1 . The Impossible Burger is entirely free of meat. But it looks, smells, feels and-most importantly-tastes so much like real hamburger beef. In fact, plant-based burger alternatives have set off a strong resistance from the beef industry. The Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of the fast food and meat industries has launched an "informational" campaign targeting plant-based meats. The campaign has included TV and online ads, as well as print ads in newspapers. The ads seem to imply that not only is an artificial burger too processed, but that it might be even less healthy than the average beef burger.
While it's true that a plant-based meat alternative is processed and it's true that eating one is not as healthy as a pile of raw vegetables, it's best to take the ads with a generous pinch of salt.
For instance, the additives and preservatives in plant-based meat highlighted in one ad sure sound scary. Who wants something called titanium dioxide(二氧化钛)in their meal? But the truth is that additives such as those listed in the ads are regularly used in all sorts of packaged foods. And if methylcellulose, a food thickener, sounds unpleasant, it's really nothing compared with salmonella(沙门菌)poisoning you can get from regular meat.
Also, the ad campaign misses the bigger point. Choosing an Impossible or Beyond burger isn't just about healthy eating Burgers, whether they are made from processed pea protein or processed meat, will never be as healthy as organic raw vegetables.
What's appealing is the prospect or enjoying a juicy burger without the bitter aftertaste of guilt.
Let's face it, there are huge environmental costs to eating cows. Cattle raising is contributing to climate. change, and not just because methane(甲烷)from cows and cattle is responsible for about 14.5% of greenhouse gas. More broadly, our global food production system releases more than a third of the world's greenhouse gases. Yet we can't seem to control our meat appetite even knowing that large areas of the Amazon forest have been ruined, and continue to be cut down to make room for more cattle to feed the growing demand for beef. Humans also know full well that many animals live short, cruel lives in awful conditions for the purpose of becoming foods for humans to enjoy at dinner.
A plant-based meat that satisfies meat desires and delivers protein but with a smaller climate footprint is a potential environmental game changer and the reason Impossible Foods was one of those receiving the UN, Global Climate Action Award in 2019. No wonder the meat industry is on guard.
1. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?| A．These ads deserve little consideration. |
| B．We should spread the message of these ads. |
| C．These ads tell people a lot about plant-based burgers. |
| D．We'd better be cautious when reading these ads |
| A．Their use is within the normal range. |
| B．They are likely to cause poisoning. |
| C．They are used to ensure burgers taste good |
| D．Some have not been used in hamburgers. |
| A．Doubtful | B．Supportive | C．Disapproving. | D．Neutral |
I: Introduction P: Point Sp: Sub-point(次要点) C: Conclusion
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
2 . Most people have been taught that losing weight is a matter of simple math. Cut calories—specifically 3,500 calories, and you’ll lose a pound. But as it turns out, experts are learning that this decades-old strategy is actually pretty misguided. “This idea of ‘a calorie in and a calorie out’ when it comes to weight loss is not only outdated, it’s just wrong,” says Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity specialist at Harvard Medical School. The truth is that even careful calorie calculations don’t always yield(产生) uniform results.
How your body burns calories depends on a number of factors. Three factors affect how your body processes calories.
Your gut microbiome (肠道微生物). Trillions of organisms live in your gut, and the important types may influence how many calories your body absorbs from food. This may occur because some types of organisms are able to break down and use more calories from certain foods than other types of organisms. Researchers have found that people who are naturally thin have different types of organisms living inside them than those who are overweight.
Your metabolism (新陈代谢). Each body has a “set point” that governs weight, says Dr. Stanford. This set point reflects several factors, including your genes, your environment, and your behaviors. A region at the base of your brain stands guard to keep your body weight from dipping below that set point—which is not really a bonus if you’re trying to lose weight.
The type of food you eat. Your food choices may also influence your calorie intake, and not just because of their specific calorie content. One 2019 study published in Cell Metabolism found that eating processed foods seems to spur people to eat more calories compared with eating unprocessed foods.
If counting calories isn’t a dependable way to manage your weight, what can you do to shed extra pounds? Dr.
