2 . There is an "environmental silver lining" as a result of the coronavirus (冠状病毒) —carbon emissions have been reduced by more than 4%, many wildlife markets around the world have been shuttered and air quality in some places has slightly improved, Dave Ford, founder of the environmental literacy organization SoulBuffalo, says.

But thanks to an increase in pandemic-related, non-recyclable materials such as take-out plastic containers and masks, 30% more waste has entered our oceans, he notes. "There's 129 billion facemasks being made every month—enough that you could cover the entire country of Switzerland with facemasks at the end of this year if trends continue," he says. "And a lot of these masks are ending up in the water." The masks look like jellyfish—in other words, food—to turtles and other wildlife creatures, thus, attractive to those animals and then endangering them, he says.

Very little of the plastic we use is actually recyclable. Sharon Lerner of The Intercept told Here & Now last year that "the vast majority of plastic that has ever been produced—79%—has actually ended up in landfills or burned, but not refashioned into new products." Even if the plastics we have can be reused, Ford says recycling programs across the globe are facing drastic budget cuts.

"We're starting to see recycling programs shuttered, waste picking communities operating at 50% or actually shutting down. They are the last line of defense between plastic and the environment," he says.

Last year, Unilever planned to cut its use of non-recycled plastics in half by 2025. In an interview with Here & Now, Richard Slater, Unilever's chief research and development officer, drew on the industry argument that plastic packaging is lighter, which means less shipping and therefore fewer dangerous emissions that cause climate change.

Yes, plastics are lightweight and can cut down on fuel spending. But on the other hand, plastic waste is being found in every facet of life—even in the deepest ocean.

1. What does "environmental silver lining" in Papagraph 1 refer to?

A．An environmental organization.

B．The closure of some wildlife markets.

C．The decrease of carbon dioxide emissions.

D．Benefits on environment from the coronavirus.

2. Why are facemasks appealing to some sea creatures?

A．They resemble the sea creatures' food.

B．They contain certain unique chemicals.

C．Many sea creatures like to chase plastic by nature.

D．There is a continuous shortage of food in the ocean.

3. What can we learn about the plastic waste?

A．Most of it is recycled into new products.

B．The majority of it is buried or burned.

C．129 billion facemasks end up in the ocean.

D．There is enough budget for plastic recycling.

4. Which of the following might be the best title for the text?

A．Plastic can cut down fuel spending

B．Recycling programs are shutting down

C．The coronavirus has caused more ocean plastic

D．Solutions to ocean plastic pollution are being explored

3 . Call for entries: young women writers competition

Guardian Weekend magazine is launching a writing competition for UK women aged 16-21 on the theme of conversations．

How to enter

All you have to do is submit a 700-word personal essay that shows off your talents——on the theme of conversations．Did you have an unforgettable conversation with your grandmother about her youth that changed how you viewed her? Do you find having certain conversations really hard, and if so, why? Is there a conversation you regret, or one you regret you never had? We're keen to hear about your personal experiences．

All entries must be sent to weekend@the guardian．com by midnight on 9 March．

The Prizes

There will be one winner and two runners-up．The three winners will each receive £250．The winners will be notified（通知）by email or telephone on or before 30 March 2021 and given details of how to claim their prizes．As part of the editing process, the three winners will participate in a video call with a Guardian Weekend editor to discuss and edit their essay for publication．The one overall winner will also receive a 1-1 work shop with a Guardian editor．

Rules

Follow all rules carefully to prevent disqualification．

■Only one entry is permitted per person．Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed．

■The Competition opens at 09:00 on 22 February 2021 and closes at 23:59 on 9 March 2021．Entries received outside this time period will not be considered．

■Your entry must not be copied, and must not contain any third-party materials or content that you do not have permission to use．

■You must include your name, age and contact details, including your email address and phone number．

1. What's the theme of the writing competition?

A．Regrets．	B．Conversations．
C．Grandmother's youth．	D．Personal experiences．

2. What extra prize will the overall winner receive?

A．An additional £250．	B．A video of the competition．
C．A prior notification of the win．	D．A 1-1 workshop with an editor．

3. Which of the following will result in disqualification?

A．Co-authoring an entry．	B．Including contact details．
C．Mailing your entry on 1 March．	D．Using others' content with permission．

4 . Food labels already indicate how good or bad a product is for you. But good or bad for the planet? That’s often much less clear. Now a growing number of brands are labeling their products to show their climate impact.

