1 . In habitats across the planet, animals periodically drop everything to walk, fly or swim to a new place. Some animals such as whales and geese learn migration paths by following their parents. Others, including small songbirds, gain the distance and direction of their migration within their genetic code. And some animals use a combination of genetics and culture to guide their migration.
Another group of migrators does not quite fit either model, and researchers have only recently started to figure out how they find their way. The Cory’s shearwater is an oceangoing seabird that migrates over the Atlantic every year. The young do not migrate with their parents, so culture cannot explain their journeys. And the exact paths vary wildly from individual to individual, making genetics equally unlikely.
Cory’s shearwaters are long-lived, rarely producing young successfully before age nine. This leaves an opening for learning and practice to develop their migration patterns. Researchers call this the “exploration-refinement”, and until now it has been hypothetical (假设的) because of difficulties in tracking migratory animals’ movements.
But a team of researchers has done that by attaching small geolocators to more than 150 of the birds aged four to nine. They found that younger birds traveled longer distances, for longer periods, and had more diverse paths than older birds. “We finally have evidence of the ‘exploration-refinement’ for migratory birds,” says Letizia Campioni, who led the study. Younger Cory’s shearwaters are able to fly just as fast as the adults——but they do not, suggesting that the young do more exploring, which gradually fades as they mature and settle into a preferred course.
“Although it may seem less efficient than other strategies, exploration refinement could be beneficial to birds and other organisms in a rapidly changing world due to unpredictable man-made changes,” says Barbara Frei. “It might be safer to repeat a behavior that was recently successful than to rely on patterns that were perfected long ago but might no longer be safe.”
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．It describes animals’ habitats. | B．It compares different species. |
| C．It talks about migration models. | D．It introduces a tracking technology. |
| A．The opening for learning and practice. |
| B．The unique living habit of Cory’s shearwaters. |
| C．The process scientists track Cory’s shearwaters’ movements. |
| D．The way Cory’s shearwaters form their migration patterns. |
| A．They travel as much as adult birds. | B．They lower the speed for exploration. |
| C．They move in a predictable manner. | D．They look for a course with their parents. |
| A．Exploration refinement contributes to birds’ adaptability. |
| B．Man-made changes make migration easier. |
| C．Animals make a safer journey via a fixed track. |
| D．A combination of strategies assures migration success |
2 . Laughter has long been known as a universal language that can bring people closer together. However, not many people know that it can also cause physical pain. “Hah! I’ve been fooled!” said Bob as he realized he had fallen victim to one of Alice’s practical jokes. Bob’s upper back is in pain where Alice patted and a burning sensation shoots up to his head.
Is laughter always good for our health? A new study suggests that while laughing does cause the release of “happy hormones” in the brain, it can also lead to discomfort in the upper body. The study, led by Professor Wang from the Beijing-based Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, involved 300 healthy participants, aged between 20 and 45 years old. Half of them were exposed to laughter, while the other half were not.
The study found that those who were exposed to laughter reported feeling more social connection and happiness than those who were not. However, the laughing group also reported experiencing more discomfort in their upper backs and heads. “Laughter can bring people closer together, but it can also activate the stretch receptors (伸展感受器) in the diaphragm (横膈膜), causing discomfort,” said Wang in an interview.
Previous research has linked laughter to improved immunity (免疫力), lower blood pressure, and overall well-being. Laughter has also been shown to improve the function of mitochondria (线粒体), which are the energy factories inside cells. However, like any other physical activity, laughing too much can also cause tiredness and shortness of breath. “Moderation (适度) is key, that is, you can’t laugh too much.” said Professor Xu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who was not involved in the study. “While laughter is good for us, we should also be mindful of how much we laugh.”
The findings of the study suggest that the health benefits of laughter are not automatic; rather, they require a balance between enjoyment and awareness of discomfort.
