1 . African penguins live on the rocky coasts of South Africa, Namibia and nearby islands. Like other types of penguins, the birds have white feathers covering their chests and black feathers covering their backs. They form lifelong pair bonds with mates, but they nest in huge colonies — so, scientists wondered how the birds were able to identify their partners among the sea of black-and-white birds. They wondered if their chest spots had something to do with it. To test this theory, they studied 12 African penguins at a zoo and marine park near Rome called Zoomarine Italia.
In one test, they hung two life-size photographs of the African penguins. One showed a random member of the colony, while the other showed the test subject’s mate. The scientists recorded the birds’ interactions with the photos: How long did they spend looking at each one, as well as how much time did they spend standing near each photograph? The penguins spent more time gazing at the photo of their partners — about 23 seconds longer, on average — than looking at the other photo. They also stood next to the image of their beau s for twice as long. Then, the researchers covered up the heads of the birds in the photographs, leaving only their speckled bodies visible, and the penguins still lingered near their partners’ portraits.
In another experiment, the researchers hung up two photos of a bird’s mate — but, in one, they had digitally removed its spots. In this case, the penguin again spent more time looking at the photo with the dots.
Finally, the researchers posted two photographs of penguins with digitally removed spots — one of the test subject’s mate and the other of a random penguin from the colony. In this scenario, the penguins did not appear to recognize their partners. They spent roughly the same amount of time gazing at or standing near both photos.
Together, the results of these experiments suggest African penguins are zeroing in on their partners’ spots and using them like name tags, scientists say.
“Our results provide the first evidence of a specific visual cue responsible for spontaneous individual recognition by a bird and highlight the importance of considering all sensory modalities in the study of animal communication,” the researchers write in the paper.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?A.African penguins live on the rocky coasts of North Africa. |
B.Scientists are curious about the African penguins. |
C.African penguins have white feathers covering their backs. |
D.Scientists studied 12 African penguins only at a zoo near Rome. |
A.Their partners’ voice. | B.Their partners’ heads. |
C.Their partners’ back feathers. | D.Their partners’ speckled bodies. |
A.Losing sight of. | B.Taking delight in. |
C.Paying attention to. | D.Speaking highly of. |
A.In a science report. | B.In a travel brochure. |
C.In a biology textbook. | D.In a fashion magazine. |
2 . Those of us who shop online may scan customer reviews to get a better sense of products we can't judge for ourselves at a physical store. We may check out online testimonials before booking a haircut or visiting a new restaurant. But what happens if some of those reviews can't be trusted?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced that it was proposing new measures to crack down on fake reviews and other practices used to mislead consumers. The commission published a proposed rule that would prohibit companies from writing or selling fake reviews, buying positive reviews, suppressing negative reviews and more.
“Our proposed rule on fake reviews shows that we're using all available means to attack deceptive advertising in the digital age,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.
Research shows people overwhelmingly consult online reviews, but humans are also bad at telling which consumer reviews hold water and which are nonsense.
That's potentially worrisome given that nearly one in every three reviews is fake, according to one estimate.
In arguing for the proposal, the FTC cited enforcement actions it had taken against companies that manipulated reviews of their products.In 2022, for example, the commission forced the online retailer Fashion Nova to pay $4.2 million to settle allegations (指控) that it blocked negative reviews from being posted on its website — the first FTC action involving a company's effort to hide negative reviews. For its part, Fashion Nova said in a statement to The New York Times that the FTC's allegations were “inaccurate” and that it only settled the charges to avoid “the distraction and legal fees”.
Comments on the proposed rule have to be received within 60 days of its publication in the Federal Register, after which the FTC will decide whether to issue a revised final version.
1. What is the main purpose of the FTC's proposed rule?A.To improve the quality of products and services. |
B.To protect the interests of physical stores. |
C.To ban negative reviews from online platforms. |
D.To ensure true reviews are presented to customers. |
A.Be credible. | B.Be prejudiced. | C.Be official. | D.Be misleading. |
A.To delete negative reviews of its products. |
B.To post customer reviews on its website. |
C.To resolve allegations of deceptive advertising. |
D.To prevent it from facing further criticism and legal fees. |
A.It is well-received. | B.It is still under review. |
C.It has proven to be effective. | D.It has encountered opposition. |
3 . Nanjing Yunjin brocade is traditional Chinese silk art with a history of about 1,600 years. Its complex weaving techniques, various colors and patterns, and its particular choices of materials make it valuable and ancient people said, “An inch of brocade, an inch of gold.” Today, the traditional characteristics and unique skills of yunjin remain to be an award-winning art treasure. Its techniques are passed down from generation to generation by artisans.
