1 . The history of microbiology begins with Dutch cloth maker named Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, a man of no formal scientific education. In the late 1600s. Leeuwenhoek, inspired by the magnifying lenses（放大镜）he used to examine cloth, built some of the first-microscopes. He developed technique to improve the quality of tiny, rounded lenses, some of which could magnify an object up to 270 times. After removing some plaque from between his teeth and examining it under a lens, Leeuwenhoek found tiny twisting creatures, which he called “animalcules”.
His observations, which he reported to the Royal Society of London, are among the first descriptions of microbes（微生物）. Leeuwenhoek discovered an entire universe invisible to the human eye. He found different microbes in samples of pond water, rain water, and human blood. He gave the first description of red blood cells, observed plant tissue, examined muscle, and investigated the life cycle of insects.
Nearly two hundred years later, Leeuwenhock’s discovery of microbes helped French chemist and biologist Louis Pasteur to develop his “theory of disease”. This concept suggested that disease originates from tiny organisms attacking and weakening the body. Pasteur’s theory later helped doctors to fight infectious diseases including anthrax, diphtheria, polio, smallpox, tetanus, and typhoid. All these breakthroughs were the result of Leeuwenhoek’s original work. Leeuwenhoek did not foresee this legacy.
In a 1716 letter, he described his contribution to science this way: “My work, which I’ve done for a long time, was not pursued in order to gain the praise I now enjoy, but chiefly from a strong desire for knowledge, which I notice resides in me more than in most other men. And therefore; whenever I found out anything remarkable, I have thought it my duty to put down my discovery on paper, so that the scientific community might be informed thereof.”
1. Which of the following best describes Leeuwenhoek?| A．trained researcher with an interest in microbiology |
| B．A curious amateur who made pioneer studies of microbes |
| C．A talented scientist interested in finding a cure for disease |
| D．A bored cloth maker who accidentally made a major discovery |
| A．the discovery of microbes |
| B．Pasteur’s theory of disease |
| C．Leeuwenhoek’s contribution |
| D．the origin of the tiny organism |
| A．He admitted that many of his discoveries happened by chance. |
| B．He considered his work to be central to later medical breakthroughs. |
| C．He was greatly concerned with improving people’s living conditions. |
| D．He believed the sharing of knowledge was a key to scientific progress |
a. Magnifying lenses were built.
b. The “theory of disease” was put forward
c. Microbes were discovered in samples of waters.
d. Leeuwenhoek’s first microscopes were successfully developed.
e. Leeuwenhoek explained his thoughts upon his own contribution.
| A．a-d-c-e-b | B．d-a-c-e-b | C．a-c-d-b-e | D．d-a-e-b-c |
2 . Keeper for a Day Program
Do you love animals and ever find yourself wanting to know what a zookeeper does all day?
Why not check out our Keeper for a Day Program and find out for yourself how unbelievable the job can be! You can work with a zookeeper to find out how the animals are fed and taken care of every day, and how our keepers play a very important role in conservation and research programs. Whether you're interested in animal care as a career or just want to have some fun, this program is worth all the sweat and smells!
Toronto Zoo Keeper for a Day Program Fee(aged 14 & up):
Full Day Rate(8.5 hrs) | Half Day Rate(4 hrs) |
DS $300 for zoo members | DS $200 for zoo members |
DS $350 for non-members | DS $250 for non-members |
To register in advance for the Keeper for a Day Program:
1. Choose your top 3 areas you would like to experience, in order of your preference. Please notice that only one area will be chosen. Your top choice is not promised and may change without notice.
2. Fill out the registration by clicking here.
3. Send the registration form via e-mail(preferably) or fax/mail and pay by credit card(AMEX/VISA or MASTERCARD) only.
4. You will be sent an e-mail for confirmation within 2—3 weeks after we receive your registration. The e-mail confirmation letter will contain detailed information about your Keeper for a Day Program at the Toronto Zoo.
For any further questions please e-mail Toronto Zoo Keeper for a Day Coordinators at keeperforaday@ torontozoo. ca.
