1 . A planet that suffers 475 C beneath a thick acid atmosphere may be the last place you'd expect alien (外星的) life in our solar system. But one NASA scientist claims that extraterrestrials (天外来客) are most likely hiding on Venus amid conditions that are unbearable for humans. The new theory was put forward by the research scientist Dr Michelle Thaller. She says that possible signs of life have already been seen within the carbon-dioxide filled atmosphere, adding that she was absolutely certain that life exists somewhere.

Venus is often described as Earth's twin due to its similar size and structure. But their conditions couldn't be further apart, as astronomers believe it would be impossible for humans to exist on Venus. Positioned 67 million miles from the Sun, Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system, suffering temperatures that can even melt lead. Its atmosphere also adds to the uninhabitable situation.

Despite this, scientists have long debated whether Venus' clouds may host microbial (微生物的) life forms that can survive. Many scientists think that photosynthesis (光合作用) is possible on the planet's surface as Venus receives enough solar energy to pass through its thick clouds.

However, Professor Dominic Papineau, a biologist at the University College of London, believes Dr Thaller's views are “difficult to realistically assume”. He explained, “For life-related chemical reactions to take place, liquid water is necessary. Hence, to find extraterrestrial life, we need to find liquid water, and to find extraterrestrial fossils requires looking for special rocks that were associated with liquid water in the past.”

This makes life on Venus today difficult to realistically assume, because its surface is too hot, although Venus might have had liquid water in its past. Even still, both Professor Papineau and Dr Thaller agree that the icy moons of our solar system could also be sites of potential microbial life. NASA suggests there are 290 “traditional moons” in our solar system-excluding 462 smaller minor planets.

1. What can we know about Venus?

A．Its atmosphere is thin acidic.

B．It is much bigger than Earth.

C．It is 77 million miles from the Sun.

D．Venus and Earth are considered as twins.

2. Which statement would Papineau agree with?

A．Photosynthesis can happen on Venus's surface.

B．Thick clouds make photosynthesis in Venus hard.

C．Liquid water is important for the extraterrestrials.

D．Some rocks can prove life exists on Venus.

3. What can we know from the last paragraph?

A．The surface temperature of Venus is high.

B．It's very easy to confirm life on Venus.

C．Venus might have liquid water now.

D．Many icy moons go around Venus.

4. In which section of a newspaper can you find this text?

A．Education.

B．Science.

C．Culture.

D．Sports.

2 . As the second largest city of the Republic of Korea, Busan draws global attention. Here are some routes for visitors to have fun.

The First Route

Start off at the Haeundae Beach, where you can take a walk, sip a coffee, or try local fishcakes before heading up to BUSAN X the SKY. This observatory occupies the top floors of the city’s highest structure, where you’l1 be attracted by the wonderful urban views. You can also visit the old Haedong Yonggunsa Temple along the route.

The Second Route

With its popular Songdo Cable Car moving quickly over the water to a park, this route offers amazing views of the city’s traditional core. It’s just a quick taxi to the Yeongdo Island, home to some of Busan’s oldest neighborhoods, including the Huinnyeoul Culture Village. Overlooking the water, the whole picture that you can see is arguably the most romantic scene.

The Third Route

As a port city, you should head to the old harbor district of Nampo-dong to find its real charm. This is where you’ll find the Jagalchi Market, the open-air seafood market that’s not only a strong wave to the senses but also the city’s living and beating heart. Walk along its gathering as you see fresh seafood from the sea, along with the vendors (摊贩) who sell it all.

The Fourth Route

Shinsegae Centum City is not far from the Gwangalli Beach, a crowded area of sand,cafes, and eateries looking out across the water to the Gwangan Bridge. There will be a cool drone (无人机) show on Saturday in the evening of a hot summer and a fireworks festival in November. For a unique experience, book a sunset stand up paddle boarding (SUP) trip to the bridge back with professional surfers.

1. What do the first two routes have in common?

A．They both have cool drone shows.