Stanford recommends the following.
Focus on diet quality. When planning your meals, focus on choosing unprocessed foods, including lean meats, whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables in their natural form.
Exercise regularly. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Moderate exercise is done at a level where you can talk, but not sing.
Consult a professional. “A lot of people believe it’s a moral failing if they are unable to lose weight,” says Dr. Stanford. But it’s not. As with other medical conditions, many people will need help from a doctor. Successful weight loss may require more than just diet and exercise. “Only 2% of people who meet the criteria for the use of anti-obesity medications actually get them. This means that 98% of people who could be treated aren’t,” she says, “Don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it.”
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 1?| A．Old theories actually mislead us. |
| B．Losing weight lies in losing calorie. |
| C．Calorie calculations lead to good results. |
| D．Losing weight by losing calorie is outdated. |
| A．choose the types of food you consume |
| B．focus on the quality of your diet |
| C．adjust your brain to the “set point” |
| D．reduce the organisms living in your gut |
| A．weigh | B．produce |
| C．lose | D．cost |
| A．cutting calories is essential for weight loss |
| B．losing weight can be double-edged |
| C．healthy eating keeps you losing weight |
| D．a healthy lifestyle is key to weight loss |
3 . Some people say global English is no longer just controlled by British or American English,but is running free and developing uniquely local forms.Can you figure out the following terms?
“I like your smile,but unlike you put your shoes on my face.”This is a way of saying“Keep off the grass.”Or“people mountain,people sea”,which means“very crowded”.
These examples are what we call Chinglish.When it comes to Chinglish,if all you know is“good good study,day day up”,you will be considered“out man”.
Nowadays,more Chinglish words have been created,for example,a Chinese idiom is translated as“smilence”,a combination by the English word smile and silence.
Chinglish usually offers a humorous look at misuses of the English language in Chinese street signs,products,and advertising.They are favoured by some English speaking tourists and visitors.Dominic Swire has been living in Beijing for a couple of years.“I think many Chinese people complain about the Chinglish and badly translated English.But you know,sometimes for us foreigners,it’s actually quite charming to see them.I think if the translations of English in China were all perfect,then something would be lost from Chinese culture.”
However,Chinglish will probably become a“cultural relic”in the near future.Beijing has made a comprehensive plan to improve foreign language services and correct Chinglish within five years.“It is very ridiculous to see Chinglish on the signs in some scenic spots.And they are a kind of barrier for communication between Chinese and people from other countries,”a Beijinger said.
Some Chinese university experts side with Chinglish.They argue that English has absorbed elements from other languages such as French and Spanish in its growth,and now it’s Chinese’s turn.
1. What can we call Chinglish?| A．English words which get new Chinese meanings. |
| B．The Chinese words which are difficult to translate. |
| C．The words combining English vocabulary and Chinese grammar. |
| D．The local words preventing foreigners from learning Chinese well. |
| A．Saying nothing but to smile. | B．Smiling without being noticed. |
| C．Laughing at somebody. | D．Knowing little about speech. |
| A．It can show the humour of Chinese. | B．It will attract more foreign tourists. |
| C．It helps him to learn Chinese well. | D．It seems part of Chinese culture. |
| A．Because it has become a unique bridge between Chinese and English. |
| B．Because Chinglish is a chance to enrich Chinese and English. |
| C．Because it improves the understanding between Chinese and foreigners. |
| D．Because Beijing is determined to get rid of Chinglish signs. |
4 . Navigation(导航)in unfamiliar places is a major problem in large cities.Therefore,the popularity of mobile GPS facilities has greatly risen.However,it is sometimes difficult for users to understand where to go.In addition,they have to regularly look at the screen to follow the route,thus increasing risks on the road.
Luckily,preuniversity students from the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI in Moscow have created sneakers that can give directions,count a person's steps and measure the calories burned.The smart sneakers can lead users to their destination.The idea is simple.When moving towards a turn,the right or left shoe vibrates(震动)according to the directions.