1. Who is the Keeper for a Day Program designed for?| A．Zookeepers. | B．Animal lovers. |
| C．Environmentalists. | D．Animal researchers. |
| A．DS $50. | B．DS $100. | C．DS $150. | D．DS $200. |
| A．Pay by check. | B．Register at zoo. |
| C．Choose only one activity. | D．Register online. |
3 . To grow sugary dates（海枣） in the sand, Siwa’s farmers must first make the desert suitable for farming. An oasis（绿洲）in Egypt, Siwa has been home to humans for thousands of years. Since ancient times, the oasis has hosted farms producing some of the most valuable dates in Egypt, and the sugary dates have appeared on Egyptians' tables.
The desert environment in Siwa is not quite fit for plants to grow. For example, the water there contains much salt. However, it is with local people's effort that date trees, crops and other plants grow in harmony despite the complex agricultural fields, which impressed me a lot during my visit to the oasis. To make a new piece of field, farmers first remove the top soil and replace it with a mixture of sand and waste matter from animals. The first plants are medicinal plants. Then, farmers plant date trees and olive trees. These farming skills are passed down from generation to generation.
To grow date trees is demanding. And it takes 10 years for a new date tree to mature, but once it does, the tree produces generous fruit: around 110 pounds of dates per year. Each farmer picks dates with the skilled hands. They climb the trees using nothing more than a belt. In total, Siwa grows more than 25,000 tons of dates from 280,000 trees per year.
The dates can be eaten fresh, or made dry. Every part of the date tree is significant in Siwa, from leaves made into beds and boxes to wood used to build houses. And then, of course, there's the fruit itself. The dates can be cooked with goat meat or mixed with eggs for breakfast. They can also be mixed with flour, water, and olive oil, and boiled slowly to make a local dessert.
1. What can we learn about sugary dates from Paragraph 1？| A．They're introduced to Egypt from abroad. |
| B．They're the most valuable fruit in Egypt. |
| C．They can adapt to tough environment. |
| D．They have existed for a long time. |
| A．The great variety of plants grown there. |
| B．The hard but happy life of local people. |
| C．The great complexity of the local agriculture. |
| D．The local farmers' wisdom and contribution to farming. |
| A．It's worthwhile to make an effort to grow date trees. |
| B．It' s easy for farmers to pick dates from the trees. |
| C．It costs a lot to grow date trees in the oasis. |
| D．It's necessary to develop agriculture in Siwa. |
| A．Education. | B．Health. |
| C．Nature. | D．Entertainment. |
4 . When it comes to the most refreshing Chinese YouTube figure, most people think of Li Ziqi, a Chinese vlogger whose videos focus on the beautiful scenery and the rural life in the Chinese countryside. With more than 7.5 million subscribers on YouTube, Li also has more than 1.9 million likes, and close to 3 million followers on her Facebook page. Experts from China claim that Li Ziqi is a better advocate for Chinese culture than the country's state media.
Li's fans think it is the spirit of craftsmanship behind her works that makes Li's video clips attractive. She strictly follows the authentic traditional steps and procedures in making traditional Chinese food and handicrafts, such as peach flower wine and silk. Sometimes she spends several months producing one of the videos.
Li Zigi's videos are rather unique. Most of the videos have English titles to ensure better recommendations by data platforms. In fact, most of her videos that are produced in a professional and delicate way involve very little speaking at all. Instead，they focus on the visual aspects, and the natural sounds of the landscape. Li's videos convey a more universal message. People can enjoy these videos with little or no background or knowledge about the country. Therefore, Li's videos can be enjoyed by many with different language backgrounds.
1. Who is Li Ziqi？| A．A Chinese director. | B．A Chinese vlogger. |
| C．A vlog subscriber. | D．A computer programmer. |
| A．They present the culture of life in urban areas of China. |
| B．They promote the sales of Chinese food and handicrafts. |
| C．There are images and natural sounds in her videos rather than language work. |
| D．They are false rather than honest records of local life in China in her fans' view. |
| A．To suggest a way of attracting more followers on YouTube. |
| B．To introduce Li Ziqi's unique tricks of attracting audience. |
| C．To provide guidance on cooking and making traditional handicrafts. |
| D．To give an example of how to gain worldwide popularity with short videos |
5 . Oil Painting workshop
March23, 2021
For ages 15 and up.
Beginners welcome! Experience not required.
