31, Amazon
This shiny, stainless steel bottle is lightweight and easy to grasp, so it’s perfectly portable when you’re on-the-go, whether hiking up a mountain or doing business around town. The single-walled stainless steel construction keeps your drink cold for hours, and a stylish cap made of sustainably harvested bamboo tops it off.
CamelBak Eddy Water Bottle (Plastic), $20 (Normally $28), Amazon
If you find more of your drink ends up in your bag — or on your pants — than in your mouth, Camelbak’s spill-proof water bottle cap is a must-have. The newly redesigned “bite-and-sip” cap lets more liquid flow through than previous versions, letting you stay hydrated without having to worry about spills. It’s also dishwasher-safe, unlike other water bottles, so it’s simple to keep clean and germ-free.
Yuanfeng Collapsible Water Bottle, $10, Amazon
For adventurers on-the-go, this space-saving water container is a must-have. The soft, BPA-free bottle folds up to be only 4.5 inches tall when it’s empty, but stores up to 500 ml liquid when you fill it up! Available in six bright colors, this handy bottle is the perfect travel companion for your next biking, hiking, or camping trip.
Cupture White Fruit Infuser Water Bottle, $9, Amazon
Kick up the flavor with this genius infuser bottle that allows you to add in extra flavor to your water. Fill the removable infuser basket with lemons, berries, tea bags, or anything else you’re fond of, and you’ll be able to create your own deliciously flavored water. You can take out the infuser whenever you need a regular water bottle too.
1. Which bottle keeps your drink cold for hours?A.Klean Kanteen Reflect Bottle. |
B.CamelBak Eddy Water Bottle. |
C.Yuanfeng Collapsible Water Bottle. |
D.Cupture White Fruit Infuser Water Bottle. |
A.$15. | B.$13. |
C.$10. | D.$8. |
A.Being made of stainless steel. | B.Saving space by easily folding up. |
C.Preventing the liquid from spills. | D.Allowing users to add in extra flavor. |
【推荐3】Will it matter if you don't take your breakfast? Recently a test was given in the United States. Those tested included people of different ages, from 12 to 83. During the experiment, these people were given all kinds of breakfast, and sometimes they got no breakfast at all. Special tests were set up to see how well their bodies worked when they had eaten a certain kind of breakfast. The results show that if a person eats a proper breakfast, he or she will work with better effort than if he or she has no breakfast. This fact appears to be especially true if a person works with his brains. If a student eats fruit, eggs, bread and milk before going to school, he will learn more quickly and listen with more attention in class. Contrary to what many people believe , people become so hungry at noon that they eat too much for lunch, and end up gaining weight instead of losing. You will probably lose more weight if you reduce other meals.
1. The title of the passage should be ________.A.the importance of breakfast |
B.the result of a test |
C.breakfast will make you clever |
D.breakfast is more important than other meals |
A.no breakfast at all | B.very rich breakfast |
C.little food for breakfast | D.different foods or none. |
A.lose weight | B.not lose weight |
C.be healthier | D.gain a lot of weight |
【推荐1】Breathtaking Underwater Destinations
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island-Rangali Island, The Maldives
This island resort is famous for its Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the world's first all-glass dining establishment completely built underwater. It's also one of the only places in the world where you shouldn't be afraid of sharks staring at you.Above ground, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island provides beautiful views of the Indian Ocean.
Atlantis The Palm - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Atlantis The Palm was the first resort built on an island and lies on the world's largest man-made island, Palm Jumeirah. It also offers floor-to-ceiling views of the sea in its underwater suites, even ,in the bathrooms. Guests can dine at not one,but two underwater restauran ts. Poseidon Cafe and Ossiano.
Please Note: The hotel is currently undergoing a three-year renovation(翻修)-due for completion by 2019.Guests should expect low-level interruption during construction hours (10 a. m-6 p. m )
Utter Inn - Vasteras, Sweden
It's an art project designed by artist and sculptor Mikael Genberg, which conveniently doubles as a hotel room. Guests enter the Utter Inn through a red Swedish-style house floating on the water. and then climb down a hatch(舱口) in the floor for the main attraction: the underwater bedroom surrounded by windows looking into Sweden's Lake Malaren。
Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel-Key West, FL
Located 30 feet below the surface, the hotel's 12 bedrooms are accessible via a glass elevator and provide an overall view of marine life. A marine biologist will accompany guests to explain the marine life around them Besides, the hotel will travel to other places -Japan, Singapore, and Thailand are listed on the hotel's website-to bring the experience to other citizens of the world.
