1 . A new study discussed the high probability that no chicks had survived from four of the five monitored (监测) emperor penguin groups in Antarctic. The satellite images showed the loss of sea ice at breeding (繁殖) sites, well before chicks would have developed waterproof feathers.

Emperor penguins are dependent on stable sea ice where they lay eggs in Antarctic winter from May to June. Eggs hatch after 65 days, but chicks do not grow feathers until summer, between December and January. So emperor penguins are highly sensitive in a warming climate.

Since 2016, Antarctica has seen the four years with the lowest sea ice extents in the 45-year satellite record, with the two lowest years in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Between 2018 and 2022, 30% of the 62 known emperor penguin groups in Antarctica were affected by part or total sea ice loss. Although it is difficult to immediately link specific extreme seasons to climate change, a longer-term decline (减少) in sea ice extent is expected from the current generation of climate models. At the beginning of December 2022, the Antarctic sea ice extent matched the previous all-time low set in 2021. The most extreme loss was seen in the central and eastern Bellingshausen Sea region, west of the Antarctic Peninsula where there was a 100% loss of sea ice in November 2022. Current scientific evidence suggests that extreme sea ice loss events like this will become more frequent and widespread.

Emperor penguin populations have never been subject to extensive hunting, home loss, overfishing or other local anthropogenic (人为的) interactions in the modern era. Unusually for a vertebrate (脊椎的) species, climate change is considered the only major factor influencing their long-term population change. Recent efforts to predict emperor penguin population trends from forecasts of sea ice loss have painted a dark picture, showing that if present rates of warming persist, over 90% of the groups will be extinct by the end of this century.

It is another warning sign for humanity that we cannot continue down this path, and that politicians must act to minimise the effect of climate change. There is no time left.

1. When do emperor penguins usually hatch?

A．From May to June.	B．From July to August.
C．In the months of summer.	D．In the months of autumn.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．Antarctic sea ice loss is becoming more and more serious.

B．Antarctic sea ice loss is obviously affected by climate change.

C．Antarctic sea ice loss reached 100% in November 2022.

D．Antarctic sea ice loss makes emperor penguins in danger.

3. Which has the main effect on Emperor penguin populations?

A．Hunting.

B．Home loss.

C．Overfishing.

D．Climate change.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Sea Ice Loss and Ecosystem Destruction

B．Understanding Emperor Penguin Groups

C．The Effect of Loss of Sea Ice on Penguins

D．The Importance of Stopping Climate Change

2 . Women in a traditional family, whether work or not, aren’t very fortunate because they must do the housework. Why is that _________? Because you can never cook something that everyone in the family will be _________ with. Everyone has their likes and dislikes when it comes to _________. You have to _________ what to cook, but you will never be able to satisfy everyone.

This task of cooking caused my _________ to drop so much that most of the time I thought I would never be able to do anything well enough. I was always sure I couldn’t do my favourite thing, _________, with this fear.

That was until I read the words of a famous writer, “Forget your _________ audience.” What he taught me is that instead of _________ all the audience, it’s enough to satisfy just one person. Maybe his advice has more or different content than I _________, but it’s completely __________ for me.

If I were to cook only for one person, I could cook something she or he __________, and I would get __________ on my cooking at least once. The same is __________ for writing. I wrote a short story for my sister, a __________ audience that doesn’t scare me and gives me enough motivation to write. Most __________, it made me do what I love, which is writing.

1.

A．unbelievable

B．unlucky

C．unknown

D．uncommon

2.

A．bored

B．familiar

C．content

D．popular

3.

A．cuisines

B．lifestyles

C．customs

D．roles

4.

A．think about

B．leave out

C．pay for

D．adapt to

5.

A．pressure

B．attention

C．expectation

D．confidence

6.

A．cooking

B．drawing

C．writing

D．exercising

7.

A．new

B．general

C．ambitious

D．nervous

8.

A．pleasing

B．persuading

C．guiding

D．following

9.

A．submitted

B．received

C．offered

D．confirmed

10.

A．usual

B．challenging

C．suitable

D．predictable

11.

A．imagines

B．deserves

C．remembers

D．appreciates

12.

