1 . If you were to move to a new country with a different language and bring along the family dog, your pet would likely have a hard time understanding commands from the locals9 according to a new study looking at how dogs’ brains react to different languages.
The new study was conducted by lead author Laura Cuaya, a neurobiologist at Eotvos Lordnd University in Hungary, who recently moved from Mexico to Tokyo alongside her dog Kun-kun.
Cuaya and her team trained 18 dogs, including Kun-kun, to lie motionless in an MRI machine so the researchers could scan their brains. As the dogs were being scanned, the researchers played the dogs three different recordings: a Spanish reading from the famous children’s book The Little Prince; a Japanese reading from the same book; and a series of human noises that did not resemble speech at all. All of the dogs had been exposed to only one of the two languages, meaning one was familiar to them and the other was unfamiliar. MRI scans revealed that dogs’ brains can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar languages? making them the first-known, and so far only, non-human animals to be able to tell the difference between human languages.
During the experiments, researchers also found that older dogs showed more activity in the secondary auditory cortex of the brain, suggesting they were better at differentiating familiar and unfamiliar languages than younger dogs. “I think that the main reason that older dogs are better at differentiating languages is the amount of exposure to the language Cuaya said. “Older dogs have had more opportunities to listen to humans while they talk.”
What makes dogs unique is that they do not need to be trained to distinguish between human languages. “Their brains detected the difference naturally, perhaps due to the domestication process,” Cuaya said. “While it is possible that many species can distinguish between human languages 9 dogs are one of the few that are interested in hearing us.”
1. What does the new study find?| A．Dogs may settle into a new environment easily. |
| B．Dogs can face language barriers in a foreign country. |
| C．Dogs are more sensitive to languages than other animals. |
| D．Dogs fail to understand their owners in a new environment. |
| A．Its background. | B．Its benefit. | C．Its process. | D．Its purpose. |
| A．Domestication helps dogs better live with humans. |
| B．Dogs are closely related to humans. |
| C．Humans should be more friendly to dogs. |
| D．Training plays an important role in raising dogs. |
| A．Dogs can bring surprising health benefits |
| B．Dogs are good translators in a new environment |
| C．Dogs that are often exposed to humans are more intelligent |
| D．Dogs can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar human languages |
2 . In casual conversations, there is a seemingly simple question I can never answer without hesitating — “Where are you from?”
I could say I am from Thailand, where I was born. Or I am from Mexico, where I spent the majority of my childhood. Or I am from the US, whose language is rooted into my life. In my mind, none of these answers are satisfying enough. After all, to be from somewhere carries expectations of understanding “your” culture and “your” home.
I feel envious whenever my friends say they’re “going home” for school breaks. As a student who frequently moves, I have never seen my living space as “home”, but “shelter”, another location to stay in before I unavoidably move again.
So, does this mean I do not have, and will never have, a home? I resign myself to living with this sense of sadness, until very recently.
In my dorm, inside my drawer is a specially designed white bath towel that I have not used since I brought it with me from my parents’ house. One day, I took it out, but stopped after smelling the soft, sweet laundry detergent (洗衣粉), the one my parents used back in Thailand. I felt my eyes water as that random smell brought my mixed emotions to the surface: sadness and nostalgia, a strong feeling of missing home. I still avoid using that towel until now because I don’t want to replace the smell of nostalgia with my newly-bought detergent.
Sadly, even with this new discovery, I will still struggle when answering where I am from, and I will always feel a sense of loss in not having a physical home to “go back to”. Yet, in random moments, when a smell catches me off guard (让我猝不及防) with the memories it brings, I like to believe that the things I feel then are things people feel when they are home. And if these moments can make me smile, even with a sense of loss, what better home can I ask for?
1. Why is the author unable to see his living space as “home”?| A．His living places often change. | B．He is unsatisfied with the place. |
| C．His expectations of “home” are high. | D．He can’t understand the culture there. |
| A．It was made in his hometown. | B．It is a present from his parents. |
| C．Its smell awakened his memories. | D．Its design wins his preference. |
| A．He no longer feels a sense of loss. |
| B．He feels a physical home is unnecessary. |
| C．He has got the answer to “Where are you from?” |
| D．He has found a sense of home in some moments. |
| A．A Man’s Home Is His Castle | B．There Is No Place Like Home |
| C．The Smell Brings Me Home | D．The Emotion Connects Me With Home |
3 . A shocking 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were discarded（丢弃）last year, a new UN-backed report has revealed. The report shows that e-waste is up 21%from five years ago. This isn't surprising, considering how many more people are adopting new technology and updating devices regularly to have the latest versions, but the report also shows that national collection and recycling strategies are nowhere close to matching consumption rates.
