【推荐2】Scientists have discovered the world’s largest known field of sea grass. They did it using videos shot by some unusual helpers — tiger sharks. The work helps protect the sea grass, and also shows a powerful way to explore the ocean.

Sea grasses are flowering plants that normally grow in shallow waters near coasts. They grow in thick fields, known as meadows (草甸). Sea grass meadows help clean the ocean’s water, and provide food and shelter for many sea creatures. Importantly, sea grass meadows also help in the fight against the climate crisis. That’s because they store huge amounts of carbon — the harmful pollution that’s making global warming worse. Damaging these sea grass meadows can release this pollution again, so it’s important to protect them.

Though they’re very important, scientists don’t have a good idea of the size and number of the world’s sea grass meadows. From above, the meadows can be hard to spot, because the water is either too deep or not clear enough. And the ocean is so huge that it’s simply not possible to study it all by diving.

So a team of scientists decided to have sharks help with the research. Tiger sharks are huge, strong and deadly. They also live underwater, are fast swimmers and spend a lot of time in sea grass meadows.

Between 2016 and 2020, a team of researchers attached cameras and other trackers to seven tiger sharks. After catching the sharks, scientists worked quickly to attach the equipment and then let them go again.

The cameras were designed to fall off after a few hours and float to the surface. Tracking signals helped the scientists find the floating cameras and collect the videos the sharks had taken. The scientists were left with hours of videos taken as the sharks traveled for miles over the sea floor.

1. What benefit can the scientists’ discovery bring?

A．Expanding the largest grass.

B．Reducing the ocean pollution.

C．Helping protect the sea grass meadows.

D．Improving tiger sharks’ living environment.

2. Why can sea grass meadows fight against climate crisis?

A．They clean dirty water.

B．They produce many sea creatures.

C．They release huge amounts of oxygen.

D．They store large amounts of carbon.

3. What can be inferred from the research?

A．Tiger sharks played a critical part.

B．The researchers raised several tiger sharks.

C．The researchers found the cameras in the deep sea.

D．Tiger sharks need some days to explore with cameras.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．Sharks Help Fight Against Climate Crisis

B．Tiger Sharks Help Scientists Map Sea Grass

C．A New Technology Contributes a Lot to Ocean Protection

D．Researchers Found a Largest Shark in the Ocean Exploration

【推荐3】There’s nothing wrong with a tomato that isn’t perfectly round or a peach with an extra dimple or two; they still carry the same benefits and flavors as the versions we’re used to seeing in grocery stores (食品杂货店). Farmers throw away these imperfect items, as many grocery chains won’t buy them for fear that they are unsellable. However, a growing group of grocery chains are fighting to make these discarded fruit and vegetables part of consumers’ buying habits.

One such business is Imperfect Produce, a start-up that provides fresh ugly produce for consumers. Through this service, you can get up to 20 pounds of fruit and vegetables for around $20 a week. This is about a 30 percent discount compared to what’s now sold in stores. Recently, the company had a major advancement when Whole Foods Market accepted their partnership and agreed to sell the misshapen produce.

While this movement might be a new trend here in the U.S., it’s already gained serious momentum (势头) in Europe. In 2014, the EU announced the European Year Against Food Waste, with French supermarket chain Intermarché launching a very successful campaign called Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables and England’s Waitrose selling weather blemished apples. In Portugal, a similar company to Imperfect Produce called Fruta Feia has also taken off.

Buying the unfortunate-looking produce should be attractive to consumers not only because of the affordability, but also because of the support it gives to farmers and the direct impact it has on reducing food waste and environmental pollution. When the discarded fruit and vegetables decompose, they release (释放) methane (CH.), a greenhouse gas. When released into the air, it is about 86 times as powerful as carbon dioxide (CO,) over a 20-year period. Waste is, in fact, the ugliest thing of all.

1. What does the underlined word “discarded” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Thrown away.

B．Harvested.

C．Eaten up.

D．Packaged.

2. What is the purpose of Imperfect Produce?

A．To make better profits.	B．To sell unattractive goods.
C．To get discounts from farmers.	D．To compete with Whole Foods Market.

3. What can we learn about Europe from paragraph 3?

A．It hardly produces misshapen fruit and vegetables.

B．It has more successful food chains than the U.S.

C．It is facing the serious problem of unfavorable weather.