A．opinions

B．instructions

C．promises

D．praises

13.

A．strange

B．true

C．worthwhile

D．unusual

14.

A．special

B．noble

C．creative

D．funny

15.

A．surprisingly

B．hopefully

C．importantly

D．puzzlingly

3 . New research examined the video gaming habits of 160 public-school preteen students (70% from lower income households), which represents an age group less studied in previous research. Participating students reported playing video games an average of 2.5 hours daily, with the group’s heaviest gamers putting in as much as 4.5 hours each day.

The team looked for association between the students’ video game play and their performance on the standardized Cognitive Ability Test 7, known as CogAT, which evaluates language, quantitative and non-language skills. CogAT was chosen as a standard measure, in contrast to the teacher-reported grades or self-reported learning assessments that previous research projects relied on.

Overall, neither time of play nor choice of video game types had obvious connections with the CogAT measures. That result showed no direct linkage between video game playing and cognitive (认知的) performance, despite what had been assumed.

But the study showed another side of the issue, too. Certain types of games described to help children build healthy cognitive skills also presented no measurable effects, in spite of the games marketing messages. The current study found that types of game play that seem to improve cognitive functions in young adults don’t have the same effect on much younger children, which was consistent with previous research.

Does this mean the world can play on? Maybe, the research suggests. But the experts also warn that gaming time took the heaviest players away from other more productive activities — homework, to be specific — in a process psychologists call displacement. But even in those cases, the differences were slight between those participants’ and their peers’ CogAT measures of cognitive abilities.

The study results show parents probably don’t have to worry so much about cognitive failures among video game-loving children, up to fifth grade. Reasonable amounts of video gaming should be OK, which will be delightful news for the kids. At least now we understand that finding balance in childhood development is the key, and there’s no need for us to over-worry about video gaming.

1. What can we learn from the new research mentioned in the text?

A．Reported grades are the only standard measure.

B．Poorer students are easier to have gaming addictions.

C．Most preteen students play video games 4.5 hours daily.

D．There is little direct relation between game play and CogAT results.

2. Which statement did the previous study also indicate?

A．Types of game play matters in children’s cognitive development.

B．Young adults are more addictive to games.

C．Parents haven’t taken games’ marketing messages seriously.

D．Video games can have no effect on children’s cognitive functions.

3. What does the underlined word “displacement” in paragraph 5 describe?

A．The change of position of game players.

B．The time usage of game players.

C．The homework completion of game players.

D．The social ranks of game players.

4. What does the author think is the most important for children’s development?

A．Interest.

B．Imagination.

C．Balance.

D．Intelligence.

4 . A special spelling event called “The Big Dictation” took place in the famous Champs-Elyseés street of Paris. The event was organized by a writer named Rachid Santaki, who is often called “Monsieur Dictee”, or “Mr. Dictation”. He came up with the idea of large groups of people participating in dictations (听写) back in 2013, thinking it could help people in France get better at reading and writing.

Over 50,000 people applied to join in the special spelling event. In the end, around 5,000 people, aged 10 to 90, were chosen to take part.

A large “blackboard” was set up for the event near a famous monument (纪念碑), the Arc de Triomphe. Three celebrities were there to play the part of the teacher, and read the dictation texts out loud. A total of 1,779 desks were set up in the street to be used in each of three different dictation sessions, each of which had a different theme, including classic French literature, contemporary French literature, and writing about sports.

Ten-year-old Samson thought the dictation was too quick and he couldn’t finish. Another young student agreed. “It was impossible!” he said. “The dictation was for adults.” Even adults found it hard, reporting that it caused “stress and worry”. One retired woman was pleased that she had only made two mistakes.

The organizer said the event wasn’t just about getting all the words right, but something that could bring people together. Another goal of The Big Dictation was to break the Guinness record for the largest dictation event ever. The previous record was set in 2018 at France’s national stadium, Stade de France, with 1,473 people taking part. It’s not clear if the event on the Champs-Elysees managed to beat the record. But even if it didn’t, The Big Dictation will be remembered by the people of Paris for a long time.

