1 . A new study using satellite mapping technology reveals there are nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica than was previously thought. The results provide an important standard for monitoring the impact of environmental change on the population of this bird.
Reporting this week in the journal Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, the authors describe how they used images from the European Commission's Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite mission to locate the birds. They found 11 new colonies, three of which were previously identified but never confirmed, That takes the global population to 61 colonies around the continent.
Emperor penguins need sea ice to breed and are located in areas that are very difficult to study because they are remote and often inaccessible with temperatures as low as — 50°C. For the last 1 years, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists have been looking for new colonies by searching for their guano(鸟粪石)stains on the ice.
Lead author Dr. Peter Fretwell, a geographer at BAS says:
“This is an exciting discovery. The new satellite images of Antarctica's coastline have enabled us to find these new colonies. And while this is good news, the colonies are small and so only take the overall population count up by 5 — 10% to just over half a million penguins or around 265, 500 — 278, 500 breeding pairs.”
Dr. Phil Trathan, Head of Conservation Biology at BAS, says:
“While it's good news that we've found these new colonies, the breeding sites are all in locations where recent model projections suggest emperors will decline. Birds in these sites are therefore probably the ‘canaries(金丝雀) in the coalmine’ — we need to watch these sites carefully as climate change will affect this region.”
1. How many previously confirmed penguin colonies are there in Antarctica?| A．11. | B．50. |
| C．53. | D．61. |
| A．They are located in deserted areas. |
| B．They are in the least accessible areas. |
| C．No one is willing to reach Antarctica. |
| D．There are guano stains everywhere. |
| A．Critical. | B．Favorable. |
| C．Objective. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．Faraway emperor penguin colonies |
| B．Emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica |
| C．Satellite mapping technology to locate penguins |
| D．Scientists discover new penguin colonies from space |
2 . As a regular Duolingo user, I enjoy the app s simple, colorful interface and short, game like exercises. The app doesn't limit how many languages you can try to learn at the same time, or how many lessons you can complete in one day, even on the free version. I use Duolingo to keep up with Spanish and German. It's an easy app because it doesn't require you to create an account right away.
For example, even if you start with little to no understanding of Spanish, the lessons are pretty gentle. You'll choose which picture- paired with the Spanish translation- accurately describes basic phrases and words. Duolingo translates from English to Spanish and back again. Most questions let you tap or click on the Spanish word to translate it in case you get stuck. The app offers additional learning resources if you click the lightbulb icon, as well as the ability to fast-track your lessons if you click the key icon.
Duolingo's “streak” feature motivates you to keep up with your language learning efforts by tracking the number of days you've reached your point goal. It can also make it feel like your world is crashing in if you lose an 80-day streak. Resources such as Duolingo Stories, which are short audio stories that allow you to check your comprehension skills as you are available online and in the apps. Duolingo also has a podcast that reiterates the lessons you've completed.
You can also subscribe to Premium for $10 per month, which gives you access to an experimental feature that lets you chat with a language tutor from a country where the language is spoken. This isn't available for all Duolingo Plus subscribers though.
1. What kind of app is Duolingo?| A．It is free of charge to users. | B．It requires users to create an account. |
| C．It enables users to learn multiple languages. | D．It provides Spanish and German versions only. |
| A．The lightbulb icon. | B．The word. |
| C．The key icon. | D．The picture. |
| A．To encourage learners to keep learning. | B．To remind you of your point goal. |
| C．To provide resources such as stories. | D．To count the number of your lost days. |
| A．To instruct. | B．To inform. | C．To entertain. | D．To comment. |
3 . Every child has a different personality, and those personalities need to be nurtured (培育) in a positive way. Here we have a list of extracurricular activities for kids and what your child can learn from them to help you make your decision.
1. Music
Some children learn to play instruments, while others prefer to sing. There are so many instruments to choose from that you are bound to find something that fits your child and that he or she will enjoy.
There is a certain freedom in music, and a lot of children find joy in it because of this reason. Not just that, children also tend to learn a lot about history and culture while learning something like playing a musical instrument or singing, especially if it is in the classical genre (类型).
2. Dance
Even among dance, there are so many types to choose from. He or she may prefer classical folk dances, or want to learn the more contemporary styles like hip hop or lyrical dance styles.
This is another activity that teaches children about culture if they prefer the more classical genres of dance. Dance is something that will help your child develop physically and mentally, as most forms of dance require discipline and endurance (忍耐力).
3. Sports
Sports such as football, basketball, cricket and softball require teamwork and a lot of energy, but if this type of sport doesn't sound like it suits your child, there are other options like tennis, badminton and golf that your child can try.