B．They both have thrilling water parks.

C．They both have historical attractions.

D．They both have popular coffee stores.

2. What makes the third route special?

A．Its SUP trip above the water.	B．Its open and wide view.
C．Its scenic walking hotspot.	D．Its impressive market.

3. Which route provides the flying object show?

A．The Fourth Route.	B．The Second Route.
C．The Third Route.	D．The First Route.

3 . I grew up both a little frightened and excited by storms and tornadoes. Nearly 9 years ago, when the news reported that there would be _______ coming that night, I was well aware of the _______ of it.

While I was preparing for the storm, I heard the rumble（隆隆声）, saw power flashes and knew it was coming. After _______ the power for safety, I jumped into a bath that was right inside the door and closed the door and laid down and _______ my head and prayed for_______ and for my family.

My _______ was racing with a million thoughts, regrets, prayers, etc, but I still heard the storm_______ my house, then the sheetrock（石膏板）overhead _______ and it sounded like my roof lifted and came back down. I heard the _______ of nails being pulled out of wall, glass breaking, and then the most ________ sound I had ever heard.

I suddenly felt something ________ my head and everything went ________. When I opened my eyes again, I ________ blood on my wet head coming from a small________. I went out to check my car. I got blinded by a light as I exited the carport （车棚）. It was my neighborhood, coming to check on me. I stood there and tears poured down my face. Fortunately, we were________ that day.

1.

A．storms

B．thunder

C．clouds

D．lightning

2.

A．phenomenon

B．benefit

C．effort

D．threat

3.

A．turning up

B．keeping from

C．turning off

D．taking off

4.

A．shook

B．covered

C．raised

D．stretched

5.

A．healing

B．safety

C．happiness

D．forgiveness

6.

A．face

B．body

C．mouth

D．mind

7.

A．constructing

B．entering

C．destroying

D．cleaning

8.

A．fell down

B．broke up

C．put up

D．turned down

9.

A．sound

B．song

C．news

D．alarm

10.

A．harmful

B．passive

C．frightening

D．helpless

11.

A．touched

B．hit

C．affected

D．grabbed

12.

A．peaceful

B．noisy

C．depressing

D．exciting

13.

A．kept

B．felt

C．received

D．collected

14.

A．bar

B．cut

C．room

D．spot

15.

A．satisfied

B．unconcerned

C．blessed

D．unfortunate

4 . A recent study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has discovered that river erosion (侵蚀) can lead to increased biodiversity in areas with minimal tectonic (地壳构造的) activity. The researchers focused their attention on the Tennessee River Basin and examined how the erosion of various rock types by the river had led to the separation and diversification of a type of fish called the greenfin darter. As time passed, these separate fish populations evolved into distinct families with genetic differences.

Scientist Thomas Near observed that the greenfin darter was exclusively found in the southern half of the Tennessee River Basin. The researchers analyzed the genes of each fish in Near’s data set and constructed an evolutionary tree. This tree helped them comprehend the evolution and differences of the greenfin darter species. They discovered that the fish within the same branch of the river were more closely related to each other than to the fish in other branches.

This study provides evidence that river erosion significantly impacts biodiversity in regions with low tectonic activity. It illustrates how changes in the landscape caused by river erosion can lead to the division and diversification of species over time, even in peaceful environments. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms (机制) that drive biodiversity and evolution, even in areas that are not typically associated with intense tectonic activity.

Subsequently, the team discovered a strong correlation between the habitats of the greenfin darter and the type of rocks present. The southern half of the Tennessee River Basin consists of hard, tightly packed rocks, resulting in turbulent (湍急的) waves in the rivers that flow through it. This characteristic may be favored by the greenfin darter. As a result, the team assumed whether the distribution of greenfin darter habitats had been influenced by the changing rock types, as the rivers eroded the land over time. To test this assumption, the researchers developed a simulation model. Remarkably, the results confirmed their assumption.

1. What is new about the MIT study?

A．It finds river erosion can enhance biodiversity.

