1 . African penguins live on the rocky coasts of South Africa, Namibia and nearby islands. Like other types of penguins, the birds have white feathers covering their chests and black feathers covering their backs. They form lifelong pair bonds with mates, but they nest in huge colonies — so, scientists wondered how the birds were able to identify their partners among the sea of black-and-white birds. They wondered if their chest spots had something to do with it. To test this theory, they studied 12 African penguins at a zoo and marine park near Rome called Zoomarine Italia.

In one test, they hung two life-size photographs of the African penguins. One showed a random member of the colony, while the other showed the test subject’s mate. The scientists recorded the birds’ interactions with the photos: How long did they spend looking at each one, as well as how much time did they spend standing near each photograph? The penguins spent more time gazing at the photo of their partners — about 23 seconds longer, on average — than looking at the other photo. They also stood next to the image of their beau s for twice as long. Then, the researchers covered up the heads of the birds in the photographs, leaving only their speckled bodies visible, and the penguins still lingered near their partners’ portraits.

In another experiment, the researchers hung up two photos of a bird’s mate — but, in one, they had digitally removed its spots. In this case, the penguin again spent more time looking at the photo with the dots.

Finally, the researchers posted two photographs of penguins with digitally removed spots — one of the test subject’s mate and the other of a random penguin from the colony. In this scenario, the penguins did not appear to recognize their partners. They spent roughly the same amount of time gazing at or standing near both photos.

Together, the results of these experiments suggest African penguins are zeroing in on their partners’ spots and using them like name tags, scientists say.

“Our results provide the first evidence of a specific visual cue responsible for spontaneous individual recognition by a bird and highlight the importance of considering all sensory modalities in the study of animal communication,” the researchers write in the paper.

1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?

A．African penguins live on the rocky coasts of North Africa.

B．Scientists are curious about the African penguins.

C．African penguins have white feathers covering their backs.

D．Scientists studied 12 African penguins only at a zoo near Rome.

2. What plays a key role in African penguins’ identifying their partners?

A．Their partners’ voice.	B．Their partners’ heads.
C．Their partners’ back feathers.	D．Their partners’ speckled bodies.

3. What does the underlined phrase “zeroing in on” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．Losing sight of.	B．Taking delight in.
C．Paying attention to.	D．Speaking highly of.

4. Where might you find the passage?

A．In a science report.	B．In a travel brochure.
C．In a biology textbook.	D．In a fashion magazine.

3 . I was ten when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Prior to that, she had been a(n) _______ woman, active to an extent most people found astonishing. As a child, I was amazed by her accomplishments. But at thirty-one, her life _______. And so did mine.

She could do anything, I _______. She won tennis tournaments. She took photographs and held her own exhibition. She _______ as a newspaper columnist, and she cooked Spanish dishes for the family.

Now, she faced her illness with the same _______. Words like “disabled” and “physical therapy” became part of a(n) _______ new world we entered together. _______, I began to help take care of her. And it became routine to _______ her into the kitchen, where she instructed me in the _______ of peeling carrots and potatoes and how to prepare a decent breakfast.

Every accomplishment was a ________ for us both: the electric typewriter, the car with power steering and brakes, her return to ________, where she earned a master’s degree in special education. She eventually founded an activist support group called The Handicappers. One day, without ________ much beforehand, she took me to a Handicappers meeting. I had never seen so many people with so many ________. I returned home, thinking how ________ we really were.

Because my mother accepted her condition with such optimism, I rarely felt sad or resentful about it. Instead, I viewed her drive to look forward to things I ________ as a great mystery and powerful inspiration in my life.

1.

A．gentle

B．energetic

C．talented

D．decent

2.

A．changed

B．failed

C．improved

D．paused

3.

A．imagined

B．admitted

C．doubted

D．believed

4.

A．applied

B．spoke

C．wrote

D．studied

5.

A．success

B．sincerity

C．enthusiasm

D．wisdom

6.

A．familiar

B．strange

C．exciting

D．changeable

7.

A．Gradually

B．Particularly

C．Alternatively

D．Finally

8.