Zhou Shuangxi, a national-level inheritor of yunjin weaving techniques, is one of them. Back in 1973, he graduated from a mining school and was selected to become a student at the NanjingYunjin Research Institute along with five other students, just because he was “in good shape”. There were only several masters in their 70s and not even a loom (织布机) to use. “The old masters finally remembered a loom was stored somewhere. When I opened the door, I saw what seemed like a pile of wood,” Zhou recalled.
“Weaving was difficult, but different from mining. Mining requires heavy physical labor, but working with the soft and thin silk requires studying and practicing in front of a loom for decades until you master the technique. My hands became quite awkward due to mining, so I used to put my hands in warm water whenever I could. In this way, they could become softer and weave the silk more easily,” he said.
Out of the six or so students, Zhou is the only one who has insisted on the trade to this day. Having devoted the past five decades to yunjin production despite all the sweat and struggles, he has developed his techniques to the point where he can weave the antique dragon robes in all their small details. He also made various artworks that not only show China's intangible cultural heritage but also serve as Zhou Shuangxi's artistic creations.
“I am lucky to be in such a good era and I have the honor of being a representative inheritor,” Zhou said.
1. What was Zhou's original impression of yunjin weaving techniques as a student?A.They faced an uncertain future. | B.They were popular among the public. |
C.They required much physical strength. | D.They were closely related to his schooling. |
A.To relieve the pain of mining. | B.To make them much handier. |
C.To gain an attractive appearance. | D.To rest his hands and draw inspiration. |
A.Determined and creative. | B.Awkward and hesitant. |
C.Encouraging and honest. | D.Adventurous and sociable. |
A.The ups and downs of yunjin. |
B.People's appreciation of a traditional art treasure. |
C.Artisans' struggle to pass down traditional techniques. |
D.A national-level inheritor of yunjin weaving techniques. |
4 . Four Top Family Camping Trips
Camp Clearwater: White Lake, North CarolinaCamp Clearwater in White Lake, North Carolina, features its own 1, 100-acre lake complete with 1, 300 feet of shorefront. On-site facilities here include a mini-golf area, sports fields and a park that allows pets. Further, the family campground hosts various activities, including games, cornhole tournaments and golf cart parades. Overnight campsites run from $40 to $60 per night.
A Tiny House Resort: Cairo, New YorkThose cager to try tiny living in a natural setting should check out this tiny location in the heart of the Catskills Mountains region. There are on-site facilities including a pool, a dog park, kayaks, massage services and even goat yoga. You can spend your time walking on the waterfront trails or relaxing on a boat. Rates start at $295 per night for tiny homes that sleep two, but some tiny homes with more space for additional guests or amenities(便利设施) cost more.
Meeman-Shelby Forest: Memphis, TennesseeThe Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park features 12, 539 acres of outdoor space along the Mississippi River. This area is known for its magnificent trees as well as the many endangered and protected plants that call it home. You can camp here in a two-bedroom cabin(小木屋) or on one of the 49 campsites. Cabin rentals start around $110 per night, and you can rent a camping spot for as little as $25 per night.
Flamingo Adventures at the Everglades: Florida KeysFamilies within close driving distance to the Florida Everglades have plenty of outdoor options to consider, including houseboat and eco-tent rentals through Flamingo Adventures. Houseboat rentals sleep four adults and two kids maximum and prices start at $350 per night. Eco-tents, which sit on platforms and feature bed linens, electricity, sitting areas and plenty of storage, start at $50 per night.
1. What activities are available at Camp Clearwater?A.Swimming and kayaks. | B.Mini-golf and goat yoga. |
C.Sports and golf cart parades. | D.Games and massage services. |
A.A Tiny House Resort: Cairo, New York. |
B.Meeman-Shelby Forest: Memphis, Tennessee. |
C.Camp Clearwater: White Lake, North Carolina. |
D.Flamingo Adventures at the Everglades: Florida Keys. |
A.$300. | B.$350. | C.$700. | D.$800. |
5 . There’re plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables available in local markets. But while those red juicy strawberries look fresh, consumers have no way of knowing how long the fruit can be stored at home. The same goes for distribution centers and supermarkets.