1. What was Rachid Santaki’s purpose in setting up “The Big Dictation”?

A．To advertise Champs-Elysees street.

B．To provide a platform to show citizens’ talents.

C．To promote people’s reading and writing ability.

D．To collect money for charity.

2. What did the event site look like?

A．An outdoor classroom.	B．A huge culture museum.
C．A great exhibition of books.	D．A large celebrity meet-and-greet.

3. What do most participants think of the dictation?

A．Interesting.

B．Challenging.

C．Impractical.

D．Rewarding.

4. What can we learn about the event from the last paragraph?

A．It left a deep impression on the Parisians.

B．It set up a new Guinness record on dictation.

C．It got fewer than 1,473 participants eventually.

D．It aimed to attract people worldwide.

5 . Yellowstone, WY

No other place on earth is like Yellowstone National Park. The huge, natural conservation attracts all visitors with its mountains, valleys, springs and forests. With challenging hikes into the backcountry as well as wheelchair-accessible wooden boardwalks, the wonders of Yellowstone are for everyone in your family. Bring a tent and get here early to take advantage of the affordable campgrounds.

Durango, CO

Durango and its nearby mountains attract people in any season, and you can bring your family there anytime. In warm months, you’ll find everything from hiking to white-water rafting (漂流). In winter months, the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the best winter train rides in the country. Purgatory Ski Resort is less expensive and less crowded than its Colorado competitors like Aspen, but with equally great slopes (山坡).

Outer Banks, NC

The Outer Banks separate the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean. The open-sea beaches, state parks and sunken-ship diving sites make them a popular holiday destination. The area positively marks in history: Roanoke Island was the site of England’s first settlement in the New World; Orville and Wilbur Wright took their famous first flight at Kill Devil Hills and the pirate (海盗) Blackbeard fought his last battle at Ocracoke, which may entertain both the adult and the kids.

Bandera, TX

Go to the real grass farm outside of San Antonio, for some Western-themed fun. Whether you’re dying to try horseback riding or just hoping to relax in a place where kids can entertain themselves, this farm has you covered with plenty of fun outdoor activities for the whole family including fishing, horseshoes, and playgrounds for golf, basketball, tennis, volleyball and even pickleball.

1. What is an advantage of Purgatory Ski Resort compared with its Colorado competitors?

A．It’s cheaper.	B．It’s more popular.
C．It has greater slopes.	D．It has a longer history.

2. Where can visitors see several historical sites?

A．In Bandera.

B．In Durango.

C．In Yellowstone.

D．In Outer Banks.

3. What do the four places have in common?

A．They are more beautiful in winter.

B．They are suitable for the whole family.

C．They provide horse riding on the grassland.

D．They all have boardwalks for people in special needs.

6 . In the past generations, our ancestors (祖先) lived with the simplest way. When science and technology materialize, there are various developments in the world that change and improve the way of living of people. As years go by, more and more innovations (创新) were created by applying the ideas of science and technologies. Most of these have positive effects on the society but some of these are harmful in certain ways. However, the importance of science and technology can’t be denied.

Science and innovation have mainly affected society, and their effect is developing. It makes life simpler and makes people more gainful. This change has positive and negative effects. The benefit is making life simpler while the other side is that it makes individuals needy and lazier. By making life simpler, science has allowed man to seek for cultural concerns to improve human conditions.

Science and technology can shape the general public we live in very well and can make us feel simpler, safer and increasingly gainful. However, it also can be used wrongly, which can harm many blameless lives. We must think for our own progress as well as for the improvement of each person of this planet that we call our own home.

In short, science and innovation have made a great contribution to our lives. They may also be related to us greatly. In this way, their effects will depend on how we follow up on them. In addition, if we see the more brilliant side of innovation, it is the foundation of national construction.

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

A．Return.

B．Appear.

C．Stay.

D．go.

2. What is the author’s attitude towards science and technologies?

A．Unclear.

B．Negative.

C．Doubtful.

D．Objective.

3. Which of the following is the effect of science?

A．A better living condition.	B．People becoming less adaptive.
C．People becoming determined.	D．A colorful history.

