The 16-year-old Australian Shalise Leesfield couldn’t think of a better creature to meet than a gray nurse shark when diving off the coast. “I know how scary they can look, but I promise they are the sweetest animals ever,” she says. But they are under threat.
Leesfield is working with Cate Faehrmann, member of parliament (议会) and marine spokesperson for the Australian Greens party in New South Wales, to legalize protection of the sharks. Faehrmann says that she’s proud to have worked with Leesfield. “Shalise is part of a new generation of campaigners speaking up for the environment and our future is a lot brighter as a result of their passion and determination to save our planet and our precious wildlife.”
For someone who hasn’t yet left high school, this sounds like an impressive achievement, but Leesfield’s track record in conservation goes beyond protecting gray nurse sharks. Aged 11, after noticing the damage plastic pollution can do to the marine environment, she started a campaign that called for fishing line collection bins to be set in her local area to reduce ocean pollution. It resulted in a government environmental grant worth more than $48,000.Since then, she has founded “Shalise’s Ocean Support” which aims to inspire people to take care of the environment, and started a “Plastic Free Schools” website which advises teachers and students on reducing school waste.
Leesfield’s devotion to the cause comes from a deep love of the ocean that grew from her experiences of diving. “Falling in love with the sea made my passion grow and made me stand up for what I really love,” she says.
She believes that the younger generation needs to get out of the mindset that saving the environment is something that should be “left up to the adults”. “We are the ones that will take over the Earth and the ocean,” she says.
1. What does Shalise Leesfield think of gray nurse sharks?| A．They are wonderful creatures. | B．Their behaviors are human-like. |
| C．Their looks are attractive. | D．They are threatening. |
| A．By cooperating with her teachers. |
| B．By helping make related laws. |
| C．By calling on adults to participate. |
| D．By starting a campaign to raise money. |
| A．Leesfiled has become a candidate of parliament. |
| B．Leesfield has done much to protect the environment. |
| C．Leesfield successfully attracted the government’s attention to pollution. |
| D．Leesfiled persuaded teachers and students to reduce school waste. |
| A．A new field for teenagers to explore |
| B．A chance to contact sharks through diving |
| C．A new website—Plastic Free Schools in Australia |
| D．An Australian teenager on a mission to protect sharks |
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【推荐1】Rainbow-coloured rubbish is the colourful waste created by a Swedish city with a unique recycling system. Like many cities in Sweden, Eskilstuna has an impressive recycling record. It met the EU's 2020 target of recycling 50% of waste many years ago.
Almost everyone who lives here follows a strict recycling policy at home. People are expected to sort their household waste into seven separate categories, including food, textiles, cartons and metal. But what really makes the system stand out is the bright colour code.
The reason for this becomes clear at the city's recycling plant. The bags arrive all jumbled up（被混在一 起）because they're collected altogether, once a fortnight from outside people's houses.
But thanks to those bright colours, scanners can select the bags and separate them efficiently. The food waste in green bags is processed on site into slurry to make biogas, which powers the city's buses. One of the benefits of this method of recycling is that there is less cross-contamination, so more of the recycled waste can actually be used to make new things.
Like the rest of Sweden, Eskilstuna is committed to sending zero waste from its citizens to landfill. Waste that cannot be recycled is incinerated（焚化）at a local plant to generate electricity. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but does create greenhouse gases.
As countries around the world try to improve their recycling rates, some may think of Eskilstuna as an example to follow, as long as they think they can persuade their citizens to get busy sorting at home.
1. What can we say about the recycling system used in Eskilstuna?| A．It is a colorful policy. | B．It is a temporary success. |
| C．It is an ordinary recycling system. | D．It is a practical method of recycling. |
| A．The strict recycling policy. | B．The self-discipline of citizens. |
| C．The bright colour. | D．The eco-friendly code. |
| A．To send zero waste to landfill. | B．To make electricity. |
| C．To reduce dependence on fossil fuels. | D．To decrease greenhouse gases |
| A．Some countries set a good example to Eskilstuna. |
| B．Eskilstuna follows in the footsteps of other countries. |
| C．Some countries may adopt the system of rainbow-colored recycling. |
| D．Eskilstuna may force its citizens to get busy sorting at home. |
【推荐2】The planting or woodlands in upland areas could play a key role in preventing the flooding which has increasingly affected communities across the world in recent years.
A new study by the University of Plymouth has shown that within just 15 years of being planted, native broadleaf trees can have a great effect on soil's response during extreme weather events. It means that the huge amount of rainwater can be more readily absorbed, rather than simply running over the surface and into rivers where it probably causes severe flooding.
