2 . Fires sweeping across the Amazon rainforest this year have been a hot topic as scientists and environmental groups are worried that they will worsen the climate change crisis and threaten biodiversity.

As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon rainforest is often called "the lungs of the world". It is also home to about 3 million species of plants and animals, and 1 million native people. The vast areas of the rainforest play an important role in the world’s ecosystem because they absorb heat instead of it being reflected back into the atmosphere. They also store carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, ensuring that less carbon dioxide is released, mitigating the effects of climate change.

"Any destroyed forest is a threat to biodiversity and people," Thomas Lovejoy, an ecologist at George Mason University told National Geographic. "The overwhelming threat is that a lot of carbon dioxide goes into the atmosphere," he stressed. "In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity. The Amazon rainforest must be protected," U. N. Secretary General António Guterres said.

Data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) show that the number of forest fires in Brazil quickly increased by 82 percent from January to August this year compared to the same period last year. A total of 71,497 forest fires were registered in the country in the first eight months of 2019, up from 39,194 in the same period in 2018, INPE said. "We estimate that the forest areas in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest have decreased by between 20 and 30 percent compared to the last 12 months," Carlos Nobre, a researcher at the University of São Paulo, told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.

Brazil owns about 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest, whose degradation (恶化) could have severe consequences for global climate and rainfall. The extent of the area ruined by fires has yet to be determined, but the emergency has transcended (超出) Brazil’s borders, reaching Peruvian, Paraguayan and Bolivian regions.

1. What does the underlined word "mitigating" in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Increasing.	B．Relieving.
C．Ignoring.	D．Improving.

2. What can we learn from Thomas’s and António’s words?

A．The biodiversity makes the rainforest unique.

B．The rainforest fires result in serious consequences.

C．The global climate crisis brings more rainforest fires.

D．The dry weather leads to the rainforest fires.

3. Why does the author list the numbers in paragraph 4?

A．To prove the importance of the rainforest.

B．To show reasons for forest fires.

C．To explain the process of the research.

D．To present the reduction in rainforest areas.

4. What does this passage mainly talk about?

A．The climate change crisis is worsening.

B．The forest areas are on the decline.

C．"The lungs of the earth" is burning.

D．The world’s ecosystem is under attack.

4 . What should we get for our kids this holiday? As children get older, giving them something they can experience instead of material things makes them happier, according to a new research led by Chaplin.

The research compared the level of happiness children get from material things with that from experiences. The results showed that children aged 3-12 get more happiness from material things than from experiences. However, older children get more happiness from experiences than from their possessions.

“It means experiences are highly preferred by adolescents, not just expensive material things, like some might think,”Chaplin says. She goes on to explain,”Don’t get me wrong. Young children do love experiences. And given this concept, theme parks such as Disneyland are being built everywhere. In fact, young children are excited throughout the experience. However, for experiences to provide lasting happiness, children must be able to recall details of the events.”

Long after they have unwrapped their Legos and stuffed animals, there will still be a physical reminder to give them happiness. However, young children can’t see or touch experiences after they are over, making it harder for them to appreciate experiences after a long time. There’s an easy fix, though, according to Chaplin.

“Take pictures or videos of family walks, playing in the snow, and birthday parties,”she said.“Children are likely to appreciate those experiences more if there is something to remind them of the event. Additionally, they’ll be able to learn the social value of shared experiences.”

Children will remember and appreciate not only the birthday gifts they received, but also the time spent with family and friends as they recall the experience through concrete reminders such as photos and videos.

Since memory is developed over time, it’s likely that children, especially young ones, may not get as much happiness from past experiences as from possessions. But with age, creating new memories and exploring new interests may be far more valuable than getting possessions.

1. Why are theme parks springing up according to Chaplin?

A．They can offer children lasting happiness.

B．Events in them are centered on specific themes.

C．Direct involvement in events there caters to children.

D．Kids have an affection for the atmosphere they offer.

2. The underlined word “fix” in Paragraph4 can be replaced be________.

A．solution	B．arrangement
C．preparation	D．focus

3. Which of the following would Chaplin probably agree with?

A．Videos appeal to children more than gifts.

B．Legos and stuffed animals are not kid’s cup of tea.

C．Older children value family time more than younger ones.

D．Physical reminders help remember past experiences better.

4. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Experiences are better gifts for older children.

B．Social values should be put in the first place.

C．New interests are most precious for children.

D．Material possessions bring more happiness to children.

5 . The idea of using a public bathroom with see through walls may sound like the stuff of nightmares. But a famous Japanese is hoping to change that view, using new technology to make restrooms in Tokyo parks more inviting.

“There are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those cated at a park,” according to architect Shigeru Ban’s firm. “The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside.”

The newly-invented transparent walls can turn off both of those worries, Ban says, by showing people what awaits them inside. After users enter the restroom and lock the door, the room’s walls turn a powdery paste) shade and are no longer see-through.

Ban’s are sure to make for great conversation among visitors to the park-and they’ll stand out even more after dark. “At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern,” the architect’s website says.

The group is behind the Tokyo Toilet project, world-famous architects to create toilets “like you’ve never seen. The project’s eye catching toilets are part of a plan to put people ar ease when isiting a public bathroom. The project may seem silly, but the 16 architects who are reimagining public toilets are some of the brightest names in Japanese architecture. The list includes four Pritzker Prize winners-Ban, Toyo Ito, Tadao Ando and Fumihiko Maki-along with international stars such as Kengo Kuma and Sou Fujimoto. The fashion designer Nigo is also contributing.

