1 . “An aquaponics (鱼菜共生) system grows both fish and plants that can be harvested sustainably (可持续地),” said David Landkamer, an aquaculture specialist. “It’s an elegant system.”
Here’s how it works: Fish are typically raised in indoor tanks or outdoor ponds, where they produce waste. The water with the waste from the tank flows to a planting tray where plants grow in the water without soil. The waste is poisonous to the fish but is a rich fertilizer for the plants. As the plants absorb the nutrients, the water is purified for the fish. The clean water can then be recycled to the fish tank. Most importantly, because you can’t use chemicals or fertilizers that would harm the fish, it’s a natural organic production system.
“You can grow just about any kind of plant,” Landkamer said. Any leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, Swiss chard and arugula are the easiest to plant. You can also grow herbs, cucumbers, snow peas, eggplants, tomatoes, cabbages, cauliflower, peppers, beans, red onions and even potatoes.
“Aquaponics, which began in ancient China and Mexico, is gaining popularity around the world as a means of local food production,” Landkamer said. He regularly fields questions from people who want to start small-scale, backyard aquaponics operations or even commercial-scale aquaponics farms. “It is possible for hobbyists to start out with aquaponics kits available online and at stores,” Landkamer said.
Depending on which species of fish you choose, you may need to add a heater of some kind to keep the water temperatures just right for the fish and plants. “Aquaponics farmers often use inexpensive heat supplies such as solar greenhouses or hot compost (堆肥),” he said.
“These systems require monitoring to make sure everything is in balance and running smoothly,” Landkamer said. “You have to pay attention and see how well the fish are feeding, how well the plants are growing and see whether the water is circulating properly.”
1. What is David Landkamer’s attitude toward aquaponics?| A．Unclear. | B．Cautious. | C．Doubtful. | D．Appreciative. |
| A．It can be set indoors. | B．It produces green food. |
| C．It does no harm to the fish. | D．It needs no soil to grow plants. |
| A．Looks up. | B．Keeps off. | C．Deals with. | D．Goes beyond. |
| A．It runs automatically. | B．It consumes no energy. |
| C．Every part of it must work properly. | D．Its temperature should be high enough. |
2 . What are two things that make humans different from animals? One is language and the other is music. It’s true that some animals can sing. However, the songs of animals like birds are very limited. It’s also true that humans, not animals, have developed musical instruments.
Music is a strange thing. It’s clearly different from language. However, people can use music to communicate things—especially their emotions. When music is used with speech in a song, it’s a very powerful form of communication.
If music is truly different from speech, then we should process music and language in different parts of the brain. The scientific study suggests this is true. For example, Vissarion Shebalin, a Russian composer, had a stroke (中风) in 1953. It injured the left side of his brain. He could no longer speak or understand speech. He could, however, still compose music until his death ten years later. On the other hand, sometimes strokes cause people to lose their musical ability, but they can still speak and understand speech.
Why does music have such a strong effect on us physically and emotionally? That’s a harder question to answer. Geoffrey Miller, a researcher at University College, London, thinks that music and love have a strong connection. Music requires special talent, practice and physical ability. That’s some-one’s mate. For example, playing a musical instrument requires fine muscular control. You also need a good memory to remember the notes. And playing those notes correctly suggests that your hearing is in excellent condition. Finally, when a man sings to the woman he loves, it may be a way of showing off.
However, Miller’s theory still doesn’t explain why certain combinations of sounds influence our emotions so deeply. For scientists, this is clearly an area that needs further research.
1. Music is considered powerful when it ________.| A．is translated into a language. | B．is combined with language in a song. |
| C．is sung by some famous musicians. | D．is mixed with the cry of an animal. |
| A．The left brain is responsible for musical ability. |
| B．Injury to brain has no influence on speaking. |
| C．Music and language involve different parts of the brain. |
| D．Suffering from stroke results in the loss of musical ability. |
| A．Music is closely linked with friendship. | B．Learning music requires an excellent sight. |
| C．Various abilities are trained in music learning. | D．Playing a musical instrument helps emotion control. |
| A．Culture. | B．Health. | C．Education. | D．History. |
3 . Scientists find when tiny plastics end up in farm fields, the pollution can impair plant growth. But two young researchers now report that combining fungi (真菌) with certain farm wastes can partially overcome that problem. May Shin, 20, and Jiwon Choi, 18, presented their discovery at the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair(ISEF).
