1 . Scientists have shown that bees have some surprising math skills. Now, new study shows that bees can even be trained to tell the difference between odd and even numbers. Before this, humans were the only animals known to have this ability.
In 2018, researchers in Australia discovered that bees could understand the idea of “zero”. The researchers were perplexed, since only a few animals, like dolphins, monkeys, and some birds, had shown that they understood zero. Later, the same scientists showed that bees could be trained to add and subtract (减).
In the study, researchers divided honeybees into two control groups. They showed bees cards containing printed shapes that numbered from one to ten. One group was trained to fly to even-numbered cards, which earned them a sugar water treat if they successfully completed the task. If they flew to an odd-numbered card, they received a sour liquid. The second group had a similar approach, but the numbers were reversed(相反的). An odd card would earn them a sweet treat and an even card would give them a sour liquid. Researchers continued this lesson until the bees succeeded at least 80% of the time.
Then, they added a new challenge. They had the bees choose between cards with 11 and 12 shapes on them. The bees had never seen these numbers in their training. Even so, they succeeded 70% of the time.
The reason for this study is that the scientists believe that studying bee brains might help us learn how to build better and faster computers. After all, a bee’s brain is about 86,000 times smaller than a human brain. How does it handle such complicated ideas? Unless the brain structures for processing numbers aren’t so complicated. Then, the scientists built an extremely simple computer system with just five connections called neurons(神经元) , and they were able to train it to tell the difference between even and odd numbers up to 40.
1. What does the underlined word ‘‘perplexed’’ in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Tolerant | B．Creative | C．Puzzled | D．Discouraged |
| A．By mixing the two drinks. | B．By drawing the right shapes. |
| C．By removing correct numbers. | D．By landing on specified cards. |
| A．Finding potential technology innovations. |
| B．Teaching bees different means of learning. |
| C．Speeding the learning behavior of humans. |
| D．Training bees to serve mankind more easily. |
| A．Bees Calculate Numbers like Humans | B．Scientists Train Bees to Count Numbers |
| C．Odds and Evens Are Significant to Bees | D．Bees Can Learn Odd and Even Numbers |
2 . For 85 years, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked an original group of 724 men and more than 1,300 of their male and female descendants (后代) over three generations, asking thousands of questions and taking hundreds of measurements to find out what really keeps people healthy and happy.
Through all the years of studying these lives, one crucial factor stands out for the consistency and power of its bond to physical health, mental health and longevity: good relationships.
In 2008, researchers telephoned the wives and husbands of Harvard Study couples in their 80s every night for eight nights. Researchers spoke to each partner separately and asked them a series of questions about their days.
On days when these men and women spent more time in the company of others, they were happier. Like most older people, those in the Harvard Study experienced day-to-day rises and falls in their levels of physical pain and health difficulties. But researchers found that the people who were in more satisfying relationships were cushioned (缓冲) somewhat from these ups and downs of mood—their happiness did not decline as much on the days when they had more pain. Simply put, their happy marriages seemed to have a protective effect.
Elizabeth Gillespie, a therapist of couples, stated that although most of us found that our experience of relationships might be hard, and at times, impossible, it is essential to our well-being.
Today we live in much more complicated environments, so meeting our social needs presents different challenges. We might be sitting on a gold mine of vitality that we are not paying attention to, because it is hidden by the shiny appeal of smartphones or pushed to the side by work demands.
1. What’s the purpose of the Harvard Study of Adult Development?| A．To study their lives over three generations. |
| B．To reveal the secret to health and well-being. |
| C．To track the descendants of an original group. |
| D．To study the relationship between health and happiness. |
| A．By working with other researchers. |
| B．By tracking specific groups of people. |
| C．By helping participants with social difficulties. |
| D．By comparing the results from different people. |
| A．To provide evidence for the bond of health and longevity. |
| B．To introduce the concept of physical pain and health difficulties. |
| C．To show the negative impact of unhappy marriages on older people’s mood. |
| D．To support the positive impact of satisfying relationships on people’s lives. |
| A．Having good social connections. |
| B．Declining pains and difficulties. |
| C．Overcoming ups and downs of mood. |
| D．Experiencing rises and falls of physical health. |
3 . A nine-year-old Indian girl Meaidaibahun Majaw said she came up with a way to solve the problem after it started to trouble her. “I experienced bullying (欺凌) in school since I was young. It affected me. I hated it so much that I was always thinking about how to deal with it. No other child should have to go through the same,” Majaw said.