Registration Deadline—March9,2021
●Class Schedule
9:30-10:00 Welcome and Registration
10:00-12:00 Painting Session
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:00 Painting Session
3:00 Evaluation and Departure
●About the Instructor
Judy Moore-Gist,Alexander Certified Instructor and Certified Ross Instructor,is making great efforts to give people of all ages the opportunity to experience William Alexander's The Magic of Oil Painting and Bob Ross's The Joy of Painting. Both,William Alexander and Bob Ross,PBS TV hosts,have inspired thousands of first-time painters. Showing the"wet-on-wet"technique encouraged people of all ages to pick up a brush and put their dreams on canvas(画布).Judy will do the same, and you are welcome to take a class and see for yourself. At the end of just one session you will be amazed at the beautiful painting that you create in just a few hours. You will become more aware of beautiful cloud shapes and colors you ignored before.There is nothing more inspiring than seeing a beautiful scenery that you paint and others will treasure forever.
For more information about Judy Moore-Gist, click here.
Cost: $ 75.00/ a person
Prices include all instructor fees,materials, and lunch.
If you wish to pay by check,please print the OilPaintAug. pdf printable registration form and mail it in with payment to: Holiday Lake 4H Educational Center,1267 4-HCamp Road,Appomattox,VA 24522.
Refund(退款)Policy:
Full Refund:March 9,2021
Nonrefundable: after March 9,2021
For more information contact Heather Benninghove at 434-248-5444 or heathern@vt.edu.
1. What should people do to attend the class?| A．Provide a piece of painting. | B．Pay for it before March 9,2021. |
| C．Learn something about the instructor. | D．Register for it no later than March 9,2021. |
| A．The class is intended for people of all ages. |
| B．You can get a full refund before March 23, 2021. |
| C．More information about the instructor is available online. |
| D．Painting experience is needed for people to attend the class. |
| A．In a newspaper. | B．On the Internet. | C．On a notice board. | D．In a company brochure. |
6 . A new device works like a solar panel, except that it doesn't harvest energy from the sun. It absorbs energy from the cold night sky.
A prototype(原型)of the device produced enough electricity at night to power a small light bulb. A bigger version might one day light rooms or charge phones. It also could power electronics in remote or low-resource areas that lack electricity.
The device makes use of the temperature difference between Earth and outer space.It then uses that difference to create electricity. As long as one side of it is cooler than the other, the generator can produce electricity.The cooler side faces the sky and is attached to an aluminum plate. That plate is sealed beneath a transparent(透明的)cover and surrounded with insulation(隔热材料)to keep out heat.The bottom of the generator is attached to an exposed aluminum plate. That plate is warmed by the local air. At night, the top plate can get a couple of degrees Celsius cooler than the bottom of the generator.
Researchers tested a 20-centimeter prototype one clear December night in Stanford,California. The generator produced up to about 25 milliwatts of power per square meter of device. That was enough power to light a small light-emitting diode, or LED bulb. Further improvements might increase its production to at least 500 milliwatts per square meter. To do that, the system might need more insulation around the cool top plate.
The device also could help power remote weather stations or other environmental devices,says Aaswath Raman. He is a materials scientist who worked on the device at the University of California, Los Angeles. This may be useful in polar regions that don't see sunlight for months at a time,Raman says. “If you have some low-power load and you need to power it through three months of darkness, this might be a way.”
1. What can we know about the new device?| A．It gains energy from the sun. | B．It 's been widely used in life. |
| C．It is cooler than a solar panel. | D．It'll be popular in special areas. |
| A．Application fields of the device. | B．The developing process of the device. |
| C．The working principle of the device. | D．Significant effects of the device. |
| A．By putting more insulation around the top plate. |
| B．By using it in extremely cold and clear nights. |
| C．By making its bottom cooler than the top plate. |
| D．By powering remote environmental devices. |
| A．A Device Using the Cold Night Sky to Produce Electricity |
| B．A Device Bringing New Hope for Those in the Cold Night |
| C．The Difference Between a Solar Panel and a New Device |
| D．The Temperature Difference Between Earth and Outer Space |
7 . I work at a grocery store in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood, which gets a lot of regulars. On March 12, the Quebec government announced to close all public places to stop the spread of the pandemic(流行病)of coronavirus.
