1 . Banff National Park is home to an amazing wildlife population. But the busy Trans Canada Highway that cuts through the park is a hazard to the lovely animals. To address the problem, Banff first put-up wildlife fencing on either side of the highway to discourage animals from entering the busy road. Then, since 1996, they’ve opened six wildlife overpasses and 38 underpasses to help the animals cross the highway in safety. I was fortunate to visit Banff’s Red Earth Overpass with Trevor Kinley, the project manager with Parks Canada. He told me that so far, they have documented 10, 000 safe animal crossings on this overpass alone. “ Some animals have learned how to use the crossings much more quickly than others. Black bears are the fastest learners, followed by deer. Wolves and lions take the longest to work out how to use them, ” Kinley said, laughing. “ But those animals that are slower to adapt are usually more capable and determined at figuring out the safest way to cross those overpasses and underpasses. ”

There is some criticism (批评) that channeling so much wildlife into a few bridges and tunnels is like making a trap for the animals, offering big animals an easy meal on either side. “ But research has shown that this is not the case, ” Kinley assured me. “ There are no more killings around the crossings than there are anywhere else in the park. ”

Walking over the Trans Canada and then walking underneath through one of the tunnels, I was amazed to see the fresh tracks of black bears, wolves, deer and many kinds of smaller animals. Somehow, all these animal footprints made me so happy, knowing that all this wildlife was passing safely under and over the longest road in Canada.

Hopefully, the success of the wildlife crossings in Banff will continue to inspire similar solutions around the world, where human pressure on wildlife continues to grow.

1. Which of the following best explains “ hazard ” underlined in paragraph 1?

A．Shelter.

B．Message.

C．Answer.

D．Danger.

2. What does Trevor Kinley say about those wolves and lions?

A．They are stupid animals.	B．They are cautious learners.
C．They are very dangerous.	D．They are good at adapting.

3. What are the critics worried about?

A．There are too many bridges and tunnels.	B．Many animals will not use the crossings.
C．More killings might happen at the crossings.	D．Illegal hunting might be encouraged in the park.

4. How does the author feel at the end of the visit?

A．Concerned.

B．Disappointed.

C．Shocked.

D．Delighted.

2 . Ryder was born with a serious illness and has never been able to walk. When he started attending preschool, he had to be _______ to the end of the road in the _______ to wait for his school bus by his parents every day. As Ryder was unable to _______ for this bus if he was late like his schoolmates, he would have to wait for up to 15 minutes out in whatever _______ there was. Although his father had _______ a patio (露台) umbrella at the end of his driveway to provide some _______ from harsh weather, he still would get wet.

Then his father _______ for help on Facebook looking to see if someone might have an old bus hut (小屋). After the post, he was suggested to reach out to the _______ class at Westerly High School.

_______ , he sent an email to Dan McKena, who had been teaching construction technology at Westerly High School, asking if he’d be ________ in this kind of project. Delightfully, Dan ________ with an “absolutely” and then he worked hard on the hut with his students for weeks.

The hut made of wood was ________ enough to shelter both Ryder and one of his parents or a nurse comfortably and was finally ________ to the home six weeks later. Now, Ryder ________ it every day and his parents wait inside it every day while they await his returning home. He considers the hut ________ and does like to hang out in it from time to time.

1.

A．pulled

B．walked

C．driven

D．pushed

2.

A．car

B．wheelchair

C．bus

D．plane

3.

A．dance

B．shout

C．rush

D．slip

4.

A．vehicle

B．scene

C．weather

D．class

5.

A．searched for

B．put up

C．taken over

D．found out

6.

A．shelter

B．help

C．benefit

D．hope

7.

A．fought

B．stood

C．cared

D．sought

8.

A．art

B．construction

C．music

D．literature

9.

A．Consequently

B．Obviously

C．However

D．Besides

10.

A．interested

B．satisfied

C．strict

D．depressed

11.

A．predicted

B．interrupted

C．delayed

D．responded

12.

A．big

B．bright

C．heavy

D．light

13.

A．fixed

B．borrowed

C．delivered

D．thrown

14.

A．changes

B．designs

C．plays

D．uses

15.

A．popular

B．fantastic

C．strange

D．flexible

3 . Last summer, with my neck tight from too much time at the computer, I knew I needed to _________ into the woods. My husband wasn’t _________, but I really wanted to see the Perseids meteor shower (英仙座流星雨). I decided to go _________ on my own, which I’d never done before.

After throwing the sleeping bag and a few things to eat into the _________, I was on my way. I was a little _________ about being alone at first but put that feeling aside for the time being as I drove to my destination. Once I reached the camping _________, I asked the young attendant if she thought I’d be all right camping alone.