In sports like basketball and football, children learn how to work well in a team, how to strategies, and also build endurance. Every sport has something good to offer your child. whether they are played in teams or individually. Sports are great for competitive children.
4. Painting and Sketching
Perhaps your child is a blossoming artist. Playing with colours is a lot of fun and creating different works of art may be something your child would prefer over more violent activities.
Your child will improve his or her creative skills, as the more he or she is exposed to and works with creative things, the better the areas associated with creativity in his or her brain will be developed. Painting and drawing can also help develop problem-solving skills.
1. Who are the text intended for?| A．Children. | B．Teachers. |
| C．Parents. | D．Coaches. |
| A．Freedom. | B．History and culture. |
| C．Classical music. | D．Musical instrument or singing. |
| A．Music. | B．Dance. |
| C．Sports. | D．Painting and Sketching. |
4 . 2020's biggest fashion trends reflect a world in crisis
Functionality
Face masks became the unrivaled(无对手的) accessory of the year. People made their own brands，produced unique designs and, almost overnight, they became the finishing touch to many outfits.
Comfort
Fashion platform Lyst looked at search data from over 100 million online shoppers and, in its annual report, found that Birkenstock clogs, Crocs, UGG slippers and Nike joggers were among the year's most sought-after items of clothing.
Statements
Statement-wear took on an entirely new meaning in 2020. From protest T-shirts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement to political merchandise in the lead up to the US election, people dressed not to impress, but to convey powerful messages.
Conscious
Growing demand for local, handmade, sustainable clothing isn't a new trend. But the pandemic saw a rise in values-driven shopping, reflecting a shift in mindset among more cautious spenders, who, perhaps, also had more time to think about the brands they lent their loyalty to.
Digital
From Shanghai to London, fashion weeks throughout the year went digital to present new collections safely. During London Fashion Week in September, Burberry streamed its show— filmed live in the woods — on Twitch, a social media platform more popular with gamers than fashionistas.
The future
Fashion's recovery from the pandemic is set to be slow, with experts predicting a difficult year ahead for businesses. Trends seen during a year defined by crisis will not be left at 2021's door, and they may permanently change the shape of the industry.
1. What became the biggest fashion in 2020?| A．Digital products. | B．Face masks. | C．Statement-wear. | D．The loyal brands. |
| A．To convey political statements. | B．To state an advertisement. |
| C．To impress people deeply. | D．To comfort online shoppers |
| A．In a huge stadium. |
| B．In a big shopping mall. |
| C．On media platform. |
| D．By setting up a platform. |
5 . Top Music Festivals
The festival season is just kicking off, and there is a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months.
Pitchfork Music Festival
Anyone who likes indie (独立的) music and up-and-coming artists will have an amazing time at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago’s Union Park. It is an indie rock heaven where you can explore more underground and lesser-known bands than at the other big Chicago summer festival, Lollapalooza.
Date: July 14-16
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Music Type: Indie rock
Price: $126-$2,700
Essence Music Festival
No matter what time of the year it is, New Orleans is an amazing place if you love live music. The Essence Music Festival is a celebration of well-known artists like Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, and Mary J. Blige.
Date: June 29-July 2
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Music Type: R& B, soul, rock
Price: $75-$365
Sziget Festival
Budapest knows how to hold a party, and Sziget is one of the biggest celebrations of music and culture in all of Europe. You can expect to find favorite artists like Bad Religion and Mac DeMarco playing here during this three-day festival.
Date: August 9-11
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Music Type: Eclectic, Indie rock
Price: $70-$296
Flow Festival
The Flow Festival is a great excuse to explore the city of Helsinki. Artists including Lana Del Rey and The XX will be playing, among many others. Come to this festival to enjoy yourselves with an earth-friendly belief.
Date: August 11-13
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Music Type: Rock, soul, jazz
Price: $106-$199
1. What do the music festivals have in common?| A．They are given in the open air. |
| B．They are held in the USA. |
| C．They include rock music. |
| D．They take place from July to August. |
| A．Essence Music Festival. |
| B．Sziget Festival. |
| C．Flow Festival. |
| D．Pitchfork Music Festival. |
| A．It has the longest cultural tradition in Europe. |
| B．It is home to many well-known bands. |
| C．It is a city of high living cost in all of Europe. |
| D．It is good at organizing parties. |
Should you have your baby’s DNA sequenced? What keeps you awake? Step inside the Hall of Human Life. the Museums new biology exhibition, and encounter such far-reaching questions on an amazing journey inside the human body. Through digital media and personal interaction, you become “part of the story”, as you contribute your own data in a process of learning and discovery.