Swedish food company Felix is one of them. For two days in October, Felix opened a pop-up store in Stockholm, where all items were priced based on their carbon footprint. The bigger their emissions, the higher the price. The idea was to demonstrate how easy it is for shoppers to make climate-friendly choices when products are clearly labeled.

“We know that the numbers alone don’t make sense to consumers,”says Sjöberg, Felix’s marketing manager, “To give the figures meaning, we have created a climate scale that clearly shows the current average and which climate footprint is low.”

Evaluating a food’s true carbon footprint isn’t easy and brands are teaming up with specialist platforms that deal with data using complex calculation tools to work out emissions across the whole production chain.

Oatly calculates the footprint of its oat-based drinks, from the agricultural processes all the way to the grocery store, with the help of CarbonCloud, a startup spun out of research at Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden. “We have developed a web platform that allows the food producers to perform detailed climate assessments without them needing to understand any of the science or the mathematics behind it,”explains CarbonCloud CEO David Bryngelsson.

Companies like Oatly input information including their ingredients, energy use, waste production and how products are shipped, and CarbonCloud's web tool does the rest.

CarbonCloud has done assessments for hundreds of products and brands including Estrella, Nude and Naturli, and says interest is increasing rapidly.

At the moment the food industry doesn’t have a standardized approach to calculating carbon figures, but Sjöberg says the most important thing is to give consumers the information that⁹s currently available.

“In the future, hopefully we will see a common ground for how we calculate and how we label products,” he says. “But as for right now, the climate can’t wait.”

1. What is special about the products in the pop-up store in Stockholm?

A．They are climate- friendly.

B．They are good for people's health.

C．They are priced based on carbon emissions.

D．They are labeled to show nutrition contents.

2. Which company is mainly responsible for calculating carbon footprint?

A．Felix.

B．Oatly.

C．Estrella.

D．CarbonCloud.

3. What is Sjöberg’s attitude towards calculating carbon figures?

A．Supportive.

B．Skeptical.

C．Carefree.

D．Negative.

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．A newly-opened food store.

B．A growing trend of labeling food.

C．A new approach to calculating carbon footprint.

D．A climate scale to show current average carbon emissions.

5 . Across the world language and history are closely connected. Languages are borrowed and changed. and as society changes, new words or phrases are created to show the current cultural understanding. Some phrases and words simply develop accepted usage, their origin forgotten.

One such phrase grandfathered in has become common, meaning someone is free from following new rules or regulations. While it often makes us think of the image of a gray-haired, older gentleman who gets out of trouble. the intention behind the term arose from something bad. Today. the term is widely used, most notably in real estate and health insurance.

But when the term was first coined in the 1890s, it referred to only one thing: voting rights. After the 15th Amendment (修正案) was carried by the US Constitution in 1870 banning taking way people's right to vote on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude(奴役)，some southern states did not readily accept the ruling. Instead, they carefully made amendments at the state level that avoided the federal law to try to keep African Americans from accessing polling stations. Since the basis of race could no longer be used, the state amendments introduced poll taxes as well as literacy tests. These limits were powerful; close to 30 percent of all voting-age males couldn’t read or write, most of whom were poor black men. But those taxes and tests would also affect poor unlearned white voters. Thus, a grandfather clause was added to allow an unlearned man to vote as long as he or his lineal ancestor (i.e., grandfather) had been a registered voter before 1867---three years before the passage of the 15th Amendment.