D．It solves the problem of ugly produce earlier than America.

4. How does wasted produce harm the environment according to paragraph 4?

A．It pollutes the farms.	B．It gives off a bad smell.
C．It contributes to global warming.	D．It produces lots of carbon dioxide.

【推荐2】The idea of having car, a plane, drone(无人驾驶飞机) parked outside your home may not be as unlikely as it seems.

We are going to have personal air vehicles that are both cars and planes. At least that's Missy Cumming's vision of the future. It's basically the intersection of a drone with a robotic car, so your plane is also your car, but the quick development of technology is that you are actually driving neither.

Drones have a negative image in the media, says Cummings, because they are basically seen as spy cameras. But most people don't realize that when they are on a plane they are effectively travelling on a drone. The fly-by-wire technology that exists on all Airbuses and many crafts of Boeing is the exactly same technology that exists on drones.

The reason why drones are the answer to the future is that we are terrible drivers. Humans have a half-second lag(时滞) in almost any quick response that they need to have. Even a half- second delay can mean the difference between life and death, and computers and automated(自动化的) systems don't have that.

So, our transportation network of the future, both on the ground and in the air，will actually be safer when we turn it over to computers.

There really aren't any technological difficulties to this idea. The biggest difficulties we have in terms of giving up the car are psychological and cultural, but no new technology needs to be developed to have your own personal flying car. What we have to do is to improve production and reduce manufacturing costs.

People should be excited about this: it promises much in terms of safer travel, and people in parts of the world where the road and air networks are poor will be able to get the goods and services.

1. What is the meaning of the underlined word”intersection” in paragraph 2?

A．交叉

B．部分

C．交流

D．结构

2. What does the underlined word "that" in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．The truth.	B．The difference.
C．The quick response.	D．A half-second delay.

3. What will most probably prevent the popularity of flying cars in the future?

A．Their being expensive.	B．Lacking advanced technology.
C．People's not accepting the idea.	D．People's failing to improve production.

4. What's the best title of the passage?

A．Future Vehicles	B．Future Flying Cars
C．An Answer to the Future	D．Safer Travel

【推荐3】China has many different dialects. for example, people call grandmas “laolao” in northern China，while people from southern China use the word “waipo”. But surprisingly, dialects are even found in the animal world.

According to National Geographic, a scientist at Aarhus University in Denmark spent six years studying sperm whales (抹香鲸)，which communicate through very loud clicks. The scientist, Shane Gero，found that sperm whales in the Caribbean ocean had different clicks from those in the Pacific ocean,

Gero even “translated” the clicks from a group of Caribbean sperm whales，believing them to say，“I'm from the Caribbean, are you?”， reported National Geographic. As well as   being used for communication， the clicks also allow whales to bond with one another, according to Gero.

Apart from sperm whales, other animals like birds， apes and wolves all have different regional accents.

In order to figure out the reason behind this， US psychologist Bob Seyfarth exchanged two newly-born rhesus macaques ( 猕猴) and two Japanese macaques，to be raised by each other' s respective parents. After observing the young animals for some time， it was found that they still “spoke" their own dialect, The Washington Post reported.

“In most species, communication appears to have a genetic basis," Columbia University professor Darcy Kelley explained in The Washington Post. Nevertheless， Kelly pointed out that among a small number of species， animals can learn from others and develop their own accents.

Fruit flies are a good example. According to Science Daily, they send messages through their wing movements. Scientists found that fruit flies can only communicate efficiently with others of the same species. However, they can learn new dialects by spending time around other species.

“A proper accent is crucial to mating (交配) and warning of the coming of enemies, which is the basis of survival,” Kelly told The Washington Post.

1. What do we know from Gero's study?

A．Sperm whales have the same accent as apes.

B．Sperm whales communicate through loud clicks.

C．Caribbean and Pacific sperm whales have different clicks.

D．Caribbean sperm whales are more active than Pacific sperm whales.

2. What does Seyfarth's experiment imply?

A．Animals have their unique accents.

B．The same species still keep their own dialects.

C．Many animals can learn other new accents.

D．Rhesus and Japan macaques share the same accent.

3. What effect do dialects have on animals?

A．Having a better chance of survival.

B．Fighting with the other species for food.

C．Better communicating with other species.