“Sure,” she said. I’m not sure what I expected her to say, but her answer was somewhat reassuring. I heard thunder. Not a great start to my _________. The one thing I don’t like is camping in the rain. By the time I reached my campsite, it was _________. Once the rain stopped, I found a spot for the _________. Putting it up turned out to be a straightforward process. This wouldn’t be so bad I thought.

After supper, I got the fire started easily. Looking up, I couldn’t see much of the sky __________ the trees. Once I zipped (拉上拉链) myself into the tent, I realized how much room there was. I loved that I could spread out and throw my clothes all over with no one to __________ about the mess. Solo camping __________ has its benefits.

Falling asleep quickly, I was awakened a few hours later by some __________. It sounded too large and loud to be a squirrel (松鼠) or a chipmunk (花栗鼠). __________, after a few minutes, it stopped, but I was __________ the rest of the night.

I didn’t think it was a good idea to __________ and look at the stars after all. As I lay there, I heard wolves in the distance and an owl (猫头鹰) calling. I was somewhat glad I was __________ to hear this little slice of nature.

The next morning, my neighbors talked about how a bear had visited in the night and knocked over some of their chairs and a small table. Fortunately, the bear hadn’t done any more __________ than that.

While I was disappointed at not seeing the shooting __________, I’m now a lot more __________ about camping by myself. Bear or no bear.

1.

A．take in

B．go over

C．take apart

D．go off

2.

A．available

B．brilliant

C．competent

D．desperate

3.

A．swimming

B．camping

C．hiking

D．jumping

4.

A．canteen

B．car

C．fridge

D．bag

5.

A．frustrating

B．firm

C．nervous

D．ideal

6.

A．mall

B．shore

C．surrounding

D．spot

7.

A．setting

B．scenery

C．adventure

D．insight

8.

A．pouring

B．casting

C．decreasing

D．dropping

9.

A．tent

B．stuff

C．angle

D．border

10.

A．in

B．through

C．across

D．beneath

11.

A．yield

B．devote

C．complain

D．advocate

12.

A．luckily

B．potentially

C．efficiently

D．certainly

13.

A．tones

B．noises

C．roots

D．voices

14.

A．Sadly

B．Mostly

C．Unfortunately

D．Thankfully

15.

A．blessed

B．terrified

C．amazed

D．ashamed

16.

A．go out

B．run out

C．go through

D．run off

17.

A．active

B．asleep

C．awake

D．alone

18.

A．incident

B．barrier

C．favour

D．damage

19.

A．stars

B．skies

C．steam

D．branches

20.

A．amused

B．rewarding

C．confident

D．reliable

4 . For many, Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer and an opportunity to host a socially-distanced barbecue (an outdoor meal). But this national holiday—celebrated every year in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September—has revolutionary (革命性的) origins.

By the late 19th century, the Industrial Revolution had made working life miserable for people around the world. In many places, workers toiled for at least 12 hours a day six days a week in mines, factories, railroads, and mills. This holiday actually originated in the US on May 1, 1866, in what came to be known as the Haymarket Riot, workers flooded Chicago streets to demand an eight-hour workday.

It would take another conflict in the American Midwest to make Labor Day a national holiday. On May 11, 1894, workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company, a railroad car manufacturer near Chicago, went on strike to protest their low wages and 16-hour workdays. In August 1893, James Kyle introduced federal legislation (立法) to make Labor Day a public holiday, but for ten months the legislation was put on hold. To quiet the strikers and their supporters, the Senate quickly passed the bill on June 22. The bill passed the House four days later and President Grover Cleveland signed it into law on June 28, 1894.

The holiday is more information May Day labor celebrations. Many observers relax at home or head to outdoor recreational activities, such as boating, barbecues, and camping. It may also be marked with fireworks shows and other events. Labor Day has also become associated with retail sales, as many shop owners try to take advantage of the customers’ day off. It is one of the largest sales events of the year. meaning retail employees actually have to work more on this day. Parades are the most common model of celebration, which often feature processions of labor groups.

1. What do we know about the workers in the late 19th century?

A．They were paid well.	B．They had long workdays.
C．They often had a barbecue.	D．Their contributions were recognized.

2. Which can replace the underlined words “put on hold” in paragraph 3?

A．Put off.

B．Introduced.

C．Got through.

D．Protected.

3. When did Labor Day become an official holiday throughout America?

A．On May 1, 1886.

B．On August 22, 1893.

C．On May 11, 1894.

D．On June 28, 1894.

4. What’s the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The origins of Labor Day.	B．The labor groups achievements.
C．The ways to celebrate Labor Day.	D．The official activities on Labor Day.

5 . Most Famous Paintings in the World

Among the millions of paintings that are created and shown in galleries and museums all around the world, a very small number of them go beyond time and make history. Below are some examples.

The Persistence of Memory — Salvador Dali. Painted in 1931, The Persistence of Memory is one of the most recognizable pieces in art history. This work is known to make people reflect on their way of life and the way they spend their time, and it is also thought that Albert Einstein’s well-known Theory of Relativity gave Dali the idea for this wonderful painting.