E-waste contains materials including copper（铜）, iron, gold and silver, which the report gives a conservative value of $ 57 billion. But most are thrown away or burned rather than being collected for recycling. Precious metals in waste are estimated to be worth $ 14 billion, but only $4 billion-worth is recovered at the moment.
While the number of countries with national e-waste policies has grown from 61 to 78 since 2014, there is little encouragement to obey and a mere 17% of collected items are recycled. If recycling does occur, it's often under dangerous conditions, such as burning circuit boards to recover copper, which "releases highly poisonous metals" and harms the health of workers.
The report found that Asia has the highest amounts of waste overall, producing 24.9 million metric tons (MMT), followed by Europe at 12 MMT, Africa at 2.9 MMT, and Oceania at 0.7 MMT.
But whose responsibility is it? Are governments in charge of setting up collection and recycling points, or should companies be responsible for recycling the goods they produce? It goes both ways. Companies do need to be held accountable by government regulations and have incentives to design products that are easily repaired. At the same time, governments need to make it easy for citizens to access collection points and deal with their broken electronics in a convenient way. Otherwise, they may turn to the easiest option-the landfill.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?| A．What e-waste refers to. |
| B．Where e-waste is collected. |
| C．Why e-waste is increasing rapidly. |
| D．How many kinds e-waste includes. |
| A．The functions of policies. |
| B．The great damage to environment. |
| C．The change of consumption rates. |
| D．The urgency of recovering e-waste. |
| A．It does harm to the workers' health. |
| B．It lacks national policy support. |
| C．It hardly makes profits. |
| D．It takes too much time. |
| A．New technology should be used to update old devices. |
| B．Governments and companies should take responsibilities. |
| C．Non-poisonous metals had better be used in e-device. |
| D．Citizens must play a key role in recycling e-waste. |
4 . Urban gardens are valuable property to communities. They provide green spaces to grow sustainable food, build community cohesion (凝聚力) make new friends, connect with the earth, and much no re. So, let’s check out our list of four inspiring urban gardens in the US.
Got ham Greens
Where: New York & Chicago
What: Got ham Greens first started in Brooklyn and now has four locations in New York City and Chicago. Their flagship farm in Brooklyn produced over 100,000 pounds of greens per year. But it doesn’t just produce healthy local vegetables. It is using high-teach green houses with solar panels to make sure the food grown is healthy and sustainable.
Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students
Where: Baltimore, Mary land
What: The Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS) program encouraged students to get their hands dirty and plant vegetables through their after-school and summer programs. Many of these kids don’t have access to green spaces, and have never had the opportunity to grow food.
ReVision Urban Farm
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
What: ReVision Urban Farm in Boston works in partnership with the ReVision Family Home——a shelter for 22 homeless parents and their kids. The farm provided these families with information on healthy eating, and access to the farm’s fresh vegetables. The organization also provided job training to help families escape the cycle of poverty.
Swale
Where: New York
What: scale, a floating food forest located on a large boat, is an innovative project meant to inspire citizens to rethink the relationship between our cities and our food. This urban garden serves as both a living art exhibit and an educational farm, Food forests are sustainable gardens that include vegetables, fruit, nut trees, bushes, herbs, and vine——each one complementing the other in a symbiotic (共生的) relationship.
1. What is special about Got ham Greens?| A．It provides job training for students. |
| B．It offers homeless families formation on healthy eating |
| C．It creates a sustainable garden on a large boat. |
| D．It uses high-tech green houses to grow healthy food. |
| A．Got ham Greens. | B．Revision Urban Farm. |
| C．Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students | D．Scale. |
| A．They are inspirational multinational project. | B．They have educational and entertaining purpose. |
| C．They create job opportunities for farmers. | D．They are important for citizens. |
5 . Joseph Salmon, 17, was practising ice fishing with his mom on a lake in Iowa. Suddenly, Salmon saw a jeep, driven by an old man, Thomas Lee,
Then another young man waved at Lee and tried to
Things looked extremely
Finally, the rescue workers arrived. Lee was transported to a nearby hospital. Neither he nor his dog was injured while Salmon was only treated for a minor
| A．fall | B．shake | C．show | D．push |
| A．reason | B．strike | C．instant | D．error |
| A．border | B．blackboard | C．street | D．shoreline |
| A．drive | B．signal | C．return | D．explain |
| A．at a loss | B．at no cost | C．in shame | D．in relief |
| A．Therefore | B．Instead | C．Somehow | D．Otherwise |
| A．reliable | B．promising | C．vague | D．urgent |
| A．aggressive | B．anxious | C．patient | D．peaceful |
| A．ship | B．pool | C．river | D．water |
| A．handle | B．drag | C．break | D．purchase |
| A．hesitated | B．sought | C．declined | D．regretted |
| A．motionless | B．artificial | C．flexible | D．obvious |
| A．held | B．took | C．washed | D．rushed |
| A．mistake | B．scratch | C．procedure | D．resource |
| A．fortunate | B．elegant | C．ridiculous | D．sensitive |
6 . Sunflower Gymnastics
At Sunflower Gymnastics we offer different classes to help participants promote self-confidence, build physical fitness and encourage independence.
