1 . The amount of plastic pollution in the oceans is rapidly increasing. This is problematic, as at least 700 species of sea animals may mistake it for a tasty snack. While we know that some species seem to eat plastic because it looks like jellyfish or some other food sources, less research has been carried out into what plastic smells like to marine animals.

But now, a study from the University of North Carolina has found that the coating of algae that naturally builds up on ocean plastics causes the rubbish to give off the scent of food.

The researchers took 15 loggerhead turtles, each around five months old, and placed them in a laboratory tank. They then piped in clean water, clean plastic, turtle food, and plastic that had been immersed in the marine environment for five weeks.

The turtles showed no reaction to the smell of clean water or clean plastic. But when they were exposed to the smell of ocean-soaked plastic or turtle food, they exhibited food-seeking behaviours like reaching their noses out of the water or showing increasing activities.

“This finding is the first demonstration that the smell of ocean plastics causes animals to eat them, ” said Dr Kenneth J. Lohmann, who took part in the study. “It’s common to find loggerhead turtles with their digestive systems fully or partially blocked because they’ve eaten plastic materials. There are also increasing reports of sea turtles that have become ill and stranded on the beach due to their ingestion (摄食) of plastic.”

According to the researchers, areas of the ocean with dense concentrations of plastic may trick turtles and other marine animals into thinking that there is an abundant food source. “Once these plastics are in the ocean, we don’t have a good way to remove them or prevent them from smelling like food,” said Lohmann.

1. Why is plastic pollution posing a threat to marine animals?

A．It may eat up all jellyfish.

B．It may mislead them as food.

C．It may kill them with its smell.

D．It may trap 700 species of sea animals.

2. What may attract the loggerhead turtles in the laboratory tank to search for food?

A．Sea water.	B．Clear water.
C．Brand-new plastic.	D．Sea-soaked plastic.

3. What can be inferred from Lohmann’s words in the last paragraph?

A．Turtles should be trained to be more intelligent.

B．Plastics should be kept from getting into the ocean.

C．An abundant food source should be offered to sea animals.

D．Researchers should come up with a solution to the current problem.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Ways Found to Remove Plastic

B．Loggerhead Turtles Faced with Food Shortage

C．Ocean Plastics Smell like Food to Turtles

D．Plastic Pollution — Compromise or Control?

2 . Bill Gates was born in 1955. He grew up in Seattle, Washington. When he was young, he was good at science and maths. And he wanted to be a scientist.

Bill started to play with computers when he was 13. At that time, computers were very large machines. Once he was interested in a very old computer. He and some of his friends spent lots of time doing unusual things with it. In the end, they worked out a software program with the old machine. Bill sold it for 4,200 dollars when he was only 17.

In 1973, Bill went to Harvard University. He developed the Basic Language for the first microcomputer. In his third year, he left Harvard. Bill began his company in 1975 with his friend Paul Allen. They thought that the computer would be a very important tool in every office and in every home, so they began developing software for personal computers. They developed the software to make it easier for people to use computers.

In 1999, Bill wrote a book. In the book, he told people how computer technology could solve business problems in new ways. It was one of the best-sellers on The New York Times’ list. Bill Gates has many hobbies. He enjoyed reading very much. He also enjoys playing golf and bridge.

1. When did Bill begin to play with computers?

A．In 1968.	B．In 1966.
C．In 1965.	D．In 1972.

2. How old was Bill when he went to Harvard University?

A．17 years old.	B．18 years old.
C．19 years old.	D．20 years old.

3. Bill wrote a book about _________.

A．how to do unusual things

B．how to play computer games

C．how to work out a software program

D．how to solve business problems with the help of computers in new ways

4. Which of the following is true?

A．Bill Gates developed the Basic Language for the first microcomputer.

B．Bill Gates enjoys playing computer games.

C．Bill Gates wrote many science books.

D．Bill Gates books are on the top of best-sellers.

4 . Tired of standing in line? Wait a bit longer, and you may never have to again.