The app, which would soon be available on Google Play, allows victims to report their bullies to teachers, parents, and friends secretly. “Users can provide details of the incidents, including the name of the bully, and send the messages to people concerned. This allows the authorities to take necessary actions.” Majaw explained.
Majaw was praised by state education minister Lakmen Rymbui. “I wish Majaw the best in her efforts to fight social ills. She will be a responsible citizen. I congratulate her parents, too, for guiding her,” Rymbui added. A 2017 survey found that 42 percent of kids in India were bullied in schools.
Dasumarlin Majaw, her mother, said that the girl had attended an app- development course in September last year, and learned the skills within a few months. “She would attend classes for an hour every day. Before we knew, she had come up with 40 apps,” Dasumarlin said. Majaw was hopeful that she would be among the young coding (编码) experts from India to have earned a scholarship for travelling to the Silicon Valley.
1. What does the underlined words “the problem” refer to?| A．How to get along with others. |
| B．Majaw’s bad performance in school. |
| C．Other students’ bullying. |
| D．Majaw’s addition to the Internet. |
| A．Having lessons. | B．Posting pictures. |
| C．Making friends. | D．Reporting bullies |
| A．He didn’t think highly of Majaw’s parents. |
| B．Majaw was a responsible girl. |
| C．Majaw did the best in fighting bullying. |
| D．Majaw set an good example to others. |
| A．Majaw would attend more courses. |
| B．Majaw would create 40 apps. |
| C．Majaw’s parents would get awarded. |
| D．Majaw would visit the Silicon Valley. |
Travel six hours northwest of Sydney, and you’ve reached the astronomy capital of Australia. Warrumbungle National Park is a nature and star-lover’s dream. This land is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s first Dark Sky Park, which means you’ll be treated to nights of no light pollution and out of this world stargazing. Besides, the Warrumbungles has several adventurous hikes. The Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk is considered one of the best in Australia!
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National ParkKu-Ring-Gai Chase is the second oldest national park in Australia. We love this park for its proximity (邻近) to Sydney (a quick 45-minute drive from the city), significant Aboriginal (澳大利亚土著的) sites and breathtaking scenic views. There are many walks you can do here. You can also go kayaking (皮划艇), stopping at some of the secluded beaches that line the park.
Bouddi National ParkLocated on the Central Coast, Bouddi National Park is one for beautiful landscapes and beaches. Just 90 minutes from Sydney, Bouddi is a hidden treasure. The beautiful water makes this park an ideal destination during summer, but it also provides a fantastic point for whale watching over the winter. You can experience Bouddi National Park on a day trip. Pack your picnic goods and head on the 8.5 km (one-way) Bouddi Coastal Walk — it’ll give you a perfect taste of the best of what the park has to offer!
Dorrigo National ParkAs a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dorrigo National Park is one to explore! Located just shy of four hours from Byron Bay, the park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests and has been made over millions of years. You’d be right then to expect some of the most stunning waterfalls here. For one of the best experiences, head to the Skywalk lookout. This elevated walkway will take you right into the heart of the rainforest, providing soaring views 21 meters over the rainforest all the way to the coast.
1. If you were a fan of stargazing and hiking, which park would interest you most?| A．Bouddi National Park. | B．Dorrigo National Park. |
| C．Warrumbungle National Park. | D．Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. |
| A．Going kayaking. | B．Watching whales. |
| C．Visiting Aboriginal sites. | D．Seeing breathtaking waterfalls. |
| A．It is the oldest national park in Australia. | B．It offers a perfect view of the Gondwana Rainforests. |
| C．It’s about four hours drive from Sydney. | D．It’s known for adventurous hikes along the coast. |
5 . The quote “Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” by English author David Mitchell may seem cryptic (含义隐晦的) and silly to many. But if you reflect on the meaning of this statement there’s actually something very deep about it.