A．drag

B．pull

C．guide

D．wheel

9.

A．art

B．significance

C．safety

D．plan

10.

A．solution

B．milestone

C．dream

D．warning

11.

A．hospital

B．court

C．work

D．college

12.

A．saying

B．hiding

C．pretending

D．showing

13.

A．gifts

B．disabilities

C．weaknesses

D．privileges

14.

A．strong

B．hopeless

C．helpful

D．fortunate

15.

A．took into account

B．bore in mind

C．took for granted

D．kept in check

5 . If you have no difficulty in understanding what native English speakers say in daily life, there is a whole new world of brilliant podcast (播客) series to explore. If you aren’t sure where to start, have a look at these:

	The Joc Rogan Experience        ★★★★★ The Joc Rogan Experience is a great learning device because of its interesting English conversations between Rogan and his guests. At the time of writing there have been over 1,660 episodes with subjects ranging from comedy and science to politics and sports. Rogan is also a famous stand-up comedian, so the show is full of cultural references and idioms.
	This American Life        ★★★★★ This American Life is a great choice for English learners who want an insight into the culture of the USA. It is a mixture of journalism and storytelling, focusing on real-life tales from citizens of all regions of the country. The stories are new and varied. One episode was taped for 24 hours in an all-night restaurant; another interviewed workers on strike.
	The Writer's Voice            ★★★★☆ The New Yorker is a famous American magazine, and every week it prints a new short story. In this podcast, the week's story is read aloud by its writer. The published work covers a wide range of life experiences across the United States and beyond. It's a great way to enjoy some of the best new fiction in the country.
	Overheard at National Geographic      ★★★★★ National Geographic is a much-loved American magazine (and TV channel) famous for incredible stories and photography related to science and the environment. Overheard is about the discussions Nat Geo employees have had while taking breaks. Expect crazy stories from explorers, photographers, and scientists from around the world.

1. In order to fully enjoy these podcasts, you should________.

A．have interaction with hosts

B．have good English competence

C．be interested in being a podcaster

D．be familiar with American social life

2. Which podcast gives you more stories behind the scene?

A．The Writer's Voice.

B．This American Life.

C．The Joe Rogan Experience.

D．Overheard at National Geographic.

3. What do these podcasts have in common?

A．They enjoy great popularity.

B．Their stories are set in America.

C．They are attached to magazines.

D．Their works are updated weekly.

6 . GET A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD’S MOST ATTRACTIVE FEATHERED ANIMALS WITH THESE BOOKS

Flamingo (火烈鸟)

Biologist and photographer Claudio Contreras Koob spent 20 years travelling deep into the wet lands and forests of his native Mexico—and beyond—to feed his flamingo attraction. This book offers a unique window into the behavior and life of red-feathered birds, with more than 120 show-stopping shots displaying their beauty. teNeues, £35.

Around the World in 80 Birds

Inspiring secrets, national pride or scientific discoveries, every bird has a story to tell, from the weaver bird building multi-nest “apartment blocks” in Namibia to the bar-headed goose taking on a twice-yearly trans-Himalayan journey at an extreme altitude. Mike Unwin’s tour is accompanied by beautiful illustrations from Ryuto Miyake. Laurence King Publishing, £22.

A World on the Wing

Pulitzer-shortlisted Weidensaul, who’s at the forefront of research into bird migration, here tracks some of nature’s most remarkable journeys. He sails through the stormy Bering Sea, encounters trappers in the Mediterranean and visits former headhunters in northeast India, where a bird migration crisis has become a conservation success story. Pan Macmillan, £9.99.

Galapagos Crusoes: A Year Alone with the Birds

Explore this updated version of the 1968 title, Galapagos: Islands of Birds, by late bird expert Bryan Nelson, with previously unpublished material from his wife, June. The couple spent a year living on two Galapagos islands, studying birds, including the Galapagos albatross (信天翁). This is their clever and amusing account. Bradt Guides, £11.99.

1. By whom is the second costliest book illustrated?

A．Claudio Contreras Koob.	B．Mike Unwin.
C．Ryuto Miyake.	D．Weidensaul.