The next day the store was the busiest I've ever seen.The six cash registers had to be kept open from 10 a.m. until close. It was nuts. I didn't have time to eat lunch, and whenever one of us on cash had to use the bathroom, we'd have to bring in a coworker of the floor to cover for us.
Since then, the atmosphere in the store has been different. Customers are mostly considerate, but whenever someone coughs or sneezes, everyone turns around to make sure that person sneezed into their elbow. I've even seen customers come in wearing some strange get-ups. One guy even came in with a plastic Walmart bag wrapped around his entire head, with a slit cut out for his eyes.
A lot of my coworkers have left to avoid a public-facing job during the pandemic.grocery store workers across Canada are putting their health at risk every time they come in to work, but a lot of us are still making close to minimum wage. I realize that I feel more exhausted than normal even though I'm working the same hours.
There still have been some moments of kindness in the midst of the chaos.I've overheard people talking on the phone who sounded as though they were organizing grocery deliveries for those stuck at home. And this past weekend a very nice lady thanked us for continuing to work. I know everyone is worried, but it's useless having the same scary conversations day after day. Instead tell us a funny anecdote, or about something nice. We’ll appreciate the distraction, and you’ll make our day just a bit brighter.
1. What does the author intend to show by "It was nuts." in Paragraph 2?| A．The goods were in short supply. | B．The store was having a big sale. |
| C．The cashiers complained about their work. | D．The locals rushed to do shopping like crazy. |
| A．They prefer to shop here in costume. | B．They are panicky about the disease. |
| C．They are more friendly to each other. | D．They all protect themselves properly. |
| A．Aggressive. | B．Considerate. | C．Optimistic. | D．Conservative. |
| A．To present the kind moments in a time of chaos. |
| B．To describe what it 's like working in the pandemic. |
| C．To explain why it is hard to work at the grocery store. |
| D．To provide advice on how to protect oneself in the pandemic. |
8 . Wind turbines (涡轮) and solar panels that generate electricity are examples of “green” technology. A new study finds that such renewable energy might be green in another sense. Large collections of those turbines or solar panels appear capable of bringing rains to the desert and would allow more plants to grow.
Building large wind or solar farms just to study their question was not an option. It would be too costly. So experts Kalnay and Safa developed a model of North Africa’s Sahara Desert to find out how wind turbines and solar farms might alter the desert’s climate.
The team ran its model several times. In one run, it assumed that people would set up wind farms only. Another run assumed people would install just solar farms. A third assumed people would build both. They would affect the desert’s weather with temperature and average daily rain increased—but differently. Installing a mix of solar farms and wind turbines brought about a bigger change—not in temperature but in rainfall. In the Sahara, having both wind and solar farms more than doubled the amount of rain that fell, up to 215.4 millimeters per day.
The models predicted that the average rainfall would increase over time, as more plants grew. Plants move water from the ground to the air. Warmer air can carry more water. So as this air rises, it can ferry more water up to become clouds. Those clouds can release rain, relieving the thirst of plants below. Over time, this process repeats itself over and over. This positive feedback can greatly boost rains.
Such rainfall changes could lead to better agriculture, says Safa. “More rain also would help wild plants grow. We believe that the countries in the Sahara should seriously consider investing in wind and solar power”, he added.
1. What is the new finding of the research?| A．Deserts will be suitable for farming. |
| B．It costs much to get deserts greener. |
| C．Renewable energy can green a desert. |
| D．Clean energy helps plants grow better. |
| A．High construction expenses. |
| B．A lack of suitable test sites. |
| C．Shortage of manpower. |
| D．Terrible climate. |
| A．Saving more energy with less cost. |
| B．Doubling global rainfall per year. |
| C．Raising daily rainfall in the desert. |
| D．Decreasing temperature in the desert. |
| A．Build more farms to grow crops. |
| B．Save more water for agriculture. |
| C．Invest in wind and solar power. |
| D．Consider moving to other places. |
9 . Humans are no strangers to widespread viruses,and each time a vaccine(疫苗）is developed, it gives us hope for the future. Now, the world is waiting for a vaccine to fight COVID-19.