1. What’s the function of Bob’s experience in paragraph 1?| A．To explain a concept. | B．To introduce the topic. |
| C．To show a public concern. | D．To describe a vivid story. |
| A．People are too happy to be exposed to laughter. |
| B．People are likely to feel discomfort while laughing. |
| C．Laughing more is beneficial to improving our health. |
| D．Laughing is the best way to become socially connected. |
| A．The health benefits of laughter. |
| B．The side effects of never laughing. |
| C．The importance of moderation in laughing. |
| D．The connection between laughter and discomfort. |
| A．Laughter can help us stay healthy automatically. |
| B．Laughter definitely goes hand in hand with discomfort. |
| C．We should laugh more to keep ourselves joyful and healthy. |
| D．It’s necessary for us to strike a balance between laughter and comfort. |
3 . Last Thursday, Michael and Linda were distributing (分发) meals to 4,000 homeless people for their wedding reception (婚宴) in the border town of Kills. The
The idea came from Michael’s father, Ted, who
Then he told his son, who was surprised by the
On Tuesday evening, the
| A．friends | B．people | C．couple | D．students |
| A．refused | B．applied | C．pretended | D．preferred |
| A．calls | B．searches | C．volunteers | D．works |
| A．real | B．daily | C．big | D．personal |
| A．controlling | B．cleaning | C．changing | D．following |
| A．order | B．solution | C．command | D．suggestion |
| A．considered | B．accepted | C．doubted | D．felled |
| A．in need | B．in common | C．in depression | D．in danger |
| A．money | B．experience | C．food | D．happiness |
| A．amazed | B．disappointed | C．interested | D．annoyed |
| A．accommodation | B．hotel | C．company | D．soup kitchen |
| A．actually | B．officially | C．newly | D．nearly |
| A．hold | B．quit | C．organize | D．remember |
| A．kindness | B．happiness | C．rudeness | D．selfishness |
| A．Thankfully | B．Surprisingly | C．Finally | D．Hopefully |
4 . Zu Wenbao is a 23-year-old Chinese with autism (孤独症). That means it can be
At the Beijing studio, Zu learned how to play the keyboards and
Chen knows the young people with autism have trouble getting jobs, so he hopes music will help them make a
| A．happy | B．difficult | C．strict | D．fast |
| A．painting | B．writing | C．music | D．design |
| A．company | B．farm | C．shelter | D．school |
| A．brings | B．forces | C．invites | D．forbids |
| A．play | B．study | C．walk | D．agree |
| A．classroom | B．hospital | C．store | D．restaurant |
| A．disappear | B．fail | C．sing | D．believe |
| A．medicines | B．games | C．plans | D．lessons |
| A．pick up | B．socialize with | C．learn from | D．go after |
| A．wish | B．movement | C．living | D．promise |
| A．arrangements | B．challenges | C．examples | D．concerts |
| A．disease | B．success | C．talent | D．puzzlement |
| A．curious | B．angry | C．afraid | D．disappointed |
| A．suddenly | B．generally | C．finally | D．regularly |
| A．in the world | B．to some degree | C．by the way | D．as a result |
5 . The Clubs of Liberty High School
Welcome to our school! We offer a wide range of clubs to cater to the interest and talents of our students.
Sports Club
Our Sports Club is perfect for students who enjoy physical activities. We offer various sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball and more. Through regular practices and friendly matches, the students will develop teamwork and leadership skills. Join Sports Club through Jessical6012@yahoo. com.
Science Club
Do you have a love for experimentation? Science Club is for you! From chemistry to physics and biology, Science Club provides a platform for you to improve your scientific knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. Call 610-691-3612 for more information.
Music Club
Music Club invites students with a love for singing or playing musical instruments. It also offers opportunities for songwriting and composing. Join us to create beautiful melodies and harmonies together! You need to fill in a club registration form in the Main Office.
Community Service Club
Community Service Club pays attention to serving the local community through various volunteer and charity activities. We organize fundraisers, donation drives and social outreach programs. By joining this club, you’ll have the opportunity to develop empathy while contributing to the community’s development. For the application, you can call 610-691-6625.
1. Which club helps the students develop teamwork?| A．Sports Club. | B．Science Club. | C．Music Club. | D．Community service Club. |
| A．By writing a letter. | B．By filling in a form. |
| C．By sending an email. | D．By making a phone call. |
| A．Create popular songs. | B．Develop leadership skills. |
| C．Do some voluntary work | D．Learn scientific knowledge. |
6 . We’re all familiar with the feeling―it usually starts with a little itch (痒) deep inside the nose. Next comes the awareness that it’s going to happen. Then, achoo! Air rushes out of our nose at a shocking 100 miles per hour, bursting out whatever was causing the itch. The high-pressure from a sneeze (喷嚏) has led some people to think that if we didn’t close our eyes, they could be pushed out.
For decades, countless people have tested the theory. When finding it almost impossible to keep their eyes open while sneezing, many have concluded that the theory must be true. If you try it yourself, the possibilities are that your eyes are still where they belong. That’s because they are held firmly by the muscles in the eyes. Furthermore, increased pressure from sneezing actually builds up in the blood vessels (血管), which may cause vessels to break but may not be possible to push the eyeballs out.