2. Which book best suits those concerned about the survival of migratory birds?

A．Flamingo.	B．Around the World in 80 Birds.
C．A World on the Wing.	D．Galapagos: Island of Birds.

3. What feature may Galapagos Crusoes: A Year Alone with the Birds have?

A．Its humorous description.	B．Its romantic style.
C．Its vivid imagination.	D．Its moving plot.

7 . Last summer holiday, Aunt Emily took us to a safari park (野生动物园), not far from Liverpool.

I was very happy to go as I had never been to a safari park before. It’s a very interesting park, full of wild animals running freely.

When we got there, we bought our tickets and drove into the park. We were very excited at the thought of going to see the lions. But to get to the lions’ place we had to go through the monkeys’ land first. And that was an unforgettable experience because they climbed all over the car, ate apples and bananas, and threw all kinds of things at us. They seemed very unfriendly.

Anyway, we went on our way to the lions’ place where we had to lock ourselves in the car as we knew lions could be dangerous. A lion came up very close to us. Then it was on the bonnet (车盖). It looked calm but we felt terrified. Aunt Emily, who isn’t very brave, started to call for help. The kids started crying. Only my brother, George, stayed cool. I sounded the horn (喇叭) but nobody heard us.

In the end a guard arrived in his car, and the lion just got off our car and started smelling the guard’s hand as if nothing was the matter.

1. Which animal did the author want to see the most?

A．The lions.

B．The elephants.

C．The monkeys.

D．All of them.

2. Why did they lock themselves in the car?

A．Because the monkeys might steal things.	B．Because they were afraid of being robbed.
C．Because the lions might be dangerous.	D．Because something was wrong with the car.

3. What does the underlined word “terrified” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Excited.

B．Bored.

C．Interested

D．Scared

4. Who stayed calm among the visitors when they met the lion?

A．Aunt Emily.

B．George.

C．The guard.

D．The author.

8 . A much-liked university janitor (看门人) was surprised by 230 of the school’s students as they provided him with a truly _________ vacation back in June of this year.

Herman Gordon _________ after Bristol University in England as if it were his own home. Many of his adoring fans at the university _________ him as a “legend” and “hero”, and these students thought it their duty to make sure this “cheerful” man could get _________ what he deserved.

One student in particular posted on social media about how the 65-year-old janitor had not been _________ to see his family in Jamaica for four years. He set up a JustGiving page to collect donation. _________ , the site managed to raise enough money.

One of the donors handed Herman the _________ gift in an envelope filled with cash. The _________ was caught on camera, showing Herman _________ down in tears, greatly moved by the __________ . The video was __________ thousands of times online, showing all the donors what they had __________ .

Herman and his wife had an __________ vacation. After Herman __________ photos of his celebrity treatment at a five-star hotel, he wrote to the Bristol students, saying: “God bless you all. Everybody will see this and think that I’m a(n) __________.”

1.

A．recommended

B．deserved

C．understood

D．accepted

2.

A．takes

B．goes

C．looks

D．asks

3.

A．described

B．mistook

C．welcomed

D．appointed

4.

A．over

B．down

C．through

D．back

5.

A．willing

B．able

C．ready

D．determined

6.

A．Eventually

B．Honestly

C．Particularly

D．Actually

7.

A．festival

B．birthday

C．surprise

D．comfort

8.

A．accident

B．chance

C．deal

D．moment

9.

A．slowing

B．climbing

C．breaking

D．falling

10.

A．politeness

B．kindness

C．thoughtfulness

D．smartness

11.

A．shared

B．bought

C．reported

D．edited

12.

A．overlooked

B．designed

C．achieved

D．witnessed

13.

A．economical

B．educational

C．adventurous

D．amazing

14.

A．exchanged

B．released

C．retouched

D．found

15.

A．millionaire

B．adventurist

C．tourist

D．explorer

9 . I’m in the area of Noailles in Marseille, France’s second largest city and its main trade seaport. Some small shops sell vegetables, meat, and, it seems, all the spices of the Middle East. In addition to French, languages spoken on the busy streets include Arabic and African French. It all adds up to one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Europe.

