【推荐1】Hello, I'm Severn Suzuki speaking for E.C.O. — The Environmental Children's Organization.

Coming here today, I am fighting for my future. I am here to speak for all generations to come. I am here to speak on behalf of (代表) the starving children around the world whose cries go unheard. I am here to speak for the countless animals dying across this planet because they have nowhere left to go. I am afraid to go out in the sun now because of the holes in the ozone (臭氧层). I am afraid to breathe the air because I don't know what chemicals are in it.

You don't know how to fix the holes in our ozone layer. You don't know how to bring back an animal now extinct. And you can't bring back forests that once grew where there is now desert. If you don't know how to fix it, please stop breaking it!

Here, you may be delegates of your governments, business people, organizers, reporters or politicians— but really you are mothers and fathers, brothers and sister, aunts and uncles— and all of you are somebody's child.

At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us to behave in the world. You teach us: not to fight with others, to respect others, to clean up our mess, not to hurt other creatures, to share— not be greedy. Then why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do?

Do not forget why you're attending these conferences, who you're doing this for— we are your own children. You are deciding what kind of world we will grow up in. But are we even on your list of priorities? My father always says "You are what you do, not what you say."

Well, what you do makes me cry at night. You grown-ups say you love us. I challenge you, please make your actions reflect your words. Thank you for listening.

1. What did the speaker mainly talk about?

A．politics	B．environment
C．economy	D．war

2. Where was the speech probably given?

A．At a meeting held by school teachers.

B．At a party where many children played.

C．At a ceremony for the speaker’s achievement.

D．At a conference representatives of countries attended.

3. The speech is meant to be given to the following people EXCEPT              .

A．News reporters.

B．Children from E. C. O.

C．Decision makers of the governments.

D．Business men.

4. Why did the speaker mention what she was taught at school?

A．To praise her teachers and her father.

B．To warn children of the importance of study.

C．To show her great achievements at school.

D．To prove the grown-ups’ words and actions were not consistent.

【推荐2】I live in San Luis Obispo, California, about four miles from the beach. Every few years, the humpback whales come into the bay for a few days while they’re migrating. In November 2020, the whales were around, so my friend Liz and I took out our yellow double kayak to watch the wildlife.

We got out on the water at about 8:30 am. For the first half hour, we didn’t see anything. Then I spotted two pairs of whales right past the pier, swimming toward us. We were in awe: it’s an amazing feeling to be so close to a creature that size.

When whales go down after breaching (跃出水面), they leave what looks like an oil slick on the water. I figured if we paddled toward that spot, we’d be safe from the whales, since they’d just left. We followed them at a distance-or what I thought was a distance. I later found out that it’s recommended to keep 90 meters away. We were probably more like 18 meters away.

All of a sudden, a tightly packed swarm of fish started jumping out of the water into our kayak. Their movement sounded like crackling glass around us. At that moment, I knew we were too close. I was terrified. Then I felt the kayak lifted out of the water and tipped back into the ocean. I figured the whale was going to drag us down somehow, and I had no idea how deep we’d be sucked underwater.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that Liz and I were in the whale’s mouth. It had engulfed my entire body except for my right arm and paddle. Liz, meanwhile, was looking up directly into the whale’s jaw-it was like a big white wall. She told me later she thought she was going to die. I was still worried about being sucked down by the vacuum, so I just kept thinking that I had to get up and fight this.

Whales have enormous mouths but tiny throats. Anything they can’t swallow, they spit out. We were wearing life jackets, and soon we both popped up out of the water about a meter apart. The entire ordeal lasted only ten seconds, but to me it felt like an eternity.

A few people were nearby, and someone shot a video of the entire incident. A few days later, I studied the video and saw how close I’d come to being injured or killed. I became so much more appreciative of life after that day. There’s no way I’m getting that close to whales again. I want to respect their space and now I’m very aware of the power of nature.

1. How did the author and her friend feel when they first spotted the whales?

A．Scared and concerned.	B．Surprised and impressed.
C．Confused and restless.	D．Panicked and breathless.

2. What happened when they got really close to the whale?

A．They were chased by a pack of fish.

