1 . On July 24, 2020, Mike Stout launched his kayak（皮筏艇）just before 8：30 a.m. About 56 miles and 16.5 hours later, he landed on the sandy Michigan shore. It was his second time crossing Lake Michigan.
By chance, Stout said, he gave kayaking a try in 2016. Already in good physical condition, he considered kayaking a weekend escape. Then he was challenged by a client of his firm to think bigger. He did go big quickly. Weekend kayak trips were 40, 50 and 60 miles long over the next few months. Then his goal was to cross Lake Michigan that year. On August 3, Stout completed his first crossing of Lake Michigan in 15.5 hours. Since then, he’s finished countless long-distance trips on Minnesota rivers and lakes.
In heading back to Lake Michigan last summer, Stout thought he could become the first kayaker to make a round-trip crossing of the Great Lake. He felt capable. He’d put in 800 miles since March 1, 2020-when ice was still on the Minnesota River.
Stout wanted to do with manageable winds. Possibilities rose, only to become worse, the lake showing its mercurial nature. Stout realized a single crossing was his best hope. With local police informed of his plans and plenty of food aboard, Stout launched. His plan was to land on the Michigan shore 12.5 hours later. The lake thought otherwise. The winds and waves were working against him, too. Still, he was resolute. Finally he could hear waves crashing on shore.
“Never did I have a sense of doubt or fear or worry,” Stout said. Despite the constant, forceful wind, he said the crossing was easier than his others because of his experience. But no less meaningful. The stars, the chance to speak to the heavens, and the hope that his adventure would inspire others-all were fuel to finish.
1. What can we infer about Stout from paragraph 2?| A．He challenged his client. |
| B．He intended to escape real life. |
| C．He was organized and determined. |
| D．He set a goal bigger than his capability. |
| A．His physical state. | B．The weather condition. |
| C．The freezing water. | D．Warning from local police. |
| A．Changeable. | B．Merciful. | C．Perfect. | D．Balanced. |
| A．Weather. | B．Adventure. | C．Geography. | D．Entertainment. |
2 . No matter where you go around the globe, everybody loves to celebrate. And when it comes to celebration, festivals offer something for everyone.
Mardi Gras （New Orleans, Louisiana）
Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a cultural event. Though the celebration
is held every year on the day before Ash Wednesday, the festivities last for months, banning in November throughout January and early February. And if you love music, check out the annual Galactic concert at the world-famous Tipitina’s on Lundi Gras (the day before Mardi Gras).
La Tomatina （Valencia, Spain）
Launched way back in 1945, La Tomatina is one of the oldest festivals on our list. It's also easily the happiest but the messiest, coming off like the world's biggest food fight.
Legend has it that the whole thing started when some local boys joined a parade alongside musicians. The boys made the performers so angry that they tried hit the boys, and a vendor's (小摊贩)vegetable stand fell victim to the incident.
If you go, please follow some simple rules: Don't throw hard objects, squash the tomato before throwing it, stay a safe distance away from tomato trucks, and stop in time.
Montreux Jazz Festival （Switzerland）
Founded back in 1967, Montreux is one of the oldest music festivals in the world. It's also the second largest jazz festival, after the Montreal International Jazz Festival. That Canadian concert may attract more visitors-around 2 million annually. But Montreux benefits from its pretty location on the attractive shores of Lake Geneva. The area is particularly beautiful in late June/early July, when the festival is held.
1. When is Galactic concert held?| A．On Mardi Gras. | B．On Lundi Gras. |
| C．On Montreux Jazz Festival. | D．On La Tomatina. |
| A．Punish naughty boys. | B．Enjoy musicians' performance. |
| C．Throw tomatoes without hurting. | D．Catch people who destroy tomatoes. |
| A．News report. | B．Academic journal. |
| C．Conceit brochure. | D．Travel magazine. |
3 . Choosing the right hiking equipment will make your walk safer and more comfortable. Getting it right is easy with our pick of the best. Don’t hesitate to grab them!
SMART SOCKS
Smartwool Women’s PhD Outdoor Light Print Crew Walking Socks (£16.09)
Built for mile after mile of trail, these socks are so light and seamless that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them.
Darn Tough Kelso Micro Crew Light Cushion (£20)
Keep you cool while going the distance in these wool socks. They’re cushioned and silky soft.