4. What should we do when using science and technology?

A．Improve studying standard.	B．Help the disabled.
C．Think for other people.	D．Treat wildlife equally.

7 . You may have wondered why there are fish tanks (鱼缸) at many doctor’s and dentist’s offices. Actually these medical professionals are trying to keep their working areas less stressful (有压力的) with the help of fish tanks. Because of the soft bubbling (冒泡声) from the fish tanks, their patients are expected to feel less nervous or worried when staying there.

The sound of running water can make people feel relaxed. For this reason, places where water keeps running are often considered good choices for people to have deep thoughts and stay relaxed in mind. Even a small tabletop fountain (喷泉) can make a workspace more relaxing. Unlike loud noises, repeated natural sounds remind that everything is OK. “These slow but soft sounds are just the ones that bring us no harm,” said Orfeu Buxton, a professor at Pennsylvania State University. “It seems like they are saying, ‘Don’t worry; don’t worry; don’t worry.’”

Besides bringing a sense of peace to your indoor space, a fountain can also prevent noises from coming inside. I recently had a small indoor fountain for my workspace. I enjoy the fountain even when I’m not working at home.

If you want to have an indoor fountain too, there are plenty of wonderful ones on sale, which may cost you a lot. You can try making one yourself, using some inexpensive materials, like I did. And you will always keep it around — 1,000 doctor’s offices can’t be wrong about the relaxing effects of running water.

1. From the first paragraph, we can learn that ________.

A．bubbling from fish tanks is a little bit noise

B．bubbling from fish tanks makes patients less worried

C．doctors like to collect the fish tanks in their offices

D．patients feel relaxed when they see a doctor

2. According to the passage, Mr. Li feels nervous and worried, he should go to ________.

A．a public library	B．a science museum
C．a shopping center	D．a forest river

3. The underlined word “they” refers to “________”.

A．fountains	B．noises
C．running water	D．repeated natural sounds

4. What do we know about the writer’s fountain?

A．It cost the writer a lot of money.	B．It was made by the writer himself.
C．The writer bought it from a store	D．The writer doesn’t like it anymore.

8 . A Chicago teen has made his mark in the world by helping the homeless. Jahkil Jackson started an organization after he helped feed the ____ with his family. That ____ was his first glimpse (了解) into how that population lives.

“I was really ____ , because at 5 years old I thought everybody had homes. Then I asked my parents if we could give them ____. Obviously we couldn’t do that. So, we had to think of something ____, something that we have for ____ use, that they don’t have, and we thought of blessing bags.”

Jackson collected soaps, toothbrushes, socks and so on to put into the “blessing bags”   for ____.     To ensure the bags suit each season, he also made some ____ . “We usually adapt to the ____. If it’s winter, there are hats and scarves in those bags. If it’s summer, we’ll ____water bottles.” said Jackson.

It quickly became Jackson’s mission to increase the ____ of homelessness and to help those in need by ____ “Blessing Bags”. In just a few years, Jackson’s efforts have ____over 50,000 people.

The 8th grader has his eye on ____ the offerings of the organization to help more people.   “My future goal is to build tiny homes,” he said. He plans to continue to lead a life of ____ and make the world a better place.

1.

A．aged

B．jobless

C．disabled

D．homeless

2.

A．problem

B．opportunity

C．experience

D．moment

3.

A．confused

B．anxious

C．scared

D．angry

4.

A．foods

B．houses

C．presents

D．clothes

5.

A．unexpected

B．valuable

C．interesting

D．different

6.

A．special

B．daily

C．temporary

D．medical

7.

A．discussion

B．comparison

C．consideration

D．delivery

8.

A．plans

B．preparations

C．adjustments

D．choices

9.

A．development

B．surroundings

C．climate

D．population

10.

A．add

B．collect

C．design

D．mail

11.

A．acceptance

B．knowledge

C．awareness

D．influence

12.

A．offering

B．selling

C．packing

D．producing

13.

A．attracted

B．reached

C．interested

D．rescued

14.

A．balancing

B．expanding

C．changing

D．advertising

15.

