1 . At first, the scientists wondered whether it was a mistake. Just 21 days after leaving the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, an arctic fox had arrived in Greenland. And in less than three months, it made it to Canada.
The fox averaged nearly 30 miles a day- some days, though, it walked almost 100 miles. “When it started happening, we thought 'is this really true?” said Arnaud Tarroux, one of the researchers who tracked the female fox “Was there an deviation in the data?” The scientists found the data was real as the fox kept going. The creature's travels last year, recorded in a recent paper, surprised Tarroux and his fellow Norwegian researcher Eva Fuglei, even though the animal is known for its endurance and ability to survive in extreme polar areas.
Scientists already knew that some of the foxes, native to Arctic areas all around the Northern Hemisphere, made long journeys, but the fox these researchers followed stood out for just how fast it covered more than 2,700 miles. “We didn't really know how they would do that and how long it would take for an individual to do this kind of trip,” Tarroux said.
The coastal fox the researchers tracked, also known as a blue fox, landed in Ellesmere Island in Canada on 1 July 2018. Of the 50 or 60 animals the scientists put trackers on for a study, it was the only one that dared to go outside of Norway. The researchers found the fox set off because of a food shortage. The tracker stopped working in February, so researchers no longer know the fox's location, but it was last discovered on the same Canadian island in the area of Nunavut.
1. How many miles can the arctic fox travel in a single day at most?| A．Less than 40 kilometers. | B．Less than 50 miles. |
| C．Almost 100 miles. | D．Almost 180 miles. |
| A．Proof. | B．Joke. | C．Mistake. | D．Task. |
| A．In Canada. | B．In Greenland. | C．In Arctic areas. | D．In Spitsbergen. |
| A．The fox travelled exactly 2,700 miles. | B．50 or so foxes are outside Norway. |
| C．The fox landed in Canada last year. | D．The fox traveled because of food. |
2 . Italy’s Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo have been announced as the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Italy’s bid ahead of Stockholm, Sweden.
Skating sports and ice hockey will be held in Milan, while most skiing events will take place in the resort of Cortina. Other snow sports will be held in the Italian Alps, including Bormio and Livigno.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22. Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, while Turin staged the 2006 Winter Olympics.
There were only two bidders left that were considered suitable for the Winter Olympics after four other bidders — the Swiss city of Sion, Japan’s Sapporo, Graz in Austria and the Canadian city Calgary, which had earlier dropped out of the race with concerns over the event’s size and cost.
The results showed Milan-Cortina had received 47 out of the 82 votes cast. Sweden has never hosted a Winter Games before and received 34 votes.
IOC president Thomas Bach said: “Congratulations to Milan-Cortina. We can look forward to an outstanding Olympic Winter Games in a traditional winter sports country. The passion and knowledge of Italian fans, together with experienced sporting event operators, will create the perfect atmosphere for the best athletes in the world.”
Knowing the winning, Italian people shouted “Italia, Italia” as the decision was announced.
1. How many votes did Italy get?| A．22. | B．34. | C．47. | D．82. |
| A．All events will be held in Milan. | B．The 2026 Winter Olympics will last about two weeks. |
| C．Sweden held the Winter Olympics once. | D．Calgary gave up the bid considering the time. |
| A．Discouraged. | B．Surprised. | C．Doubtful. | D．Excited. |
| A．The 2026 Winter Olympics Games |
| B．The competition for holding Winter Olympic Games |
| C．Italy’s successful bidding for 2026 Winter Olympic Games |
| D．The introduction of Winter Olympics Games |
3 . A new deadly virus is threatening rabbits in North America. It’s a particular disease of rabbits that has recently appeared in some parts of the Western US. If it continues to spread unchecked, it could harm all species of rabbits in the US and the ecosystems they belong to.
It is thought to have spilled over from one species to another—in the case of the novel coronavirus (新型冠状病毒), likely a bat to humans; in the rabbit disease, from domestic to wild rabbits—and both arose so quickly that health officials had a limited window to act.
“The disease likely originated around a decade ago in European rabbits, which contain most domestic rabbits sold in the US,” said Matt Gompper, a disease ecologist. Then, in early March, another virus was discovered in wild rabbits in southern New Mexico. A few days later, dead rabbits were spotted nearby in El Paso, Texas. More sightings followed in Arizona, Colorado and, in May, in California. Ecologists aren’t sure how virus type 2 arrived in the US. Gompper said he predicted the disease worked its way through rabbit meat or the domestic rabbit trade. It also might have been circulating in northern Mexico, which shares a border with New Mexico and Texas.
Because the disease is so new, there’s virtually no data on deaths. So while it’s still concerning, ecologists aren’t sure if the illness will cause concentrated outbreaks in local areas or widespread deaths across the US. Either way, it’s a loss for conservation. Several rabbit species, including California’s Riparian brush rabbit are endangered, and they’re already up against habitat loss. A potential disease could prevent their recovery.