Amazon has opened 24 of its Amazon Go stores, which use cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to see what you’ve taken off shelves and charge you as you walk out. Some companies are closely copying Amazon’s approach to using Al-powered cameras fixed in ceilings. But others are trying an entirely different way to skip the checkout: smart shopping carts, companies have added cameras and sensors to the carts, and are using AI to tell what you’ve put in them. Customers pay by entering a credit card, or through an online payment system. When a customer exits the store, a green light on the shopping cart shows that their order is complete, and they’re charged.

The companies behind the smart carts, including Caper and Veeve, say it’s much easier to add technology to the shopping cart than to an entire store. Amazom’s Go stores rely on hundreds of cameras in the ceiling. The shelves also include sensors to tell when an item is removed. Ahmed Beshry, co-founder of Caper, believes the technology to run Go is too expensive to use in a large-format grocery store. Neither Caper nor Veeve have said how much their smart shopping carts will cost, making it difficult to compare the different formats. Shariq Siddiqui, CEO of Veeve, said, “We’re always happy when Amazon is doing something. They force retailers to get out of their old school thinking.”

Each time a business uses artificial intelligence and cameras, it raises questions about customers’ privacy and the effect on jobs. Beshry notes that the cameras in his shopping cart point down into the cart, so only a customer’s hand and part of their arm will be captured (拍摄) on camera.

1. What do we know about the smart shopping carts?

A．They are linked to the cameras fixed in the ceilings.

B．They are not able to recognize goods put in them.

C．They flash the green light when the order is finished.

D．They can tell customers where to find what they want.

2. What does Beshry think of the technology used in Amazon’s Go stores?

A．It may reduce the cost of running a store greatly.

B．It is likely to help retailers to think differently.

C．It has attracted many more retailers than before.

D．It costs much more than their shopping carts.

3. When it comes to AI and cameras, what makes the public worried most?

A．That goods in the stores may be more expensive.

B．That they can only buy goods online.

C．That somebody may know their privacy.

D．That they have to wait in a line for a longer time.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．The new technology improves retail sale.

B．Smart shopping carts will let you skip the line.

C．Al-powered cameras are used in retail stores.

D．Artificial intelligence affects the future of job market.

5 . An old man lives with his little grandson. Every day the old man gets up early to read books.

One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa, I want to read books as you do. But I always forget what I read. What are the advantages of reading?”

The grandfather didn’t answer him, but said, “Take this little basket to the river and bring me back a basket of water.” The boy did as his grandpa said, but all the water leaked out before he got back home. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll have to walk faster next time.”

The next time the boy ran faster, but the basket was still empty before he returned home. The boy said, “See, Grandpa, it’s no use!”

“Is it no use?” the old man said. “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and found that the basket was different. It was cleaner, inside and out.

“That’s what happens when you read books. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read them, you will be changed, inside and out.”

1. Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?

A．After the grandson reads books, he can’t understand what he reads.

B．After the grandson reads books, he gets up late.

C．After the grandson reads books, he always forgets what he reads.

D．After the grandson reads books, he sleeps late.

2. How many times did the grandson go to the river to get some water?

A．Once.

B．Twice.

C．Three times.

D．Four times.

3. According to the grandpa’s words, what happens when we read books?

A．We won’t have any changes.

B．We can understand everything.

C．We will be changed, inside and out.

D．We can never forget what we read.

6 . No doubt one of China’s greatest resources is its diverse cuisine. One of the most popular foods to be found is no doubt the street snacks that make up a large part of everyday life. “Compared with A Bite of China, which showcases chefs’ cooking processes and demonstrates delicious cuisine on air, Chinese Barbecue is more down-to-earth in depicting the people,” commented a viewer.

The new documentary series, called Chinese Barbecue, tells the story of this popular food option that sizzles (咝咝作响) over hot coals on just about every street comer in cities and towns across the country. Barbecued meat shining over hot coal containers, while not as elegant as some of the fine dining options in China, is an essential part of people’s night life. The pleasant smell and atmosphere surrounding the grilled (烤的) street food is “something that could entice people to fly downstairs at night,” the documentary claims.

In many Chinese eyes, barbecue, regarded as the most ordinary and common night street snack, is different from homemade food by mothers which is a symbol of kinship (亲切感). Barbecue is where you become connected to people in society. And unlike official business lunches, during which people are rather reserved and polite, barbecue lets people cut loose and relax with old friends and newly made friends, leaving a lasting impression of friendship.