“We've developed a facility that goes well with a special mobile app via Bluetooth and receives information about a route.The facility performs all the necessary functions without affecting walking and can be joined to the laces(鞋带)of ordinary sneakers.The user only needs to run the app once,and then puts the phone away and enjoys the walk.In addition to navigation,the system can also keep track of the distance traveled.This information can be found in the mobile app,”said Alexander Pinchuk and Maxim Levkin,the authors of the project.
The team plans to continue developing the project because the smart clothing market is growing every year.According to the creators,it is likely that in a few years,smart sneakers will become popular like smart watches.
This is not the first original project of preuniversity students from the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI Valentin Klimov,deputy director of the Institute of Cyber Intelligent Systems of MEPhI,says,“Our preuniversity students have created rather original projects before.For example,last year,our students developed a useful system for people with poor eyesight and won an international children's competition;then they won the Junior competition and took part in the largest international competition:Intel ISEF.Now these guys are our first year students,and this shows the high level of our applicants.”
1. In what way do the newly created sneakers give directions to users?| A．By following their routes. | B．By vibrating their shoes. |
| C．By burning their calories. | D．By reducing their road risks. |
| A．It must be put in special sneakers |
| B．It has a little effect on users'walking. |
| C．It can record where users have traveled. |
| D．It works with the help of an app via Bluetooth. |
| A．They are about to graduate. | B．They are ready to go for jobs. |
| C．They are creative and fruitful. | D．They are lucky and wealthy. |
| A．Sneakers for Navigation on the Way | B．Ways of Navigation in Large Cities |
| C．Ordinary Navigation Is out of Date | D．Preuniversity Students Win Competitions |
5 . Archeology （考古学）isn't the dusty science it was a generation ago. New technologies that once seemed out of sci-fi are now locating buried traces of buildings and revealing the ruins of cities.
For more than a decade, Sarah Parcak and her team have been on the front line of this revolution. They use satellite images to find and explore ancient sites around the globe. Now they're about to take on a new challenge as they focus Global Xplorer citizen-science project on India.
In 2017, Parcak launched an online platform, called Global Xplorer, to crowd source （群众外包）the initial assessment of satellite images for signs of cultures from long ago. Anyone in the world with a computer and Internet access could help discover and protect remains of Peru's rich cultural heritage. The results have been surprising. About 80,000 participants from a hundred countries have identified 19,000 sites that were not in Peru's database. The platform for Peru is still running.
If all goes well, the work in India could last for years. "India has had relatively little archaeological work done," Parcak says. Also, the full extent of India's archaeological work has never been mapped completely. Parcak expects her project to make up that. “Wherever we end up going, the crowd's going to be able to see extraordinary things," Parcak says.
Thirty six India's cultural heritage relics are already listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Parcak thinks there could be tens of thousands of as yet unknown sites mapped as part of this project. The discoveries promise to be amazing across the land that has seen a parade of cultures come and go.
In the future, she hopes other countries will contact her to launch their own satellite surveys. The possibilities are huge. Parcak estimates that there are at least 12 million potential archaeological sites yet to be discovered. That means the sky is the limit for her project now that it has gotten off the ground successfully.
1. What's the purpose of Parcak's project?| A．To interview citizens via the Internet. |
| B．To dig out more remains of ancient cities. |
| C．To build databases for unknown cultural heritage. |
| D．To identify unknown ancient sites through joint efforts. |
| A．They are Internet-equipped volunteers. |
| B．They are well-trained voluntary scholars. |
| C．They are mostly fans of archeology in Peru. |
| D．They are all archaeologists all over the world. |
| A．India lacks thorough archaeological work. |
| B．Indians call for the protection of their rich cultures. |
| C．There's no amazing archaeological discovery in India. |
| D．India needs more relics listed as World Heritage Sites. |
| A．Parcak's project will become successful. |
| B．Few countries will start satellite surveys. |
| C．There will be amazing discoveries in India. |
| D．More archaeological sites will be identified. |
6 . Australia and New Zealand’s health organizations have given their advice on when to use sunscreen (防晒霜), suggesting Australians apply it every day to avoid bad health effects.