Scientists worldwide have been rolling up their sleeves to work toward an effective novel coronavirus vaccine.
Under the coordination(协调）of the World Health Organization (WHO),up to 172 countries have been engaging with the "largest and most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio",a plan known as the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility.
COVAX is a system for joint purchasing and balancing the risks of multiple vaccines. When a vaccine proves to be safe and effective, all countries within the facility will be able to access it, according to Xinhua.
The plan is aimed to ensure that all countries, no matter their economic status, can get the vaccine in a timely manner when one is available. It also makes sure that prices will be kept as low as possible.
＂A number of vaccines are now in the final stage of clinical trials," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Aug 24,adding that the goal of COVAX is to deliver at least 2 billion doses of a vaccine by the end of 2021.
According to the WHO, at present, nine potential vaccines are part of the portfolio.
To guarantee the equal access and fair assignment of COVID-19 vaccines,the WHO has said that the world needs to prevent vaccine nationalism-countries putting their own interests ahead of others in trying to secure supplies of a possible vaccine.
＂Vaccine nationalism only helps the virus,"Tedros said, warning that it would lead to a prolonged pandemic(疫情） if only a small number of countries got most of the supply.
＂Like an orchestra,we need all instruments to be played in harmony to create music that everyone enjoys," he said.
Vaccine development looks promising,as several countries have made great progress. Russia began production of its first batch of a COVID-19 vaccine on Aug 15, according to its health ministry. It's the world's first registered vaccine. Four Chinese vaccine candidates have started international stage-3 clinical trials.
1. Which of the following is true according to the passage?| A．Russia is the first country to have made progress in fighting COVID-19. |
| B．COVAX ensures all the countries get the vaccine at the same time. |
| C．WHO plays an important role in fighting COVID-19. |
| D．Scientist have produced 2 billion doses of vaccines. |
| A．Supportive. |
| B．Critical. |
| C．Optimistic. |
| D．Sympathetic. |
| A．show his deep love for music |
| B．make the passage more interesting |
| C．illustrate the similarities in between |
| D．stress the importance of cooperation |
| A．United for vaccine |
| B．Vaccine on the way |
| C．Fighting against COVID-19 |
| D．Say goodbye to COVID-19 |
10 . The end of the school year was in sight and spirits were high. I was back teaching after an absence of 15 years, dealing with the various kinds of "forbidden fruit" that come out of book bags. Now was the spring of the water pistol.
I decided to think up a method of dealing with forbidden fruit.
"Please bring that pistol to me," I said. "I'm going to put it in my Grandma's Box."
"What's that?" they asked.
"It's a large wooden chest full of toys for my grandchildren," I replied,
"You don't have grandchildren," someone said.
"I don't now." I replied. "But someday I will. When I do, my box will be full of wonderful things for them."
My imaginary Grandma's Box worked like magic that spring, and later. Sometimes. students would ask me to describe all the things I had in it. Then I would try to remember the different possessions I supposedly had taken away—since I seldom actually kept them. Usually the offender would appear at the end of the day, and I would return the belonging.
The-years went by, and my first grandchild Gordon was born. I shared my joy with that year's class. Then someone said, "Now you can use your Grandma's Box." From then on instead of coming to ask their possessions back, the students would say, "That's okay. Put it in your Grandma's Box for Gordon."
I loved talking about the imaginary box, not only with my students but also with my own children. They enjoyed hearing about all the forbidden fruit I had collected. Then one Christmas I received a surprise gift—a large, beautifully made wooden chest. My son Bruce had made my Grandma's Box a reality.
1. What was the author's purpose in having the conversation with the students?| A．To collect the water pistol. | B．To talk about her grandchildren. |
| C．To recommend some toys. | D．To explain her teaching method. |
| A．The student's parent. | B．The maker of the Grandma's Box. |
| C．The author's grandchild. | D．The owner of the forbidden fruit. |
| A．They went to play with the baby. | B．They asked to see the Grandma's Box. |
| C．They made a present for Gordon. | D．They stopped asking their toys back. |
| A．She enjoys telling jokes. | B．She is a strict and smart teacher. |
| C．She loves doing woodwork. | D．She is a responsible grandmother |
