1 . Dogs understand what certain words stand for, according to researchers who monitored the brain activity of willing dogs while they were shown balls, slippers, and other items.
This finding means that dogs can understand more than just commands like “sit” and “fetch”, and the exciting “walkies”. They can also grasp the basic meaning of nouns, especially those related to things they like. “I think the capacity is there in all dogs,” said Marianna Boros, who helped arrange the experiments at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. “This changes our understanding of language evolution and our sense of what is uniquely human.” A survey in 2022 found that dog owners believed their furry companions responded to between 15 and 215 words.
However, studies have said little about what is happening in the dog brain when it processes words. To explore the secret, Boros and her colleagues invited 18 dog owners to bring their pets to the laboratory along with five objects the animals knew well. These included balls, slippers, Frisbees (飞盘), rubber toys, leads and other items.
At the lab, the owners were instructed to say words for objects before showing their dogs either the correct item or a different one. For example, an owner might say “Look, here’s the ball”, but hold up a frisbee instead. The experiments were repeated multiple times with matching and non-matching objects.
During the tests, researchers monitored the dogs’brain activity through electroencephalography, or EEG. The traces (痕迹) revealed different patterns of activity when the objects matched or mismatched the words their owner said. The difference in the traces was more pronounced for words that owners believed their dogs knew best.
Writing in Current Biology, the scientists say the results “provide the first neural (神经的) evidence for object word knowledge in a non-human animal”. Boros emphasized she was not claiming dogs understood words as well as humans.
Dr Holly Root-Gutteridge, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Lincoln who was not involved in the study, said: “It’s particularly interesting because I think it’s unlikely this started during domestication (驯化), so it may be widespread throughout mammals. That’s highly exciting in itself, as it shines new light on language evolution.”
1. Why did the scientists do the experiments?| A．To study how dogs process words. | B．To find out if dogs understand nouns. |
| C．To prove dogs are as clever as humans. | D．To discover the secret of language evolution. |
| A．By observing different dogs’ behavior. | B．By comparing different dogs’ responses. |
| C．By monitoring different dogs’ brain activity. | D．By analyzing the data of previous surveys. |
| A．Dogs only respond to objects, not words. | B．Dogs understand words as well as humans. |
| C．Dogs can match some words with objects. | D．Dogs are interested in learning new words |
| A．Surprised. | B．Indifferent. | C．Doubtful. | D．Positive. |
2 . Most of us need to heal (痊愈) once in a while. For some of us, the
Years ago, I was watching my son
I loved these words. It struck me that they might also
Last year I had surgery for a broken
When hope grows dim (暗淡的), belief
| A．simple | B．emotional | C．hardest | D．reasonable |
| A．practice | B．display | C．hold | D．score |
| A．attempts | B．shots | C．choices | D．adjustments |
| A．spot | B．beat | C．catch | D．release |
| A．rely on | B．apply to | C．arise from | D．respond to |
| A．picture | B．remember | C．wake | D．operate |
| A．Imagination | B．Desire | C．Belief | D．Dream |
| A．result | B．prize | C．career | D．option |
| A．hand | B．ankle | C．wrist | D．arm |
| A．promised | B．required | C．refused | D．expected |
| A．exciting | B．confusing | C．appealing | D．struggling |
| A．turned to | B．took in | C．kept at | D．commented on |
| A．exactly | B．absolutely | C．generally | D．naturally |
| A．feels | B．lights | C．forces | D．clears |
| A．happiness | B．fortunate | C．healing | D．shooting |
3 . Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing promise in earthquake prediction, challenging the long-held belief that it is impossible. Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have developed an AI algorithm (算法) that correctly predicted 70% of earthquakes a week in advance during a trial in China and provided accurate calculations for the predicted earthquakes.
The research team believes their method succeeded because they stuck with a relatively simple machine learning approach. The AI was provided with a set of statistical (统计的) features based on the team’s knowledge of earthquake physics, and then instructed to train itself using a five-year database of earthquake recordings. Once trained, the AI provided its prediction of earthquake by listening for signs of incoming earthquakes within the background rumblings (隆隆声) in the Earth.