The more experiences you have in life, the more you will find yourself diverging out (分歧) into new and different places, both physically and mentally. If you travel far enough, you will eventually find yourself back at the same place you started from, but your mind will be stretched by all of your journeys along the way. There are a few different ways we can interpret a phrase like travelling far enough. If you think about it literally, there is probably some amount of distance that we need to go. In doing so when we get to our destination, we will see everything with new eyes.
We may be surprised by what we see and change our outlook on life. This interpretation could apply to how people interact in their everyday lives. People have prejudices, stereotypes (刻板印象) and judgments towards other people based on where they live or grew up. When we travel outside those communities or countries, we learn to appreciate those differences rather than hold them against others.
Another interpretation is one that focuses on feeling confident and comfortable with ourselves while being far away from where we normally hang out and spend time, at home or work. It’s easy to get on a track where we see our habits and routine as comforting. But it’s important that we push our boundaries if we are ever going to make any kind of progress in life.
So take a leap into unknown territory. Explore places that you haven’t been to before. You can change your viewpoint and gain some perspective on who you are as a person.
1. What does the author think of “Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”?| A．Stupid. | B．Confusing. |
| C．Negotiable. | D．Logical. |
| A．Travelling can make us more open. |
| B．We can discover true selves in travelling. |
| C．Travelling far enough changes who we are. |
| D．We should avoid judging others while travelling. |
| A．Travel to far places. | B．Expand our comfort zone. |
| C．Focus on positive feelings. | D．Quit old habits and routines. |
| A．How Can We Walk Out of Our Comfort Zone? |
| B．How Do We Change Our Mindset and Feel Comfortable? |
| C．What Does Travelling Alone Teach Us About Ourselves? |
| D．What Does “Travel Far Enough You Meet Yourself” Mean? |
6 . “I was dead for 67 minutes. It’s a miracle that I’m here today.” Those are the words of Bruce Richardson, who survived a cardiac arrest (心脏骤停) in July 2016 thanks to the quick actions of his friends and the first responders who refused to give up.
It was an early summer morning, a typical Saturday. Bruce volunteered as usual in the community center. “I had no symptoms that there was any problem. It was a completely normal morning; I felt fine,” he shared. “I was visiting with friends. Then, I passed out. What happened next I know from what others have told me.”
Bruce’s friend, Jack, had learned how to perform CPR, and he quickly began chest compressions. Another friend, Doug, dialed 911 and the operator walked him through compressions until first responders arrived. Once the ambulance arrived, the paramedics tried five times to restart Bruce’s heart with an AED. By this time, Bruce had been without a heartbeat for over 30 minutes, often when time of death is called. On the phone with an emergency room doctor. one of the paramedics was instructed to try two AEDs simultaneously (同时). It worked; Bruce’s heart began to beat again. Incredibly, he awoke the next day and was able to communicate. After a week, Bruce made a full recovery and left the hospital.
Since Bruce’s cardiac arrest, he has since been able to resume a normal life with some differences. He now is a passionate CPR advocate. He has shared his story in the news, and last year he was a guest speaker at the Association’s Indianapolis Heart & Stroke Ball to encourage people to spread the message of CPR. Finally, Bruce shared his story in a video now being used to promote American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR kiosks installed around the country.
