1 . With a relatively small population, pandas are not out of the woods or the bamboo forest just yet. The biggest threat to the wild panda population is habitat loss. And while around 34%0f its wild habitat is protected, these areas are still vulnerable to natural disasters, such as wildfires. To protect panda habitat, the Digital Panda System, developed by the Sichuan Forest and Grassland Administration and Chinese technology giant Huawei, was used effectively across forest and grasslands in Sichuan Province
The instant reporting system helps to detect wildfires in hard-to-reach areas, alerting fire departments so they can react quickly, as well as monitoring wildlife. Meanwhile, another smart technology-facial recognition could help identify individual pandas more accurately. Each panda has a unique facial structure and hair pattern. To the human eye, their fur-covered faces all look the same, but computer programs are able to distinguish the differences.
The system collects data from over 600 cameras, drones (无人机) and satellites, which it stores in the cloud. Researchers use this data to monitor, track and study wildlife as well as detect wildfire hotspots. Because the cameras are used in remote areas where there is little or no electricity, the system is solar-powered and uses microwave transmission (传送), which doesn’t require cables (电缆).
The system assists 140,000 forest rangers, grassland managers, conservationists and researchers in Sichuan. In its first five months of operations, it detected 651 wildfire hotspots, reducing forest fires by 71.6% compared to the same period the previous year.
Despite its name, the Digital Panda System offers protection to more than just pandas. The system covers the Sichuan section of the newly established Giant Panda National Park. The park is home to most of China’s 1800 wild pandas along with a further 8,000 animal and plant species. In the future, the digital panda system could be extended across the sections of the national park that lie in Shanxi and Gansu provinces, creating more success stories for other endangered species.
1. Why was the Digital Panda System built?| A．To record wildlife population. |
| B．To protect wild pandas from losing habitat. |
| C．To increase forest and grassland coverage. |
| D．To provide pandas with more bamboos as food. |
| A．Computer programs identify pandas by size. |
| B．The data collected is mainly stored in cameras. |
| C．Smart technology plays an important role in its operation. |
| D．The system fails to collect data in areas without access to electricity. |
| A．To prove the effectiveness of the system. |
| B．To show the various functions of system. |
| C．To illustrate the data collection process of the program. |
| D．To compare the advantages and disadvantages of the system. |
| A．The system aims at saving pandas only. |
| B．The system has already gone into service nationwide. |
| C．The system is likely to benefit other animals facing extinction. |
| D．The system offers protection to all the species in Sichuan Province. |
2 . Since the early to mid-2010s, social media apps have made a permanent home in many people’s phones and spending time on social media has become as much of a daily activity as eating food or drinking water. Since so many people — especially kids, teens, and young adults — are on it for much of their days, there is increased concern over what social media is doing to people with its overwhelming (巨大的) information. Many argue that social media is an unhealthy way to pass the time, and false information from online is causing panic and confusion.
While social media may sometimes be linked to negativity, it is not as bad as many make it out to be. In fact, it has given birth to a whole new way to advocate for important movements, and it’s easy to spread one’s message to reach a large audience. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement started with online advocacy and it eventually reached practically everyone around the world during the civil rights movement over the summer in 2020. Activists online can create informational fliers, post resources to further educate people on any given topic, and interact with like- minded people that want to help as well within a matter of minutes without even having to leave the house.
Honieh Hemati, a social activist, agrees that social media can be extremely helpful. “It can be really educational and inspirational. Sometimes it can open your eyes to a new perspective (视角) you wouldn’t have seen yourself,” she explained.
It is unjust to demonize (使妖魔化) social media, when it seems that most issues around social media are user errors, like anyone complaining there are too many people voicing opinions they don’t agree with, or being addicted to social media. It really is up to the individual— how they think of social media, and how they make use of it. People who have any grasp on reality wouldn’t spend every waking second on the phone, and they are responsible for what they post online.
1. What are people worried about in terms of social media?| A．Confusion and panic it causes to young people. |
| B．Difficulty to delete apps once they are downloaded. |
| C．Unhealthy habits of using it while eating or drinking. |
| D．Bad effects it brings about with too much information. |
| A．Harmful. | B．Changeable. | C．Beneficial. | D．Addictive. |
| A．Forbid the young from it. | B．Mind how they see it and use it. |
| C．Be aware of the errors on it. | D．Make the most and best use of it. |
| A．Social Media: Now or Never! | B．Social Media: Demon or Angel? |
| C．Activists: Social Media Are Helpful | D．Teens: Stay Away from Social Media |
3 . Chinese New Year, an international celebration, perhaps the most widely celebrated holiday in the world, typically takes place in January or February. Although the first few days are the most observed, Chinese New Year actually runs for 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival. Preparations take place for weeks in advance to ensure that this period is filled with luck and prosperity (繁荣).