“Rabbits aren’t the only ones who’d suffer, though. If rabbit population decreases, then the predators (捕食者) who prey on them would lose a valuable food source, and the plants they eat may overgrow, shaking the whole ecosystem,” Gompper said.
1. What does the underlined phrase “spilled over” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Appeared. | B．Changed. |
| C．Spread. | D．Connected. |
| A．To tell how the disease came to the US. |
| B．To warn of the serious danger of the virus. |
| C．To tell us how to deal with the disease. |
| D．To provide some advice for the readers. |
| A．The disease has spread around the world. |
| B．The disease is not dangerous until recently. |
| C．The disease has little impact on environment. |
| D．The disease could harm the whole ecosystem. |
| A．Rabbits are facing a deadly virus. |
| B．A deadly virus is threatening the world. |
| C．Rabbits are important to the ecosystem. |
| D．Rabbits are easily infected with the virus. |
4 . Set in the rosy sandstone desert of northeastern Arizona, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is filled with paradox (悖论), because although the ruins are vast, they give us more questions than answers. Home of a large population, the settlement at Canyon de Chelly seems to have been abandoned almost overnight, for no apparent reason.
Archaeologists (考古学家) have found that people lived in Canyon de Chelly for longer than they lived in almost any other place in early America. Filled with beauty, the national monument covers 131 square miles, including the canyons of the de Chelly, del Muerto, and Monument River. With steep canyon walls and rushing rivers, this is an excellent place to explore cool spots on the canyon floors.
Most park guests arrive by car and begin their visit at the overlooks on South Rim Drive or North Rim Drive. The changes of altitude in the monument are truly dramatic with thousands of feet drops. For example, the highest park overlook is at 7, 000 feet while the visitor’s center is at 5, 500 feet. On the South Rim Drive, you’ll find the White House Ruin is located in a long, low cave in a rocky face. While hiking the White House Ruin Trail, be on the lookout for wildflowers and rock art. For a fun side trip, head to the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, home to 700 different plant species, including many gorgeous wildflowers.
In nearby Chinle, Arizona, you can arrange for special park guides. The weather can be unpredictable here, so always carry a raincoat with you, prepared for sudden afternoon showers. Generally, the spring and fall are the best limes to visit. Summer is hot and dry, and winter is cold, and snowy. In the fall, be particularly aware of thunderstorms that can blow in quickly.
1. How do people feel when seeing Canyon de Chelly National Monument?| A．Thrilled | B．Regretful. |
| C．Puzzled. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．Ways to get to Canyon de Chelly. |
| B．Plant species of Canyon de Chelly. |
| C．Different overlooks between two parks. |
| D．The scenery of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. |
| A．The company of special guides. |
| B．The sudden drop of temperature. |
| C．The unexpected arrival of rain. |
| D．The arrangement of visiting process. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．A health magazine. | D．A research paper. |
5 . Northeastern University in Northeast China's Liaoning Province said it will remove 52PhD students who failed to finish their studies within the permitted study period. One often has been studying for their PhD for 18 years and another two for 17 years, according to an announcement made by the university's College of Information Science and Engineering on Tuesday.
The students were admitted to the college from 2002 to 2012, a list on the college's official website showed. About 78 percent of them have been studying for their PhD at the college for over a decade. The study period for doctoral students in the university is three years, however, and the maximum length of schooling is six years with suspensions included, according to the management rules of the university.
Chinese universities have been seen clearing those postgraduate or PhD students who fail to graduate at the correct time in recent years. Xidian University in Xi'an of Northwest China, for example, removed 33 PhD students in August, some of whom had been studying for 15 years. Yanbian University in Northeast China's Jilin Province announced on November29, 2019, that it would delist 136 graduate students, including 14 PhD students.
A staff member of the university said that some of the students left without telling the school or going through the correct procedures. The difficulties in PhD study and the improving requirements for academic achievements have been found to be the main reasons resulting in students dropping out, experts said. Yang Liu, an associate professor who graduated with a PhD four years ago from a key university in Shanghai, told the Global Times that it is not strange for some PhD students to drop out under the strict academic review process. He also said that some may be scared off by the economic pressure of long-term schooling.
1. What is the permitted study period for a PhD at most?| A．A decade. | B．7 years or so. | C．6 years. | D．Within 3 years. |
| A．The long term of schooling. | B．The increasing requirements for study. |
| C．The economic pressure of schooling. | D．The mixed procedures for leaving universities. |
| A．The difficulties in PhD study scare off many students |
| B．Students fail to graduate from their universities |
| C．University in China's northeast delists over 50 PhD students |
| D．Chinese University is considering clearing some PhD students |
| A．Objective. | B．Worried. | C．Critical. | D．Hopeful. |
6 . Head to Music City for a variety of great lodging (住宿) options. Whether you want to check out Downtown or head to the eastern part of the city, there’s something for everyone.