A Birds World(Permanent Exhibit)
This exhibit features the Museums extraordinary collection of birds，displaying over 300 species in New England. Here, you can learn to interpret the bird language taking place just outside your window at home.
Test your observation skills and see if you can get past different birds without them alerting(发信号)other animals to your presence. Learn to identify birds from a distance by recognizing unique flight patterns. Practice your flying technique in the Bird Walk.
Butterfly Garden(Permanent Exhibit)
Walk among the free-flying residents of this warm conservatory. It is a wonderful opportunity to get close to a variety of living butterflies from New England and across the globe. The “Emergence Box” offers a window into the butterfly behavior. Look inside to see hanging chrysalides (蝶蛹)transform into adult butterflies. Tickets are required and visitors should reserve at least two weeks in advance.
1. How can you become part of the story in the Hall of Human Life?| A．By keeping awake. | B．On an funny journey. |
| C．By answering questions. | D．Through offering the personal data. |
| A．Learn the bird language. | B．Watch all bird species. |
| C．Make your flying technique better. | D．Send signals to birds. |
| A．Hanging chrysalides. |
| B．Getting close to butterflies. |
| C．Keeping the conservatory warm. |
| D．Observing butterflies through its window. |
7 . We talk a lot about air pollution. Here in Hong Kong we always complain about light pollution as well. Then, there is noise pollution. It's the same in many cities around the world, and in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, people have been complaining about the noise made by drivers who continually sound their car horns (喇叭). That is until recently, when something was finally done about it.
The Chief District Officer of Kathmandu had received many complaints about horn pollution. He said that everyone felt the use of the car horn in recent years had become excessive. Researchers in Kathmandu found that for about 80 percent of the time, it really was not necessary for drivers to use their car horns. Sounding the horn to make a noise had become more of a habit. It was no longer being used as it was supposed to be used: to warn people of danger.
At the beginning of the Nepali New Year in 2017, the local government passed a law to ban the use of car horns unless used correctly. Within six months, 11,000 fines had been collected by the local traffic police. The fine was about HK $360. A taxi driver in Kathmandu can make about HK $1,000 per day, so he could lose about one-third of his money if he broke the law.
As usual, there were many complaints from drivers. They said that cows and dogs were free to walk on the roads. They always caused danger. Sounding a car horn was the only way to get them to move out of the way. And while there were quite a few traffic lights in the streets of Kathmandu, very few of them worked. This meant there was often a traffic mess.
The ban on using a car horn went ahead, and within a few weeks the streets of Nepal's capital were quieter — even though they were still just as busy. Because of the ban, drivers are a little more careful when they drive. Fewer accidents have been reported. The local government says the horn ban will now be copied in other areas of Nepal.
1. What do Hong Kong and Kathmandu have in common?| A．Both have been troubled by light pollution. |
| B．Both have succeeded in fighting air pollution. |
| C．Both have been faced with the problem of noise pollution. |
| D．Both have received many complaints about horn pollution. |
| A．Too much. | B．Quite simple. | C．Very correct. | D．More dangerous. |
| A．No traffic lights in the streets can work. |
| B．The traffic on the roads is usually very heavy. |
| C．Animals are not allowed to walk on the streets. |
| D．Drivers are required to drive on one-way streets. |
| A．It is unfair. | B．It is worrying. | C．It is interesting. | D．It is successful. |
8 . Do you want something different for dinner? Try some space food. Many scientists are living for months aboard the International Space Station high above the earth. It's too expensive to carry food to feed people living in space. Therefore, people in space will need to grow food for themselves. But how can they grow food without soil and sunlight?
Today, we already have hydroponic vegetables. The science of hydroponics is not new. Many writers believe that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were actually a large hydroponic system. This system could have used fresh water that was rich in oxygen and minerals for the plants. Hydroponic systems need light. In addition to sunlight, hydroponic farms can use artificial lights. Instead of soil, hydroponic farms use mixtures of chemicals to feed the plants. And in addition to a natural climate, most hydroponic farms often use greenhouses. One advantage of hydroponics is that diseases and insects that travel through the soil are avoided. Another advantage is there are no weeds to pull out.
Farmers know how to grow a few kinds of hydroponic vegetables, such as lettuces, tomatoes, and cucumbers. But in space, people will need to eat more than salad. So scientists are learning how to grow hydroponic rice, beans and potatoes. As they do these experiments, they are analyzing their results and examining how to apply these results to a real life situation providing tasty meals for space travelers.
