Having worked in a nature reserve for 30 years, Hou Tiguo has developed a special ability—he can tell what kind of birds are around simply by their singing. “I can also tell whether they are happy or unhappy,” he added with a big smile.
The 52-year-old’s home, Baihualing, a village in Yunnan province, is well-known for the diversity of birds. He recalled, “In the 1970s, people were so poor. Birds were often targeted as food, so almost all the children including me in the village were good at using slingshots (弹弓).”
His life changed in 1989, when a couple hiking through the mountains visited Baihualing. They asked him to be their guide and lead them to good bird-watching spots. He said, “That was the first time I had made money from birds without killing them.”
Inspired by that, the villagers built a reserve to feed birds and protect the habitat (栖息地) of birds. In the decades that followed, more bird-watchers visited the village. The village became a popular destination for bird lovers, and most villagers have turned into bird protectors and engaged in serving bird-loving tourists.
In the village, there are more than 60 “bird guides” like Hou. More than 20 guesthouses which have hosted visitors from more than 100 countries bring in a total income of 15 million yuan every year. “During the peak season, I serve nearly 100 tourists a day. Thanks to the birds, our life is not what it used to be any more.” Hou said, adding that he takes his 3-year-old grandson with him every day to feed birds and teaches him to love and respect them.
1. Why is Hou’s special ability mentioned in paragraph 1?| A．To show his typical talent. | B．To describe the variety of birds. |
| C．To introduce the beauty of nature. | D．To indicate his devotion to the job. |
| A．Visitors come to the village to protect birds. | B．The local government established a reserve. |
| C．Villagers began to engage in traveling around. | D．Bird-watching industry benefits villagers in return. |
| A．Telling moving tales. | B．Using plentiful numbers. |
| C．Quoting famous sayings. | D．Giving accurate definitions. |
| A．The Reserve Is Birds’ Best Home | B．Birds Help Villagers’ Life Take Off |
| C．The Wild Birds Are in Danger of Extinction | D．Take Action to Protect the Environment Now |
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【推荐1】Something was in the air. All his senses told White Fang that some big change was about to come. “Listen to that!” said Matt. Through the open door came a low, anxious howl, like a sobbing under the breath.
The truth was that Scott was torn. He was miserable at the idea of leaving White Fang, but he knew a dog like him needed the wide-open spaces of the frozen North. Five or six times he changed his mind. But in the end he decided firmly against taking him. He told himself, “He would hate living in a city, anyway.”
Then came the day when White Fang saw his master pack and take two large bags out of the cabin. “Poor fellow,” said Scott, gently rubbing White Fang’s ears. “I’m hitting the trail, old boy, I’ve got a new job in California, where you can’t follow. Now give me your howls. A goodbye howl!” But White Fang wouldn’t howl. He gave his master a wistful, searching look and buried his head out of sight, between his master’s arm and body.
Matt locked the door. Scott wiped his eyes. “Take good care of him, Matt,” he said, “Write and let me know how he gets on.” “Sure,” replied Matt. “But listen to that!” Both men stopped. White Fang was howling inside. His howl burst upwards, dying down into trembling misery. It rose again and again.
Near the steamship, Scott said goodbye to Matt and was to have a final handshake with Matt. But Matt’s hand dropped. He stared at something behind them. Sitting on the deck and watching wistfully was White Fang! “Did you lock the door?” asked Scott. “Sure did.” Said Matt. As Scott patted the dog, he noticed blood on his nose and a fresh cut between his eyes. “We forgot the window!” he cried. “He’s all cut up. Must have made his way clean through the glass!”
The steamship whistled its final. Scott bent down to White Fang, “Howl for me now, you stupid, brave fellow!” White Fang knew he had won. He howled and nuzzled his beloved master for all he was worth.
1. Why doesn’t Scott take White Fang at first?| A．Because life stress outweighs reality. | B．Because he blocks his pursuit of career. |
| C．Because he dislikes the city environment. | D．Because he belongs to the spacious wild. |
| A．dialogues | B．actions | C．inner thoughts | D．emotions |
| A．To interpret his emotional changes. |
| B．To interact with the devoted animal. |
| C．To create an atmosphere of sadness. |
| D．To present a vivid account of the animal. |
| A．White Fang gets seriously injured all over. |
| B．Scott is the first to find White Fang on the deck. |
| C．White Fang’s fearless love contributes to their reunion. |
| D．White Fang catches up with Scott by breaking the door. |
【推荐2】Jessica Damiano moved into a new home in the spring of 2005. At the time, she was delighted to see a flowering plant growing in the garden.She did not know the name of the beautiful plant. But that did not matter to her. She loved it!
Two years later,Damiano graduated from Cornell University’s master gardener program. She worked as a gardening writer for a local newspaper. That is when she found out the truth. She discovered that her favorite plant was called purple loose strife and that it was considered “invasive (入侵的) ” in her home state of New York. However, she told herself that the plant was not spreading on the property and that it was not out of control.