Close to the downtown street, I discover an Algerian restaurant, whose owner makes his signature dish-couscous with barley, not the usual wheat, using a recipe that hasn’t changed since the 1920s. Couscous is an necessary part of Marseille culture. The dish was added to the UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020.

To be honest, before I travelled here, couscous had not been the first meal that came to mind when I thought of Marseille. It was bouillabaisse, the rich soup with olive oil, garlic and saffron. I imagined enjoying it at a small portside cafe. This was clearly a romantic fantasy. For one thing, there are no small cafes at historic city. For another, the restaurants do serve bouillabaisse, but when I see the price at one place I am shocked: 69 euros! No bowl of soup should cost that much.

I give up and end up two streets away from the old harbor in a new restaurant, Ourea. For 28 euros, Chef Matthieu Roche serves a three-course lunch that includes tuna steaks and couscous.

More and more young, talented people are discovering that Marseille is an ideal place to live. There is also a growing number of Parisians moving here every year. Tired of the rush and expense of life in larger cities, the newcomers come looking for the more relaxed Mediterranean way of life.

Walking through these contrasting neighborhoods of Marseille. I think about the distinct communities here living in the same neighborhoods — together, side by side, but not mixed. They may also feel they are Marseillais first regardless of nationalities.

1. Which word can best describe Marseille according to the first paragraph?

A．Remote.

B．Commercial.

C．Industrial.

D．Inland.

2. What made the author leave the Algerian restaurant?

A．The unreasonable charge.	B．The unbearable flavor.
C．The unsatisfying service.	D．The noisy atmosphere.

3. Why do the newcomers choose Marseille rather than other big cities?

A．To make a fortune.	B．To experience a dish.
C．To learn a language.	D．To live a leisurely life.

4. In which column of a magazine can we probably read the text?

A．Fashion.

B．Food.

C．Trade.

D．Travel.

10 . “Anyone knows single parents who can’t afford to get their child’s hair done for school? I will braid (编辫子) it for free!”Brittany Starks wrote on a Facebook post.

She decided to offer her hair braiding services after a family friend delivered backpacks full of school supplies, clothing and shoes for Cayden and Ceniyah in early August. “At the time, I didn’t have anything for my kids to start school,” said Starks, who is in between homes and staying with her mother. “It meant so much to me.”

The unexpected gift made a big difference to Starks and her children, and it motivated her to pay it forward. Starks, who works two receptionist jobs, also braids hair part-time. “The hair-braiding process involves washing, blow-drying, and finally dividing the hair into small sections and braiding it. It also requires multiple supplies — including combs, brushes, hair jam and additional pieces of hair to weave in. It costs anywhere from $150 to $400 at a salon (美发厅), depending on the style,” Stacks explained. “But it can last for months and is a huge timesaver in the mornings.”

When she wrote the Facebook post, she assumed only a handful of people would reach out,but before she knew it, she had 35 appointments booked. Her Facebook inbox was suddenly full of messages from single parents, whose stories of hardship and financial challenges mirrored her own.

“There’s a huge need for this. I could really relate to a lot of the women who reached out, and it made me realize that what I was doing was really important,” said Stacks. “What got me the most was seeing the kids smile.” Given that there was less than two weeks before the start of school, Starks knew she needed to enlist help.

1. What got Brittany Starks to offer her hair braiding service?

A．A post on Facebook.	B．Her friend’s timely help.
C．Her mother’s advice.	D．A trip to her kids’ school.

2. What does Starks say about hair braiding?

A．It’s a bit dear.	B．It’s time-wasting.
C．It’s an easy job.	D．It’s a mother’s duty.

3. How does Starks feel about the response to her Facebook post?

A．Rather disturbing.	B．Beyond expectation.
C．Far from satisfactory.	D．Very disappointing.

4. What can we infer about Brittany Starks from the text?

A．She is single with one child.	B．She is ambitious and arbitrary.
C．She is in need of helping hands.	D．She is free from financial worries.