1. What made Bruce’s survival from a severe heart attack possible?| A．The doctor’s first aid without delay. |
| B．His friends’ proper guidance on performing CPR. |
| C．His volunteer experiences in the community center. |
| D．The instant actions of his friends and the first responders. |
| A．To advocate the application of CPR. | B．To appeal to more people to volunteer. |
| C．To share his struggle for a normal life. | D．To enhance people’s awareness of fitness. |
| A．Hard work will pay off one day. | B．The knowledge of first aid counts. |
| C．Learning to live in the present matters. | D．Ease your mind when panic arises. |
| A．A research paper. | B．A book review. |
| C．A news report. | D．A course advertisement. |
7 . As I held my father hands one night, I couldn’t help but notice his cases (老茧) and roughness. His hands tell the story of his life as a
One summer, I remember, a drought (旱灾) hit Ontario, turning it into a
Dad, the life
| A．teacher | B．gardener | C．farmer | D．worker |
| A．stormy | B．lively | C．charming | D．burning |
| A．order | B．form | C．gap | D．position |
| A．repeatedly | B．normally | C．finally | D．really |
| A．go | B．begin | C．occur. | D．change. |
| A．yet | B．still | C．even | D．nearly |
| A．surprised | B．nervous | C．angry | D．frightened |
| A．apologized | B．cried | C．complained | D．laughed |
| A．lost | B．done | C．broken | D．touched |
| A．meets with | B．brings up | C．works out | D．thinks about |
| A．Thankfully | B．Hopefully | C．Unfortunately | D．Strangely |
| A．or | B．for | C．so | D．but |
| A．suitable | B．sorry | C．grateful | D．anxious |
| A．face | B．appreciate | C．examine | D．question |
| A．history | B．motto | C．patterns | D．lessons |
8 . Today China is the world’s biggest consumer of wheat. But it wasn’t always that way.
Wheat only came to the area now known as northern China toward the end of the Neolithic (新石器) period, some 4,600 years ago. Initially, wheat didn’t seem to be so delicious and had been treated as a crop of desperation rather than a cooking delight. The first farmers of northern China primarily grew millet (粟), starting as early as 11,500 years ago. By the time of the Tang dynasty, wheat had replaced millet, becoming a major crop. But relatively little was known about exactly why this shift occurred.
In an attempt to track the answer, I accumulated (积累) a collection of nearly 1,200 data points covering more than 50 sites from the mid-Neolithic, about 9,000 years ago, to the collapse of the Eastern Han dynasty in 220 AD. The sites were across 8 modern provinces, ranging from Gansu province in the northwest to Shandong province in the east.
One possible explanation is a major climate shift, called the Holocene Event 3, which happened 4,000 to 4,500 years ago. At that time, the climate became colder and drier across continents, causing damage to crop production.
On top of this, the late Neolithic period was also a time of rapid population growth around the world. With an ever-increasing population and unsteady crop production, it is reasonable to assume that Neolithic farmers in northern China were struggling.
Wheat, it turns out, actually needs more water than millet, making it seem a poor choice for a dry period of history. But importantly, it can be sowed after millet has been harvested. That, we think, is the most likely reason why the people across northern China started to grow wheat.
From more extreme weather to changing coastlines, climate change has always brought unexpected and sometimes dramatic changes to societies. In this instance, the consequence of the Holocene Event 3 in northern China proved, eventually, delicious.
1. What can we learn about wheat from the second paragraph?| A．It replaced millet for its great taste. | B．It was a poor choice at the beginning. |
| C．It outnumbered millet 4,600 years ago. | D．It was the earliest crop grown in China. |
| A．The author found the exact answer. | B．The author did the research cautiously. |
| C．The author did extensive research. | D．The author was good at collecting data. |
| A．The water supply was enough then. | B．The harvest of millet was not satisfying. |
| C．It adjusted to the weather conditions better. | D．It had an alternative sowing season with millet. |
| A．How was millet introduced to China? |
| B．Why did Chinese farmers switch to wheat? |
| C．How did China become the biggest wheat consumer? |
| D．How was China’s wheat growth affected by climate change? |
9 . The summer vacation is approaching! Is there a camp you have a strong desire to take your children to during the holiday? If not, I strongly recommend the following summer camps.
Multi-Arts Day ProgramThe program challenges children to use their imaginations to translate their ideas into music, movement, and creative drama. Students work in large and small groups throughout the day. Parents are welcome to stay the first morning until Morning Sing is over.