On the other side of the world, in the United States, BBQ, well received by all ages, demonstrates the even more enthusiastic personality of Americans, who grill large steaks on their outdoor stoves at home and enjoy competing to see who has the better cooking skills. It’s safe to say that the world, as a whole, holds deep-rooted good feelings toward barbecue, either for the taste or the warmth generated by fire.

1. What is Chinese Barbecue?

A．A popular documentary.

B．A cooking class.

C．A soap opera of chefs.

D．A cuisine radio programme.

2. What makes barbecue distinguish from other food in Chinese’s view?

A．Quality food.

B．Polite atmosphere.

C．Beautiful cooking style.

D．Close bonds between friends.

3. What can we know from the passage?

A．A Bite of China is more down-to-earth in depicting the people.

B．Barbecued meat is not as elegant as some of the fine dining options in China.

C．Food made by restaurants is a symbol of kinship.

D．BBQ is well received only by the old in the UK.

4. Why does the author mention BBQ in the United States?

A．To present special American culture.

B．To show friendship between countries.

C．To indicate the popularity of BBQ.

D．To make a comparison with Chinese BBQ.

7 . Have you ever imagined that your simple T-shirt could cool you down by up to 5℃ on these hot summer days? Thanks to a recent discovery, the possibility is getting closer. While there are many alternatives that manage to keep the body warm, this amazing invention aims to offer real relief for those who are eager to feel comfortable and fresh in the outdoors on extremely hot days.

Its inventors, engineers Ma Yaoguang of Zhejiang University and Tao Guangming of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, took a completely innovative approach. They designed a special textile (纺织物) that can absorb body heat and reemit (重发出) its energy into space as mid-infrared radiation (MIR). This textile cools both the objects and their surroundings through a technique that is known as radiative cooling. Science reveals. This means that even when it looks like you are wearing a regular shirt, you are actually wearing a device that works like a mirror.

Research conducted at Stanford University in 2017 had already managed to cool the wearer by 3℃, but this previous trial was limited. So researchers still need to test the new approach to determine how effectively the new fabric cools while the wearers are standing or walking, and not directly facing the sky, like in their trials. They also need to examine and measure how well it works when T-shirts are no in close contact with the skin.

Inventors Yaoguang and Guangming are now looking out for textile manufacturers and clothing brands that are interested in using their fabric. They estimate that the new material will increase clothing manufacturing costs by just 10 percent. “We can make it with mass production, which means everybody can get a T-shirt and the cost is basically the same as their old stuff,” Yaoguang said.

So if you are an athlete or simply someone that has to deal with the extremely high temperatures, be patient because your days of feeling hot and bothered may be coming to an end!

1. What is the purpose of the new invention?

A．To keep people warm.	B．To help beat the heat in hot weather.
C．To find out the wearers’ temperature.	D．To protect clothes from becoming wet.

2. How does the special product work?

A．By sending out absorbed heat.	B．By turning sunlight into energy.
C．By keeping heat out completely.	D．By using light colors to reflect sunlight.

3. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?

A．The invention needs further testing.	B．The studies in 2017 lack evidence.
C．The new textile has a good cooling effect.	D．The new textile applies to various situations.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards the invention?

A．Doubtful.

B．Objective.

C．Supportive.

D．Indifferent.

8 . Dark Sky Parks Around the World

Warrumbungle National Park

Situated in the central west slopes of New South Wales is Australia’s only dark sky park, Warrumbungle. The park has served as a dark sky park since July 2016. Its crystal-clear night skies and high altitude (海拔) make it a natural, educational and astronomical heritage site in the southern half of the earth. Tourists can use Australia’s largest optical telescope within the park boundaries to view the auroras (极光), the Milky Way and faint shooting stars.

Sark

Sark is a Channel Island near the coast of Normandy under the protection of the UK. It was the World’s First Dark Sky Island set up in January 2011. Its historical and cultural blend (交融) attracts over 40,000 tourists annually. With no motor vehicles and public lighting on the island, there is an exceptional view of the dark skies. A rich Milky Way is visible in the dark night skies from the shores of the island.