D．Passing on information to the next generation.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Animals' communication	B．Dialects and survival
C．Regional dialects	D．Dialects of animals

【推荐1】Day 1

Whether you arrive in Lanzhou by air or train, our guide will pick you up on time and transfer you to your already-booked hotel. After leaving your luggage in the hotel and having a short rest, your tour begins with the Statue of Mother Yellow River, a landmark of the city. After that, our guide will take you to see Zhongshan Bridge before returning to the hotel.

Meals: No meals, advice freely available

Day 2

After breakfast, you will be transported to the railway station to take the bullet train departing at 8:36 to Zhangye, the second destination. The train journey is about 3.5 hours. On arriving in Zhangye, a hearty lunch will be arranged at a nice restaurant for you to taste local dishes. After that, we will head for Linze County to visit Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, where you can witness peaks with yellow, reddish and rainbow layers under the rosy rays of sunset.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

Jiayuguan Great Wall, standing in the middle of the desert, is a highlight of the city. Our guide will take you to climb its Gate Tower which suffered from a lot of fierce wars in the past. In the afternoon, we will set out on a trip to the next stop-Dunhuang by our private vehicle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

This is the last day of your tour. We'll take you to sight-see essential spots of Dunhuang, including Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain. Before departure, our guide will show you the Dunhuang Museum, to have a general view of the city's history.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

1. What is the first destination for your package travel?

A．Lanzhou airport.	B．Zhongshan Bridge.
C．The Statue of Mother Yellow River.	D．Lanzhou railway station.

2. What will you do upon arriving in Zhangye?

A．To take a bus to Linze County.

B．To visit a geological park at once.

C．To rest in an already-booked hotel.

D．To have a taste of local dishes.

3. How many meals will be offered to the tourists?

A．Eight meals.

B．Six meals.

C．Seven meals.

D．Five meals.

【推荐2】Home fires can happen quickly, destroying lives and property, but unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented. Read on to learn 4 unexpected home fire dangers.

Having old smoke alarms

An effective smoke alarm can make much difference when it comes to surviving a house fire. It’s not enough to change the batteries twice a year, you also need to replace your alarms every decade. “You should test your smoke alarms every month,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of the National Fire Protection Association. “But also don’t forget to check the dates and replace an alarm that is more than 10 years old.”

Leaving the kitchen while you cook

One in five Americans admitted leaving food cooking unattended on the stove, found an American Red Cross survey. Walking away from food cooking in the kitchen is a serious fire risk. “The leading cause of home fires is cooking and the leading cause of those fires is unattended cooking,” says Carli.“If you need to use the stove or oven, be sure to keep an eye on it.”

Turning the heat too high when you cook

Turning up the heat too high can be deadly, even if you’re in the kitchen while you cook. Kevin Kelley, senior director of the American Red Cross, recommends paying close attention and turning off the burner if you see smoke or grease (油脂) starting to boil while frying food.

Having a dirty stove while you cook

If your stove is covered with grease, a small kitchen fire can get out of hand quickly. Clean and clear the area around the stove before turning on the heat, or the result will be dangerous.

1. How long should you have a new smoke alarm?

A．2 years.

B．10 years.

C．12 years.

D．8 years.

2. What is the leading cause of fires from kitchen?

A．Clearing a dirty stove.	B．Turning off the burner .
C．Replacing an alarm.	D．Unattended cooking.

3. Which of the following is NOT true?

A．Unexpected home fire dangers can be prevented.

B．It is advisable to change the batteries twice a year.

C．Kevin Kelley suggests paying close attention to fried food.

D．Having a dirty stove is dangerous while you cook.

【推荐3】While fossil fuels — coal, oil, gas — still produce roughly 85 percent of the world’s energy supply, it’s clearer than ever that the future belongs to renewable sources such as wind and solar. The move to renewables is picking up the development around the world: They now account for more than half of new power sources going in operation.

Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources. But increasingly the story is about the falling prices of renewables, especially wind and solar. The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines（涡轮机）by close to one-third in the past eight years.

In many parts of the world renewable energy is already an important energy source. In Scotland, for example, wind turbines provide enough electricity to power 95 percent of homes. While the rest of the world takes the lead, especially China and Europe, the United States is also seeing an amazing shift. In March, for the first time, wind and solar power accounted for more than 10 percent of the power generated in the US, reported the US Energy Information Administration.