With people around the globe observing Chinese New Year, you’re sure to find fireworks, parades, and street fairs in nearly every major city. This is also a time for family reunions and lots of food. People will be feasting and spending time together to celebrate the most important Chinese festival. Firecrackers are thrown in abundance (大量) to frighten away unlucky spirits. Red is worn, and children receive money in red envelopes because of its symbolic meaning, seen as a lucky color that represents success and good fortune.
With vibrant (充满活力的) celebrations taking place from Sydney to San Francisco, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pay your respect and good wishes to the Chinese, especially if you know the customary greetings. Whether you’ll be spending it in China or in a Chinatown in your own city, knowing how to wish people a happy new year in the local tongue is a nice touch. With such diversity in Chinese culture and ethnic groups around the world, there are many ways to say “happy new year” in Chinese, among which “gong xi fa cai” and “xin nian kuai le” are the most popular phrases.
Gong xi fa cai : Pronounced “gong zee fah tsai”, gong xi means “congratulations and is also a way to wish one joy. Fa cai is to become rich or make money, so you are wishing one joy and prosperity in the new year. Business owners and workmates use gong xi fa cai as the usual way to say “happy new year” in Chinese.
Xin nian kuai le: Pronounced “sheen neean kwai luh”, xin nian means new year and kuai le means “happy” or “joyous”. Xin nian kuai le is a great way to say happy new year in Chinese to friends without referencing money.
1. How long does the Spring Festival last?| A．A few days. | B．Half a month. | C．Three weeks. | D．A whole month. |
| A．Because it is the color of fire. | B．Because it lifts children’s spirit. |
| C．Because it symbolizes luck and prosperity. | D．Because it looks beautiful and eye-catching. |
| A．Food. | B．Custom. | C．Area. | D．Language. |
| A．Chinese families. | B．Foreigners to China. |
| C．American Chinese. | D．People living in Australia. |
4 . When New York City asked residents to stay home due to the pandemic, Jesse Means figured he wasn’t going to have any visitors anytime soon, so he might as well turn his living room into a studio.
Means, a Broadway actor turned elementary school music teacher, uses that studio to record weekly lessons that he said seek to not only educate but uplift and encourage. “My job is teaching, but my ultimate work is building up people and making sure their spirits are all right,” he said. “I became the modern-day Mr. Rogers, as some have referred to me.”
Mr. Means Music, his YouTube series, teaches rhythm, songs and vocabulary, but also includes assignments like asking students to write down something kind they did recently or a fond memory with a parent. And because his lessons are public, he said he’s received fan mails from as far as the United Kingdom and Kenya. “These little kids really need to have some normalcy(常态),” he said. “They’re used to seeing specific faces every day, mine being one of them.”
While Means said he works almost straight through every weekend on new 10-to 20-minute episodes, he said seeing video reactions showing strengthened bonds between parent and child has made the extra work worthwhile. One father, for example, regularly submitted videos of his daughter, sitting alone and responding to Means’ weekly questions. Halfway through the school year, the videos changed. “There was this very burly (魁梧的) man who is now in the video with his daughter singing ‘the bell on the buoy goes ding ding ding!’ and touching his nose,” Means said. “You can see how much he loves his daughter. That’s what keeps me going in those moments when I can barely keep my eyes open.”
1. Why did Means start his series on the Internet during the pandemic?| A．To remember his days at Broadway. | B．To become famous and popular online. |
| C．To cheer people up by teaching music. | D．To follow Mr. Rogers’ path to success. |
| A．It requires learners to share their lives. | B．It shows specific faces on a daily basis. |
| C．It aims to attract kids in foreign countries. | D．It is specially designed for pupils in New York. |
| A．It is funny and attractive. | B．It is boring and needs improvement. |
| C．It is tiring and demanding. | D．It is meaningful and worth the effort. |
| A．Connection with friends. | B．Importance of music. |
| C．Enthusiasm for their careers. | D．Love for their family. |
5 . A List of Best Books about the universe
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking explains the universe in this 256 -page best-seller. The world-famous physicist breaks down black holes, space and time, the theory of general relativity and much more, and makes it accessible to those of us who aren’t rocket scientists. First published in 1988, the book is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn more about the origins of the universe and where it’s all heading.