B．It further proves the mechanisms of river erosion.

C．It proves the geographical features of biodiversity.

D．It classifies a type of fish called the greenfin darter.

2. What can we learn about the greenfin darter?

A．Their appearances vary between families.	B．Their genetic constitutions have diversified.
C．They prefer the deep and slow-flowing river.	D．They go extinct in the changing landscape of rivers.

3. How did Near help the researchers reach their conclusion?

A．By creating an evolutionary tree of the fish.

B．By offering the fish’s genetic data.

C．By reasoning out the time the fish evolve and separate.

D．By analyzing the genetic similarity between different fish.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．River Erosion Can Shape Fish Evolution	B．Genetic Change in the Greenfin Darter
C．Evolutionary Tree Analysis of the Greenfin Darter	D．The Impact of Climate Change on Fish Diversity

5 . Yu Zeling, an award-winning master of paper cutting, fills her studio with cutouts of animals, people, and scenes that are so vivid that they seem to leap from the walls. Her art covers village life in Ansai, a rural district in Shaanxi Province.

Ms. Yu came to paper cutting in the late 1970s as naturally as she breathed the earthy air.“We were very poor, and when it was time to celebrate the New Year, we all put paper-cuts on the windows to decorate our houses,” she says, recalling the holiday at her childhood home. Ms. Yu and others are working to keep the folk art alive, even as it evolves away from its roots as adornment for farmhouses.

The art originated in China in the centuries after paper was invented in A.D.105. Full of auspicious (吉利的) symbols from daily life, the decorations represented good weather, many offspring, long life, wealth, and happiness.

Using newspaper, Ms. Yu first practiced cutting the image of a Chinese national flag that she saw in a school textbook. She cut it 100 times before she was satisfied. Then her aunt took over, introducing her to increasingly complicated traditional themes.

Ms. Yu was later invited to train in the Ansai's Cultural Center. After years of training,Ms.Yu became a master in her own right, winning one award after another. Her works are on display in museums. But she's humble about her achievements. “I was, and still am, a farmer,” she says with a smile.

Hoping to carry on and grow the folk art, Ms. Yu volunteers to teach at free community training sessions. Paper cutting is also taught in Ansai’s public schools. Ms. Yu is aware of the need to go beyond protecting traditions and embrace new paper-cut experiments.

1. What does the underlined word “adornment” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Celebration.

B．Symbol.

C．Invention.

D．Decoration.

2. What can be learned about paper cutting from the text?

A．It has cultural value.	B．It features animals.
C．It attracts the young.	D．It remains in fashion.

3. Which word best describes Ms. Yu?

A．Authoritative.

B．Vain.

C．Devoted.

D．Competitive.

4. What is the text likely to be?

A．A brief history of paper cutting.

B．A new approach to paper cutting.

C．An introduction to a paper cutting master.

D．The direction of a traditional paper cutting.

6 . Issues such as global warming and sustainability have become passionate concerns for many of the concert industry’s fans and increasingly for the musicians. Coldplay, a pop band whose members scored their first big hit in 2000 with a song called Yellow, announced in November that it wouldn’t go on tour to promote its latest album, Everyday Life, until it could find a way to make concerts more sustainable and greener to the environment.

It’s not always easy to walk the talk. A growing number of artists, including Peggy Gou, have environmental demands built into their contracts when they tour, such as bans on plastic tableware. But there’s almost no way of avoiding carbon emissions produced by a tour, which involves moving hundreds of people and tons of equipment across large distances.

Lisa Pomerantz, who books travel for acts says that real change will require action by venue owners, concert promoters, and the fans. Major acts like Coldplay can afford to stop touring while figuring out how to lessen their environmental impact. But lesser-known artists can’t stay off the road, since streaming earnings haven’t been able to compensate (弥补) for the collapse in CD and downloaded music sales. Even when concerts are aggressive about being more sustainable, the impact of audience travel can easily swamp (淹没) their efforts. For bigger acts, this can represent as much as 80% of the carbon footprint, according to a 2015 study. Another analysis showed that roughly a third of the tour’s carbon footprint came from a venue’s power consumption.