Girl with a Pearl Earring — Johannes Vermeer. Considered by many to be “the Dutch Mona Lisa”, this beautiful painting features an unnamed young woman looking over her shoulder to stare directly at the viewer. It was completed in 1665 and is exhibited in the Mauritshuis in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Guernica — Pablo Picasso. The famous painting by Picasso was completed in 1937. It was painted in Paris following the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. The painting is on permanent display in the Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain.

Starry Night — Vincent van Gogh. Painted in 1889, Starry Night is one of the most famous paintings in modern culture, which is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It is based on van Gogh’s direct observations as well as his imagination, memories, and emotions and was the inspiration for the song Vincent (also known as Starry, Starry Night).

1. What do we know about The Persistence of Memory?

A．It was finished in the 1920s.	B．It centers on people’s lifestyle.
C．It reflects the painter’s memories.	D．It may be inspired by a famous theory.

2. Which painting is based on a true story?

A．The Persistence of Memory.	B．Starry Night.
C．Girl with a Pearl Earring.	D．Guernica.

3. What is the common feature of the listed paintings?

A．They are everlasting artworks.	B．They share the similar theme.
C．They are on permanent display.	D．They give ideas for music creation.

6 . Different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways. We asked some of our friends to explain what happens in their countries. This is what they told us:

France

In France, Christmas is always called Noël. Everyone has a Christmas tree, sometimes decorated in the old way with red ribbons and real white wax candles. Fir trees in the garden are often decorated too with lights on all night.

Father Christmas is called Père Noël. The Christmas meal is an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine. Few people send Christmas cards. More people send New Year cards to wish everyone good luck and joy for the New Year. These days Christmas lunch is a starter of foie gras (a strong tasting pate made from goose liver) followed by lunch of seafood — usually including lobsters and oysters.

New Zealand

Christmas starts for us with gifts under the tree, to be opened on Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at one’s parents place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings (佐料) is eaten. Then comes tea time. It is a BBQ for friends and family to get together, and have a few beers or wines with the meal!

Russia

In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time — when “Father Frost” brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old “Julian” calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and “meat dumplings”.

Sweden

The most important day is Christmas Eve. A special Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve — ham (pork), herring fish, and brown beans — and this is the time when families give presents to each other. Many people attend a church meeting early on Christmas Day.

1. Why do people in France send New Year cards?

A．To tell their friends the New Year is coming.

B．To ask for some special presents.

C．To invite their friends to family gathering.

D．To send their friends best wishes and happiness for the New Year.

2. What do they have in common when celebrating Christmas?

A．A special meal is prepared.

B．Everyone has a Christmas tree.

C．Parents give gifts to their children.

D．People attend a church gathering.

3. Which country celebrates Christmas “twice”?

A．France.

B．New Zealand.

C．Sweden.

D．Russia.

8 . Recent research discovered that a low-cost computer training program can help older persons drive less dangerously.

“We developed a training program, called Drive Aware, which could be used by anyone who has a computer,” says Jing Feng, co-author of the study and a professor of psychology at NC State. “Drive Aware is a cognitive (认知的) training program for older persons that helps them notice traffic risks more effectively. The purpose of our recent study was to see how much Drive Aware changes trainees’ driving behaviors once they get behind the wheel.”

The researchers found 27 persons aged 65 and up to test Drive Aware. In a driving simulator (模拟器), all of the study participants (参与者) experienced a basic driving exam. The “active training” group was made up of nine of the study participants. Every two weeks, the active training group had two Drive Aware trainings. A group of nine additional study participants was asked to take “passive training”. This group watched videos of others receiving the Drive Aware instruction. This happened twice, with each lasting about a week. The control group, which was made up of the remaining nine study participants, received no training. After that, all 27 study participants performed a second driving exam in the simulator.

The study participants in the active training group experienced 25% fewer “unsafe incidents (事件)” following the training, according to the researchers. There was no obvious change in the number of dangerous incidents among study participants in the passive training and control groups.

“This testing was done with a fairly limited number of study participants,” Feng says. “If we can succeed in getting the fund, we’d like to further our testing with more people to clearly prove how effective this training is at reducing accidents among older drivers.”

1. What does the underlined phrase “get behind the wheel” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Take a risk.	B．Start a program.
C．Drive a car.	D．Use a computer.

2. What was the “passive training” group required to do?

A．Experience no training.	B．Receive two Drive Aware trainings.
C．Take three driving tests.	D．Observe videos of Drive Aware trainings.

3. How did the researchers arrive at their testing result?

A．By quoting former figures.	B．By investigating car accidents.
C．By operating the driving simulator.	D．By comparing participants’ performances.

4. What is Feng’s attitude towards the testing?

A．Unclear.

B．Worried.

C．Positive.

D．Doubtful.