1 . Gear for Sleeping Outdoors

Whether you’re camping or backpacking, how can you increase the odds (n.机会) that you’ll sleep soundly in the outdoors? A good start is to have the right gear:

Sleeping bag: Choose a sleeping bag with a style and temperature rating (n.等级，级别) appropriate for your destination.

·Car camping bags are typically cut wider, offering homelike and more roll-around room but less efficiency for retaining body heat (not so good on extra-chilly nights).Some rectangular (adj.长方形的) styles can be unzipped (adj.未拉上拉链的) to use as a quilt on milder nights.

·Backpacking bags are mummy shaped for a closer, warmer fit, and are usually lighter in weight. Many are filled with goose or duck down, which compresses (v.压缩) more readily than synthetic( adj.合成的) fill.

Sleeping pad: There are three types of sleeping pads — self-inflating (adj.充气的), air and closed-cell foam (n.泡沫塑料). When car camping, weight is not an issue, so you can enjoy a thicker, wider pad or mattress for comfort. When backpacking, weight is crucial, so a super-lightweight air pad or closed-cell pad may be your first choice.

Pillows: Bring one from home or use a small foam or inflatable camp pillow. Some sleeping bags have a pocket to hold a pillow or folded up clothing, such as a down jacket or fleece sweater.

Eye mask and earplugs: Eye masks are especially helpful when camping in northern latitudes (n.纬度) in summer or in campgrounds with surrounding light. Earplugs block out noises ranging from your tent mate’s snoring to rustling sounds in the bushes.

1. Why do people choose car camping bags?

A．They have goose or duck down fill.

B．They are easy to carry in a car.

C．They are more comfortable.

D．They are good for retaining body weight.

2. What kind of sleeping pad can people choose when backpacking?

A．a wider pad.	B．Closed-cell pad.
C．a thicker pad.	D．Super-heavyweight air pad.

3. What do people use the earplugs for?

A．Blocking out noises from tent mate’s snoring.

B．Reducing noises from the wild animals.

C．Stopping the ambient light.

D．Protecting the ears from being hurt by the rustling sounds.

2 . Extreme land use combined with warming temperatures is pushing insect ecosystems toward collapse in some parts of the world, scientists reported Wednesday.

The study, published in the journal Nature, identified for the first time a clear and alarming link between the climate crisis and high-intensity agriculture and showed that, in places where those impacts are particularly high, insect abundance has already dropped by nearly 50%, while the number of species has been reduced by 27%.

These findings cause huge concerns, according to Charlotte Outhwaite, the lead author on the study and researcher at the University College London, given the important role of insects in local ecosystems, pollination (授粉) and food production, and note that losing insects could threaten human health and food security.

“Three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators,” Dave Goulson, a professor of biology at the University of Sussex in the UK, previously told CNN. “Without insects, crops will begin to fail. We won’t have things like strawberries. We can’t feed 8 billion people.”

Scientists say, extreme land use has a link with the climate crisis. Clearing natural habitats for agriculture can dramatically change the area’s local climate and cause temperature extremes. Researchers found evident declines in insect populations in warmer areas, particularly in the tropics. They concluded that in areas with less agriculture, less climate warming, and a nearby natural habitat, insects only declined by 7%, compared to the 63% decrease in areas with less natural habitat cover.

Outhwaite told CNN there are things we can do to help prevent this crisis, like planting more native species and wildflowers, and reducing chemicals used in gardens. “It’s also probably a good idea to think about where the foods that we are buying are being sourced from,” Outwaite said. “So if they’re being sourced from tropical countries, there’s probably going to be a high impact on biodiversity there.”

1. Why does the author quote Dave Goulson’s words in the paragraph 4?

A．To emphasize the importance of insects to human life.

B．To provide evidence for the decline in insect populations.

C．To suggest potential solutions to prevent the decline of insects.

D．To show the importance of preserving natural habitats for insects.

2. Which of the following may contribute to the largest decline in insect population?

A．Making full use of land in colder areas.	B．Preserving habitats cover in colder areas.
C．Planting more native species in warmer areas.	D．Expanding agriculture production in tropics.

3. What does Outhwaite’s words mainly focus on in the last paragraph?

A．The efforts that have been made to protect insects.

B．The suggestions on how to protect the diversity of insects.

C．The reasons why we should preserve the diversity of insects.