This work is clearly a milestone in research for AI-driven earthquake prediction. “You don’t see earthquakes coming,” explains Alexandros Savvaidis, a senior research scientist who leads the Texas Seismological Network Program (TexNet). “It’s a matter of milliseconds ( 毫秒), and the only thing you can control is how prepared you are. Even with the 70% accuracy, that’s a huge result and could help minimize economic and human losses and has the potential to remarkably improve earthquake preparation worldwide.”
While it is unknown whether the same approach will work at other places, the researchers are confident that their AI algorithm could produce more accurate predictions if used in areas with reliable earthquake tracking networks. So, their next step is to test artificial intelligence in different places in Texas, since UT’s Bureau TexNet has 300 earthquake stations there and over six years’ worth of continuous records, making it ideal for these purposes.
Eventually, the authors hope to combine the system with physics-based models. This strategy could prove especially important where data is poor or lacking. “That may be a long way off, but many advances such as this one, taken together, are what moves science forward,” concludes Scott Tinker, the bureau’s director.
1. How does the AI predict earthquakes?| A．By analyzing background sounds in the Earth. |
| B．By identifying data from remote sensing satellite. |
| C．By modeling data based on earthquake recordings. |
| D．By monitoring changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. |
| A．The ways to reduce losses in earthquakes. |
| B．The accuracy of AI in earthquake prediction. |
| C．The limitation of AI algorithms in earthquake prediction. |
| D．The significance of developing AI-driven earthquake prediction. |
| A．Conducting tests in different locations. |
| B．Building more earthquake stations in Texas. |
| C．Improving the quality of earthquake tracking networks. |
| D．Applying AI approach to other fields besides earthquake. |
| A．Precise but outdated. | B．Effective but costly. |
| C．Advanced and promising. | D．Potential and economical. |
4 . It is a cold, dark winter evening — the kind of night that can have runners struggling to find the encouragement to run out. But there will be none of the usual “shall-I-shan’t-I?” dialogue going on in Sarah Donaghy’s head, because tonight is Food Bank Run.
Donaghy, a teacher and the welfare officer for Fareham running club, organised the first Food Bank Run in February 2018. “The idea was that, instead of our usual training run, we’d fill backpacks with food to donate to the local food bank and run there, where volunteers would be waiting to receive it,” she says. Donaghy was expecting about 20 members to take part: “I lost count by the time I got to 70.”
Claire Johnson, the community team leader at the Waypoint Hub, which houses food bank, says, “It was an amazing and emotional experience to see so many runners arrive at our building, bringing much-needed supplies.” But it wasn’t just the food bank that benefited from it. “The runners loved it,” says Donaghy. “The following week after the first run, they were all asking when we could do it again.”
A running equipment company, Runr, joined to help with publicity and event cooperation, creating a Food Bank Run website, complete with an interactive (交互式的) map of events. “Last year, more than 500 running groups, clubs, events and parkruns got involved, donating more than 77 tonnes of supplies to food banks in their communities,” says Craig Winter, one of the founders of Runr.
The event spreads a significant factor — joining with others in physical activity that has a real purpose. It is not “I must do this long run because I’m training for a marathon” or “I must exercise because I’m trying to lose weight”, but something greater. “I truly believe that running for a cause changes your view,” Donaghy says. “Yes, you could do it by entering a marathon and raising money for a charity, but there’s something quite special about handing over food that’s going to someone in your community who really needs it.”
1. What did runners do in the Food Bank Run?| A．They performed their usual training. | B．They prepared food for the volunteers. |
| C．They delivered food to the local food bank. | D．They collected donations during the run. |
| A．Appreciative. | B．Puzzled. | C．Worried. | D．Curious. |
| A．It becomes popular online. | B．It helps organize activities. |
| C．It designs the running route. | D．It provides free running shoes. |
| A．Advertise for a Club | B．Run for a Good Cause |
| C．The Power of Running | D．The Charm of Volunteering |
5 . Genetic researchers at the University of Cambridge in Britain say ancient DNA shows why northern Europeans have a higher risk of getting a nerve disease than other Europeans. The disease is called multiple sclerosis (多发性硬化) or MS.