◎ Gaylord Opryland
Located in the downtown and Music Row area, it is home to two different fine dining options within its estate (庄园), three casual-style restaurants, and six options for fast food. Other great conveniences include an indoor pool, a hot tub, free WiFi, refrigerators and more.
◎ Hermitage Hotel
Also located in the downtown area, the Hermitage Hotel was named after the estate of late President Andrew Jackson. Guests can enjoy countless conveniences that will help to make their vacation absolutely unforgettable, including a fitness center, business center, free WiFi, and an on-site laundry facility.
◎ Radisson Airport TN
Located within miles of the International Airport, this is a fantastic option for those who are flying into the city as it offers free transportation service to and from the airport. The lodging features free WiFi, ATM machines on-site, and a free daily newspaper. Some great options for entertainment are also offered here, including an indoor heated pool, hot tub, gift shop, and fitness center.
◎ Hilton Garden Inn
Located just a mile away from the Country Music Hall, this downtown site provides convenience and wonder for any Music City adventure. Guests will be able to enjoy accommodations such as free WiFi and paid breakfasts. Plus, each room comes equipped with microwaves and refrigerators for added convenience. When you are not relaxing in your comfortable room, guests can take a dip in the indoor heated pool.
1. Which would a customer particular about food most probably choose?| A．Gaylord Opryland. | B．Hermitage Hotel. |
| C．Radisson Airport TN. | D．Hilton Garden Inn. |
| A．It supplies fast food options. |
| B．It is related to Andrew Jackson. |
| C．It is near the Country Music Hall. |
| D．It offers free transportation service. |
| A．They provide Internet service. |
| B．They offer an indoor heated pool. |
| C．They are located in the downtown. |
| D．They are equipped with microwaves. |
7 . To me, Shakespeare is a bit of a touchy subject in the theatre industry. I believe Shakespeare’s plays to be the most challenging in terms of language. When you have challenging language, then understanding the plot and topics will become a challenge as well. It’s like a chain. If you don’t understand it from the start, it makes things hard later on and people tend to give up on it. Regardless of all of this, I believe Shakespeare is important in the sense that it’s where true theatre started. William Shakespeare is a name everyone knows regardless of whether you enjoy his works or not.
Many high schools or colleges put on at least one Shakespeare play every few years and I like that. I think it’s important to expose students to plays that are a bit more challenging than they used to be. Of course. it’s not easy to understand these plays but then think about the people who act in those plays. When acting, you have to understand your character and not only that, you need to completely know everything going on around you as well. So to understand the script (剧本) is one thing. but to act in a Shakespeare play is a whole another thing. How about memorizing the lines? That’s one of the hardest things actors have to get through. It is such heightened language that it’s almost like learning a foreign language. Shakespeare is tough and that’s what I think I love it the most. The challenge is understanding. Once you have that then you have room to play with it.
Therefore, if people walked into a Shakespeare play with more of an open mind, their experience would be so much better. There is a large amount of exploration and discovery in his plays and the experience can be really satisfying. It’s hard stuff, but it’s fascinating and we should be embracing it.
1. What’s the biggest challenge in understanding Shakespeare’s plays?| A．The challenging language. | B．The variety of its topic. |
| C．The complicated plot. | D．The memorable characters. |
| A．Critical. | B．Cautious. |
| C．Favorable. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．Act them out. | B．Remember the lines in them. |
| C．Learn Shakespeare’s language. | D．Enjoy them with an open mind. |
| A．The characteristics of Shakespeare’s plays. |
| B．The plots and topics of Shakespeare’s plays. |
| C．The importance and way of enjoying Shakespeare’s plays. |
| D．The stress from performing Shakespeare’s plays. |
8 . Although air travel comes with jet lag, delays and awful food, it offers a brief digital detox—a precious few hours away from the wave of emails, messages and app announcements. But not anymore, In flight Wi-Fi is getting faster and cheaper, and is an increasingly common offering on budget and flagship airlines.
But how does in-flight Wi-Fi actually work? To simplify, there are two ways for an internet signal to reach your device when you’re up in the clouds. The first is via ground based mobile broadband towers, which send signals up to the aircraft’s antennas (天线). As you travel into different sections of airspace, the plane automatically connects to signals from the nearest tower, so there is (in theory at least) no interruption to your Internet. But if you’re passing over large areas of water or particularly remote zones, connectivity can be an issue.