Ages: 5-8Dates: July 4-8
Day student tuition(学费): $410
Fashion Design and Textile Art
If you love color and design, then this is the summer camp for you! You will learn some hand sewing as well as how to use a sewing machine as you create your designs. You will also learn how to choose the types of cloth that best suit your designs. Please bring 2 pairs of old jeans and 5-10 shirts to be used in your projects.
Ages: 11-13Dates: July 3-16
Day student tuition: $ 1,280
Drawing & Painting for Junior Artists
Explore the wonders of art in this fun and exciting summer camp! Discover ways to create and think about art. Use your own creativity to develop your own style. You will learn many styles of painting and drawing. You should be open and willing to try new techniques. Plan to bring paintbrushes, a pad of paper, a set of pencils, and a pencil sharpener
Ages: 11-13Dates: July 17-30
Day student tuition: $ 1,980
Shakespeare’s World
Enjoy this fun, hands-on way into the works of William Shakespeare. You will learn about the life and times of Shakespeare and rehearse (排练) one of his plays. You will study the play in depth and take a field trip to see a live, professional production of it. You will audition (试演) for parts and learn amazing and direct acting techniques for bringing Shakespeare’s words to life.
Ages: 9-13Dates: June 17-30
Day student tuition: $ 1,680
1. When will the camp for 6-year-olds open?
| A．On June 17. | B．On July 3. | C．On July 4. | D．On July 17. |
| A．$410. | B．$1,280. | C．$1,680. | D．$1,980. |
| A．Shakespeare’s World. | B．Multi-Arts Day Program. |
| C．Fashion Design and Textile Art. | D．Drawing & Painting for Junior Artists. |
10 . Seagrass meadows(海草床)are wonder plants growing beneath the sea. They feed and shelter sea life and are masterful at storing carbon.
Seagrass has usually been detected by Earth-orbiting satellites that identify darker patches in the blue water. In this study, tiger sharks were selected as research tools due to their highly consistent associations with seagrass ecosystems. They spend 70% of their time in seagrass meadows. The team equipped eight tiger sharks with satellite tags and used a 360-degree camera on them for the first time ever.
The data researchers collected was astonishing. The world’s largest seagrass ecosystem, measuring at least 66,900 square kilometers, has been discovered. This reflects a 41% increase from previous estimates of global seagrass. Seagrass can capture(捕获)huge quantities of carbon by photosynthesis and stores it on the seafloor. In terms of climate change, this is excellent news; seagrass is 35 times faster at removing carbon than tropical rainforests. When referred to global seagrass carbon stock estimates, the study indicates that seagrass in the Bahamas may contain 19.2% to 26.3% of all the carbon stored in seagrass meadows on Earth.
Yet seagrass meadows are rapidly disappearing, with over 92% of meadows in the UK gone, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Scientists are collecting seeds and trying to grow new seagrass meadows through restoration projects.
The sharks led us to the seagrass ecosystem in the Bahamas, which we now know is likely the most significant blue carbon sink on the planet. What this discovery shows us is that ocean exploration and research are essential for a healthy future. The untapped potential of the ocean is limitless, offering hope for climate change around the globe.
1. Why were tiger sharks chosen as research tools?| A．hey are more flexible than other sea animals. |
| B．They can quickly adjust themselves to the deep sea. |
| C．They can be easily equipped with experimental devices. |
| D．They have a strong connection with seagrass-ecosystems. |
| A．The decline of global seagrass meadows. |
| B．The impact of climate change on sea life. |
| C．The rapid increase in the amount of carbon on Earth. |
| D．The potential value of the world’s largest seagrass ecosystem. |
| A．Planting more seagrass meadows. |
| B．Developing new technology to collect seeds. |
| C．Mapping the distribution of seagrass meadows. |
| D．Encouraging people to join in restoration projects. |
| A．The New Way of Removing Carbon |
| B．The Significance of Ocean Exploration. |
| C．A New Discovery: World’s Largest Seagrass Meadow |
| D．Tiger Sharks: Scientists’ Essential Helper to Study Climate |