1000 Mile Fusion Walking Sock (£15.99, twin pack)
Need extra comfort? The Fusion Walking Sock has a blister-free guarantee thanks to clever double-layer technology and padded zones.
LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS
Smartwool Merino Smart Ultra Light Hoodie (£114.99)
This windproof layer packs away into its pocket.
Berghaus Women’s Skerray Smock (£70)
Stay warm if the wind gets up in this super-light, water-repellent smock jacket with a fitting hood. It packs away into the small pocket.
Finisterre Mistral Waterproof Jacket (£185)
Light yet fully waterproof, this cool high-quality jacket has zipped pockets and an adjustable foldaway hood.
SUMMER SHORTS
Jack Wolfskin Overland Zip Away (£115)
Always chilly when you set out but boiling by the time you’re climbing that hill? With these clever pants, you get a pair of soft-shell trousers and a pair of shorts in one.
1. What can we know from the passage?| A．Crew Walking Socks provide the most comfort of all. |
| B．All the equipment can pack away into its small pocket. |
| C．Both the Light Hoodie and Skerray Smock can keep out the wind. |
| D．Crew Walking Socks are the cheapest and of highest quality. |
| A．Crew Walking Socks & Waterproof Jacket. |
| B．Light Hoodie & Fusion Walking Socks. |
| C．Overland Zip Away & Crew Light Cushion. |
| D．Fusion Walking Socks & Skerray Smock. |
| A．New Technology. | B．Life Style. | C．Sports. | D．Advertisement. |
4 . A shark that walks in water instead of swimming might sound like a creature straight out of a science fiction thriller. However, that is precisely how the four new species of the fish-found in the tropical waters of Northern Australia-move across the seafloor. The unique ocean animals were discovered by a team of scientists, led by Dr Christine Dudgeon from Australians University of Queensland, during a 12-year-old global conservation study.
The newly-found sharks have all evolved to survive in low oxygen environments, enabling them to hunt during low tides. The researchers believe their ability to use their fins to walk across the water affords the sharks substantial advantage over the unsuspecting smaller animals they prey on .
“Though they are super hunters in their shallow habitat, the tiny sharks are harmless to humans," says Dudgeon. "At less than a meter long on average, walking sharks present no threat to people. They're incredibly cute little animals and are really more like gecko than a shark.”
A DNA analysis of skin samples from the sharks suggests that walking sharks broke away from their brothers and sisters about nine million years ago and became a distinct species. Though that may appear to be a long time ago, it is relatively recent given that sharks have been around for more than 400 million years. In fact, Dudgeon and her team believe walking sharks are the youngest kind of sharks on Earth!
The researchers, who published their findings in The Marine and Freshwater Research journal on January 21, 2020, say that the sharks' small numbers and shallow habitat make them extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and overfishing. Three of the nine walking shark species , all of which live in the waters off Northern Australia, eastern Indonesia, and near the island of New Guinea, are currently on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, which lists species at risk. Dudgeon and her team believe sensible conservation management plans are urgently needed to protect the walking sharks and other endangered animals from further threats.
1. What is the most noticeable feature of the newly-found sharks?| A．They are cute and harmless to humans. | B．They can survive in their shallow habitat. |
| C．They walk on their fins across the seafloor. | D．They are the youngest kind of sharks on Earth. |
| A．The evolution of the sharks. | B．The behavior of the sharks. |
| C．The population of the sharks. | D．The DNA samples of the sharks. |
| A．Adjusting the methods of fishing. | B．Putting the sharks on the Nature Red List. |
| C．Changing the sharks' living environments. | D．Adopting necessary measures to protect the sharks. |
| A．A film guide. | B．A fashion magazine. |
| C．A news report. | D．A science fiction. |
5 . Buying toothpaste can raise all sorts of questions. Which brand? Do I want whitening? Are my teeth sensitive?
A question you may not ask yourself is why the toothpaste tube comes in a cardboard box. After all, the tube is what actually holds the toothpaste. It would be like putting shampoo or shaving cream into an additional package.
A Change. org petition is asking that same question while encouraging toothpaste manufacturers to abandon the cardboard box, thinking it is kind of waste.
Toothpaste boxes do look good on the shelf, and it’s almost certainly easier to package, ship and stock toothpaste that way. In the 1995 book “Waste Age and Recycling Times: Recycling Handbook,” the editor explains that toothpaste boxes provide information about the product, serve a marketing function, protect the tube and prevent theft. The book also says the boxes are “often made from recycled paperboard,” providing a market for wastepaper in addition to packaging for a tube.