1. What is Ithaa Undersea Restaurant famous for?A.The overall view of underwater life. |
B.The first restaurant built on a man-made island. |
C.The first underwater restaurant totally made of glass. |
D.The only underwater restaurant without sharks around. |
A.Utter Inn. | B.Atlantis The Palm. |
C.Ithaa Undersea Restaurant. | D.Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel. |
A.It locates under water. | B.It's under repair. |
C.Its guests can travel free. | D.It is moveable. |
【推荐2】Are you looking for a good book for your kids? Here, TFK Kid Reporters review four of the most noteworthy reads of 2019. For more recommendations, keep checking this page.
Title:AstroNuts
By: Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg
Reviewed by: Eshaan Mani
In AstroNuts, the Earth has been trashed by humans for thousands of years. Four animals set out from Mount Rushmore, the headquarters (总 部) of NNASA (Not-NASA). Their task is to find a new planet fit for human life. Finally, they discover one: Plant Planet. Readers who love sci-fi will enjoy AstroNuts.
Title: Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation
By: Stuart Gibbs
Reviewed by: Zara Wierzbowski
The CIA is trying to find something called Pandora, which could destroy the world if the wrong people get it. For help, they turn to Charlie, a 12-year-old girl who is as smart as Albert Einstein. And now it’s up to her to keep people safe. People who like action-packed mysteries with an element of adventure will enjoy reading this book.
Title: Stargazing
By: Jen Wang
Reviewed by: Nora Wilson-Hartgrove
Christine hears rumors ( 谣 言 ) that Moon, who’s new in town, is the kind of kid who beats people up for fun. But Moon and her mom come to live with Christine’s family, and the two kids become best friends. Moon even shares a big secret with Christine. Stargazing is based on author Jen Wang’s experiences as a child.
Title: Roll with It
By: Jamie Sumner
Reviewed by: Tyler Mitroff
Roll with It is a story about a 12-year-old girl named Ellie. She has a disease that makes it hard for her to walk on her own. So she uses a wheelchair. When Ellie and her mom move to another state to take care of Ellie’s grandpa, she must learn to live in a new school and develop new friendships. It’s a heartwarming story that really shows the value of family and how being different is special.
1. Who would be interested in reading the book AstroNuts?A.Children having a passion for history. |
B.Children concerned about animal protection. |
C.Children loving stories of space travel and life on other planets. |
D.Children wanting to know the causes for environmental pollution. |
A.A new way to deal with criminals. | B.A girl’s efforts in saving the world. |
C.Albert Einstein’s childhood life. | D.A girl’s adventure with friends in the wild. |
A.Stargazing. | B.AstroNuts. |
C.Roll with It. | D.Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation. |
The WWF recently released its 10th Flagship Living Planet Report. The group warns the condition of the world's animals is worse than its earlier reports showed, indicating worldwide action is needed.
The WWF is worried about the loss of and damage to Earth’s environment. The report provides information about more than 10,000 animal populations from 1970 to 2010. These populations are called “vertebrate species,” or animals with backbones — like fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The report shows these populations have dropped by 52 percent in just 40 years. It warns freshwater species have fallen by 76 percent, which is almost twice the loss of land and ocean species. Most of these losses are in the tropics, with the biggest drop in Latin America.
Marco Lambertini, the WWF’s International Director-General said, “This is about losing natural habitats. This is about converting forests, grasslands, and wetlands into agriculture mainly, and it is about unsustainable use of wildlife. Illegal hunting has been actually increasing over the last 10 years, which definitely a driving force for extinction, particularly of large species.”
The report also notes what it calls the world’s “Ecological Footprint”, that is, the effect of human activities on the planet. Mr. Lambertini says there has been an increase in carbon dioxide gases and the pouring of nitrogen into oceans and rivers from fertilizers used in agriculture, which certainly cannot continue.
“We are consuming on average every year about the equivalent of about 1.5, one and a half times the resources available to the planet. That means we are cutting trees more quickly than they can be restored. We are fishing the oceans more quickly than fishing stocks can reproduce, and we are emitting in the atmosphere more CO2 than the natural systems can actually absorb, which is clearly not sustainable.”
Mr. Lambertini warns climate change affects almost everyone on the planet and that whole species may disappear if the world does not reduce the effects of humans on the climate.
1. According to the passage, what kind of species faces the biggest drop in population?
A.Land and ocean species. |
B.Animals with backbones. |
C.Freshwater species in Latin America. |
D.Freshwater species in the tropics. |
A.turning wildlife habitats into agriculture land. |
B.making sustainable use of wildlife. |
C.hunting illegally. |
D.emitting CO2 gases and pouring nitrogen. |
A.Conserving. | B.Conveying. |
C.Exchanging. | D.Transforming. |
A.Marco is much concerned about human’s current behaviors towards wildlife. |
B.what the planet provides now can satisfy human’s sustainable development. |
C.more than half of the world’s wildlife population has been lost. |
D.if humans reduce the effects on the climate, the whole species will not disappear. |