President Trump has underlined fossil fuels — especially coal — as the path to economic growth. In a recent speech in Iowa, he dismissed wind power as an unreliable energy source. But that message did not play well with many in Iowa, where wind turbines dot the fields and provide 36 percent of the state’s electricity generation — and where tech enterprise like Microsoft are being attracted by the availability of clean energy to power their data centers.

The question “what happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?” has provided a quick remark for skeptics. But an increase in the storage capacity of batteries is making their ability to keep power flowing around the clock more likely.

The advance is driven in part by vehicle manufacturers, who are placing big bets on battery-powered electric vehicles. Although electric cars are still uncommon on roads now, this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years.

While there’s a long way to go, the trend lines for renewables are zooming. The pace of change in energy sources appears to be speeding up — perhaps just in time to have a meaningful effect in slowing climate change. What Washington does — or doesn’t do — to promote alternative energy may mean less and less at a time of a global shift in thought.

1. According to Paragraph 3, the use of renewable energy in America ______.

A．has proved to be impractical	B．is as common as in Europe
C．faces many challenges	D．is progressing greatly

2. It can be learned that in Iowa ______.

A．wind is a widely used energy source

B．wind energy has replaced fossil fuels

C．there is a shortage of clean energy supply

D．tech enterprises are investing in clean energy

3. Which of the following is true about clean energy according to Paragraphs 5&6?

A．Its application has increased battery storage.

B．Its continuous supply is becoming a reality.

C．It is commonly used in car manufacturing.

D．Its sustainable exploitation will remain difficult.

4. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that renewable energy ______.

A．will bring the US closer to other countries

B．will accelerate global environmental change

C．is not really encouraged by the US government

D．is not competitive enough with regard to its cost

【推荐1】Climbers at Qomolangma are being asked to clean up after themselves.

Qomolangma has earned the nickname (绰号) the World’s Highest Garbage Dump (垃圾场).

Climbing Qomolangma, the world's highest mountain, just becomes more challenging.

The government of Nepal is telling climbers they cannot leave trash on the trails. Each climber will have to come down the mountain with at the least 18 pounds of garbage. That's the average amount of trash a climber leaves behind on Qomolangma.

Officials say climbers are responsible for their own trash. “We are not asking climbers to pick up trash left by someone else,” said the Nepal Tourism Ministry. “We just want them to bring back what they took up.”

More than 4,000 people have reached the 29,035-foot summit (顶峰) in the past 60 years. Leaving trash along the way helps climbers keep their bags light so they have energy to reach the summit. “The trash problem in Qomolangma is not new.” Burlakoti says. “When the people started to climb the mountain, they started to leave their garbage there.” They have left behind bottles, food boxes and equipment. Last year, climbers carried down a total of four tons of trash.

The new rule came into effect in April, 2014. To make sure it is followed, climbers will have to deposit money (交保证金) before they climb. Once they climb back down the mountain, officials will check climbers at a return camp to make sure they have the required 18 pounds of trash. If they do, their money will be returned to them. If they do not, climbers will not receive their deposit and they will not be given a permit the next time they want to climb Qomolangma.

The goal is to make sure no more litter will be left on Qomolangma. “As we offer Qomolangma to all the people of the world they should take responsibility to clean it.” Burlakoti says, “After seeing the results from this, we will also apply this rule to other mountains.”

1. Why does Qomolangma get the nickname the World’s Highest Garbage Dump?

A．The white snow on it looks like white trash.

B．The government of Nepal transported trash onto it.

C．There is too much trash left on it by climbers.

D．The government of Nepal has used up the resources on it.

2. Who do officials of Nepal think should be responsible for climbers’ trash?

A．Climbers themselves.

B．The government of Nepal.

C．The Nepal Tourism Ministry.

D．Environmental protection organizations.

3. Climbers left trash along the way in order to ________.

A．provide guidance for other climbers

B．help climbers themselves find their way

C．get timely medical rescue when in danger

D．reach the summit without too much load

4. If climbers want to climb Qomolangma again, they must________.

A．get the climbing license

B．have a large bag

C．get the permission from the local people

D．bring back the required trash in the last climbing

5. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Protect our beautiful mountains

B．Bring back your litter when climbing

C．A new rule of protecting the earth

D．Qomolangma belonging to the world people

【推荐2】Over the last few years, cartoon pictograms have become an important part of how many people communicate. In recent years, there has been a push to include more diversity in emoticons, like adding new options for a variety of skin tones in smiley faces.