Now, the food technology startup OneThird, located in the Netherlands, is looking to change that with an infrared (红外线) scanner that can accurately predict how long fresh fruits and vegetables will last. The startup is named OneThird because one-third of food is wasted due to spoilage (变质) every year.
The startup’s founders were inspired by a UK company that uses this type of technology in the medical field and decided to see if it was applicable for food. “I looked at the challenges in the food-supply chain and found out that 40 percent of food waste is fresh produce. One of the biggest causes of waste is that nobody knows shelf life.” founder and CEO of OneThird, Marco Snikkers said.
Quality inspections at farms and distribution centers are done manually (手动地). An inspector checks the fruits and vegetables and makes notes about the size and quality. Then the food is sent to consumers without considering travel time or how long the produce will remain usable.
Using the infrared scanner at the distribution center means that inspectors can use the information to approve shipments that will ensure the produce can be distributed on a timely basis. This means that a shipment of rip e tomatoes will not be sent long distances away.
OneThird’s scanner combines the technology of optical scanners, image modeling, and Artificial Intelligence to provide accurate shelf-life predictions.
The startup found that the technology can reduce up to 25 percent produce waste that was caused by spoilage. “Global food waste has an enormous environmental impact; reducing global food waste cuts global greenhouse gas emissions and promotes global food security,” said Jacob Smith, a climate expert from the University of Maine.
1. What problem does OneThird aim to solve?A.The high cost of storing fresh fruits and vegetables. |
B.Inefficient quality inspections at distribution centers. |
C.Food waste caused by uncertainty about its shelf life. |
D.Consumers’ difficulty judging the freshness of produce. |
A.The use of the device in another field. | B.Observation of the food-supply chain. |
C.Consumer demands for fresher produce. | D.Experts’advice on food waste reduction. |
A.They are time-consuming and costly. | B.They are not performed at a regular time. |
C.The inspectors tend to make wrong judgement. | D.The shipping time is not taken into consideration. |
A.Approving. | B.Doubtful. | C.Tolerant. | D.Dismissive. |
6 . The best science books inspire a sense of wonder and make you amazed at the incredible world we live in. Here are four of them to feed your imagination.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
How did it all begin? And how did we get here? Combining history and science, the book offers a comprehensive yet entertaining answer to these questions. Bill Bryson takes the reader on an impressive journey through the greatest scientific discoveries in history. It explains scientific topics in a vivid way, but it’s quite a long read.
Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe
How do helicopters work? Or cells? Randall Munroe explains how things work using illustrations and only the most common 1,000 words in English. It will shift your approach to explanation. So, next time explain how something works rather than merely call it by its name. However, additionally providing more technical terms might have enhanced the understanding and learning experience.
Ask an Astronaut by Tim Peake
What does it feel like to fly into space? How do you prepare for it? Astronaut Tim Peake answers all the questions you never knew about going into space. The book gives insights into the cutting-edge science, as well as the day-to-day life on board of the International Space Station. Its question and answer format makes it easy to quickly find answers, but it can become less appealing due to the lack of descriptive language.
Deep Time by Riley Black
Want to know the story of our planet? Riley Black takes us on a journey, in the order of time, through the geological (地质的) events that have shaped our planet. The fascinating high-quality images are supported by easily digestible explanations of key historical moments. It also expands on key concepts in geology, astronomy and biology. Yet, measuring the size of some objects on the photos is difficult due to the lack of a scale bar (比例尺).
1. Which book is organized in the format of question and answer?A.A Short History of Nearly Everything. | B.Thing Explainer. |
C.Ask an Astronaut. | D.Deep Time. |
A.It is rather too long. | B.It is written in plain language. |
C.It lacks technical terms. | D.It fails to include clear images. |
A.They combine science and history. | B.They feature vivid illustrations. |
C.They introduce astronauts’ daily life. | D.They entertain readers of all ages. |
7 . ROYAL BOTANIC KEW GARDENS
The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew have been cultivated for centuries to create the ultimate botanical experience. Scientists and gardeners thoroughly care for the 300-acre garden with 50, 000 living plants year round, to ensure that all 90 attractions at this UNESCO World Heritage Site are top levels.