B．They were injured by the whale’s jaw.

C．They were nearly swallowed by the whale.

D．They were dragged down deep into the ocean.

3. What did the author learn from the incident?

A．She learned that nature deserves our respect.

B．She learned how to protect herself in danger.

C．She learned that it’s not always right to be curious.

D．She learned how tiny humans are in front of whales.

4. What is the writing purpose of this text?

A．To comment on an incident.	B．To present research findings.
C．To narrate a terrifying experience.	D．To advocate wildlife protection.

【推荐3】To learn to think is to learn to question. Those who don’t question never truly think for themselves. These are simple rules that have governed the advancement of science and human thought. Advancements are made when thinkers question theories and introduce new ones. Unfortunately, it is often the great and respected thinkers who end up slowing the progress of human thought. Aristotle was a brilliant philosopher whose theories explained much of the natural world, often incorrectly. He was so respected by the scientific community that even 1,200years after his death, scientists were still trying to build upon his mistakes rather than correct them.

Brilliant minds can intimidate up and coming thinkers who are not confident of their abilities. They often believe they are not as good as the minds of giants such as Aristotle. leading many to accept current ideas instead of questioning them.

I like many thinkers of the past, once believed in my mental weakness. I didn’t question what was written on those pages. I respected them, and accepted whatever they told me. But that attitude soon changed. My mind’s independence was first developed in the classroom.

A 65-year-old science teacher once told me that light is a type of wave. I confidently believed that light is a wave. One day, however, I heard the German exchange student mentioned that light could be made up of particles(粒子). As the others laughed at his statement (陈述), I started to question my beliefs.

Maybe the teachers and textbooks hadn’t given me the whole story. I went to the library, did some research and learned of the light-as-a-wave vs light-as-a-particle debate. I realized I had gone through life accepting only half of the story as the whole truth.

Each new year brought more new facts, and I had even more questions. I found myself in the library after school, trying to find my own answers to gain a more complete understanding of what I thought I already knew. Even textbooks can be challenged. I learned to question my sources, I learned to be a thinker.

Questions are said to be the path to truth, and I plan to continue questioning. How many things do we know for sure today that we will question in the future? I know nothing can escape the gravity of a black hole. This knowledge may change in the next 20 years. The one thing we can control now is our openness to discovery. Questions are the tools of open minds, and open minds are the key to intellectual advancement.

1. In the first paragraph, Aristotle is taken as an example to show that __________.

A．he is the greatest and respected philosopher of all time

B．advancements are made when thinkers question theories

C．great thinkers often make mistakes and then correct them

D．huge influence of great thinkers may block human thought

2. What does the underlined word “intimidate” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Frighten.

B．Encourage.

C．Strengthen.

D．Disappoint.

3. We can conclude from the last paragraph that __________.

A．the author is not quite sure about his future

B．we human beings don’t dare to predict future

C．the theory of black holes will be true forever

D．questioning is necessary to promote advancement

4. According to the passage, the author __________.

A．determines to be a thinker and questioner

B．always throws himself into the laboratory

C．looks down upon great thinkers all the time

D．never doubts what he has learned in the textbook

【推荐1】During his first week as a new Atlanta police officer, Officer Che Milton answered a call for shoplift at the nearby Family Dollar store. When he arrived, Milton found a 12-year-old girl in tears over trying to steal a $2 pair of shoes. Crying, she told Milton that the shoes were supposed to surprise her 5-year-old sister.

Milton, instead of arresting the girl, asked her to take him to her home instead. When he arrived, Milton’s heart sank. He found a house nearly empty, with only a sofa and sheets on the floor instead of beds. There was no food in the kitchen and the kids were there. The girl’s mother told the officer that her husband worked but didn’t make much money and that she couldn’t afford to do the same with several children to take care of and no daycare money to spare.

Moved, the officer drove to a restaurant and bought four pizzas for them and he called the Division of Family and Children Services and asked if there was a social worker who could help.

When the police department found out about Milton’s trips, instead of punishing him, the department decided to share his story on Facebook and added that “not only is he here to enforce(实施) the law but also to go the extra mile and be a bigger part of the community he is policing.”