Me &My Grown Up
This is a great class for the young children and adults to enjoy time together exploring movement and starting to understand their little bodies. The class is directed by instructors, yet parents work directly with their children. In addition to learning gymnastics, the children will also learn valuable social skills, like following directions. Saturdays &Sundays 10: 30 a. m. — 11: 30 a. m. Monthly fees: $55. 00
Hot Shot & Strength Training
This program is designed to teach basic gymnastics skills and ensure the development of a strong physical and mental foundation for young male athletes. Individual training focuses on strength, flexibility and balance, which can be transferred to any sport.
Wednesdays& Saturdays 4: 30 p. m. — 5: 20 p. m. Monthly fees: $65. 00
Nimjia Warrior Program
This class is for kids from the age of six to eleven. Students will compete in a safe challenging environment while having fun. This is the perfect program for a child who has a ton of energy because we promise they’ll leave tired, sweaty and talking about how much fun they have had!
Mondays 4: 25 p. m. — 5: 05 p. m. Fridays 7: 35 p. m. — 8: 15 p. m. Monthly fees: $57. 00
Competitive Team
Competitive team is for adult athletes who wish to reach the next level in their competition. Athletes are invited to team based on their gymnastics skill levels. We attempt to help them promote their confidence and grow as a teammate. Tuesdays 6: 45 p. m. — 8: 15 p. m. Sundays 5: 00 p. m. — 6: 30 p. m. Monthly fees: $73. 00
1. Which class encourages its customers to take their kids with them?| A．Me &My Grown Up. | B．Hot Shot & Strength Training. |
| C．Nimjia Warrior Program. | D．Competitive Team. |
| A．It charges the lowest fees. | B．It has the longest class period. |
| C．It promises energy conservation. | D．It is scheduled for weekdays only. |
| A．A sports schedule. | B．A gym advertisement. |
| C．A parenting guide. | D．A product catalogue. |
7 . Definitions of adult learning vary, but it is usually defined as all forms of learning undertaken by adults after having left initial education and training, however far this process may have gone.
Education and training are important factors for achieving the strategy objectives of raising economic growth, competitiveness and social inclusion. However, with some exceptions, the process of implementing education and training remains weak. Most education and training systems are still largely focused on the education and training of young people and limited progress has been made in changing systems to mirror the need for learning throughout the lifespan.
An additional 4 million adults would need to participate in lifelong learning. Recent research confirms the importance of investing in adult learning. The research on adults indicates that those who engage in learning are healthier, with a consequent reduction in healthcare costs.
The big economic challenge in Europe is to raise its growth and employment performance while preserving social cohesion(凝聚力). The rapid progress in other regions of the world shows the importance of creative, advanced and quality education and training as key factors of economic competitiveness. General levels of competence must increase, both to meet the needs of the labour market and to allow citizens to function well in today's society.
Europe is facing big demographic(人口的) changes that will have a major impact on society and on the economy and consequently on education and training provision and needs. Over the next 30 years, the number of younger Europeans will fall by 15%. One in three Europeans will be over 60 years old, and about one in ten will be over 80.
Given the challenges identified above, raising the overall level of skills of the adult population by offering more and better learning opportunities throughout adult life is important for both efficiency and equity reasons. Not only does lifelong learning help make adults more efficient workers and more active citizens, it also contributes to their personal well-being.
1. Which can replace the underlined word “implementing” in paragraph 2?| A．Carrying out. |
| B．Taking in. |
| C．Knowing about. |
| D．Looking over. |
| A．Adults have reduced healthcare costs. |
| B．Learning is good for adults’ health. |
| C．Few adults need to receive learning. |
| D．More research will focus on learning. |
| A．Europeans are not healthy. |
| B．Many old Europeans have died. |
| C．The European population is aging. |
| D．Young Europeans are out of work. |
| A．Lifelong learning is essential. |
| B．Raising adult population is significant. |
| C．We should help more efficient workers. |
| D．Work contributes to personal well-being. |
8 . Museums in Baltimore
The Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum contains 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 17th-century images of French gardens to fascinating Ethiopian icons, ancient Roman sarcophagi (石棺), and peaceful images of the Buddha.
Tickets: $9.5. Free for children aged 7 and under.