Pic du Midi de Bigorre

Pic du Midi de Bigorre in France was designated as a dark sky park in December 2013 making it the second largest dark sky park in the world. The park covers 3,112 square kilometres spread across the Pyrenees National Park and UNESCO’s World Heritage site, Pyrenees-Mont Perdu. The   park attracts over one hundred star watchers every year. The Observatory Midi-Pyrenees, which was built in 1870,is one of the world’s highest museums at a height of 2,877 metres above sea level.

Ramon Crater/Makhtesh Ramon

Ramon Crater is a unique1,100-square-kilometre nature reserve located in the Negev Desert in Israel. In 2017, Ramon Crater became the first designated dark sky park in the Middle East. Its location, rough climate and forbidding landscape that are characteristic of the Negev have largely defeated historical attempts for human settlement, making it a great place to view the night skies. Stargazers usually camp in the desert to have an uninterrupted view of the stars, planets and the Milky Way.

1. Which was the first to be designated as a dark sky park?

A．Sark.	B．Pic du Midi de Bigorre.
C．Warrumbungle National Park.	D．Ramon Crater / Makhtesh Ramon.

2. What can we NOT view at Warrumbungle National Park?

A．The auroras.	B．The planets.
C．The Milky Way.	D．Shooting stars.

3. What do we know about Ramon Crater from the passage?

A．It’s a natural heritage site.	B．It covers 3,112 square kilometres.
C．Its geographical conditions are tough.	D．It’s a great place for humans to settle in.

9 . Off the coast of Formentera, an island, lives seagrass that stretches 15 kilometres. The seagrass, covering several hectares, is made up of a single organism. The grass is also long-lived, for tens or hundreds of thousands of years. Along with two other kinds of coastal ecosystems — mangrove swamps (红树沼泽) and tidal marshes, seagrass meadows are particularly good at taking carbon dioxide from the air.

This role was highlighted in a report, which was published on March 2nd by UNESCO, on blue carbon — the carbon taken in by Earth’s oceanic and coastal ecosystems. In total around 33 billion tons of carbon dioxide, about three quarters of the world’s emissions in 2019, are locked away in the planet’s blue carbon sinks. Research by Carlos Duarte, the report’s author and a marine (海洋的) ecologist, has shown that one hectare of seagrass can take in as much carbon dioxide each year as 15 hectares of rainforest.

One reason that blue-carbon ecosystems make such effective sinks is that underwater forests are thicker than the land-based woods. They can also trap (收集) floating pieces and organic matter, which settles on the sea floor and can double the amount of carbon stored away. They have another advantage, too. Climate change is leading to more wildfires around the world. As forests burn, their carbon stocks are released back into the atmosphere. Unlike forests on land, blue-carbon ecosystems do not burn.

Blue-carbon ecosystems may not be fired, but they remain affected to other sorts of disasters. In May 2020 hurricane Amphan destroyed 1,200 square kilometres of mangrove forest. A marine heatwave in Australian waters in 2010 and 2011 damaged around one third of the world’s largest seagrass meadow in Shark Bay. “Mangrove forests can weaken or control waves and provide natural barriers to storm surges. Protecting and expanding them, then, appears to be a must,” said a marine biologist.

1. What does the second paragraph mainly talk about?

A．The detailed explanation of blue carbon.

B．The special features of the seagrass.

C．The doubt about the blue-carbon ecosystems.

D．The capacity of the blue-carbon ecosystems to store carbon.

2. Why can the blue-carbon ecosystems make such effective sinks?

A．There are more underwater animals.

B．Their carbon stocks are released back.

C．They have great ability to absorb carbon.

D．They aren’t influenced by natural disasters

3. What do the marine biologist’s words mean?

A．Humans should preserve blue-carbon ecosystens.

B．Mangrove forests can strengthen waves.

C．Mangrove forests are too strong to be broken.

D．Blue-carbon ecosystems can be fired.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Blue-Carbon Ecosystem Are Expanding Much Faster

B．The Grasses Can Store More Carbon Than Your Expectation

C．Mangrove Forests Can Control Waves Efficiently

D．Plants in the Ocean Are Better at Storing Carbon