The pair met in a research design class at the Fryeburg Academy, a high school in Maine. May had wanted to explore how microplastics might affect the ecosystem. Jiwon was fascinated by plants and fungi. The young scientists shared their interests, May says, to test how long-lived plastics might affect farm crops—and how to limit any harm.
May and Jiwon planted more than 2,000 scallion (韭葱) seeds in pots of soil. Half the seeds got soil polluted with microplastics. The rest grew in plastic-free soil. The plants assigned to each soil were further divided into four groups. The young scientists added certain microscopic fungi to the soil in one group. Another group had a top layer of farm wastes. A third group got both treatments. The last group got none. For three weeks, the pair tracked how many scallions sprouted (萌芽) in each group and measured the plants’ height once each week.
About twice as many scallions sprouted in clean soil compared to that containing plastic bits. But among plants surviving in the polluted soil, a combination of microscopic fungi and farm wastes helped them out. Those getting both treatments grew 5.4 centimeters(about 2 inches)per week. That was faster than either of the treatments alone or those getting none. It was slower, however, than scallions planted in clean soil. They grew 7.2 centimeters(2.8 inches)per week.
In the future, the two young scientists hope to continue testing microscopic fungi and farm wastes under other conditions. Their goal is to see how other factors might change the plants’ response to the soil treatments.
1. What can we learn about May and Jiwon from the first two paragraphs?| A．They met in a college. |
| B．They grow fungi at home. |
| C．They like to collect farm wastes. |
| D．They worked together harmoniously. |
| A．To examine the different plants. |
| B．To build a scientific model. |
| C．To show the reliability of the test. |
| D．To arouse the readers’ interest. |
| A．Farm wastes help sprout most in polluted soil. |
| B．Microscopic fungi helps sprout most in polluted soil. |
| C．Scallions sprout better in clean soil than in polluted soil. |
| D．Plants grow better in polluted soil with wastes than in clean soil. |
| A．The two scientists are determined. |
| B．There are many ways to treat soils. |
| C．Farm wastes will be more valuable. |
| D．Microscopic fungi will be widely used. |
4 . Plastic baby bottles released microplastics when heated. Should you be worried about its side-effects? We still don’t have enough evidence of health risks posed by microplastic consumptions by infants or adults.
“The last thing we want to do is unduly alarming parents, ”said John Boland, a professor at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland and one of the authors of the Nature Food study. While the health effects of microplastics are still unknown, parents can significantly reduce their infants’ exposure by adding some steps to their bottle preparation routine, Boland said. He recommended letting plastic bottles cool completely after sterilization (消毒) in hot water, then washing them out at least three times with water that’s been allowed to cool to room temperature after being sterilized by boiling. Researchers here also found that plastic teakettles, plastic instant noodle cups and plastic food storage containers all released similarly high levels of microplastics when subjected to heat.
As for what those microplastics may be doing in our bodies, the evidence so far is quite limited and unclear. Schwabl, another professor, pointed to a need for more research into microplastics released from plastic food storage containers, especially when they are subjected to higher temperatures. He noted some research has found microplastics can cause inflammation (发炎) in the organs, while other studies show they do not harm. “The threshold at which they cause problems has not been determined for humans,” Schwabl said. For now, Schwabl agrees we shouldn’t panic. He’s avoiding plastic containers in his daily life— “not so much that I am afraid of the ingestion, but I think thereby I may be contributing to reducing the amount of plastic waste” that makes its way into the environment.
At the moment, there is no need to be afraid, but it is an open question and definitely an unmet need.
1. Which factor counts in the release of microplastics?| A．Temperature. | B．Products. | C．Time. | D．Containers. |
| A．Properly. | B．Extremely. | C．Obviously. | D．Specially. |
| A．Panic. | B．Concerned. | C．Indifferent. | D．Critical. |
| A．By providing the examples. | B．By reasoning the readers. |
| C．By analyzing the figures. | D．By comparing the findings. |
5 . Like many young Chinese, Zuo had been raised from a young age to be “a good student”. As long as she followed the rules and worked hard, money and success would naturally followed. Zuo had followed the instructions to the
For Zuo, the failure came as a crushing
But the ordeal (磨难) has left a profound impression on Zuo. The former teacher’s pet has transformed into a passionate
“Good students” like Zuo tend to be
It’s clear that a diverse range of young people can
| A．letter | B．limitation | C．guidance | D．degree |
| A．land | B．miss | C．occupy | D．play |
| A．job | B．offer | C．application | D．response |
| A．blow | B．surprise | C．expectation | D．experience |
| A．impressed | B．overwhelmed | C．filled | D．buried |
| A．supporter | B．example | C．critic | D．expert |
| A．absolutely | B．seldom | C．less | D．particularly |
| A．get rid of | B．suffer from | C．live up with | D．get over |
| A．external | B．flexible | C．positive | D．special |
| A．develop | B．adopt | C．withdraw | D．transform |
| A．avoid | B．owe | C．fall | D．change |
| A．recognition | B．concern | C．situation | D．fear |
| A．openly | B．continuously | C．hopefully | D．anxiously |
| A．rise | B．boost | C．advance | D．upgrade |
| A．breakout | B．breakdown | C．breakup | D．breakthrough |
6 . More than 3,400 years after two ancient Egyptians were laid to rest, the jars of food left still smell sweet. A team of analytical chemists and archaeologists (考古学家) has analysed these smells to help identify the jars’ contents. The study shows how the exploration of smell can enrich our understanding of the past.