A study released in 2023 saidit identified the earliest evidence of horse riding in people called the Yamnaya. The scientists say they lived 4, 500 to 5, 000 years ago during the Bronze Age period of human history.
The Yamnaya moved from the grasslands of what is now Ukraine and Russia into northwestern Europe. However, the researchers say those people carried gene versions that today are known to increase a person’s risk of MS. The researchers added that they believe the same genes protected those herders (牧民) from infections from their cattle and sheep.
The finding was made possible by a gene bank with thousands of examples of early humans in Europe and western Asia. While MS can strike any population, it is most common among white descendants (后代) of northern Europeans. Scientists have been unable to explain why.
The cause of the disease is not known. However, one theory is that infections could cause it in people who have certain genetic qualities. Scientists say they have found 230 genetic variants that might increase the risk of MS.
The researchers studied DNA from about 1, 600 ancient Eurasians. They used the information to develop a map of population movements in northern Europe. They said farmers from the Middle East began pushing out hunter-gatherers about 5, 000 years ago. Then the Yamnaya moved in. They travelled with horses and wagons and herded cattle and sheep.
The research team compared the ancient DNA to the genetic information of 400, 000modern-day people stored in UK Biobank in Britain. They wanted to see if MS-linked genetic variations persisted (持续存在) in the north. That is the part of Europe where the Yamnaya moved, rather than southern Europe.
In what is now Denmark, the Yamnaya replaced ancient farmers, making them the closest ancestors of modern Danes. Rates of MS are especially high in the northern part of Europe known as Scandinavia. The findings raise additional questions and suggest a need for more research.
1. Which of the following is currently clear in the research?| A．Northern Europeans are easy targets of MS. |
| B．The MS genes can’t be passed down between generations. |
| C．The MS genes protected the Yamnaya from infections with MS. |
| D．There are 230 genetic variants that definitely increase the risk of MS. |
| A．Performing DNA data comparison. |
| B．Referring to various historical materials. |
| C．Drawing a distribution map of MS patients. |
| D．Tracking patients throughout the entire process. |
| A．The Middle East. | B．The current regions of Ukraine and Russia. |
| C．The northern Europe. | D．The southern Europe. |
| A．The Mystery of the Scandinavian |
| B．A Map of Ancient Population Movements in Europe |
| C．Researchers Find Link to Nerve Disease in Ancient DNA |
| D．The Genetic Inheritance of the Ancestors of Modern Danes |
6 . Last year, John and I discovered that our plumbing (水管) had failed, flooding our home. We had to live in a hotel as we waited for the
Living in a small hotel room with three little kids was an extremely
The teens kept talking
“I know you’re here for the FFA conference and we want you to have
The next morning, my family
There is always an act of kindness to be done, just as long as you’re looking for one.
1.| A．mess | B．fear | C．stress | D．pollution |
| A．boring | B．challenging | C．interesting | D．confusing |
| A．independently | B．beautifully | C．loudly | D．illegally |
| A．woke up | B．cheered up | C．built up | D．warmed up |
| A．shocked | B．upset | C．disappointed | D．calm |
| A．doubt | B．tension | C．courage | D．understanding |
| A．laughed | B．answered | C．rejected | D．performed |
| A．fun | B．confidence | C．belief | D．attention |
| A．announced | B．whispered | C．explained | D．argued |
| A．left | B．lighted | C．tore | D．noticed |
| A．paper | B．hair | C．money | D．cloth |
| A．included | B．wanted | C．stole | D．took |
| A．approached | B．cured | C．warned | D．thanked |
| A．strategy | B．kindness | C．honesty | D．religion |
| A．attitude | B．ability | C．opportunity | D．strength |
7 . Labels placed on fast food items stressing their high climate impact may influence consumers to make more sustainable (可持续的) choices, new study results show.