Still, even the most green-conscious bands must balance their desire to be more sustainable against the financial necessity of touring. “I absolutely think you can go on tour and have a concern about the environment. It’s a matter of just keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible,” says Flavian Graber, lead singer of We Invented Paris.

1. Why did Coldplay stop its promotion tour?

A．Because it had already released a hit.	B．Because it wanted a more environmentally friendly concert.
C．Because its latest album needed further improvement.	D．Because they could afford the money.

2. What does the underlined part “walk the talk” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Make it.

B．Talk it.

C．See it.

D．Appreciate it.

3. What is the best way to reduce carbon emissions according to Lisa Pomerantz?

A．Stopping bands’ promotion tours.

B．Downloading music on the Internet.

C．Cutting down venues’ water and electricity consumption.

D．Combining efforts of bands, audiences and venue owners.

4. How does Flavian Graber like the idea of bands going green?

A．Achievable.

B．Fruitless.

C．Challenging.

D．Controversial.

7 . A tragic case of Kitty Genovese, who was killed, happened in New York in 1964. However, subsequent investigations concluded that several people saw or heard what was happening, but did nothing to intervene. This has been termed the “bystander effect” — a well-known psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to someone when other people are present. The more people there are, the less likely they are to help.

None of us like to think we’d walk on by when someone needed our help. But sometimes we behave in ways we wouldn’t expect when faced with a situation we are unsure about. While we might like to think we would rush to someone’s assistance, we know from studies that often people hang back. Research from the British Heart Foundation has suggested that a third of people would not give first aid if they saw someone collapse on the street, with some even admitting they wouldn’t call an ambulance.

There are various factors contributing to this effect — people think that others will get involved. Afterwards people often say they did not feel qualified or important enough to be the one to intervene. It is also partly down to “pluralistic ignorance” — since everyone is not reacting to the emergency, they don’t need to either; it’s not serious because no one else is doing anything.

Other studies have shown that once people are aware of the bystander effect, they are less likely to be affected by it. Self-awareness is the best solution to it. When facing an emergency, think to yourself how you would behave if you were on your own. Ignore everyone else and go with your gut (直觉) — If you’d run for help, do it. If that’s how you would have behaved when you were on your own, then that’s probably the right course of action. The worst that can happen is that you’ll look a little foolish at having overreacted. You might also save someone’s life.

1. What is the author’s purpose of telling about the case of Genovese?

A．To show the high frequency of killing.	B．To highlight the indifference of bystanders.
C．To introduce the topic of the passage.	D．To lead to the investigations.

2. What can we know from paragraph 2?

A．No one would like to admit the truth.	B．People tend to help when no people are present.
C．Few people will encounter uncertain situations.	D．Many people will not rush to help in an emergency.

3. What’s paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The consequences of the phenomenon.	B．The reactions to different accidents.
C．The seriousness of an emergency.	D．The reasons for not helping.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Don’t Be A Bystander	B．Life-Saving Response
C．Importance of First Aid	D．Reactions in Emergency

9 . It was January 2016, and Jeremy and his girlfriend, Molei, were leaving Denver for a weekend of fun with friends on the slopes in Colorado.

The snow came earlier than they’d ________, but Jeremy wasn’t worried. He’d driven this ________ a thousand times, and he knew ________ what to do. “Take it easy. You’ll get there, and when you do, it’s going to be ________.” As the car began the twisting climb toward the resort town, Jeremy felt an overwhelming wave of excitement.

“Life was really great,” he says. Then, within a blink of an eye, everything ________.

A truck that came out of nowhere hit them. One minute, Jeremy’s Ford SUV was ________ quickly through the falling snow; the next, he was sitting in his crushed SUV by the side of the road, ________ his seat by the wheel, his body screaming with ________. To his right, he saw Molei. He could think only one thing to say: “Don’t die. I love you.”