We can recycle the tubes (and your toothbrushes, for that matter), but it’s not easy. Since products have to be cleaned before they can be recycled—this is why you can’t recycle a cheese-riddled pizza box—it’s unlikely you can just toss the tube in your city’s recycling bin with wastepaper and glass bottles. There’s still toothpaste stuck inside the tube, after all. Plus, toothpaste tubes are often more than one type of material fused together, and that requires special machinery to separate them.
So what can you do if you really want to clean your teeth and keep the environment clean, too? Well, you can make your own toothpaste—some websites offer recipes that are easy to learn at home—and cut out the tubes and the unnecessary packaging entirely. You could also try something like Bite, a toothpaste-pill delivery service focused on making toothpaste healthier and more sustainable. You bite down on a cube, then brush with a wet toothbrush. Foamy(泡沫) toothpaste goodness occurs. The pills come in a recyclable glass jar and all the mail packaging is recyclable as well.
1. Why do people feel normal when they see the toothpaste tube in a cardboard box?| A．The toothpaste brings benefits. |
| B．The toothpaste is similar to shampoo. |
| C．The tube is what actually holds the toothbrush. |
| D．The cardboard box usually holds the toothpaste tube. |
| A．They look out of place. |
| B．They aren’t recyclable. |
| C．They are difficult to pack up. |
| D．They are useful in providing information. |
| A．Make toothpaste yourself. |
| B．Throw your toothpaste. |
| C．Ask Bite for better advice. |
| D．Buy some pills in place of toothpaste. |
| A．A personal diary. | B．A public guidebook. |
| C．An online report. | D．A fashion magazine. |
6 . Scientists have created an "artificial leaf" to fight climate change by inexpensively changing harmful carbon dioxide into a useful alternative fuel. The new technology was inspired by the way plants use energy from sunlight to turn carbon dioxide into food.
Scientists call it an artificial leaf because it mimics real leaves and the process of photosynthesis(光合作用). A leaf produces glucose(葡萄糖) and oxygen. Scientists use an artificial leaf to produce methanol(甲醇) and oxygen. Making methanol from carbon dioxide, the primary contributor to global warming, would both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a substitute for the fossil fuels.
The key to the process is a cheap, fully used red powder called cuprous oxide. Engineered to have as many eight-sided particles as possible, the powder is created by a chemical reaction when four substances are added to water that has been heated to a particular temperature. The powder then serves as the catalyst(催化剂), or trigger, for another chemical reaction when it is mixed with water into which carbon dioxide is blown and a beam of white light is directed with a solar simulator(模拟器). "This is the chemical reaction that we discovered," said Wu, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, has worked on the project since 2015. He added, " Nobody has done this before." The reaction produces oxygen, as in photosynthesis, while also changing carbon dioxide in the water-powder solution into methanol. The methanol is collected as it evaporates when the solution is heated.
Next steps in the research include increasing the methanol yield and commercializing the patented process to convert carbon dioxide collected from major greenhouse gas sources such as power plants, vehicles and oil drilling. "I'm extremely excited about the potential of this discovery to change the game," said Wu, "Climate change is an urgent problem and we can help reduce CO2 emissions while also creating an alternative fuel."
1. What is the function of an artificial leaf?| A．Turning carbon dioxide into a solid fuel. | B．Changing a chemical reaction into food. |
| C．Producing much glucose and oxygen. | D．Making methanol and oxygen cheaply. |
| A．It's a powder containing four substances. |
| B．It should be directed with a solar simulator. |
| C．It's a key substance to cause another chemical reaction. |
| D．It's used to collect methanol from a chemical reaction. |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Wait- and- see. | C．Skeptical. | D．Negative. |
| A．A short story of an artificial leaf. | B．An advertisement for a famous company. |
| C．A report in a science journal. | D．An introduction to a science fiction. |
7 . MEXICO CITY, April 1（Xinhua）——Discoveries at the legendary Sanxingdui ruins in southwest China show that the region’s ancient Shu state civilization shared similarities with the Maya, according to the director of the Chichen Itza archaeological site, Marco Antonio Santos.
The Sanxingdui ruins, located in the city of Guanghan, about 60 kilometers from Chengdu, belonged to the Shu Kingdom that existed at least 4,800 years ago and lasted more than 2,000 years. China announced on March 20 that archaeologists uncovered gold, ivory and jade objects dating back about 3,000 years in six sacrificial pits.