The 1906 discovery of the undisturbed tomb (墓穴) of Kha and Merit symbolized an important stage in Egyptology. The tomb remains the most complete non-royal ancient one ever found in Egypt, showing important information about how high-ranking individuals were treated after death.
Unusually for the time, the archaeologist who discovered the tomb resisted the temptation to open the sealed containers even after they were sent to the Egyptian Museum. The contents of many of these containers are still unknown, although there are some clues, says analytical chemist Ilaria Degano. “From taking with the museum keeper we knew there were some fruity smells in the display cases,” she says.
Degano and her colleagues placed various artefacts (人工制品) inside plastic bags for several days to collect some of the chemical substances they released. Then the team used a special machine to identify the components of the smells from each artefact. They found some chemicals associated with dried fish, and some chemicals common in fruits. The findings will feed into a larger project to reanalyse the tomb’s contents and produce a more comprehensive picture of burial customs for non-royals that existed when Kha and Merit died, about 70 years before Tutankhamun became the Egyptian ruler.
Aside from showing more about past civilizations, ancient smells could make museum visits more inviting. Usually, people admire exhibits with their eyes in museums. “Smell is a relatively unexplored gateway to the collective past for museum visitors,” says Cecilia Bembibre at University College London. “It has the potent alto allow us to experience the in a more emotional, personal way, through our nose.”
1. What can we describe the 1906 discovery of Kha and Merit’ tomb as?| A．A landmark in Egyptology. | B．A turning point in human history. |
| C．A breakthrough in archaeology. | D．A mirror of ancient non-royal life. |
| A．Pressure. | B．Ambition. | C．Desire. | D．Tendency. |
| A．protect them from harm | B．gather their smells |
| C．test the special machine | D．back up a larger project |
| A．They bring them back to the past. |
| B．They give them emotional support. |
| C．They change their view on civilizations. |
| D．They add to their experience. |
7 . UNESCO World Heritage Sites were created to celebrate and safeguard the most unique places around the world. Below are my 4 favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cinque Terre, Italy
With cars banned here, you’ll really get to feel the unique history and character of the Cinque Terre’s five centuries-old coastal villages. The breathtaking views of harbors far below the wild coastline along with the rich colors will definitely make it a memorable holiday.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious (宗教的) monument and it contains impressive remains from the Khmer Empire (9th to 15th century). The site has dozens of iconic temples like Ta Prohm (a magnificent temple ruin hidden in the jungle). Hosting more than two million visitors annually, this artistic masterpiece is a must-see site.
Petra, Jordan
Petra’s rock-cut architecture has contributed to its nickname, the Rose City, based on the color of the stone it was carved from. The delicate constructions of temples and tombs along with the remains of churches and temples are only a couple of reasons why this world-famous site is a must-visit destination.
Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone’s vast wilderness includes mountain ranges, lakes and waterfalls. One of the main reasons for tourists to visit Yellowstone is to observe the amazing wildlife like grizzly bear, bison, bighorn sheep wander the plains and valleys.