Why did this theory start, anyway? Some say that it all began in 1882, when the New York Times reported an incident of a woman who burst one of her eyeballs during a sudden sneeze. Others point at the fact that different high-pressure experiences, such as childbirth, can cause blood vessels in the eyes to break out. Still others say that closing our eyes when we sneeze shows the theory is true. Scientists, on the other hand, explain that we close our eyes for the same reason we sneeze ― to prevent unwanted things from entering our bodies. Either way, as far as we know, there are no actual recorded cases of anyone losing an eyeball because of a sneeze, so don’t lose any sleep over it!
1. What is mainly talked about in paragraph 1?| A．The cause of a sneeze. | B．The danger of sneezing. |
| C．The importance of a sneeze. | D．The experience of sneezing. |
| A．Because they are fixed firmly in the eyes. |
| B．Because high pressure builds up in the eyes. |
| C．Because they are held strongly by blood vessels. |
| D．Because increased pressure prevents them from bursting out. |
| A．Sneezes usually cause an itchy nose. |
| B．People sneeze to burst out unwanted things. |
| C．The high pressure caused by a sneeze will become less through breathing. |
| D．People close their eyes when sneezing to stop their eyeballs from popping out. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A magazine. |
| C．A storybook. | D．A textbook. |
7 . 3 Most Walkable Cities in Europe
Walking on holiday is a great way to stay fit, but also to see the sights a city has to offer. Here are the three most walkable cities in Europe.
Athens, Greece
Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world. The capital of Greece ranks fifth, with a slightly longer—but very worthwhile—route of 2.1 miles between its top-rated tourist attractions.
Visitors to Athens can set off at the Acropolis, climbing to discover the ancient Parthenon that stands as a landmark to the city’s ancient legacy. Then it leads to the Acropolis Museum, with the neighbourhood of Plaka waiting to be explored in the shadow of the Acropolis. The National Archaeological Museum is also close-by.
Seville, Spain
Seville is home to some wonderful sights that are best seen when walking. Seville in Spain takes the top spot as Europe’s most walkable city, offering the shortest walking route between the top five tourist attractions.
Visitors to this charming Spanish city can explore the impressive Plaza de Espana public square, before wandering over to the UNESCO-listed palace of Real Alcazar and Seville Cathedral. After that it’s only a short trip on foot to visit the beautiful Barrio Santa Cruz neighbourhood and admire the Torre Giralda bell tower hanging above. With just 20 minutes of walking between these attractions.
Venice, Italy
Venice is famous for walkers, so it’s no surprise it ranks as the second best location for walkable city breaks. Walking is the best way to explore the bridges over the canals the city is famed for. There are endless charming alleyways to explore, as well as plenty of bridges over the canals that the city is famous for. Just under half an hour of walking here will take you on a tour of the impressive Grand Canal.
1. What’s the recommended starting point of the city walk in Athens?| A．Plaka. |
| B．The Acropolis. |
| C．The Acropolis Museum. |
| D．The National Archaeological Museum . |
| A．It offers some wonderful sights. |
| B．Visitors can explore five tourist attractions. |
| C．It makes visitors enjoy their time to the full. |
| D．Visitors can tour five tourist attractions in the shortest walking distance. |
| A．Those who are hiking during the vacation. |
| B．Those who want to find suggestions on where to travel. |
| C．Those who are looking for the best traveling destinations. |
| D．Those who usually choose walkable cities for their vacation. |
8 . Josie, who is 17 years old, said, “Why do my parents do the same things they tell me not to do? For example, my mum stops me from shouting through the walls and asks me to go and speak to her face-to-face, but she always shouts through the walls to me. What can I do?”
That is a very good point. Parents can be completely inconsistent (不一致), and usually they don’t realize it. You see this a lot in many things like smartphones. Parents always say to their kids, “Oh, you can’t use that. That device (设备) is bad for you, so stop using it at the table. It’s harmful.” But then they are on theirs continually. So what do you expect teenagers to do?
The whole “Do as I say, not as I do” thing is an annoyance, especially for a teenager who is dying for independence and respect but isn’t getting them.
What can teenagers do with it? I would say you should point it out by calmly saying something like “You tell me not to scream through the walls, but you do it to me, so you can understand where I’m coming from. That’s not ideal.” They might object to it, but I think most parents who care about being parents would logically say, “That’s a reasonable point.”