The second method uses satellite technology. Planes connect to satellites in space (35,000 km above the planet), which send and receive signals via receivers and transmitters. Information is transmitted to and from your smart phone via an antenna on the top of the aircraft. These are the same satellites that are used in television signals and weather forecasting. Information is passed between the ground and the plane via the satellite.
All of that technology is expensive. The costs are usually passed on to customers. Over half of the world’s aircraft will be equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi within the next few years. It is set to become a billion-dollar industry by 2020. In the near future you’ll need to find a better excuse than “Sorry I missed your message—I was on a plane”.
1. What sends signals up to the aircraft’s antennas?| A．Internet companies. | B．Ground-based receivers. |
| C．Budget and flagship airlines. | D．Ground-based mobile broadband towers. |
| A．Aircraft passengers. | B．Satellite company. |
| C．Broadband towers. | D．The local government. |
| A．It serves every customer. | B．It has a bright future. |
| C．It develops very slow. | D．It’s a high-tech industry. |
| A．How to Use In-flight Wi-Fi? | B．Why Only Some Airlines Have In-flight Wi-Fi? |
| C．Why Is In-flight Wi-Fi Expensive? | D．How Wi-Fi Works on a Plane? |
9 . The population of Thailand is 69 million with 5. 7 million farms with an average farm size of 3. 15 hectares （公顷）.Agriculture is of importance to Thailand’s income, and more than 60% of the total population is involved in agriculture.
Chemical fertilizers play an important role in raising agricultural productivity. But they also worsen soil quality. Gradually, the amount of farmland fit for agriculture is reduced. The use of chemical fertilizers in Thailand increased from 2. 3 million tons in 2000 to 5. 0 million tons in 2015, which cost about 1835 million US dollars. About 42% of the fertilizer was used for 10. 4 million hectares in the wet and dry season. Due to the oil shock in 2008, the price of fertilizers greatly increased. As a result, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives issued a policy to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.
The management of using fertilizers became very important, especially for economic reasons. The NPK fertilizer suggestions for most crops got from field experiments could not be used for crops in other locations where the climate, soil type, crop strain （品种）,and management were different.
To reduce production costs and increase crops yield （产量）in small farms, the country has spread the Site-specific Nutrient Management technology, which is known in Thailand as the Tailor-made Fertilizer Technology （TFT） and it is useful. Importantly, it’s not harmful to the farmland.
1. What can we learn about Thailand from paragraph 1?| A．It has about 30 million farmers. |
| B．40% of people in it are farmers. |
| C．Agriculture is important to its economy. |
| D．Its farms take up 60% of its land. |
| A．cut down on production costs |
| B．influence the quality of farmland |
| C．reduce the soil testing for farmers’ practices |
| D．increase the amount of farmland suitable for agriculture |
| A．Supporting. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Worried. |
| A．Chemical fertilizers do damage to farmland. |
| B．Farmers do not care about farmland protection. |
| C．Thailand spread TFT to manage the use of fertilizers. |
| D．TFT makes Thailand’s crop yields reduced. |
10 . Banff National Park, Canada*s first national park, is filled with wonderful scenery provided by the Canadian Rockies, valleys, forests and plentiful wildlife. The park is popular with people. Here is an overview of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park:
Johnston Canyon
The main activity at Johnston Canyon is to hike to the Lower Falls, Upper Falls and Ink Pots. Getting to the Upper Falls includes a 2. 7-kilometer hike that starts from behind the Johnston Canyon Resort. This path is considered one of the busiest in the Canadian Rockies, because hundreds of tourists like making the 45-minute hike every day.
Banff Gondola
Travelers want to make sure they have plenty of memory cards before they board Banff Gondola. That’s because the views from the four-passenger gondola cars （空中缆车）are fantastic . Once at the top, visitors can take the skywalk to get to a historic site and meteorological station （气象站）.Banff Gondola is closed in winter. But there are also hiking paths to the top.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Banff Upper Hot Springs is a perfect place to relax after a day on the hiking or ski ways. Visitors have been coming to this Banff attraction since the 1880s to bath in the therapeutic （治疗的）mineral waters, though First Nations were doing that long before the railroad opened up this part of Canada.
Peyto Lake
Considered one of the prettiest lakes in the world, Peyto Lake is best seen from Bow Summit on the parkway, about 39 km from Lake Louise. It takes travelers about 15 minutes to walk to an observation platform to overlook the lake.
1. Why do many tourists travel to Johnston Canyon a lot?| A．To go hiking. |
| B．To go swimming. |
| C．To take the skywalk. |
| D．To study the Canadian Rockies. |
| A．Johnston Canyon. | B．Banff Gondola. |
| C．Banff Upper Hot Springs. | D．Peyto Lake. |
| A．It can help tourists release tiredness. |
| B．Its mineral waters are free to drink. |
| C．It is near the parking lot. |
| D．It can cause tourists* various diseases. |