The clauses no doubt influenced the vote along racial lines, but party lines were at play too. At the time, most African Americans were Republicans (the party of Abraham Lincoln) and most whites were Democrats. The influence served to keep power in the hands of the Democrats.

The phrase “grandfathered in" is of course still widely used today without the meaning of taking away one's voting rights. But even as culture develops, whether we're aware of it or not, language has the power to hold our history.

1. In which condition is someone considered to be “grandfathered in"?

A．When he looks like an old man.

B．When he disagrees with new rules.

C．When he is not limited by new rules.

D．When he succeeds in making big money.

2. What was some southern states' purpose in making state amendments?

A．To stop black people from voting.

B．To make black people work for them.

C．To save face before the northern states.

D．To reduce the number of polling stations.

3. Why was the grandfather clause added to the state amendments?

A．To cut poll taxes for poor white men.

B．To make sure uneducated whites could vote.

C．To allow more white men to be educated.

D．To fee old white men tom taking literacy tests.

4. What does paragraph 5 focus on?

A．The fights caused by the clauses.

B．The composition of the two parties.

C．The effects the clauses brought about.

D．The protest African America staged.

6 . Good health care depends on access to good information, which our digital devices easily provide. Digital health could be the next big development in how we approach health care.

Digital health might sound like it’s intended to keep your digital devices healthy. Instead, it is a term that describes the system of connected devices that can monitor and report important health information.

To really appreciate digital health’s potential, you need only look at how digital devices have already changed your lives. Take travelling as an example. Before smartphones, online translators, GPS and the internet, travel in unfamiliar areas was difficult. You either had to use a map, find a guide, or constantly asked people to help you get from one place to another. Now, all the information you need can be carried with you in your pocket.

The most useful aspect of digital health is the ability to constantly and accurately monitor vital information. The information is then accessible through the internet, so your doctor has a wealth of data about your daily health. Your doctor can then use that information to make changes to your treatment at any time!

No one would suggest that you should stop seeing your doctor altogether. However, the ability for you and your doctor to constantly monitor your health is a big benefit, it makes it possible to have useful consultations with your doctor online. And reducing the number of office visits could make the entire process more efficient.

Advances in digital health, however, also bring some significant privacy concerns, information regarding your health is particularly sensitive. Patient data could be used for advertising or marketing, for example. If health records are accessible online, safeguarding your information from unauthorized(未经授权的)access might be difficult. But if managed properly, the benefits of digital health could certainly outweigh the risks.

1. Why is travelling mentioned in the third paragraph?

A．To show us the importance of digital health.

B．To persuade us of the prospects of digital health.

C．To help us understand the term digital health better.

D．To explain to us the development of digital devices.

2. Which of the following details is not mentioned in the passage?

A．The meaning of digital health.

B．The advantages and disadvantages of digital health.

C．The reason why you shouldn’t stop seeing your doctor.

D．Improved efficiency of consultations with your doctor online.

3. What is one concern about digital health?

A．The danger that personal health data could be stolen.

B．Rising manufacturing costs in the health care industry.

C．Worries about the side effect caused by digital devices.

D．Government regulations limiting sensitive information online.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．Health conditions that need urgent attention.	B．I he current state of health care training.
C．A technological trend in health care.	D．Rising pressure on health care.

7 .

One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, England offers almost endless possibilities for vacationers seeking fun things to do and top attractions to visit.
Tower of London Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, the White Tower is home to amazing exhibits, such as Line of Kings, the world's oldest visitor attraction, established in 1652. Other highlights include the impressive Crown Jewels exhibition,classic Yeoman Warder Tours. If you're traveling with children, be sure to check for special events for kids,including"Knights School” and other immersive programs that provide a fun insight into the castle's history.
Stonehenge Stonehenge is Europe's best-known prehistoric monument. It's so popular that visitors need to reserve a ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Exhibitions at the excellent Stonehenge visitor center set the stage for a visit, explaining through audio-visual experiences and more than 250 ancient objects how the enormous stones were established between 3000 and 1500 BC,and sharing information about life during this time.
The British Museum With collections of antiquities that are among the world's finest,the British Museum holds more than 13 million artifacts from Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire and China. The most famous artifacts are the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens. Besides,the Ancient Egyptian collection is the largest outside of Cairo, and the hoard of Roman silver, unearthed in Suffolk in 1942, is nothing short of impressive.
Warwick Castle If you're looking for a truly memorable English excursion for the whole family, and one that offers a fascinating insight into life through exhibitions,you couldn't do much better than visit Warwick Castle. Located in the beautiful city of Warwick on the River Avon, this impressive fortress has dominated the landscape and history of the region for more than 900 years.