There are a lot of conflicts (矛盾) going on between teenagers and their parents, but a lot of studies show that the conflicts are resolved a lot more when they turn into a dialogue.
If you can talk at a time when you’re both feeling a bit calmer, like just in the kitchen or doing something unimportant, then go in and say, “Can I just mention it? You tell me not to do this, but you do it too.” If you can approach it in a more calm and stress-free manner, most parents will respond positively.
1. How did Josie feel according to her words in paragraph 1?| A．Hopeful. | B．Bored. | C．Proud. | D．Confused. |
| A．The parents’ smartphones. | B．The tables in the house. |
| C．The devices in the house. | D．The teenagers’ points. |
| A．Object to it personally. | B．Complain of it continually. |
| C．Talk with their parents calmly. | D．Do some studies differently. |
| A．To list a fact. | B．To offer a suggestion. |
| C．To show a result. | D．To ask a new question. |
9 . Garden goals can often be unclear. But in my opinion, not having a clear aim in mind when we are designing, creating and maintaining a garden can lead to a range of problems down the road. We must know where we’re going to determine our direction. Usually, without clear goals in mind, we end up setting out in entirely the wrong direction.
Creating our own perfect garden needs time. Waiting and failures can be dispiriting and many gardeners give up or feel disgruntled. It is always best to take our time and make progressive steps toward our overall goals.
With a clear idea of those goals, we can determine better how we are progressing toward them, even when nothing goes according to plan. We can see our success more clearly and can’t get hung up on smaller things that go wrong along the way.
Another thing clear garden goals can give us is a sense of the light at the end of the tunnel—something keeping us centered on what really matters. We need to have something to aim for to keep focus on the longer term. In a garden, it is easy to become distracted and some gardeners throw everything at their gardens in the hope that something will stick.
Buying too many plants for a garden is not only a recipe for disappointment, when things don’t end up working as expected, but also makes your efforts unsustainable. By buying only what you need, you can reduce your harmful impact and live in an environmentally friendly way.
Establishing clear goals helps us visualize our own needs and priorities (优先事项) more clearly. It helps us see what our gardens can truly provide for us and see how our gardening efforts can also help others and be of great benefit in the wider world.
1. What does the underlined word “disgruntled” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Frightened. | B．Amazed. | C．Dissatisfied. | D．Relaxed. |
| A．The dreams that people are looking for. | B．The direction that people keep changing. |
| C．The problems that appear in people’s life. | D．The light that guides gardeners forward. |
| A．Buy many plants. | B．Buy the required plants. |
| C．Work as they plan to. | D．Live in the way they like. |
| A．How can you set your goals? | B．What plants are fit for your garden? |
| C．Who can become successful gardeners? | D．Why is it important to set goals for your garden? |
10 . One day of the last December, I was sitting on a long, black and folding medical table. Beside me was a woman in a down jacket talking about the cold change the weather had taken recently. A radio in the corner was playing Christmas music, even though it was still weeks away. I took a drink from the bottle of lemonade I had brought with me, so I wouldn’t get dizzy (眩晕的).
I looked around at all the other people lying on their medical tables. Each of us had a needle in our arm, which was connected to a tube that led to a plastic bag. Each of us had come to give a precious gift to help others, make the world a better place, and perhaps even save a life.
It was the local blood drive and I had driven 12 miles across snowy roads to get there. I tried never to miss one even in winter. Despite all the time it took, I felt blessed being able to give this gift back to others. I had been given so much in my life: a kind husband, a loving family, many friends, and enough money to meet my needs. These gifts made me feel wonderful, yet the one thing that brought me more happiness was giving something back.
As you know, in the world, nothing brings you as much joy as taking your place in the great circle of love. In this circle, the more you give back, the more you get in return; the more love you let flow from your heart, the more love flows into it.
There are so many gifts you can give in this life: a smile, a kind word, a few dollars, a hug, a caring letter, and even a pint of blood. Each of them is priceless and precious. What you have to do is take action. In this way, the world will be filled with love.
1. What did the author do on the day of the last December?| A．She went to give blood. | B．She visited a woman. |
| C．She went to see a doctor. | D．She bought a medical table. |
| A．It was lonely. | B．It was happy. |
| C．It was worrying. | D．It was interesting. |
| A．Caring. | B．Brave. | C．Honest. | D．Hard-working. |
| A．We should always keep smiling. | B．We need to write letters to others. |
| C．We should pay love back to others. | D．We need to buy friends priceless gifts. |