Baltimore Museum of Industry
The Baltimore Museum of Industry celebrates the innovators, entrepreneurs and workers who promoted this port city into the industrial age. From garment making to airplane manufacturing, visitors to the museum will discover how their pioneering spirit built the region’s manufacturing might. Located in an 1860s oyster cannery on a five-acre waterfront campus, the BMI offers dynamic exhibitions and hands-on activities for guests of all ages.
Tickets: $15. Half price for children.
Baltimore Museum of Art
The Baltimore Museum of Art is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. It has 90,000 works of art—including the largest holding of works by Henri Matisse in the world. The BMA is now throughout the multi-year project so that visitors can enjoy its outstanding selection of European and American painting and sculpture from the 17th through 20th centuries.
Tickets: $10. Ten percent off if booked on the official website.
American Visionary Art Museum
The American Visionary Art Museum is the nation’s museum for self-taught, creative skills. Three historic buildings house wonders created by farmers, housewives, mechanics, the disabled, as well as the occasional neurosurgeon. From carved roots to embroidered rags, tattoos to toothpicks, ‘the visionary’ transforms dreams, loss, hopes, and ideals into powerful works of art.
Tickets: $9.5. Free for children aged 6 and under and museum members.
1. Which museum best suits people interested in contemporary French paintings?| A．The Walters Art Museum. | B．Baltimore Museum of Industry. |
| C．Baltimore Museum of Art. | D．American Visionary Art Museum. |
| A．It’s a place for memorial celebrations for the city. |
| B．It was built in a factory where food was canned. |
| C．It offers free exhibitions for guests of all ages. |
| D．It is now undergoing a multi-year project. |
| A．$19. | B．$23.5. | C．$27. | D．$28.5. |
9 .
| Hope Book Club A book club is a small group of persons that are reading the same book in order to share different feelings and opinions about the book. The book club meets once a month for an hour of lively discussion. All students (3+), teachers and parents are welcome! Here you can discover a new world, learn new ideas and make new friends! What you should do:★You will read the book on your own and then discuss your reading in the book club. ★You must keep up with your reading so that you can join as a part of your group. The book club will decide what pages or chapters you will read. ★You should take down notes and thoughts as you read. ★Everyone in the book club is expected to join in the discussion. More tips: ★Keep our place clean. ★No pets and no smoking. ★Take good care of books and return them on time. ★You must ask for leave if you cannot join in the discussion. Fees: Kids from 3—7: Free; Kids from 8—18: 10 dollars a month; Adults: 15 dollars a month. If you are interested, call 487-256-656 or 487-266-545, send an email to hopebook@yahoo.com or visit our website at www.hopebookclub.com. |
| A．30 dollars. | B．60 dollars. | C．75 dollars. | D．90 dollars |
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．Books aren’t allowed to be taken out of the club. |
| B．Joining in the discussion is encouraged in the club. |
| C．You can choose your favourite books to read in the club. |
| D．The members in the club don’t have to finish what they need to read. |
10 . One afternoon in 2022, something on the Internet caught my eye：a tiny hedgehog (刺猬) held by a big hand. The post read: “HELP! My hedgehog abandoned (抛弃) her two babies, and I cannot raise both of them because I have to go to school fulltime. Good home with experience needed as soon as possible!”
I had no experience with baby hedgehogs. I was an animal person through and through and had raised cats, dogs, birds, and guinea pigs. But this tiny animal was new to me, and it touched me that he was abandoned, that maybe I could love him and be the best mom for him.
I wrote the most heartfelt email I could. That was how I found my Louie. True to my word, he was my baby. Louie didn’t know he was a hedgehog. He never curled (蜷缩) into a ball, and he liked my two cats, no fear. The cats, however, were afraid of him, as he often moved into the room, running after the cats and blocking my way.
By the time he reached old age, Louie had only three feet. However, he still managed to climb the stairs to visit other animals. He helped me realize my dream of hedgehog photography, a hobby that began during childhood with cats and dollhouses. I love showing off his modeling.
Life has meaning because of the purpose we have. Louie needed a good home and mom, and in return, I got to be a good mother and be needed. Hedgehogs require great amounts of patience, trust, and knowledge—but the payoff (回报) is pretty great.
1. The author got Louie from .| A．a pet shop | B．a family friend |
| C．a hedgehog owner | D．a hedgehog rescue center |
| A．Frightened. | B．Relaxed. | C．Lonely. | D．Tired. |
| A．He disliked climbing stairs. | B．He enjoyed being left alone. |
| C．He always refused to be in photos. | D．He was active despite his difficulty in moving. |
| A．It was easier than expected. | B．It gave her a sense of safety. |
| C．It made her lose her patience. | D．It was satisfying and meaningful. |