D．The advice on what kind of products to buy to avoid insect crisis.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Agriculture Harms Ecosystems	B．Reasons for Endangered Insect Ecosystems
C．Insect Ecosystems Need Help	D．Efforts Made to Save Insect Ecosystems

3 . The sound of my mother preparing breakfast fills the house — my morning alarm.

As I drag my body toward the kitchen, I’m greeted by my mother standing over the stove. She effortlessly cooks a dish that blends Western and Eastern styles, a beloved breakfast classic in our family. This is my grandmother’s recipe, which reflected her upbringing.

Since my grandmother’s passing, I’ve become more aware of my mother’s aging and her dedication (奉献) to cooking for us. She has cooked for her family for more than 30 years, dividing her time between three countries — Korea, Canada and Germany. When my parents visit us from Korea, they stay with us for several months. My mother helps around the house, showing her cooking skills to provide delicious meals for me, my partner and our kids. In alternating years, she and my dad will travel to Berlin to spend a couple of weeks with my sister and her partner.

According to Statista, most Canadians claim to spend between 31 and 60 minutes preparing an average weekday dinner for themselves and others in their household. Ten percent of respondents to the 2022 survey stated that they spend more than an hour preparing their evening meal. My mother belongs to that 10 percent.

Her cooking extends beyond the kitchen, starting with careful grocery shopping trips where she examines produce (农产品) and finds the best deals. She takes everyone’s preferences and needs into account. The meal she creates becomes a ritual (仪式), bringing the family together to connect and share. Helping her out in the kitchen demands a great deal of patience. Yet, I know it’s her way of expressing love.

As I chop the vegetables, she glances over and notices that my carrots are not equally sized. She pushes me aside to take over the task.

“Just do the dishes.”

1. What do we know about the author’s mother from the text?

A．She has three daughters

B．She has great cooking skills.

C．She lives with the author in Korea.

D．She invented the author’s beloved breakfast classic.

2. What’s the author’s purpose in mentioning statistics about meal preparation time?

A．To show her mother’s devotion.

B．To present a common issue.

C．To explain the reasons behind infrequent cooking.

D．To highlight the significance of home-cooked meals.

3. Why does the author say helping her mother in the kitchen requires patience?

A．Her mother is easily annoyed.	B．Her mother wants to teach her everything.
C．Her mother dislikes being disturbed.	D．Her mother expects perfection in cooking

4. Which would be the best title for the text?

A．Mother’s Love Needs to Be Responded to

B．Mother’s Recipe Is the Best in the World

C．Mother’s Kitchen Draws Us Closer Together

D．Mother’s Selflessness Inspires My Family

4 . Fascinating Facts about London’s Parks

Did you know that 47 percent of London consists of green space? Takeaway the private gardens and that leaves 37% of the capital’s green land given over to Royal Parks, gardens, and public green spaces. It’s the third greenest capital city in the world. Now let’s take a look at the most fascinating facts about London’s parks.

Handing out flowers in Green Park

Nobody is totally sure how Green Park got its name. There are a few different theories. One tale says that the name originates from the time of Charles Ⅱ. The King was walking through the park with his wife and courtiers when he picked a flower. Instead of handing it to Queen Catherine, he handed it to another woman that was said to be his mistress. Extremely angry, the Queen ordered that all the flowers in the park be dug out, leaving only grass.

Counting trees in the Royal Parks

When counted together, the Royal Parks contain over 170,000 trees, with the oldest being the 400-year-old chestnut trees in Greenwich Park. These are young trees, though, compared to London’s oldest tree—a great elm in High Barnet that is said to be over 2000 years old. London has more than 8 million trees: nearly as many as people there.

Underground secrets in Greenwich

Greenwich Park shows more fascinating features. Deep under the surface are buried a series of secret tunnels that are tall enough for a person to walk. It’s been claimed that the tunnels were built as secret escape routes for King Henry Ⅷ. Their real purpose is a little less exciting, and the tunnels were actually built as waterways to allow groundwater from the hillsides to escape.

Walking is the best way to explore London’s beautiful green spaces. We hope you enjoyed these fun facts.

1. How much do private gardens cover in London green space?

A．47 percent.

B．33 percent.

C．37 percent.

D．10 percent.

2. How did Green Park get its name according to the text?

A．The King Charles Ⅱ gave the park its name.

B．There were so many green trees in it.

C．Its flowers were removed and only grass was left.

D．The grass in the park was well protected by the Queen.