1. Where can visitors appreciate exhibits from different countries?

A．Tower of London.

B．Stonehenge.

C．The British Museum.

D．Warwick Castle.

2. What do we know about the destination Stonehenge?

A．It reflects life of different stages.	B．It provides fun games for children.
C．It is more suitable for a family tour.	D．It encourages tourists to book tickets.

3. What do the four tourist destinations have in common?

A．Wonderful exhibits.	B．Impressive landscapes.
C．An extremely long history	D．An audio-visual experience.

8 . It's good to share, right? Growing up as kids we are told to share our toys and not be selfish. We also live in an age where discussing our feelings is encouraged. But when does it all become too much? With new fashion trending all the time, such as dance challenges and wearing a pillow as a dress, the question is: when can sharing become oversharing on social media?

What is oversharing? The term has become associated with social media, but it doesn't only belong to this platform. Imagine you head to a party and you meet someone. Within five minutes they have given away details about their personal life. While some of us may try to escape these people, according to marriage therapist Carolyn Cole, this form of oversharing could come from a strong desire to connect with someone. But how does this translate to social media?

Dr. Christopher Hand, a lecturer in internet psychology, says the more details people disclose, the less sympathy we express when things go wrong. This could be due to a belief that we attract our own negative experiences the more we share them. It seems that the idea of searching for sympathy by oversharing, is generally viewed as negative rather than the cry for help it could actually be.

However, Dr Hand's research also seems to suggest that the more positive posts we share on a platform, the more socially attractive we become. Even back in 2015, Gwendolyn Seidman PhD, said that we should avoid complaining and being negative online. We are supposed not to show off, as it's now known—especially about our love lives. It makes sense—if your date is going 'that well', would you really have time to share a photo with text?

So, how can you know if you are oversharing? Well, why not ask your friends in real life. They would probably be more than happy to tell you if your posts about your breakfast or your complaint about your lack of money really are too much.

1. Why do some people try to overshare at parties?

A．Because they want to catch others' attention.

B．Because they just want to show off something.

C．Because they have a strong desire to pour out their emotions.

D．Because they may expect to make a connection with someone.

2. What does the underlined word in Para.3 mean?

A．explore

B．expose

C．display

D．discuss

3. What can we know from the passage?

A．We will become more socially attractive if we post more on a platform.

B．We tend to show sympathy when things go wrong.

C．We may be considered negative when seeking for sympathy by oversharing.

D．We can show off something positive especially about our love lives.

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To inform.

B．To inspire.

C．To advertise.

D．To condemn.

9 . Lizard (蜥蜴) species may already have declined past the point of no return in the world. What is the reason? Rising temperatures. Researchers estimate that as much as 40 percent of lizard species worldwide will die out by 2080. The problem is that temperatures in many regions where lizards live have changed too fast for the animals to keep pace.

Barry Sinervo from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California in Santa Cruz, along with colleagues from across the globe, reached that conclusion by taking current data on Mexican lizards. They also estimated that 4 percent of local species have already disappeared worldwide. That number could jump to 20 percent by 2080 if carbon dioxide levels aren’t lowered to reduce warming.

The team looked 48 species of Sceloporus lizard at 200 sites around Mexico. The sites were first sampled from 1975 to 1995. By 2010, research could not find lizards at 12 percent of those sites.