Hundreds of citizens liked the post, asking how they could help. The department followed with posts including the six children’s sizes and mother’s clothing sizes. It also called for blanket and furniture donations. Visit the posts to learn how you can help and find more useful ways to donate your old things.

1. Why did the girl steal shoes?

A．To treat herself to a pair of shoes.

B．To attract public attention.

C．To give her sister a surprise.

D．To reduce her family’s economic burden.

2. What caused Milton’s heart to sink?

A．The girl lied to him about her living situation.

B．The girl’s family couldn’t get help from others.

C．The family had no source of income.

D．The family was extremely poor.

3. Which of the following can best describe Milton?

A．Kind and generous.

B．Smart and fair.

C．Curious and creative.

D．Humorous and responsible.

【推荐2】Jimmy is an automotive mechanic, but he lost his job a few months ago. He has a good heart, but always feared applying for a new job.
One day, he gathered up all his strength and decided to attend a job interview.His appointment was at 10 am and it was already 8:30.While waiting for a bus to the office where he was supposed to be interviewed, he saw an elderly man wildly kicking the tyre of his car.Obviously there was something wrong with the car.Jimmy immediately went up to lend him a hand.When Jimmy finished working on the car, the old man asked him how much he should pay for the service.Jimmy said there was no need to pay him；he just helped someone in need, and he had to rush for an interview.Then the old man said, “Well，I could take you to the office for your interview. It’s the least I could do. Please, I insist.”Jimmy agreed.
Upon arrival, Jimmy found a long line of applicants waiting to be interviewed.Jimmy still had some grease on him after the car repair，but he did not have much time to wash it off or have a change of shirt.One by one, the applicants left the interviewer’s office with disappointed looks on their faces.Finally his name was called.The interviewer was sitting on a large chair facing the office window. Rocking the chair back and forth, he asked, “Do you really need to be interviewed?”Jimmy’s heart sank. “With the way I look now, how could I possibly pass this interview?”he thought to himself.
Then the interviewer turned the chair and to Jimmy’s surprise, it was the old man he helped earlier in the morning.It turned out he was the General Manager of the company.
“Sorry I had to keep you waiting, but I was pretty sure I made the right decision to have you as part of our workforce before you even stepped into this office.I just know you’d be a trustworthy worker.Congratulations!”Jimmy sat down and they shared a cup of well­deserved coffee as he landed himself a new job.
1. Why did Jimmy apply for a new job?

A．He was out of work.

B．He was bored with his job.

C．He wanted a higher position.

D．He hoped to find a better boss.

2. What did Jimmy see on the way to the interview?

A．A friend’s car had a flat tyre.

B．A wild man was pushing a car.

C．A terrible car accident happened.

D．An old man’s car broke down.

3. Why did the old man offer Jimmy a ride?

A．He was also to be interviewed.

B．He needed a travelling companion.

C．He always helped people in need.

D．He was thankful to Jimmy.

4. How did Jimmy feel on hearing the interviewer’s question?

A．He was sorry for the other applicants.

B．There was no hope for him to get the job.

C．He regretted helping the old man.

D．The interviewer was very rude.

5. What can we learn from Jimmy’s experience?

A．Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

B．A friend in need is a friend indeed.

C．Good is rewarded with good.

D．Two heads are better than one.

【推荐1】My boss recently asked me, "Do you know why I hired you? Because you didn't sell yourself. You didn't tell me, 'Look how experienced I am.' You emailed me and said, 'I researched your website and saw how many amazing vets (兽医) you have and I want to learn from them,' and that's why I hired you. You showed vulnerability."

So what is vulnerability? For me, vulnerability means putting your fear of embarrassment aside and allowing personal growth. I believe vulnerability is a pathway to success. Vulnerability has traditionally been viewed as a weakness in the workplace. The very thought of exposing your weaknesses is terrifying. However, we can change the views surrounding it. I'm talking about the vulnerability that strengthens courage and leads to more success as a vet.

After graduation, I started working in a clinic where I thought I would have support. However, I didn't have the help I required. I quickly became exhausted. Within 18 months, I didn't want to be a vet anymore.