Educational session prices and safeguarding
You can plan a self-led visit or book one of our educational sessions. Students will take part in the educational sessions in groups of 15. Prices vary according to different situations.
EYFS to Key Stage 4 | Key Stage 5 |
·45-minute session: £ 38/group ·90-minute session: £ 76/group | ·Half day (1 session): £ 88/group ·Ful day (2 sessions): £ 176/group |
Teachers and adults | |
·Up to required key stage ratios: Free ·Adults needed for 1:1 special educational needs support: Free ·Adults above the required ratios: £ 12/person The payment will be due within 28 calendar days of making the booking | |
Required supervising (监护) adult-student ratios | |
·Key Stage l (1:5) ·Key Stage 2(1:8) ·Key stage 3 (1:10) ·Key Stage 4 (1:12) ·Key Stage 5 (1:12) |
Health and safety
·Leaders of school groups must accept responsibility for any first aid requirements of their pupils or staff should they arise. All supervising adults should carry a mobile phone and a contact number for the leader of your group.
·Groups should take particular care around moving vehicles, lakes and ponds, and when looking at poisonous, thorny or spiky plants.
·In the event of an emergency, please contact the nearest member of Kew staff or a Kew constable (治安员). The emergency number is 020 8332 3333.
·Please do not call 999 as ambulance/fire/police crews may take time to find you. It is much better to coordinate through Kew’s own constabulary, police force who deal with first aid, security, and emergencies.
Planning your visit
Your tickets and two planning passes will be sent to you upon receipt of your payment.
Recommended timings
The Kew Gardens opens at 10 am. You are recommended to spend at least three to five hours on your visit. The closing time varies throughout the year. But the earliest is 3:30 pm. We have a fixed schedule for educational sessions, which is from 10: 30 am to 2:20 pm (except KS5).
1. How much should a group of 15 Key Stage 1 students and 5 teachers pay for a 45-minute course?A.£ 46. | B.£ 50. | C.£ 72. | D.£ 62. |
A.Call 999 immediately. | B.Check the risk assessment. |
C.Seek help from the staff member nearby. | D.Ask adults, leaders or teachers for help. |
A.To introduce Kew Gardens. |
B.To give tips on visiting Kew Gardens. |
C.To attract potential visitors to Kew Gardens. |
D.To inform coming activities in Kew Gardens. |
8 . Make life as easy as possible with devices and gear designed to simplify your travels — whether that means charging on the go, neat organizers or lightweight storage for no-trouble quick trips.
LARQ Bottle Filter (过滤器)
This innovative drinking bottle with a low-pressure sucker is designed to filter water on the go, wiping out pollutants such as chlorine (氯) for a refreshing taste. The filter will work on up to 151 litres of water before needing to be replaced — the equivalent (等同) of around 300 single-use plastic bottles. Available in 500ml (£58) and 740ml (£68) sizes.
Stubble & Co Adventure Bag
This 42-litre backpack has an easy-access clamshell (翻盖) design that opens to reveal zipped parts of various sizes, including a waterproof pocket for shoes. It also features a laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket and hidden parts for valuables. Available in black, olive, blue and orange. £195.
Shokz OpenFit
Shokz’s lightweight earphones sit on top of the ear canal, meaning they’re comfortable enough to wear for long periods. The 28-hour battery life ensures you won’t need to charge them on an overnight trip, though it’s easy enough to do so by plugging in the small, accompanying case. The Shokz App allows you to customize the controls, too. £179.
July Carry On Pro
For those who prefer not to carry luggage on their backs, this smart roller is the perfect overnighter. It has two separate internal parts, a waterproof polycarbonate (聚碳酸酯) hard shell and a zipped front part in which to store a laptop. The integrated, removable power bank allows travelers to charge devices on the go. £275.
1. What is special about LARQ Bottle Filter?A.It is of various sizes. | B.It makes for health. |
C.It is used to store water. | D.It replaces 300 plastic bottles. |
A.Shokz OpenFit. | B.July Carry On Pro. |
C.LARQ Bottle Filter. | D.Stubble & Co Adventure Bag. |
A.A travel diary. | B.A life description. |
C.A science instruction. | D.A sales advertisement. |
9 . Theatre Camps & Classes in Vancouver
Beach House Theatre
We have a group of creative and talented theatre industry members whose productions offer the campers a cultural, artistic experience at Crescent Beach. The purpose of setting the production in the area is to inspire the artistically minded youth and to expose theatre-goers to the special beauty of the beach.