Santos told Xinhua that the bronze-made remains of trees buried at the ruins of the Shu Kingdom recall the Maya’s sacred ceiba tree, which symbolized the union of heaven, earth and the underworld for the civilization that flourished in Mesoamerica. “They are very important similarities.” said Santos, stressing that “the representations of trees in both cultures provide us with a symbolism that is very similar”.
“One notable feature of the recent discoveries at Sanxingdui was the interdisciplinary（跨学科的）work and technology applied by teams of Chinese archaeologists.” said Santos. “The technology allowed the unearthing of artifacts as fragile as silk remains, which other types of less careful excavation methods would not have been able to manage.” he said. “Cooperation between Chinese and Mexican archaeologists could benefit projects in the Maya world, where the rainy climate and humidity are problematic for the conservation of objects.” said Santos.
“Every time our cultural knowledge increases, regardless of whether we speak one language or another, what it shows us is that we continue to be sister cultures, and, therefore, the exchange of such knowledge is fundamental.” said Santos.
1. What does the underlined word “excavation” in Paragraph 4 mean?| A．research | B．examination | C．digging | D．discovery |
| A．The sacred ceiba tree is also found at the ruins of the Shu Kingdom. |
| B．The recent discoveries at Sanxingdui featured interdisciplinary work and technology. |
| C．Only the unearthing of silk remains needs to be managed with more careful methods. |
| D．The language barrier is an issue that affects the cooperation between China and Mexico. |
| A．China and Mexico continue to exchange cultural knowledge. |
| B．The discovery of the Sanxingdui ruins in south west China shocks the world. |
| C．Cooperation between Chinese and Mexican archaeologists benefits projects in both countries. |
| D．The discovery of the Sanxingdui ruins shows similarities between ancient Shu state and the Maya. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．A historical novel. | C．A research review. | D．A guidebook. |
8 . If history doesn't quite repeat itself, it certainly rhymes. With demand for bicycles rocketing, and nations preparing to spend billions of dollars to redesign their cities with a new focus on cycling and walking, it's worth remembering how the invention of the bicycle in the late 19th century transformed societies the world over. It was a hugely revolutionary technology, easily equal to the smartphone today. For a few heady years in the 1890s, the bicycle was the best must-have—swift, affordable, stylish transportation that could take you anywhere you cared to go, anytime you liked, for free.
Almost anyone could learn to ride, and almost everyone did. The sultan of Zanzibar（a former Muslim country）took up cycling. So did the king of Russia. But it was the middle and working classes around the globe that truly made the bicycle their own. For the first time in history, the masses were mobile, able to come and go as they pleased. No more need for expensive horses and carriages.
Society was transformed. Women were especially enthusiastic, abandoning their burden some Victorian skirts, adopting reasonable clothes, and taking to the road in groups. “I think bicycling has done more to liberate women than anything else in the world,” Susan B. Anthony, the American champion of women's suffrage（选举权）said in an interview with The New York Sunday World in 1896. “I stand and feel thrilled every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel...the picture of unrestricted womanhood.”
By 1898 cycling had become such a popular activity in the United States that The New York Journal of Commerce claimed it was costing restaurants and theaters more than $ 100 million a year in lost business. Bicycle manufacturing became one of America's biggest and most advanced industries. A third of all patent applications were bicycle-related—so many that the US patent office had to build a separate building to deal with them all.
The arrival of the bicycle touched virtually every aspect of life—art, music, literature, fashion, and even the human gene pool. English songwriter Henry Dacre scored a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1892 with Daisy Bell and its famous refrain（副歌）A Bicycle Built for Two.
1. Why did the author consider the bicycle as a revolutionary technology?| A．It cost its owner too much money. | B．It harmed the cyclists' health at first. |
| C．It had a huge influence on the society. | D．It made people redesign their city buildings. |
| A．It changed public morals. | B．It made women more united. |
| C．It offered women more freedom. | D．It made Victorian skirts more popular. |
| A．Bicycle-related patent applications. | B．Interviews with cyclists. |
| C．Bicycle management charges. | D．Broken restaurants and theaters. |
| A．Business and economy. | B．Environment and energy. |
| C．Entertainment and sports. | D．History and culture. |
9 . Virtual reality isn’t just for video games anymore. The technology is changing industries that many people had never thought it would, such as dairy farming.