Lizards that bear live young are especially at risk of dying out, the researchers point out, compared to that lay eggs. “Live-bearers have lower body temperatures that heighten the risk of dying,” Sinervo said in a statement. We are watching these species disappear before our eyes.”

Although current evidence shows that climate change is affecting the habitat ranges of many species, there is still a lot of uncertainty about how much climate change will affect species, researchers say.

Many Mexican lizard species live in high altitude “islands”, where climate change happens the fastest. The lizards cannot adjust fast enough to survive. The scientists say they do not think the animals are likely to save themselves just by moving somewhere else   either.

“How quickly can Earth’s lizards adapt to the rising global temperatures? That’s the important question,” Sinervo said in a press release. "We are actually seeing lowland species moving upward, slowly driving upland species out of their habitats. If the upland species can’t evolve fast enough, they will die out.”

1. Which of the following lizards face a higher risk of dying out?

A．Lizards at low altitudes.	B．Lizards that bear their young.
C．Lizards that lay eggs.	D．Lizards in a stable environment.

2. According to Barry Sinervo and his colleagues, ________.

A．their conclusion is based on current data on various kinds of lizards

B．20 percent of local species have already disappeared worldwide

C．they are uncertain about how much climate change will affect species

D．they are seeing highland species moving downward

3. The upland lizards are affected greatly by the climate change because of ________.

A．their living habitats’ destruction	B．their living skills
C．highland species moving downward	D．their adaptive capacity

4. The purpose of this passage is to ________.

A．prove that earth is not suitable for lizards

B．warn that lizards may die out quickly due to the climate change

C．explain why no more lizards will be found by 2080

D．emphasize that the habitat of lizards is changing greatly

10 . While it's the books that make a library, being in lovely surroundings may provide inspiration and help you to work a little bit harder. Here are some of the coolest libraries of the world.

The Library of Birmingham - Birmingham, U. K.

The new Library of Birmingham is said to be not only Britain's biggest public library, but also the largest in Europe. Designed by Dutch architects, this replacement for the Birmingham Central Library was opened in 2013 and has a wealth of resources within its walls, including adult and kids' libraries, music collections, a Shakespeare Memorial Room, and even a gym. Gardens crown the roof, while the changing seasons bring variations in the shadows and reflections inside.

The National Library of France Paris, France

The National Library of France, which now contains an astonishing collection of 30 million, dates back to the14th century and this royal library was set up at the Louvre Palace by King Charles V. The library was moved to Rue de Richelieu in 1868, with major design work carried out by French architects Henri Labrouste and, following his death Jean Louis Pascal. Here, the reading rooms are elegance themselves. There are more than just books to be found.

The State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

The public State Library of New South Wales holds the honor of being the oldest institution of its kind in Australia. It was originally set up as the Australian Subscription Library in 1826，but it wasn't until 1942 that its permanent home was ready. Designed by Sydney architect Walter Liberty Vernon and completed in 1910, the magnificent sand-stone Mitchell Wing is one of the architectural highlights.

Seattle Central Library---Seattle, Washington, USA

Seattle Central Library's distinctive design ensures it stands out. Architect Rem Koolhaas is one of the names attached to its design. Architects sought to envelop the 11-storybuilding with “a layer of transparency”, using a skin of glass and metal. The public library houses about 1.45million books and other things, as well as more than 400 computers available for public use. The building, which opened in 2004, was included on the American Institute of Architects' list of Americans' 150 favorite structures in 2007.

1. Which of the following libraries has the longest history?

A．Seattle Central Library.	B．The Library of Birmingham.
C．The National Library of France.	D．The State Library of New South Wales.

2. What can you do in the Library of Birmingham?

A．Take some exercise.	B．Act in a play.
C．Attend a concert.	D．Enjoy new technology.

3. What do the National Library of France and Seattle Central Library have in common?

A．They have computers available.	B．They were moved to a new place.
C．They won awards for architecture.	D．They were designed by more than one person.