Then she learned more. Some plants known to be invasive are what Damiano calls “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. This means they may seem harmless and well-contained in the garden but become harmful in other places.
Birds eat the seeds of invasive plants and spread them to other places. Those seeds grow into new plants that outgrow native plants. This is because invasive plants often are not eaten by local wildlife, which would otherwise keep them under control. If not controlled, invasive plants grow larger and push out native plants that provide food and shelter for birds,insects,and small animals. This harms the local environment.
Many state environmental agencies ban the sale and use of plants found to be harmful to human or ecological health. But some invasive plants are not officially considered invasive. Others may be listed as invasive in one area but not another. And some invasive plants continue to be sold in stores.
So, what is a gardener to do? Damiano says to avoid any plants sold as “vigorous”, “ fast-spreading”, “quick-climbing” or a “rapid self-sower”. She warns that these are all sellers’ code words (暗号) for invasive plants. Next, learn about your local area: Which plants are invasive? And which plants are native? Ask government agencies, universities and colleges, and environmental groups. You can also do your own research at libraries or online.
In the end, Damiano replaced that plant with the native and equally beautiful blazing star plant. This plant has been growing happily without problems in her garden for the past 15 years.
1. How did Damiano react when she first learned purple loose strife was“invasive”?| A．She felt regretful for loving it. | B．She reported it to the government. |
| C．She didn’t take the fact seriously. | D．She got rid of the plant immediately. |
| A．They need less water. | B．They have fewer natural enemies. |
| C．They adapt to the environment quicker. | D．They have longer roots and bigger leaves. |
| A．Policies about invasive plants vary in different areas. |
| B．Some invasive plants are not harmful. |
| C．Invasive plants are rarely seen in stores. |
| D．The government’s attitude to invasive plants is improper. |
| A．Give up any plants that sell well in the local area. |
| B．Choose plants that can provide food for wild animals. |
| C．Refuse to say the code words of sellers for invasive plants. |
| D．Refer to books for information on which plants are invasive. |
【推荐3】The large, colorful birds called peacocks have spent the last 20 years walking through cities in South Florida with nothing to worry about. They are protected under law.
However, local leaders voted recently to permit individual cities to remove the birds from unwanted areas. Raquel Regalado, a local government leader, represents parts of the cities of Miami and Coral Gables where people want permission to remove the birds. “Mating season is when we get the most complaints. They get very aggressive, ” said Regalado. She added birds would do things like damage cars with their beaks.
About two years ago, people who live in the Miami neighborhood asked city leaders to remove a large group of peacocks. The birds caused damage and left piles of waste in the streets. They called the birds “filthy and dirty”.
But others liked seeing the unusual birds and thought it made their neighborhood look different in a good way. They don’t want to see the birds harmed. Danielle Cohen Higgins, a local woman, said, “we learn to live with these peacocks and they are part of the community.”
Peacocks are not native to South Florida. They originally come from Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia as well as Africa. The birds have been protected from killing or capturing in South Florida for about 20 years. The rule was put in place because people in the area wanted to save a group of peacocks. But now the birds live freely in parts of Florida and they are not uncommon. It is hard to find zoos that want them while state laws prevent non-native species like peacocks from being released in the wild. If will accept the birds, they might have to be killed in a process known as euthanasia (安乐死).
Regalado said the problem now will be to decide where to put the peacocks. “This really is not about killing,” she said. “This is about moving. ”
1. From the passage, we can learn________.| A．peacocks are being killed in Florida. | B．peacocks are hopefully to live in the zoo. |
| C．peacocks are influencing people’s daily life. | D．peacocks are being sent to the wild. |
| A．They consider them as a part of their life. | B．They think the birds will not cause damage. |
| C．They want to save the native species. | D．They call them “filthy and dirty”. |
| A．How to live with the birds. | B．Whether to remove the birds. |
| C．How to kill the birds. | D．Where to put the birds. |
【推荐1】Natalie Doan, 14, has always felt lucky to live in Rockaway, New York. Living near the beach, Natalie can see the ocean and hear the wave from her house. “It’s the ocean that makes Rockaway so special,” she says.
On October 29, 2012, that ocean turned fierce. That night, Hurricane Sandy attacked the East Coast, and Rockaway was hit especially hard. Fortunately, Natalie’s family escaped to Brooklyn shortly before the city’s bridge closed.
When they returned to Rockaway the next day, they found their neighborhood in ruins. Many of Natalie’s friends had lost their homes and were living far away. All around her, people were suffering, especially the elderly. Natalie’s school was so damaged that she had to temporarily attend a school in Brooklyn.
In the following few days, the men and women helping Rockaway recover inspired Natalie. Volunteers came with carloads of donated clothing and toys. Neighbors devoted their spare time to helping others rebuild. Teenagers climbed dozens of flights of stairs to deliver water and food to elderly people trapped in powerless high-rise buildings.
“My mom tells me that I can’t control what happens to me,” Natalie says.“but I can always choose how I deal with it.”