Place des Arts
Classes and private lessons run from September to June or during fall (Sep-Dec), winter (Jan-Mar) and spring(Apr-Jun) sessions for all ages and skill levels. Experience music, visualarts, literary arts and theatre arts with us. We also offer art camps for children during the spring break and over the summer. All classes and lessons are taught by highly skilled working professionals. Class sizes are based on the needs of the content.
CFA
Our goal is to raise joyful children through performing arts. We believe that an actual professional theatre production is the best platform for the children to best experience performing arts. Every year, we produce a grand children’s musical production and we do not charge the children while there’s a huge production cost behind (professional tech, lighting, sound, sets, costumes, make-up, production meetings etc).
H. R. MacMillan Space Centre
We bring the wonders of space to Earth. Through creative programming, exhibits and activities, our goal is to inspire interest in the fields of Earth science and space science. Lean back in your seat and you’ll experience planets, meteor showers, black holes, galaxies and various other wonders. With its shows and content being updated all the time, there is something for everyone in the centre.
1. What can participants do at Beach House Theatre?A.Give performances with professionals. |
B.Appreciate art in the natural environment. |
C.Offer advice on the theater’s improvement. |
D.Explore Crescent Beach through guided tours. |
A.It is free of charge. | B.It hires some famous artists. |
C.It has flexible courses. | D.It offers theatre arts experiences. |
A.Beach House Theatre. | B.Place des Arts. |
C.CFA. | D.H. R. MacMillan Space Centre. |
10 . There’s been lots of concern recently about the potential dangers of microwave popcorn (爆米花), but is this concern founded, or just overmuch fear-spreading? The answer is that many of the chemicals that caused worry in earlier decades have been removed from microwave popcorn, but some critics still are not satisfied.
“You may consider popcorn to be a low-calorie, high-fiber snack, but microwave popcorn isn’t a healthy choice,” explains nutrition expert Dan DeFigio. That’s because microwave popcorn bags were coated with perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) to prevent oil substance from leaking out. One particular type of PFC, known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has been linked to certain cancers, but the American Cancer Society says the evidence is unsure and more research is being done about this.
Nevertheless, in response to concerns about PFCs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) worked with popcorn makers back in 2011 to remove PFOA from their packaging. Three more PFCs were banned in the next five years. So today’s microwave popcorn doesn’t have these chemicals, but critics say that the alternatives could cause problems as the old ones, but less is known about them.
That’s not the only problem, however. The chemical that for decades lent buttery deliciousness to popcorn has also been connected in rare cases with major lung damage. Known as diacetyl (二乙酰), it’s long been a documented problem with workers in popcorn making facilities, but also can be risky for people who just eat the snack a lot. A 2007 study published in the journal Critical Reviews found that more than 80 percent of chemical release happened when the bag was opened post-popping. Although diacetyl has been removed from most products, some critics claim that the alternative to diacetyl is also harmful.
Most of the exposure to diacetyl came from inbreathing rather than eating popcorn. Therefore, experts recommend at least waiting for the bag to cool before you open it to reduce potentially harmful chemical exposure. Better yet, make your own fresh at home with an air popper. If you like to flavor it, add organic butter or some cheese.
1. What can we know about PFOA from the text?A.PFOA doesn’t exist in Popcorn bags in America currently. |
B.PFOA can stop the leak of nutrition. |
C.PFOA in popcorn bags leads to cancer. |
D.PFOA has been removed from PFCs. |
A.Critics claiming diacetyl is harmful. |
B.Workers making popcorn in factories. |
C.People making popcorn with an air popper. |
D.Consumers eating microwave popcorn occasionally. |
A.How to flavor popcorn. |
B.How to make popcorn at home. |
C.How to make popcorn safer. |
D.How to find alternatives to diacetyl. |
A.Is Popcorn a Healthy Choice? |
B.Should We Ban Microwave Popcorn? |
C.Should PFCs Be Removed from Microwave Popcorn? |
D.Is Microwave Popcorn Really Dangerous? |