Russian dairy farmers gave cows VR goggles (眼镜) with hope that they would be happier and make better milk. A farm just outside of Moscow is testing VR glasses for its cows, it says, in an effort to increase the quantity and quality of the milk produced.
That’s according to a news release published Monday from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Moscow region. It came accompanied by photos of a cow trying out its fancy new goggles. The ministry explains it like this:Studies have shown that cows, environmental conditions can impact the milk produced, specifically improving its quality or increasing its quantity. So, a team of developers, with the help of vets and consultants for dairy production, made some oversized VR glasses for cows. They adapted the human versions to account for cows’ different head shapes and eyesight, the news release says. And then voila! Cow VR glasses. And what were these cows experiencing with their new VR glasses? A wild, expansive field beneath the summer sun. A cow’s (virtual) paradise (天堂).
So far, it’s unclear if the glasses have helped milk production-further study will be needed for that. But a first test did reveal a decrease in anxiety and an increase in the emotional mood of the herd, the release said. To be fair, if we were transported to a vast field in the summertime, our anxiety and emotional mood would be better, too. Russian dairy farmers aren’t the only ones going the extra mile to keep their cows happy and improve product, though. Some Wagyu farmers set mood lighting, among other tricks, to keep their cows calm and producing the best beef possible. Others play them music, which one Missouri farmer says leads to better milk.
1. Why were VR glasses used in the farm?| A．To avoid cows’ fighting. | B．To cure the cows’ diseases. |
| C．To test the cows’ eyesight. | D．To get more and better milk. |
| A．Exciting movies. | B．Video games. |
| C．A vast field in the sun. | D．More cows in the distance. |
| A．Playing beautiful music. | B．Telling animal stories. |
| C．Choosing better meal time. | D．Photos of many cows. |
| A．Nature. | B．Science. | C．Education. | D．Entertainment. |
10 . What is the most recognizable object in the world? Could it be a football or a big computer? No, the answer is a Coca-Cola bottle. Hundreds of millions of people can recognize a Coke bottle by its shape. Unlike any other famous commercial logo, the famous Coca-Cola logo has not changed in 100 years!
In 1886, John Pemberton, a druggist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented a new type of syrup (糖浆), using coca leaves, sugar and cola nuts, plus a few other secret ingredients. Pemberton sold it as a medicine; and with coca (the source of cocaine), it must have made people feel good! Nevertheless, Pemberton's medicine was not very successful, so he sold his secret formula (配方) to another druggist, Asa Candler, Candler was interested, because he had another idea; he thought that Pemberton's "medicine" would be much better if it was mixed with soda. Candler was thus the man who really invented the drink Coca-Cola. At first he sold it in his drugstore; then he began selling the syrup to other drugstores, where it was used with their soda fountains. Candler also advertised his new drink, and soon people were going to drugstores just to get a drink of Coca-Cola. Before long. other people became interested in the product, including a couple of businessmen who wanted to sell it in bottles. Candler sold them a license to bottle the drink, and very quickly the men became millionaires. Then in 1916 the famous bottle, with its very distinctive shape, was designed.
During the First World War (1914-1918), American soldiers in Europe began asking for Coca-Cola, so the Coca-Cola company began to export it to Europe. It was so popular with soldiers that they then had to start bottling the drink in Europe. Today. Coca-Cola is made all over the world, including Russia and China; it is the world's most popular drink.
As for the famous formula, it is probably the world's most valuable secret! The exact ingredients for making Coca-Cola are only known to a handful of people. And as for the coca that was in the original drink, it was removed in 1903, for it was a dangerous drug. Today's Coca-Cola contains caffeine, not cocaine!
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?| A．The key ingredient of Coca-Cola. |
| B．The distinctive shape of Coca-Cola bottle. |
| C．The ever-changing logo of Coca-Cola. |
| D．The development of Coca-Cola. |
| A．John Pemberton. | B．Asa Candler. |
| C．An American soldier. | D．A couple of businessmen. |
| A．The formula of Coca-Cola is still a well-kept secret. |
| B．The ingredients for making Coca-Cola is of great value. |
| C．Coca wasn't removed from the drink until the First World War. |
| D．Caffeine has the same effect on patients as cocaine. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．A life magazine. |
| C．A research paper. | D．A travel brochure. |