Natalie’s choice was to help. She created a website page matching survivors in need with donors who wanted to help. Natalie posted introduction about a boy named Patrick, who lost his baseball card collecting when his house burned down. Within days, Patrick’s collection was replaced. In the coming months, her website page helped lots of kids: Christopher, who received a new basketball; Charlie, who got a new keyboard. Natalie also worked with other organizations to bring much-need supplies to Rockaway. Her efforts made her a famous person. Last April, she was invited to the White House and honoured as a Hurricane Sandy Champion of Change.
Today, the scars(创痕)of destruction are still seen in Rockaway, but hope is in the air.
1. When Natalie returned to Rockaway after the hurricane, she found ________.| A．her school had moved to Brooklyn | B．some friends had lost their lives |
| C．her neighborhood was destroyed | D．the elderly were free from suffering |
| A．the teenagers bringing clothing to elderly people |
| B．the people helping Rockaway rebuild |
| C．the volunteers donating money to survivors |
| D．the people trapped in high-rise building |
| A．the honour and fame Natalie received |
| B．the reason Natalie built an Internet platform |
| C．The way Natalie helped the survivors |
| D．the survivors’ appreciation toward Natalie |
| A．East or West, home is best | B．A friend in need is a friend indeed |
| C．Never look down upon others | D．Little people can make a big difference |
【推荐2】We walked in so quietly that the nurse at the desk didn’t even lift her eyes from the book.Mum pointed at a big chair by the door and I knew she wanted me to sit down.While I watched mouth open in surprise, Mum took off her hat and coat and gave them to me to hold.She walked quietly to the small room by the lift and took out a wet mop.She pushed the mop past the desk and as the nurse looked up,Mum nodded and said, “ Very dirty floors.”
“Yes, I’m glad they’ve finally decided to clean them,” the nurse answered.She looked at Mum strangely and said,“but aren’t you working late?”
Mum just pushed harder, each swipe(拖一下) of the mop taking her farther and farther down the hall.I watched until she was out of sight and the nurse had turned back to writing in the big book.
After a long time Mum came back.Her eyes were shining.She quickly put the mop back and took my hand.As we turned to go out of the door,Mum bowed politely to the nurse and said,” Thank you.”
Outside,Mum told me,“ Dagmar is fine.No fever.”
“You saw her, Mum?”
“ Of course.I told her about the hospital rules, and she will not expect us until tomorrow. Dad will stop worrying as well. It’s a fine hospital.But such floors! A mop is no good.You need a brush.”
1. When she took a mop from the small room what Mum really wanted to do was________.| A．to clean the floor | B．to please the nurse |
| C．to see a patient | D．to surprise the storyteller |
| A．It is a children’s hospital. | B．It has strict rules about visiting hours |
| C．the storyteller’s classmate | D．Dad’sworking |
| A．the storyteller’s sister | B．Mum’s friend |
| C．the storyteller’s classmate | D．Dad’sworking |
| A．strange | B．warmhearted |
| C．clever | D．hardworking |
【推荐3】My first impression of VR was not that good after my first attempt lasted about 60 minutes. At the end of that time, I decided that it wasn’t for me and I sold my headset for more than I paid for it.
That was a few years ago and the headset I used was the PSVR. Yes, I could have gone for one of the more advanced headsets but, at the time, my PC wasn’t up to it. I thought that a quick win with a PSVR could satisfy my curiosity (好奇心), but I was wrong.
In 2019, with the appearance of a lot of new headsets, I decided that, maybe, it was time to try VR again. I chose to use the Bigscreen app to watch movies as if you were at the cinema. What was interesting for me was to see what the actual quality was like but, importantly, what kind of experience you could have. Yes, for someone who doesn’t always like the movie-going experience, this could have turned out to be the best of both worlds. I didn’t have to spend money on expensive snacks (小吃) and parking and I didn’t have to put up with bad smells.
I have to say that the whole VR experience has improved quite a lot. Yes, things have improved, but it’s not perfect. In fact, I don’t think we’ve reached the “good enough” stage (阶段) yet.
As for other VR apps, I once told a well-known editor that VR was promising. He just looked at me with a look that said: “Never gonna happen”. Well, the time has come, and you can actually do this now.
VR isn’t for everyone, I understand, but it can be choice for some. I’d like to think that the next generation of headsets will improve some of the problems that we’re still seeing.
1. What was the author’s PSVR experience a few years ago?| A．He found it disappointing. | B．He wasted a lot of money on it. |
| C．He felt the headset uncomfortable. | D．He considered it interesting. |
| A．He was not a film lover. | B．He could have snacks at home. |
| C．He didn’t have to pay for the app. | D．He didn’t like to go to the cinema. |
| A．It is perfect. |
| B．It is good enough in his eyes. |
| C．It has fallen short of his expectations. |
| D．It has achieved some improvements. |
| A．Uninterested. | B．Uncertain. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Hopeful. |