3. What will you see if you go to Greenwich Park?

A．The hillsides with waterways.	B．Tunnels under its surface.
C．The statue of King Henry Ⅷ.	D．The oldest tree of London.

5 . Secrets, whether they’re juicy, shocking or just plain funny, nothing compares to the thrill of opening up or listening to a friend’s confession (n.坦白). When a pal bares his heart to you, you can’t help but feel trusted and special. In fact, you’re a lot more likely now to tell him something you wouldn’t tell just anyone. When you’re first getting to know a new friend, start with small secrets.

No secret is ever 100 water-proof, but you can take steps to prevent getting your feelings hurt. First, when something you’re telling a friend is a secret, always say so. Every time when you share something confidential (adj.保密的), tell her that this is “for your ears only.” Also, don’t assume (v.假定,认为) someone will keep your secrets just because you know some of hers. Some people just have a tendency to blurt things out, which is why it pays to get a feel for how good a secret-keeper your friend is. Finally, make sure you get a reputation as someone who takes secrets seriously.

It’s not worth breaking a promise to a friend, but if a secret is too big for you to carry alone, you have a responsibility to tell someone. There are probably a few details about your life that you don’t feel like sharing, even with your closest friends. If the secret isn’t hurting you or your friendship, silence is golden. If you’re hiding something big and constantly worrying about your secret being leaked, it may be time to just spill (v.溢出) your beans. Taking control of a secret that’s eating you up inside isn’t easy.

So it seems clear that knowing when to let the secret out and when to zip your lips will help you a lot.

1. What is the purpose of the writer to mention a pal in the text?

A．To tell people when it’s okay to share a secret with someone.

B．To tell people how to gain others’ trust.

C．To tell people why he bares his heart to you.

D．To tell people who is the right people to express your heart.

2. Which of the following best explains “blurt out” underlined in paragraph 2?

A．Speak out without thinking.

B．Badmouth somebody.

C．Let out a secret.

D．Keep a secret.

3. What does the text suggest you do when the secret is big and keeps making you worried?

A．Keep it silently.

B．Let the secret out.

C．Share the secret with your closest friend.

D．Take control of the secret.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Tips to know when to give away secrets

B．It’s always okay to tell a secret you promised to keep.

C．How to be successful with different secrets.

D．When to spill secrets

6 . Although Lahongsang is only in her early 20s, she is a video blogger with eight years of experience, who is acquainted with video recording and social media sharing. Still in high school, she started her journey as a _________ on the Chinese platform Bilibili. “I felt bored during that summer vacation after finishing my homework, _________ I decided to try recording my life through videos and _________ a student’s ambition for the upcoming semester,” she recalled. She consistently updated her content with _________ topics such as study, anime, snacks, weight loss, and makeup. She _________ shared her life, creating a youth full atmosphere for her audience.

“Whenever I encounter something worth recording. I _________ it.” she said. “I’m not exactly sure what draws people to my videos, but many _________ say watching my videos makes them happy, so maybe that’s it.” Despite her _________ behavior in videos, she _________ that she is actually an introvert (adj.内向的). However, she has __________ spreading positive and __________ energy to her audience. Her unique, sincere, and easygoing video style, along with her attention to life’s details, has __________ increased her viewership (n.收视率) from 100,000 to 10 million views. By the end of high school, she had amassed (v.积聚) over 200,000 followers.

__________ her videos attract her audience greatly, she has to struggle with creative inspiration and face negative feedback at times. “Some scenes may appear to be everyday shots, but the storytelling and main idea are particularly __________ and planned,” she said. “What viewers see is only the final product. __________ witnessing the production process, they can’t judge or undermine others’ efforts.”

1.

A．assistant

B．vlogger

C．tutor

D．photographer

2.

A．so

B．therefore

C．however

D．as far as

3.

A．denying

B．motivating

C．describing

D．grasping

4.

A．substantial

B．dramatic

C．awesome

D．diverse

5.

A．enthusiastically

B．severely

C．reasonably

D．stably

6.

A．handle

B．suspect

C．capture

D．recall

7.

A．tutors

B．viewers

C．messengers

D．advisors

8.

A．cheerful

B．modest

C．depressed

D．frustrated

9.

A．admits

B．transforms

C．defends

D．anticipates

10.

A．participated in

B．subscribed to

C．arose from

D．kept on

11.

A．worried

B．optimistic

C．confused

D．complex

12.

A．initially

B．vividly

C．steadily

D．logically

13.