Scientists say their findings show planting more native woodlands in upland areas could be an effective and natural flood management tool. There have been a number of extreme rainfall and flooding events in recent years, and they are predicted to increase in both frequency and seriousness in the future as a result of human-caused climate change.
They show that in areas where new woodlands have been planted, the ability of soil to absorb water is almost double that of areas with no trees, associated with increases in soil macro-pores-（大孔隙）and reductions in soil compaction（压实）. This means the speed at which rainwater enters rivers during rainfall events is obviously reduced, which helps lower peak flow.
However, the nature of the soil and location of the woodlands are also critical to their success, with steep hillside on the edge of upland areas providing the most effective location for tree plantations to serve as an effective flood prevention tool.
Dr Paul Lunt, Associate Professor in Environmental Science added, "There are a lot of weak upland catchment（集水）areas across the UK. However, by working with farmers and the government's farm woodland measures, this study has shown that damaged soil can recover rapidly. This is particularly obvious on hillsides which are traditionally not so good for farming. So there is an opportunity for a joined-up approach which could benefit the uplands themselves, but also those people living on and around them."
1. What advantage does planting native woodlands in upland areas have?| A．Preventing rainwater into the sky. | B．Taking in plenty of rainwater. |
| C．Stopping the extreme weather. | D．Helping rainwater run over the surface. |
| A．Trees can help reduce soil macro-pores. |
| B．New woodlands are related to extreme weather. |
| C．Planting new woodlands may prevent serious flooding. |
| D．Scientists affect the ability of soil to absorb water. |
| A．The way of reducing flooding risks. |
| B．The measures of helping native farmers. |
| C．The cooperation between farmers and the government. |
| D．The benefits of planting native woodlands. |
| A．New Woodlands Can Help Reduce Flooding Risks |
| B．Rainwater Will Ruin Mountainous Areas |
| C．Scientists Has Found Ways to Control Extreme Weather |
| D．Farmers Have Planted Many Trees to Collect Rainwater |
【推荐3】Eradajere Oleita thinks she may have a partial solution for two of our country’s persistent problems: garbage and poverty. It’s called the Chip Bag Project. The 26-year-old student and environmentalist from Detroit is asking a favor of local snack lovers:Rather than throw your empty chip bags into the trash，donate them so she can turn them into sleeping bags for the homeless.
Chip eaters drop off their empty bags from Doritos，Lay’s, and other favorites at two locations in Detroit: a print shop and a clothing store, where Oleita and her volunteer helpers collect them.After they sanitize the chip bags in soapy hot water, they slice them open, lay them flat, and iron them together. They use padding and liners from old coats to line the insides.
It takes about four hours to sew a sleeping bag, and each takes around 150 to 300 chip bags.depending on whether they’re single-serve or family size. The result is a sleeping bag that is “waterproof, lightweight, and easy to carry around,” Oleita told the Detroit News.
Since its start in 2020, the Chip Bag Project has collected more than 800,000 chip bags and,as of last December, created 110 sleeping bags.
Sure, it would be simpler to raise the money to buy new sleeping bags. But that’s only half the goal for Oleita—whose family moved to the United States from Nigeria a decade ago with the hope of attaining a better life — and her fellow volunteers. “We are dedicated to making an impact not only socially, but environmentally,” she says.
And, of course, there’s the symbolism of recycling bags that would otherwise land in the trash and using them to help the homeless. It’s a powerful reminder that environmental injustice and poverty often go hand in hand. As Oleita told hourdetroit.com: “I think it’s time to show connections between all of these issues.”
1. What does the underlined word “persistent” mean in the first paragraph?| A．Temporary. | B．Tireless. | C．Continuous. | D．Primitive. |
| A．The empty chip bags are collected from two locations. |
| B．The chip bags are sealed with old coats. |
| C．A sleeping bag costs only 200 chip bags. |
| D．A sleeping bag couldn’t be washed out if dirty. |
| A．To get rid of poverty. | B．To make use of garbage. |
| C．To gain a better life. | D．To make our society and environment better. |
| A．Recycling bags will be landed in the trash at last. |
| B．Connections between these issues are hard to set up. |
| C．Environmental injustice and poverty often go separately. |
| D．There’s a symbolic meaning in this way to help the homeless. |
【推荐1】A little boy always thought of himself as the most unfortunate child in the world because polio (小儿麻痹症) made his leg lame and his teeth uneven. He seldom played with his classmates; when the teacher asked him to answer questions, he always lowered his head without a word.
One spring, the boy’s father asked for some seeds from the neighbor. He wanted to plant them in front of the house. He told his children to plant a seed each. The father said to them, “Whose seed grows best, I will buy him or her a gift.” The boy also wanted to get his father’s gift, but seeing his brothers and sisters watering the trees joyfully, anyhow, he hit upon an idea: he hoped the tree he planted would die soon. So watering it once or twice, he never attended to it.