A Sunscreen Summit took place in the Australian State of Queensland. During the summit, representatives from some of Australia’s leading research, medical and public health organizations examined the evidence on sunscreen use the determined that in most parts of the country it is beneficial to apply sunscreen every day.
“Up until now, public health organizations have recommended applying sunscreen ahead of planned outdoor activities but haven’t recommended applying it every day as part of a morning routine (惯例),” professor Rachel Neale from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute said. “In recent years, it has become clear that the DNA damage causes skin cancer and melanoma (黑色素瘤), which is caused by repeated small exposure to sunlight over a period of time,” Neale said. “In Australia, we get a lot of sun exposure from everyday activities such as walking to the bus stop or train station,” Neale said.
A study showed that one in two Australians believed it was unhealthy and potentially dangerous to use sunscreen every day. However, Terry Slevin from the Public Health Association of Australia says it is wrong. “There is consistent and compelling evidence that sunscreens are safe,” Slevin said. “Importantly, medical trials have found that people who use sunscreen daily have the same levels of vitamin D as those who don’t,” Slevin added.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, which is made worse by the country’s close to Antarctica where there is a hole in the ozone layer (臭氧层), letting in higher numbers of UV rays.
1. What made Australian health organizations advise Australians to use sunscreen?| A．The makers of sunscreen. |
| B．Australian government. |
| C．The Sunscreen Summit. |
| D．New Zealand’s researchers. |
| A．Using sunscreen as a morning routine. |
| B．Using sunscreen before outdoor activities. |
| C．Reducing the use of sunscreen. |
| D．Reducing outdoor activities. |
| A．Sunscreen will never take effect. |
| B．Sunscreen is bad for people’s health. |
| C．People using sunscreen have the same levels of vitamin. |
| D．D. People using sunscreen won’t have skin cancer. |
| A．Interesting. | B．Disappointing. |
| C．Boring. | D．Convincing. |
7 . Hibernation
For people who aren’t fans of winter, animals that hibernate seem to have the right idea: It’s the equivalent of burying your head under the covers until spring comes — isn't it? Not quite.
“Most of the physiological functions are extremely slowed down,” says Marina Blanco, a postdoctoral associate at the Duke Lemur (狐猴) Center in Durham, North Carolina. For example, when lemurs hibernate, they reduce their heart rates from over 300 beats per minute to fewer than six, says Blanco. And instead of breathing about every second, they can go up to 10 minutes without taking a breath. Their brain activity “becomes undetectable.” This is very different from sleep, which is gentle resting state where unconscious functions are still performed.
Put simply: “Hibernation is a means of energy conservation,” says Kelly Drew, a neuropharmacologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who studies the brain chemistry of hibernating Arctic ground squirrels.While hibernation is often seen as a seasonal behavior, it’s not limited to cold-weather animals. There are tropical hibernators that may do so to beat the heat. And “some species hibernate in response to food shortages,” notes Drew. For example, echidnas ( 针 鼹 ) in Australia will hibernate after fires, waiting until food resources rebound to resume normal activities.
To slow their metabolism (新陈代谢), animals cool their bodies by 5 to 10 °C on average. The Arctic ground squirrels Drew works on can take this much further, supercooling to subfreezing temperatures. Drew’s research has shown that cooling is likely regulated by levels of adenosine (腺苷) in the brain. Not only does adenosine increase in winter in ground squirrels, the receptors for the molecule become more sensitive to it.
But species don’t stay in their cold, sleeping state for the duration of their dormant period. About 80 percent of their energy is spent intermittently (间歇地) waking and warming up. Why they do this is “one of the greatest mysteries” of the field, says Thomas Ruf, a professor of animal physiology at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Some think they need to turn back on their immune systems to fight disease, while others think they may simply awaken so they can sleep.