A．As

B．While

C．Since

D．Which

14.

A．traced

B．cited

C．crafted

D．involved

15.

A．Regardless of

B．Owing to

C．Thanks to

D．Without

7 . Sam Krug is the second generation at Preferred Popcorn, a Nebraska (n.内布拉斯加州) factory that produces Americans favorite movie snack. Here fresh batches of popcorn are made every 15 minutes and immediately tested and tasted for quality.

The whole process begins with growing the right kind of corn, not surprisingly cold popcorn. The big difference between corn and popcorn is that popcorn has lots of starch (n.淀粉) inside of it. The shell is hard and so the starch, when you heat it up, mixes with the moisture in the kernel (n.玉米粒) and it boils inside of this. And it gets so hot and the shell is so hard on the outside that it gets hotter and hotter and more excited and more excited and eventually it just blows out.

Nebraska has perfect conditions for growing popcorn, including the right climate and plenty of water for irrigation. And you don’t have to look far to find local farmers to work with. They usually take it to the factory where the kernels are sorted by weight, color and size.

Factory staffs pop a sample of each batch to test it out. They always pop at 480 degrees and use exactly the same amount of oil when they are going to pop. During the course, factory standard coconut (n.椰子) oil is used.

The factory sells kernels for different kinds of popcorn, depending on how the buyer plans to prepare it. It seems that the Americans eat more popcorn than any other nation in the world. And the US Popcorn Board says that in 2018 they consumed more than 14 billion liters of the snack.

1. What do we know about Preferred Popcorn?

A．It is the second generation popcorn factory.

B．It produces fresh batches of popcorn every 15 minutes

C．It tests and tastes the quality of popcorns.

D．It produces popcorns for the Nebraska movie factory.

2. Why does the popcorn blow out when heated?

A．Because it has lots of starch inside of it.

B．Because the starch and moisture boils inside the hard shell.

C．Because the shell is hard.

D．Because it is cold popcorn.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．The factory has already known the consumers’ plan.

B．The factory makes preparations for the buyers.

C．The factory sells kernels for different kinds of popcorns according to the workers’ needs.

D．The factory takes different consumers’ demand into consideration.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Production of the popcorns.

B．Reasons for Nebraska to grow popcorns

C．Procedures for growing the popcorn

D．Conditions for making popcorns.

8 . I was struggling 11 months after I left China to pursue a Ph.D. in England. In the daytime, I kept myself _________ in my research. But at night I had to fight increasing _________. I turned to social media and even tried “talking” to Chat GPT, which _________ me for a few days. But when the novelty _________ I was back where I started.

When colleagues invited me for a coffee chat or lunch, I _________ to feel the urgency to get back to my long list of research _________, not taking time to build relationships. Eventually, my loneliness hit a breaking   _________. When I talked to my tutor about my feeling, she helped me see that _________ with the people around me would improve my state of mind. I began to chat with friends more and realized we were all dealing with _________, professionally and personally. Life isn’t about convincing colleagues that I can do everything   ____________, but about teaming up with friends on common goals and challenges.

These days, I’m working not only on my research, but also try to book ____________ with my friends for research discussion, and share ____________ into social issues through coffee chats. I feel much more ____________ when I come home with concrete memories and measurable milestones. And cooperating with my colleagues has helped me overcome some ____________ research challenges.

The nights are sill as ____________ as before, but I have seen the bright light in the day. I feel content to lie down and rest so I’m prepared for tomorrow’s new adventure.

1.

A．charged

B．filled

C．buried

D．defined

2.

A．calmness

B．excitement

C．anger

D．loneliness

3.

A．detected

B．delighted

C．facilitated

D．integrated

4.

A．wore off

B．came off

C．got over

D．turned over

5.

A．hesitated

B．demanded

C．declined

D．tended

6.

A．editions

B．tasks

C．strategies

D．consequences

7.

A．occasion

B．reputation

C．point

D．reference

8.

A．negotiating

B．standing

C．responding

D．engaging

9.

A．challenges

B．principles

C．conflict

D．freedom

10.

A．stubbornly

B．responsibly

C．independently

D．innocently

11.

A．benefits

B．appointments

C．tickets

D．settlements

12.

A．relief

B．criticism

C．investigations

D．insights

13.

A．sensitivity

B．perfection

C．inspiration

D．assessment

14.

A．tough

B．subjective

C．outward

D．flexible

15.