Food accounts for around one-third of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions, while animal-based foods like red meat and dairy products make up a large part of these emissions.
Researchers carried out a randomized clinical trial with more than 5,000 participants to determine whether calling attention to red meat’s climate impact could change consumer menu selections.
Individuals were shown a simple online fast food menu and asked to select an item for dinner. A control group received a menu with a quick response code label on all items and no climate labels. Another group received a menu with green low-climate impact labels, positively framing choices like fish, chicken, or vegetarian choices. The third group received a menu with red high-climate labels on items containing red meat, negatively framing the choices.
Results showed 23 percent more participants in the high climate label group ordered a sustainable, non-red meat choice, and 10 percent more in the low-climate group ordered a sustainable choice, compared with controls.
“In the United States, meat consumption, red meat consumption in particular, often exceeds (超过) recommended levels based on national dietary guidelines,” researchers wrote in the study. “Shifting current dietary patterns toward more sustainable diets with lower amounts of red meat consumed could reduce diet-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 55 percent.”
Extra red meat consumption can also be harmful to human health and has been linked with increased risks of diabetes and certain cancers. Fast food restaurants are a key source of red meat in many Americans’ diets, authors noted, adding more than one-third of U.S. individuals consume fast food on a given day.
“These results suggest that menu labeling, particularly labels warning that an item has high climate impact, can be an effective strategy for encouraging more sustainable food choices in a fast food setting,” said lead study author Julia Wolfson, an associate professor from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
1. What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about?| A．The research objects. | B．The research findings. |
| C．The research purpose. | D．The research process. |
| A．Changing. | B．Removing. | C．Gathering. | D．Searching. |
| A．Consumers prefer labeled menus. | B．Red meat can result in many diseases. |
| C．Menu labeling helps reduce climate impact. | D．Two-thirds of Americans like to eat fast food. |
| A．Fast Food and Climate Change | B．Menu Labeling for Greener Choices |
| C．Increasingly Popular Menu Labeling | D．Red Meat Consumption and Health Risks |
8 . Taniguchi’s family is one of 22 families who make “paakai”, the Hawaiian word for salt, following a cultural and spiritual tradition. Hanapepe is one of the last remaining salt patches (盐池) in Hawaii. Its holy salt can be traded or given away but must never be sold. Hawaiians use it in cooking, healing and as protection.
Over the past 10 years there have been several threats l threats to this field. They include development, pollution from a neighbouring airfield, damage to the sand from vehicle traffic and waste left by visitors to the nearby beach. In addition, rising sea levels and weather might stop the practice. People believe science and native knowledge can combine to fight against the effects of climate change and save the salt patch. The steps they take include building up the wells’ edges, so water won’t cover the salt beds.
The process of turning seawater into salt can be slow. The season begins once the rain stops, and water starts to disappear from the salt beds. Ocean water travels underground and enters the wells. Each family has their own well. As water enters the well, so do tiny, red brine shrimp (虾). These small ocean animals give Hanapepe salt its unusual, sweet taste.
The families first clean the salt beds and line them with black clay. Then they move water from the wells into the beds. There, crystals form. The top level, or layer, is the whitest. It is used for table salt. The middle layer is pinkish and is used in cooking, while the bottom layer, which is a deep red colour, is used in blessings and rituals (宗教仪式).
Interest in Hawaiian culture and language has recently grown on the islands. People now think about how to teach their knowledge to younger generations.