Statistically, Molei should have died. Inside her neck, the vertebrae (脊椎) had basically been crushed. Her head was attached to her shoulders by ________ but skin and muscle.

Henry Rodriquez, an officer on holiday, was driving on the same road not far behind the Ford and ________ instantly when he saw the accident.

________ his wife calmed the trapped and terrified Jeremy, Rodriquez worked swiftly. One wrong move could have ________ Molei dead or paralyzed. Protecting her head and neck, he carefully removed her from the twisted car and ________ her on the road by the side of the car, covering her with coats to keep her warm.

For 45 minutes, Rodriquez ________ her chest to bring her heart back to life. Thanks to Rodriquez’s timely ________, Molei made it to Anthony Hospital and recovered gradually.

1.

A．observed

B．expected

C．enjoyed

D．realised

2.

A．slope

B．tunnel

C．route

D．town

3.

A．exactly

B．surprisingly

C．specially

D．correctly

4.

A．grateful

B．terrible

C．difficult

D．awesome

5.

A．happened

B．disappeared

C．moved

D．changed

6.

A．driving

B．rolling

C．jumping

D．running

7.

A．pinned

B．lay

C．sat

D．placed

8.

A．terror

B．pain

C．panic

D．frustration

9.

A．something

B．everything

C．nothing

D．anything

10.

A．drove away

B．drove on

C．pulled back

D．pulled over

11.

A．Since

B．After

C．While

D．Although

12.

A．kept

B．left

C．appealed

D．improved

13.

A．laid

B．rushed

C．dragged

D．walked

14.

A．shook

B．touched

C．pounded

D．felt

15.

A．rescue

B．check

C．response

D．arrival

10 . It’s been 20 years since a cookbook changed my life. Before reading every page in Nigella Lawson’s Feast, I didn’t give much thought lo what I ate. Cooking was a boring task I wasn’t particularly good at. Moreover, fear of calories and not being able to fit into my jeans left little room for enjoying things like “chocolate cake”. Nigella, the author of Nigella Lawson’s Feast transformed my relationship with food, changing it from a source of panic to one of limitless pleasure. Leafing through the pages of Feast, I began to think of the women who shaped my cooking. They not only influenced me strongly with their words, recipes and passion for the art of eating, but they also left their mark on the culinary (烹饪的) world.

Take Eugénie Brazier, for example, who grew up with barely enough to eat yet with plenty of determination to achieve great things. After years of hard work on farms and later as a humble cook, she used the little savings she had to open La Mère Brazier, a restaurant that would attract the likes of celebrities. A second location followed, and in 1933, she became the first chef ever to hold six Michelin stars simultaneously (同时地). Known as the mother of modern French cooking, Brazier’s simple yet elegant food changed the way Britain ate.

What Brazier did for the UK, the passionate Julia Child did for America. At a time when TV dinners and tinned foods were gaining popularity, she inspired home cooks to try elegant recipes, teaching them about the use of quality ingredients in an approachable way.

While Julia Child tempted us with her recipes, it was the American author Fisher who enlightened us with her fine cooking prose (散文). In her brilliant essays, she praised the pleasures of the table and explored connections between food and culture. One of my favorite books is Love in a Dish, a charming collection of culinary experiences that transport you to French villages and even describe how the love of food can potentially save a marriage!

1. How does the author introduce the topic?

A．By giving examples.	B．By raising a question.
C．By describing his experience.	D．By offering facts.

2. Which words can best describe Brazier?

A．Friendly and determined.	B．Considerate and brave.
C．Generous and intelligent.	D．Ambitious and successful.

3. What do Fisher’s works focus on?

A．The ingredients of food.	B．The story behind food.
C．The significance of food.	D．The origin of food.

4. What’s the author’s purpose of writing this passage?

A．To motivate readers to cook at home.	B．To market high-quality cooking books.
C．To honor some exceptional women cooks.	D．To share his passion for cooking.