During this period, I realized without the support I wanted I was potentially making mistakes I wasn't even aware of. Was I treating patients effectively? I wouldn't know, because I had no one to ask for help.

I decided to be vulnerable. I accepted that I was unhappy, living with poor mental health and lacking important knowledge. I wanted to find somewhere I'd be able to continue building my knowledge, not as an average vet, but as a good one. After two and a half years working as a vet, I have finally found a place where I get the support I need. My point is: don't stay where you are unhappy. Be vulnerable and have the courage to accept when you are unhappy. Find somewhere that will support you and push you to do better.

Vulnerability shouldn't be considered a weakness because it allows personal growth. Vulnerability should be viewed as a strength. To be vulnerable allows you to show people that you cannot always be perfect. Being vulnerable is not a liability (麻烦的事) in the workplace. It is the ability to show people that you are human.

1. Why did the author's boss hire her?

A．She highly recommended herself.	B．She had adequate experience.
C．She was honest about her weakness.	D．She did research about the company.

2. How does the author personally view vulnerability?

A．It leads to embarrassment.

B．It helps with individual development.

C．It is a weakness in the workplace.

D．It is terrifying to expose your vulnerability.

3. What do paragraphs 3-5 mainly talk about?

A．Why the author quit her previous job.

B．What made the author feel vulnerable.

C．How the author got rid of her vulnerability.

D．Why the author decided to show her vulnerability.

4. What can we conclude about vulnerability from the last paragraph?

A．It inspires people to be perfect.

B．It is normal for people to feel vulnerable.

C．It allows people to discover their strength.

D．It can cause people trouble in the workplace.

【推荐2】Eating red meat is associated with cancer and heart disease, but are the risks big enough to quit burgers and steak? Probably not. According to a series of papers published in October 2019, researchers argue that the increased risks are slight and uncertain, and that cutting back likely wouldn't be worth it for people who enjoy meat.

Those conclusions conflict established advice. The new work does not say red or processed meats like hot dogs and bacon are healthy, or that people should eat more of them. The teams reviews of past studies generally support the ties to cancer, heart disease and other bad health outcomes. But the authors say the evidence is weak, and that there's not much certainty meat is really the cause, since other diet and lifestyle factors could be at play.

Most people who understand the risks would say "Thanks very much, but I'm going to keep eating my meat, "said co-author Dr Gordon Guyatt of McMaster University in Canada.

It's the latest example of how controversial(有争议的) nutrition research has become, with its uncertainties leaving the door open for conflicting advice. Critics say findings aren't backed by strong evidence. Defenders counter(反驳)that nutrition studies can rarely be conclusive because of the difficulty of measuring the effects of any single food, but that methods have improved.

Based on their analyses, a group of the international researchers said people do not have to cut back for health reasons. But they noted that their own advice is weak, and acknowledged that they didn't take into account other factors, such as animal welfare and the environment.

There was disagreement even among the authors. Three of the fourteen researchers said they support reducing red and processed meats. A co-author of one of the reviews is also among those who called for a publication delay.

As for his own diet, Dr Gordon Guyatt, a member of the international research team that conducted the reviews, said he no longer thinks red or processed meats have significant health risks. But he said he still avoids them out of habit, and for animal welfare and environmental reasons.

1. What can we learn from the recent research?

A．Decreasing meat consumption will be of worth.

B．Red meat may not have significant health risks.

C．The report authors have reached an agreement.

D．Consuming red meat is beneficial to health.

2. Guyatt's avoiding red meats has the weakest connection with_________.

A．health risks	B．diet habits
C．animal welfare	D．environmental protection

3. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Red Meat and a Healthy Life	B．How to Avoid Eating Red Meat?
C．Less Red Meat, More Healthy Diets	D．How Risky is Eating Red Meat?

4. What is the authors purpose in writing the passage

A．To introduce a new relationship between health and eating red meat.

B．To convince more people to keep away from eating red meat regularly.

C．To present a new and different view on the effects of eating red meat.

D．To criticize nutrition studies for lacking of strong and conclusive evidence.