1. What is NOT included in the use of “paakai” in Taniguchi’s?| A．A unique gift. | B．A kind of medicine. |
| C．A product for sale. | D．One of the essential dining items. |
| A．The influence of climate on salt production. |
| B．The current environmental pollution in Hawaii. |
| C．The outdated traditional salt production method. |
| D．The difficulties traditional salt production faces and solutions. |
| A．Salt beds. | B．Salt wells. |
| C．Salt grains of different colours. | D．Brine shrimps |
| A．Its traditional culture is making a comeback. |
| B．Its traditional language is popular among younger people |
| C．The new generation have mastered the art of salt production. |
| D．Tourism benefits from the popularity of its traditional culture. |
9 . Football is one of those sports that develop a strong bond between teammates. It requires every member to
Conti’s teammate Brian Dooley discovered that Conti was doing everything he could to
At a team meeting, Creighton made the
When asked about the decision, Dooley shared, “I did it because I’ve seen Conti
For most student athletes in all sports, the
| A．protect | B．tolerate | C．trust | D．guide |
| A．make up for | B．get down to | C．pull out of | D．keep up with |
| A．order | B．game | C．rule | D．step |
| A．special | B．strict | C．golden | D．obvious |
| A．afraid | B．cautious | C．likely | D．willing |
| A．acquires | B．deserves | C．ignores | D．dominates |
| A．discipline | B．guarantee | C．announcement | D．comment |
| A．buried | B．struck | C．sunk | D．beaten |
| A．competition | B．performance | C．adventure | D．celebration |
| A．cease | B．rank | C．grow | D．weep |
| A．well | B．together | C．around | D．much |
| A．contains | B．stresses | C．serves | D．means |
| A．respect | B．shape | C．preserve | D．strengthen |
| A．permission | B．money | C．support | D．advice |
| A．understanding | B．establishing | C．solving | D．balancing |
10 . Troy Vettese has a parrot in his family. She gets a lot of attention, but she wants more. Parrots are clever and social. Vettese says: “She needs to be entertained all the time, otherwise she really is suffering.”He sees a possible different life for her: She could be living with her friends and family in a forest, very happy—but she’s not, and that’s unfair to her.
When it comes to owning pets, there are varying shades of grey. On one end of the spectrum: the poor snake I spotted at a party recently, being worn as a necklace. At the other might be your rescue pup, or my rescue cat, one with a damaged brain and the other with one eye; they wouldn’t have survived long on the streets. But I still find myself wondering whether it is fair keeping them at all.
We may think that we are giving our companions rounded lives and putting them first when we rise early for walkies. But Vettese, an environmental historian who specialises in animal studies and pays more attention to animal ethics now, says the suffering of his family’s much-loved bird is evidence that pet ownership is not about the animals.
“If people really cared about animals, we would only engage in rescues and helping wildlife rehabilitation (野生动物康复)—things that we find fulfilling, but that also help the animal,” Vettese says. “Instead, we only like relationships where they are easy, where the pets are well maintained, where we can hire a dog walker, where the pets impact as little as possible on our life and we are extracting as much emotional support as we want from them”. To his mind, it is definitely a very selfish relationship.
“But, at least in the tradition, keeping animals such as dogs and cats seems to be the norm,” says Jessica du Toit, a doctoral student in philosophy at Western University in Ontario who studies animal ethics. She grew up with pet s and takes every chance she can to spend time with her parents’ elderly dog, Oliver. In fact, she says, “So many people nowadays consider these animals to be their companions, or a part of their families, that we have things such as restaurants, hotels and workplaces stating that are pet-friendly; and people earning good incomes as pet walkers, pet sitters and pet psychologists.”
1. What concerns Vettese during the course of keeping his parrot?| A．The animal ethics. | B．The bird species. |
| C．The sense of bird’s territory. | D．The hidden diseases of pet birds. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Critical. | C．Tolerant. | D．Uncertain. |
| A．The pet industry is still promising. |
| B．The status of pets in family has changed a lot. |
| C．The necessity of keeping pets increased for children. |
| D．The tradition of keeping pets has consumed many resources. |
| A．An emotional support: can we find pet s fulfilling? |
| B．The relationship with pets: are they our family members? |
| C．An environmental historian: is he an animal rights activist? |
| D．The case against pets: is it time to give up our cats and dogs? |