Astronomy Activity Book for kids by Aurora Lipper (Author), Victoria Stebleva (Illustrator)
Aimed at ages 5 to 7, this book by a former NASA scientist gives kids an excellent introduction to the sky. They’ll learn through engaging STEM activities that are kid-friendly. The book is also richly illustrated with its 160 pages for young readers to better understand astronomy terms. Youngsters will finish this book being able to find at least some things in the night sky and have a handy entry point for more research.
Apollo’s Legacy by Roger Launius
How do we understand a transformative event like the Apollo missions to the moon? In Apollo’s Legacy: Perspectives on the Moon Landings, space historian Roger Launius explores the impacts Apollo had technologically, scientifically and politically, as well as analyzing how to understand the country’s modern space program. With its 264 pages, the book is written as a scholarly text, but it’s accessible to anybody with an interest in the history of space exploration.
Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson
Red Moon, the latest novel from legendary science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson, transports the reader to the lunar surface. The story, set in 30 years into the future, takes up 446 pages which opens on the journeys of Fred Fredericks, an engineer, and Ta Shu, a poet, to the moon. At first, as a reader, you may find yourself adjusting to the characters’ awkward movements in lunar gravity, but a shocking turn that follows won’t fail to surprise you ·
1. Which book is written by an expert who used to work in NASA?| A．A Brief History of Time. | B．Astronomy Activity Book for Kids. |
| C．Apollo’s Legacy. | D．Red Moon. |
| A．Aurora Lipper. | B．Stephen Hawking. |
| C．Roger Launius. | D．Kim Stanley Robinson. |
| A．It tells a made-up story. | B．It records a trip to the moon. |
| C．It is targeted at historians. | D．It is a slim volume with 160 pages. |
6 . When Amanda Lemay heard the story about a baker and his wife who were traveling around the United States in a van, learning from expert bakers, she wanted to do something similar. So she got rid of most of her possessions and made an old ambulance with her dad into a lovely home on wheels.
Lemay’s ambulance is actually a former emergency response vehicle for the US Navy, built on a 2006 Ford E350 Cutaway. Renovations were done by her and her dad. Now the dark blue vehicle has a lot of built-in cabinets on all sides, offering a lot of storage space, while the rooftop has 400-watts of solar power panels and a small roof deck where Lemay practices yoga. The inside is tastefully done to suit Lemay’s work and hobbies.
As Lemay mentions, not only did her father help, but so did the rest of her family. Lemay’s mother helped sew the decorations on the removable cushions, and her sister crafted the leather pulls. It was truly a family affair.
Her current nomadic lifestyle fits well with her work doing audiobooks, voiceovers, and publishing work. In the end, this unexpected path has Lemay rethinking what it means to be truly sustainable, now that van life has gotten her to become minutely aware of the water, electricity, and other daily resources that she uses. But all these day-to-day concerns are balanced with a greater sense of freedom.
“It’s almost mind-blowing, it feels like a completely different life because I’m doing the work online, and I can do things on my own schedule. Pretty much most of my days are mine — so by living in the van, I can be where I want to be, and do the things I want to do, and spend time outside.”
1. Why is the story of a baker and his wife mentioned in paragraph 1?| A．It shows a creative way of learning. | B．It was spoken highly by expert bakers. |
| C．It’s an example of strong determination. | D．It’s where Amanda Lemay got her inspiration. |
| A．All family members contributed to it. | B．Its cost was shared by family members. |
| C．It was made to suit the life of the family. | D．The whole family gathered to celebrate it. |
| A．To value every minute of her life. | B．To make the best of what she has. |
| C．To keep a balance between work and life. | D．To be aware of the real meaning of family. |
| A．Reflecting on life. | B．Forgetting all about work. |
| C．Working on her own schedule. | D．Being free from day-to-day concerns. |
7 . Jason, our son, was born one month early and so he was weaker than most children. My wife Margaret and I often comforted(安慰) him as he faced many
In his seventh grade, Jason
I called the school leader about what happened on the bus, and Jason never experienced that again. He stayed on the team, even though the trouble
One day in October, we had a heavy
A few weeks later, Jason had something to tell us. “Mom, Dad, sit down,” he said. I was ready for the
“He works
“Does everyone
Tears formed in Jason’s eyes as he told us what happened next. “Mom ... Dad ...