A．service

B．peace

C．victory

D．bravery

9 . As I walked to the market this morning, I saw a poorly dressed old man with a towel covering his face sitting in front of a shop. I ____ he was a beggar looking for charity. I made a mental note that on my way back from the market I should give him whatever ____ I had.

A few feet away was a young man on the pavement ____ in a drunken state and no one who passed by took any ____ . I thought in my mind it was some good-for-nothing, drunkard who had ____ all his money on alcohol. I finished all my shopping, and walked back along the same road. When I reached the beggar, I put out my hand full of change ____ him asking him to take it. He shook his head as though saying that he did not need it. I ____ and pushed it into his hand .

As I stood there, ____ of my great act of charity, the beggar slowly got up, walked up to the young man lying on the pavement, and shook him awake, ____ him something close to his ear. I stood there watching with ____ as he walked to the tea shop, where he asked for something for which he paid with the money I gave and ____ a bread. He then went back to the young man, and helped him to ____ and eat the bread.

He noticed that I was still there so he said , “That young boy has not eaten for two days and has no energy even to sit up. That is why he ____   on the pavement.” Suddenly I felt so ____and admired the nonjudgemental ____ of a man who has so little compared to me.

1.

A．decided

B．suspected

C．recalled

D．admitted

2.

A．food

B．opportunity

C．change

D．job

3.

A．suddenly

B．obviously

C．probably

D．gradually

4.

A．chance

B．picture

C．advantage

D．notice

5.

A．wasted

B．made

C．earned

D．raised

6.

A．towards

B．over

C．past

D．for

7.

A．shouted

B．insisted

C．compromised

D．commanded

8.

A．jealous

B．confident

C．proud

D．hopeful

9.

A．showing

B．leaving

C．handing

D．asking

10.

A．joy

B．amazement

C．thrill

D．disappointment

11.

A．delivered

B．shared

C．collected

D．brought

12.

A．sit

B．lie

C．stand

D．wash

13.

A．begged

B．collapsed

C．died

D．slept

14.

A．sad

B．down

C．great

D．small

15.

A．patience

B．tolerance

C．integrity

D．generosity

10 . When most kids go to the beach, they’re too focused on making sandcastles and splashing around to notice litter, but several years ago, for 7-year-old Cash Daniels, noticing a plastic straw sparked a lifelong passion for saving the planet.

Cash, who is now known as the “conservation kid”, has always loved nature. He grew up fishing along the Chattanooga River, after all! But once he learned that 80 percent of all trash from land and rivers ends up in the ocean, he couldn’t sit back.

He started with cleanups along the river, something that quickly went from a family affair to a community effort with volunteers and neighbors. In 2019, Cash, together with a Canadian conservationist, Ella Galaski-Rossen, started a nonprofit called the Cleanup Kids. Despite living in different countries, they managed to create educational videos on their YouTube channel. “We hope to be a really big nonprofit that eliminates plastic in the U. S. and Canada,” Cash said. “We want to inform kids and adults in the landlocked states of how their actions are connected to the water and the ocean,” Cash said.

Cash was selected as one of America’s top 10 youth volunteers of 2021 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. He also earned the title of National Honoree, where he received a$5,000 grant to go to a nonprofit of his choice, and he became the first person to win the Youth Conservationist Award two years in a row from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

“I want to travel the world, teach others, and help them feel connected to the ocean. Because if you are connected to the ocean-if you love it and what lives in it—you’ll want to protect it,” he said. “This is my fun, and it becomes more fun with every new discovery.”

1. Which can replace the underlined words “sit back” in paragraph 2?

A．Fall asleep.	B．Lose heart.
C．Turn a blind eye.	D．Lend a hand.

2. What is the purpose of starting the Cleanup Kids?

A．To recycle waste plastics.

B．To make instructive videos.

C．To spread marine knowledge.

D．To appeal for ocean protection.

3. Which of the following best describes Cash Daniels?

A．Sympathetic and devoted.	B．Initiative and talented.
C．Ambitious and humorous.	D．Determined and modest.

4. What does Cash Daniels story imply?

A．Passion fuels dreams.

B．Great minds think alike.

C．Helping others is of great fun.

D．Actions speak louder than words.