One bird and a variety of amphibians(两栖动物), reptiles and insects also exhibit hibernation-like states. There is even at least one fish — the Antarctic cod — that slows down its metabolism in winter, becoming 20 times less active. And, of course, there are lots of mammals. While bears might be the first that come to mind, most mammalian hibernators are on the smaller side. “The average hibernator weighs only 70 grams,” says Ruf. That’s because little bodies have high surface area to volume ratios, making it more taxing for them to stay warm in cold weather — so they need the seasonal energy savings more than larger animals.
1. How does the author distinguish between hibernation and sleep?| A．By highlighting reasons. | B．By presenting definitions. |
| C．By introducing arguments. | D．By comparing the data. |
| A．animals cool their bodies by 5 to 10°C on average |
| B．tropical hibernators may hibernate to beat the heat |
| C．some species hibernate in response to food shortage |
| D．hibernation is most often seen as a seasonal behavior |
| A．when certain animals hibernate | B．what kinds of animals hibernate |
| C．why some animals hibernate | D．how animals hibernate |
| A．It is harder for smaller animals to keep warm in winter. |
| B．The cooling of bodies may influence the levels of adenosine. |
| C．Scientists don’t agree on the reasons of intermittent hibernation. |
| D．Body functions are still unconsciously performed during hibernation. |
8 . John Harrison has an enviable job in most people’s opinion. He’s the official taster for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, one of the best-selling ice-cream brands in the U.S.A. On an average day, Harrison has to sample sixty ice creams at the Dreyer’s headquarters. When he isn’t doing that, he travels all over the country, buying Dreyer’s ice cream in supermarkets so that he can carry out spot checks for appearance and flavor. But, no matter how wonderful this job may sound, it is actually quite tough. It’s difficult work, requiring discipline, selflessness, and thorough preparation.
Before tasting a sample, Harrison uses his eyes first. If the ice cream doesn’t look attractive, he skips it. Then, he uses a gold spoon instead of one made of wood, plastic, or other metals. This is because regular spoons leave an aftertaste that can dull the taste buds(味蕾). In addition, the temperature of the ice cream may also influence the taster’s taste buds.
When Harrison samples ice cream, he first takes only a small bite of the ice cream, swishes it around in his mouth to introduce it to each of his taste buds, lightly licks his lips, and then gently breathes in so as to bring the smell up through the back of his mouth to his nose. With each step, he carefully sizes up whether the ice cream conveys the ideal balance between dairy sweetness and the flavor of the added ingredients. And last of all, no matter what the ice cream tastes like, he spits(吐) it out, since a full stomach makes for a dull palate(迟钝的味觉).
For Harrison, keeping a sharp palate means no onions, garlic, or cayenne pepper. He also doesn’t have any coffee or tea, since these block the taste buds. But to him, this is just a small price to pay for what he calls “the world’s best job” .
Harrison’s family has been in the ice-cream business for four generations, and Harrison himself has spent almost his whole life in it as well. Yet, he has never lost his love of the cold, creamy sweetness. He orders ice cream in restaurants for dessert, even when he’s not at work. On these occasions, he swallows the ice cream, taking in about a liter a week. Though he has gained some weight over the years he’s been with Dreyer’s, he couldn’t care less. “Who would trust a skinny ice-cream taster?” he jokes.
1. What is forbidden in Harrison’s job?| A．Doing shopping. | B．Eating the ice cream. |
| C．Using gold spoons. | D．Skipping the ice scream. |
| A．He learned his work skills from his family. |
| B．His job affects his appetite for the ice cream. |
| C．He is willing to give up something for his job. |
| D．He has to gain some weight to meet the need of work. |
| A．Creative. | B．Ordinary. |
| C．High-paying. | D．Proud. |
| A．To describe Harrison’s job and how he does it. |
| B．To analyze the reasons why Harrison chose his job. |
| C．To make suggestions on how to apply for popular careers. |
| D．To introduce the advantages of working for a best-selling brand. |
9 . For a herder (放牧人) in Africa, the hardest part of the job is searching for cattle lost in the bush. But for Andrew, a herder at a farm in Zimbabwe, it's not a problem. Once he spots Toro, he knows the rest of the herd is nearby. That’s because Toro isn’t an ordinary member of the herd. He's a giraffe. In hot weather, cattle rest in the shade under his belly. And because of his height, Toro can spot lions long before they come close to the herd.