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1. Where can tourists enjoy beautiful harbor views?| A．In Cinque Terre. | B．In Angkor Wat. |
| C．In Petra. | D．In Yellowstone National Park. |
| A．Colorful stones. | B．Religious relics. |
| C．Coastal villages. | D．Amazing wildlife. |
| A．A news report. | B．A wildlife brochure. |
| C．A travel blog. | D．An economic magazine. |
8 . A typical lion tamer (驯兽师) in people’s mind is an entertainer holding a whip (鞭) and a chair. The whip gets all of the attention, but it’s
How often do you find yourself in the same
This
It doesn’t have to be that way. Anytime you find the world waving a
| A．rarely | B．mostly | C．nearly | D．merely |
| A．stand up | B．raise up | C．rely on | D．focus on |
| A．divided | B．limited | C．extended | D．strengthened |
| A．serious | B．unsure | C．curious | D．skeptical |
| A．bonds | B．notices | C．options | D．desires |
| A．emotion | B．reputation | C．position | D．generation |
| A．never | B．always | C．often | D．already |
| A．upsets | B．relieves | C．impresses | D．moves |
| A．speaking | B．worrying | C．complaining | D．debating |
| A．exchanging | B．encouraging | C．damaging | D．conflicting |
| A．effect | B．result | C．study | D．problem |
| A．defending | B．confusing | C．improving | D．weeping |
| A．whip | B．meat | C．chair | D．hand |
| A．ready | B．pleasant | C．regretful | D．frozen |
| A．orderly | B．precise | C．rigid | D．immediate |
9 . It is difficult for a teacher to decide whether to allow students to listen to music in the classroom. Every time students need to write an essay or work on a problem, they say, “Can I put my headphones on? I think better that way.” But is that really true? Does music help concentrate?
Research offers little to back up the idea that listening to music improves concentration. In one small study, 133 students performed reading tasks while listening to either light music, hip hop, or no music at all. Students who performed the reading tasks in silence scored the highest. Music with a higher intensity (强度) like hip hop was more distracting and had a bad effect on task performance.
Volume (音量) plays a more important role than the type of music. The study found that the louder the music, the worse the performance in concentration. The type of music didn’t matter. Data from the study showed once again that silence was the best environment to improve concentration.
However, music has a positive effect on work performance. Studies have showed that listening to music leads to positive changes in mood, as well as creativity. In fact, in music-listening cultures, which students are certainly part of, there’s actually a change in mood when the music is taken away.
It’s hard to convince my students that music doesn’t help with their concentration. Taj, a senior told me, “I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if I were listening to music and trying to read. However, when I write, I feel like music helps me concentrate deeply. I don’t have writer’s block. It’s easy for me to put my words on paper.”
“Maybe not with reading, but when it comes to math, listening to music certainly helps,” Danela told me. “You could actually be singing along with what you’re listening to and doing well in math.”
1. What does the underlined word “distracting” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Making it difficult for someone to concentrate. |
| B．Causing great excitement. |
| C．Making someone want to do something. |
| D．Making someone feel frightened. |
| A．Students do well in reading tasks while listening to music. |
| B．Music can’t improve people’s mood and creativity. |
| C．Different types of music lead to different performances. |
| D．The volume of music affects concentration. |
| A．They believe music doesn’t help concentrate. |
| B．They use music to help with their paper-writing. |
| C．They can’t focus on reading while listening to music. |
| D．They don’t listen to music while doing math problems. |
| A．Should Students Listen to Music? | B．Does Music Help Concentration? |
| C．Is Music Related to Reading? | D．Can Music Change Mood? |
10 . In one elementary school, a class of four-and five-year-olds sit in rows, fascinated by their teacher. As part of the daily routine at the state primary school in Acton, West London, Ms Beshirian holds up cards printed with
This is phonics, a way of learning to read in which children are taught to decode words. Teachers have long
The shift arises from persuasive evidence. In 2005 a study in Scotland found that children who were taught using phonics were, by the end of the programme, seven months ahead of their
The
Nor must phonics kill
Arguments continue over the best way to teach phonics, and questions such as when whole words should be introduced. But
| A．familiar | B．basic | C．distinctive | D．strange |
| A．carefully | B．individually | C．previously | D．jointly |
| A．wondered about | B．researched into | C．argued over | D．focused on |
| A．whole | B．new | C．long | D．complex |
| A．Besides | B．Therefore | C．Indeed | D．Nevertheless |
| A．criticism | B．disagreement | C．complaint | D．protest |
| A．natural | B．proven | C．expected | D．respective |
| A．learning strategies | B．testing mechanisms | C．teaching methods | D．reading techniques |
| A．similarity | B．impact | C．problem | D．reason |
| A．quickly | B．masterfully | C．easily | D．eventually |
| A．common | B．large | C．advanced | D．level |
| A．freedom | B．creativity | C．fun | D．team-spirit |
| A．performances | B．instructions | C．compliments | D．dictations |
| A．by contrast | B．after all | C．beyond expectation | D．in general |
| A．admired | B．reviewed | C．initiated | D．abandoned |