Whenever I am sad, I think of this story. I remind myself that challenges are not overcome (克服) by force, but by patience,
| A．challenges | B．dangers | C．tasks | D．choices |
| A．backed | B．set | C．called | D．signed |
| A．school | B．hospital | C．work | D．lunch |
| A．rubbish | B．food | C．dust | D．paint |
| A．disappeared | B．started | C．continued | D．arrived |
| A．snow | B．rain | C．traffic | D．duty |
| A．walking | B．running | C．playing | D．looking |
| A．loneliest | B．kindest | C．worst | D．brightest |
| A．competed | B．searched | C．asked | D．voted |
| A．But | B．So | C．After | D．For |
| A．more carefully | B．better | C．more quickly | D．harder |
| A．work | B．agree | C．help | D．deal |
| A．anyone | B．someone | C．everyone | D．no one |
| A．bravely | B．proudly | C．patiently | D．hurriedly |
| A．silence | B．knowledge | C．education | D．determination |
8 . If music makes you smarter and exercise helps you to think, surely exercising to music can turn you into a clever person.
A team of scientists from Ohio State University did experiments on 33 volunteers who were getting better from heart disease after operations. They found those volunteers who exercised while listening to Italian musician Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons did much better on language ability tests than without music. It is also used in medical fields for patients who have had head hurts because of its moderate tempo(舒缓的节拍).
“Exercise seems to cause positive changes in the nerve(神经) system and these changes may improve the learning ability of people with heart disease,” said the psychologist Charles Emery, who led the study. “And listening to music is thought to enhance understanding. We just wanted to put the two results together,” he added.
The volunteers said they felt better emotionally and physically after exercising with or without music. But their improvement on the test doubled after listening to music during exercise. Scientists have proved that music can be good for health and education. It helps reduce stress and sadness, encourage relaxation or sleep, wake up the body and improve memory and thoughts.
Scientists have been studying the results of exercise to music on learning and understanding since the early 1950s. A study showed that students who listened to Mozart’s violin pieces and exercised went on to get higher marks in an IQ test. With important exams drawing near, your parents will not probably allow you to listen to music or play sports. But perhaps now you have good reasons to argue with them.
1. What does the underlined word “enhance” in Paragraph 3 mean?| A．produce | B．provide | C．improve | D．impress |
| A．you should follow your parents’ words |
| B．you have some good reasons to join in an IQ test |
| C．good marks depend on listening to music and excising |
| D．exercise to music might help you get higher grades in tests |
| A．Music helps volunteers get better from heart disease. |
| B．Exercise is used for people with head hurts. |
| C．Exercise causes no changes in health without music. |
| D．Music can help you relax and feel energetic. |
| A．Exercise to Music | B．Music and study |
| C．Importance of Music | D．Studies on Exercise |
9 . At the age of 60, my father was hit by a car when he walked to a nearby supermarket to buy vegetables. After
Since I was his only child, it was my
Dad became the
It is eight years since the accident. Dad has accepted the fact that he is the
| A．lying | B．waiting | C．staying | D．sleeping |
| A．excited | B．calmed | C．hurt | D．protected |
| A．Luckily | B．Amazingly | C．Unfortunately | D．Regularly |
| A．slowly | B．strangely | C．lightly | D．seriously |
| A．turn | B．duty | C．favor | D．habit |
| A．stopping | B．performing | C．accepting | D．planning |
| A．cleverest | B．oldest | C．bravest | D．kindest |
| A．flew | B．jumped | C．drove | D．walked |
| A．repaired | B．designed | C．answered | D．cleaned |
| A．useless | B．wrong | C．dangerous | D．impolite |
| A．show | B．lend | C．share | D．sell |
| A．teacher | B．father | C．grandfather | D．uncle |
| A．weight | B．age | C．height | D．look |
| A．tiring | B．relaxing | C．amusing | D．interesting |
| A．perfect | B．important | C．easy | D．happy |
10 . Derek Paravicini is lucky to be alive. Born three and a half months early, he weighed only 0.6 kilograms and almost
Yet Derek is a
Derek was two years old before his family discovered his
By the age of nine, Derek had
| A．smiled | B．cried | C．died | D．survived |
| A．Strangely | B．Quickly | C．Secretly | D．Unluckily |
| A．almost | B．hardly | C．still | D．even |
| A．math | B．future | C．musical | D．natural |
| A．words | B．numbers | C．mistakes | D．sounds |
| A．read | B．improve | C．create | D．hear |
| A．head | B．hands | C．eyes | D．mouth |
| A．bank | B．hospital | C．community | D．computer |
| A．count | B．send | C．recognize | D．leave |
| A．voice | B．talent | C．book | D．illness |
| A．moved | B．confused | C．shocked | D．annoyed |
| A．blind | B．poor | C．needy | D．sick |
| A．discover | B．turn | C．end | D．develop |
| A．hosted | B．lectured | C．served | D．performed |
| A．recording | B．giving | C．improving | D．supplying |