The scientists make imitation meat dishes, such as carrot drumsticks, made from carrots, garlic, and bread, instead of chicken. How do these unusual foods taste? The scientists have been inviting a group of taste testers into their laboratories. So far, they have tested 200 different recipes. The carrot drumstick dish was a hit. Perhaps soon, people will eat meals made from hydroponic vegetables that are truly out of this world.
1. Why do scientists grow space food?| A．To reduce food costs. | B．To support space travelers. |
| C．To find new varieties of food. | D．To increase agricultural production. |
| A．Sunlight. | B．Warm weather. |
| C．Soil to grow the plants in. | D．Chemicals to feed the plants. |
| A．They don't get diseases. | B．They aren't affected by weeds. |
| C．They can grow in a lightless place. | D．They are bigger than common ones. |
| A．Uninterested. | B．Doubtful. | C．Optimistic. | D．Cautious. |
9 . HearClear GO ᵀᴹ Rechargeable Digital Hearing Aids
The new HearClear GO Rechargeable Digital Hearing Aids feature advanced digital technology at an unbelievably affordable price! The GO has the same key elements that all high-end digital hearing aids share while leaving out fancy bells and whistles that increase cost and require expensive adjustments. You'll be happier saving much money!
Your lightweight GO hearing aids are amazingly convenient! With the GO’s charging station, you won't have to keep replacing tiny hearing aid batteries, and the GO is pre-programmed for most mild to moderate hearing loss—no costly professional adjustments needed.
You can spend thousands on an expensive hearing aid, or you can spend just $ 239 on a hearing aid that's great for most mild to moderate hearing loss (only $199 each when you buy a pair). We're so sure you'll be happy with your new hearing aids.
The Rechargeable Go!
√The digital sound processing chip(芯片) provides clear sound and makes speech easier to understand with less whistling sound
√Never replace batteries again!
Full Charge Gives 16 Hours of Use! (Free Charging Station Included)
√Easy On/Off Button
√Automatic Noise Reduction and Feedback
Canceler
√100% Money Back Guarantee
5 Star Reviews ★★★★★
Amazing!
“My sisters had all given up hope that our elderly mother would hear us clearly again. And then we took a chance. We're so glad we did. They've been amazing for her, and for our entire family.”
— Karen M.
1. Which is the feature of the GO?| A．It removes noises. | B．It has separate on/off buttons. |
| C．It includes small batteries. | D．It focuses on practical functions. |
| A．To prove the GO’s popularity. | B．To explain the GO's function. |
| C．To convey the family's amazement. | D．To show the GO's high performance |
| A．$ 199. | B．$ 239. | C．$ 398. | D．$ 478. |
10 . I have always found the Chinese to be a very polite people. In particular, Chinese frequently compliment (称赞) foreign friends on their language skills, knowledge of Chinese culture, professional accomplishments, and personal health. Curiously, however, Chinese are as loath to accept a compliment as they are eager to give one. As many of my Chinese friends have explained, this is a sign of the Chinese virtue of modesty.
I have noticed a difference, though, in the degree to which modesty is emphasized in the United States and China. In the US, we tend to place more emphasis on “seeking the truth from fact”, thus, Americans tend to accept a compliment with gratitude.
Chinese, on the other hand, tend to reject the compliment, even when they know they deserve the credit or recognition which has been awarded them. I can imagine a Chinese basketball fan meeting Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls. He might say, “Mr. Jordan, I am so happy to meet you. I just want to tell you, you are the best basketball player in the world; you’re the greatest!” to which Jordan would probably respond, “Thank you very much. I really appreciate it! I just to try to do my best every time I step on the court.” If an American met Deng Yaping, China’s premier pingpong player, he might say much the same thing: “Ms. Deng, you’re the best!” but as a Chinese, Deng would probably say, “No, I really don’t play all that well. You’re too much kind.”
Plainly, Americans and Chinese have different ways of responding to praise. Ironically, many Americans might consider Ms. Deng’s response the less modest, because it is less truthful—and therefore less sincere. Americans generally place sincerity above manners; genuine gratitude for the praise serves as a substitute for protestations of modesty. After all, in the words of one of my closest Chinese friends, modesty taken to the extreme is pride.
1. What does the underlined word “loath” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Polite. | B．Uncertain. | C．Curious. | D．Unwilling. |
| A．To note they do as much as they can each time they play against others. |
| B．To remind readers they are the best players in basketball and table tennis. |
| C．To explain they deserve the credit or recognition for their great contributions. |
| D．To show they as Chinese and Americans are different in accepting praise. |
| A．They think sincerity matters the most. | B．They think her reply is against the fact. |
| C．They think she is too modest to believe. | D．They think manners is more important. |
| A．Education. | B．Sports. | C．Culture. | D．People. |