Toro's unusual situation came about after his mother was killed by lions. Toro survived the attack, but he was left with no one to protect him or give him milk. About two days later, some herders spotted and rescued him. With the permission of the Department of Wildlife, the herders moved Toro to Andrew's farm. Since giraffes and cattle are both plant-eating animals that live in groups, their behaviors are much the same. Toro was accepted into the herd and wandered among the cattle as they ate grass.
Toro doesn't always behave like the other members of his new herd. Like many kinds of animals, cattle compete for dominance (支配). Standing more than 13 feet tall, Toro is more than three times taller than the biggest bull, But Toro never tries to be ''the boss. ''He is very used to their company, '' Andrew said. When the herd enters the kraal (家畜栏), the cows and bulls push each other. ''But thanks to his height, Toro does not need to join the mess, '' said Andrew.
When asked if Toro would ever be returned to the wild, Munetsi, an officer of the Department of Wildlife said no. ''In the wild, he would find it difficult to be accepted into another herd or defend himself from predators (猎食者),'' he added. ''He seems very much at home and is respected by the cattle.''
1. What was Toro like when the herders found him?| A．He was left alone. | B．He was seriously ill. |
| C．He was lost in the bush. | D．He was fighting with lions. |
| A．He has fought to be the leader. |
| B．He gets along well with the herd. |
| C．He is pushed around by the bulls. |
| D．He stays away from the herd most of the time |
| A．He will be sent back to the wild. |
| B．He will be put into another herd of giraffes. |
| C．He will continue to live together with Andrew. |
| D．He will be trained to fight with the big animals. |
| A．Giraffes under threat in the wild |
| B．A surprising new family for a giraffe |
| C．A new way of herding appearing in Africa |
| D．Moments showing friendship between animals |
10 . John Otway
John Otway has been playing music and making records in the UK for more than 40 years. Over the years he has released more than ten albums. He has played hundreds of concerts. He has written two autobiographies. He has worked with some of the country’s best musicians and he has even made a film about his life. But despite all of this, most people have never heard of him.
Otway released his first record in 1972, but it was the Punk Movement a few years later that really gave him his big chance. Otway wasn’t the greatest musician but his songs were always fun, and his performances on stage were always entertaining - there was a good chance he would fall off the stage at least once in each show. The punks liked him, and in 1977 he had a small hit when his single Really Free made it to No. 27 in the UK top 40 charts. Otway really enjoyed his success but unfortunately, no more came. Not one of his records over the next 30 years was a hit.
Although he never had much commercial success, Otway had a lot of very loyal fans. When someone asked him what he would like for his 50th birthday, his reply was: “A second hit.” His fans went out and bought as many copies of the new single Bunsen Burner as they could. And in October 2002, Otway finally saw his wish come true. In a chart that featured international superstars like Pink, Will Young and Oasis, Bunsen Burner made it to No. 9. Many high street shops refused to sell the record, saying that Otway was too old and unattractive for the teenage market. Otway didn’t care. He celebrated his success with an appearance on TV’s biggest music show Top of the Pops.
These days John Otway continues to play his music around the country, and there are always plenty of people who are happy to go and watch him perform. He’s a great example for anyone who loves making music. You don’t have to be young, good-looking (or even very talented) to enjoy a long career in the music business.
1. From paragraph 1, we know that ________.| A．John Otway has released hundreds of albums |
| B．John Otway never worked with best musicians |
| C．John Otway has written hundreds of autobiographies |
| D．John Otway is not well-known in the UK as a musician |
| A．Really Free | B．Bunsen Burner |
| C．Top of the Pops | D．his first record |
| A．They thought it was terrible. |
| B．It wasn’t a very big hit. |
| C．John Otway didn’t want them to have it. |
| D．They thought teenagers would not like to buy it. |
| A．Musicians have to be young and attractive. |
| B．Success isn’t important in our life. |
| C．We should be determined to do what we love. |
| D．Musicians do much better as they get older. |