A．boring

B．long

C．remarkable

D．agreeable

9 . Yes, having a big name in science will help get your paper published, a new study confirms. Involving hundreds of researchers reviewing an economics paper, the study found that reviewers were more likely to recommend acceptance when the paper was associated with a famous author compared to a lesser-known one.

The Matthew effect, a term coined in 1968 to describe this prejudice, has been a topic of concern among scientists for years. However, previous efforts to document this prejudice had limitations such as small sample sizes or lack of randomization. To address these issues, a team from the University of Innsbruck conducted an extensive study.

The team sent emails to about 3,300 researchers, inviting them to review an economics paper for a real journal. The paper had two authors: Vernon Smith, a Nobel Prize winner, and Sabiou Inoua, one of Smith’s former Ph. D. students. The potential reviewers received one of three descriptions of the paper: one mentioning only Smith, another mentioning only Inoua, and a third with no author mentioned. Of the researchers who agreed to review the paper, Smith’s fame influenced their responses. When given only Smith’s name, 38.5% accepted the invitation to review, while the figures were 30.7% for those given no name and 28.5% for those given only Inoua’s name.

To further avoid prejudice, the team randomly assigned the 313 reviewers who initially received no author’s name to review one of three papers: one credited to Smith alone, another to Inoua alone,and a third with no authors listed. Reviewers rated the paper credited to Smith the highest, praising its inclusion of new information and data-supported conclusions. The version with no authors received recommendations for acceptance from 24% of reviewers, more than double the percentage for the version credited only to Inoua.

The team warned against evaluating identical work differently based on the author’s identity and suggested that double-blind reviews may reduce the prejudice. However, this approach may not be effective as reviewers can often identify authors through preprints or conference presentations.

1. What does the term “the Matthew effect” refer to according to this passage?

A．A topic of public concern.	B．A preference in publication.
C．A document describing coins.	D．A way to get papers accepted.

2. Why did the team from the University of Innsbruck carry out the extensive study?

A．To review an economics paper.	B．To find fault with prior studies.
C．To further investigate an effect.	D．To study how to release papers.

3. What are presented in paragraphs 3 and 4?

A．Data reception and release.	B．Paper description and scores.
C．Research methods and findings.	D．Authors’ identities and responses.

4. What does the team suggest to reduce the prejudice?

A．Revising the review method.	B．Reading the online preprint.
C．Assessing different works.	D．Adding new information.

10 . As a child, I loved exploring the attic (阁楼) — a _________ wonderland filled with relics of the past. One day, I stumbled upon a wooden chest, _________ behind an old bookshelf. With _________ hands, I opened it and found my great-grandfather’s journal.

I read about his _________: fighting in wars, discovering new lands, and meeting extraordinary people. His words jumped off the pages, lighting my _________. I felt like I was _________ through time, living his stories.

Years passed, and I grew up, but the _________ remained a cherished memory. It wasn’t until I faced my own challenges that I understood its _________ value. My great-grandfather’s perseverance and courage inspired me to _________ fears and pursue my dreams.

Today, when I hold the worn journal, I realize it’s not just a forgotten treasure, but a __________ legacy (遗产) — a source of strength and __________ passed down through generations. And I vow to __________ it for future generations, so they too can find __________ in its pages.

In this __________ age, where memories are stored on the internet and words are fleeting, the journal serves as a physical sign of our history. __________ I prepare to pass it on to the next generation, I do so with the hope that they will find the same unwavering spirit that has guided me.

1.

A．dusty

B．dark

C．bright

D．clear

2.

A．visible

B．open

C．locked

D．hidden

3.

A．shaky

B．steady

C．warm

D．cold

4.

A．failures

B．successes

C．adventures

D．achievements

5.

A．satisfaction

B．imagination

C．description

D．assumption

6.

A．traveling

B．sleeping

C．dreaming

D．waiting

7.

A．bookshelf

B．attic

C．journal

D．box

8.

A．true

B．fake

C．temporary

D．present

9.

A．get in

B．get over

C．get through

D．get back

10.

A．relative

B．family

C．national

D．personal

11.

A．wealth

B．health

C．freedom

D．wisdom

12.

A．destroy

B．forget

C．preserve

D．ignore

13.

A．frustration

B．inspiration

C．boredom

D．confusion

14.

A．lonely

B．lively

C．industrial

D．digital

15.

A．Unless

B．As

C．If

D．Though