But when people from the Te Puia Maori cultural center in Rotorua, New Zealand, looked at existing emojis, they realized there was an opportunity to create some that reflected their country’s native cultures. They designed more than 150 emoticons that have named “Emotikis.” The pictograms include traditional objects from Maori culture. The set even includes a number of animated emoji gifs.

But while the Maori emojis may be designed with fun in mind, Kiri Atkinson-Crean, Te Puia spokesperson, says they give Maori youth a way to communicate with each other online using signifiers from their own culture.

“All they could use were expressions and symbols from other countries—we wanted to give them an opportunity to express themselves through another form of this language with Maori culture Emotikis,” said Atkinson-Crean.

Even so, there is more to texting than emoticons. Many languages are inexpressible with the limited symbols available for most smartphone keyboards, and many of those languages are at risk of disappearing.

In Canada, there are more than 60 different native languages spoken by First Nations people, but many of these languages are at risk of disappearing. During the late 19th century, government policies tore First Nations children from their parents in order to forcibly absorb them into Euro-Canadian and Christian culture. Raised in state-run schools, they were forbidden to speak their native languages.

Native groups have advocated for years to have their languages officially recognized by Canada. To protect their languages, they’re also turning to technology for solutions. For example, the FirstVoices Keyboard is a free app for iPhone and Android smartphones that allows anyone to write in more than 100 native languages from around the world.

Many native languages require characters that weren’t available on smartphone, tablets and the like. So Alex Wadsworth, who developed the FirstVoice Keyboard, programmed in these characters and then applied his keyboards to use for text messaging and writing emails. “You can text an elder now,” says Wadsworth.

1. Why did the Te Puia Maori cultural center designed Emotikis?

A．To preserve their culture.	B．To keep up with the world.
C．To enrich the life of Maori youth.	D．To help Maori youth communicate easily.

2. What can be learned about Emotikis?

A．They are popular in Canada.	B．They will endanger native language.
C．They are too limited to express fully.	D．They include many symbols from different countries.

3. What happened to native languages in Canada?

A．They were once forbidden in many schools.

B．Many of them disappeared from literary usage.

C．They were once officially recognized by Canada.

D．Many of them served as a bridge to learn English.

4. Which of the following is TRUE of the FirstVoices Keyboard?

A．It is designed for elders.	B．It offers many languages.
C．It has been advocated officially.	D．It can be bought on smartphone.

【推荐3】I decided to ski to the North Pole.It was after I met with an advertisement in a newspaper looking for people to join a team to ski 350 miles to the North Pole.Back in 1996,there had never been a woman from the UK who had accomplished this challenge.I wondered what it would be like to survive in temperatures cold enough to freeze your flesh in seconds,so I sent off the application form.

The application form full of pictures of male explorers arrived.The words “Are you man enough for the ultimate(极限的) challenge?” made me angry and even more determined to join the team.

Over 500 individuals applied for a place in the team,and the selection process included physical and psychological tests designed to pick the best group.In one test,there was a huge rope ladder we had to climb,and I froze at the top because I have a fear of heights.I thought my hopes were fading as most other applicants sailed past,leaving me behind.But two others helped me over,and later I found out that the organizers were not looking for amazing individuals,but great team players,and this moment had shown them who would take care of others in the team.

I had revealed my weakness,and in a place like the Arctic,you have to be yourself,as there is nowhere to hide.These personalities of seeking for help and showing weakness are necessary for women to master.

I realized that by being myself,I could succeed.I was eventually selected for the team.I got to be aware that I could achieve more than I ever imagined—more importantly,by sharing my story with others,I could inspire them to take a step into the new world and reveal more of their abilities.

1. How did the author react out on seeing the advertisement?

A．She got angry.	B．She was determined.
C．She got frightened.	D．She was uninterested.

2. What did the organizers view as the most important in the selection of new hands?

A．Personality.	B．Individual ability.
C．Spirit of teamwork.	D．Courage to challenge.

3. What does the author think of women’s showing weakness?

A．Beneficial.

B．Shameful.

C．Pitiful.

D．Disturbing.

4. What’s the intention of the author in writing this passage?

A．To inspire us to prepare for our future goal.

B．To advise women to turn to others.

C．To make suggestions to her team members.

D．To encourage people to explore the unknown.