A few days later, when the little boy went to see his tree again, he was surprised to find it not only didn’t become weak, but also grew some fresh leaves, and compared with the trees of his brothers and sisters, his tree appeared greener and more vital. His father kept his promise, bought the little boy his favorite gift and said to him, “From the tree you planted, you would become an outstanding botanist (植物学家) when you grew up.”
Since then, the little boy gradually became optimistic. One day, the little boy lay on the bed but couldn’t sleep. Looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, he suddenly recalled what the biology teacher once said, plants generally grow at night. Why not go to see the tree? When he came to the courtyard on tiptoe, he found his father was splashing something under his tree with a large spoon. All of a sudden, he understood: his father had been secretly fertilizing his small tree! He returned to his room, tears running down his face. Even if it is just a spoon of clear water, it can make the tree of life thrive.
1. It can be learned from paragraphs 1-2 that the little boy ______ .| A．was ambitious in spite of his disability |
| B．was disabled and therefore less confident |
| C．showed no interest in plants and quit watering the tree |
| D．felt lonely and unlucky due to the prejudice against him |
| A．He intended to offer him a gift. |
| B．He believed that he is gifted in botany. |
| C．He attempted to give him more encouragement. |
| D．He wanted to help him adapt to his disability. |
| A．The Best Nutrition of Life |
| B．A Precious Gift from Father |
| C．An Unforgettable Competition in Life |
| D．The Most Powerful Support for the Disabled |
【推荐2】Get up at 6 a.m., arrive at the hospital one hour earlier to help patients check in, and accompany patients during consultations... In recent years, the patient escort has emerged as a new occupation, and those who have taken on this career are known as “people who sell time”. 26-year-old Zhang Tian is one of them.
September 4, 2022 was a lucky day for Zhang Tian. On this day, Zhang Tian saw a video about patient escorts on a short video platform. The daily routine of patient escorts shown in the video fascinated her and inspired her to take this on as a business. She browsed through many platforms and searched for information and found there indeed exists a certain demand for patient escorts, especially for the elderly, children and pregnant women. Since she had never engaged in this kind of work before, she spent two days in major hospitals in Wuhan, in order to familiarize herself with all the departments on different floors, as well as the processes of medical consultations and preparations for surgery.
After the preparations, Zhang Tian posted a video of self-introduction on major social media sites, talking about the help and services a patient escort provides, as well as some tips for a quick and convenient medical consultation. At first, she was a little worried that her video would go unnoticed. However, after she uploaded the video, it got over 100 likes and she received her first offer as a patient escort.
The memory of her first task is still vivid in her mind. She received a phone call on September 9 from a man whose father was seriously ill and might need surgery. He wanted Zhang Tian to accompany his father through his consultation and treatment. Zhang Tian made all the preparations before meeting her first client and did a very good job despite her nervousness.
“Later, the family expressed their gratitude to me over and over again, which warmed my heart and gave me a sense of achievement,” Zhang Tian said.
1. What do patient escorts do?| A．They assist doctors in hospitals. | B．They arrive at hospitals early to check in. |
| C．They post videos for money. | D．They help patients get treatment in hospitals. |
| A．She enjoyed seeing an interesting video. | B．She got inspiration for her own career. |
| C．She found a demand for medical workers. | D．She was popular on social media. |
| A．She got familiar with the routine work in hospitals. |
| B．She spent two days in major hospitals meeting patients. |
| C．She post a video in search of clients on social media. |
| D．She happened to know an old man in need of surgery. |
| A．Considerate and responsible. | B．Humorous and careful. |
| C．Ambitious and imaginative. | D．Talkative and positive. |
Why should we teachers waste time on such tiring work? Our job should be to help the child when he tells us that he can’t find the way to get the right answer. Let’s end all this nonsense（荒谬的）of grades, exams and marks. Let us throw them all out, and let the children learn what all educated persons must someday learn, how to measure their own understanding, how to know what they know or do not know.
We should, of course, offer help to them just as they ask for it. The idea that there is a body of knowledge to be learnt at school and used for the rest of one’s life is nonsense in a world as complicated（复杂的）and rapidly changing as ours. Don’t worry! If something is basic, they will go out into the world and learn it.
1. What is the main idea of the passage? (No more than 8 words.)
2. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?
Teachers seem to think that a child can’t find out a mistake or correct it without their help.
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Please fill in the blank in the first paragraph with proper words or phrases to complete the sentence.
(No more than 10 words.)
4. According to the passage, what should a teacher do? (No more than 15 words.)
A teacher should
_____________________________________________________________________________
5. What is the author’s attitude towards grades, exams and marks at school?
(No more than 5 words.)
The author thinks