Ban’s colorful public bathrooms opened to the public this month in two parks: Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park and Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park. Other bespoke commodes will be opening in coming months.

1. Why are people often worried before entering a public restroom?

A．Its lock is usually useless.

B．It’s usually at a huge distance.

C．It’s not always clean.

D．It’s always occupied.

2. What does the underlined word “transparent” mean in the third paragraph ?

A．Easy to see through.

B．Not easy to see through.

C．Full of bright colors.

D．Thick and strong.

3. What do we know about the project from the last two paragraphs?

A．It’s and silly.

B．It’s rewarding and.

C．It has won the Pritzker Prize.

D．It’s the fruit of colleqtive wisdom

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

A．Should the public restrooms be upgraded?

B．The new high-tech walls of public restrooms are coming.

C．How do we live with see-through public facilities?

D．Some famous architects designed a silly project.

6 . Some people usually say that the joy of giving is the joy of living. Tony March’s story shows how someone who has enthusiasm for philanthropy(乐善好施) can live joyously by doing what he loves: Helping the less fortunate to achieve lives of self-sufficiency(自给自足) and dignity. Tony March is a man who rose from great poorness to extreme wealth, while, at the same time, generously giving his wealth and his time to improve the situation of those who struggled to survive in the world in which he was raised.

At a time when human kindness and sympathy seem to be on the endangered behavior list, it is exhilarating to learn of a man like Tony and be reminded that caring individuals still exist, that the human spirit, firmly focused, can achieve wonders, and that one person’s desire to improve the human condition can have such a strong influence on improving the quality of life for tens of thousands of people.

Tony grew up without a father and was regularly beaten by an unloving mother, moving 17 times before he turned 10. He was always laughed at and had to help feed his family by working at a grocery store. Through all the mental and physical abuse, Tony didn’t give up and used education to break the poorness cycle and became the owner of 21 auto dealerships. “It is education that brings success to me,” he said.

When the Director of Metropolitan Ministries (a homeless shelfter) found out about Tony, he suggested that Mr. March “go public” with his story so that others, inspired by what he had done, would be more willing to give their talent, time and money to help the less fortunate as well. It was a persuasive argument that Tony finally accepted. His book, Paying It Backward, will be published soon.

Paying It Backward reminds us that one can live joyously by giving joyously and we all can do a part to help the less fortunate by giving our time, talent, and money for charitable causes.

1. What does the underlined word “exhilarating”mean?

A．Worrying

B．Disappointing

C．Puzzling

D．Exciting

2. According to Para. 3, we can know that ___________.

A．Tony March’s parents loved him very much

B．education influenced Tony March very much

C．Tony March lived in the shelters until he was 10

D．Tony March’s mother forced him to work in a grocery store

3. Why did Tony agree to write a book about himself?

A．He wanted to make himself known to everyone

B．He wanted to sell his book to earn money.

C．He wanted more people to do good deeds.

D．He wanted more people to read more books.

4. What could be the best title for the passage?

A．Giving Back to Society Is Joyful

B．The Joy of Giving Is the Joy of Living

C．Living Joyfully Can Make a Big Difference

D．Giving Our Time And Money Is Important

7 . It is widely believed that biodiversity (生物多样性) is promoted to save species. But in reality species exist only as part of ecosystems and cannot survive unless their ecosystems are protected along with as much as possible of the diversity they contain.

Protecting habitats(栖息地) is important for keeping biodiversity. In 2003, over 102,000 habitats covering nearly 19 million square kilometres, or 11. 5 % of the world's land surface,were under some form of protection. Though this is a great improvement since 1962, when just l,000 protected habitats were listed, it is still not considered enough to stop the ecocide that is endangering the world's biodiversity.

For a number of environmentalist, protecting the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots(热点地区) is critical to saving habitats and species. But many hotspots are endangered already, hav-ing lost up to three-quarters of their original plants.

The poor state of most biodiversity hotspots results directly from population growth and migration(迁移) into these areas. A study found that by the mid-1990s around l. I billion people liVed in these hotspots.   Moreover, the annual population growth rate in these areas was l. 8%, higher than the global average of l. 4%.   The PAI report concluded that human-related environmental changes will continue to put pressure on hotspots. Therefore, keeping biodiversity requires paying close attention to population size.

Protecting hotspots is not simply a matter of putting up fences and employing guards.The best results are achieved when local people are educated about the value of wildlife, and actually gain a share of the benefits from eco-tourism. Only then do they have a chance to see the benefits of protecting hotpots.

1. What can we infer from paragraph l?

A．The loss of any species can affect humans.

B．Endangered species are paid more attention to by humans.

C．Species can still survive when their ecosystems are destroyed.

D．Ecosystem protection is as important as diversity protection.

2. What does the underlined word“ecocide" in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Ecosystem protection.

B．Reduction of the number of species.

C．Serious damage to habitats.

D．Habitats protection.

3. What's the direct cause of the terrible state of the hotspots?

A．Population growth in hotpots.

B．Migration out of these areas.

C．Global warming.

D．The global average population growth rate.

4. What's the author's opinion on protecting the hotspots?

A．It's simple to carry out.

B．It leads to the increase of tourists.

C．It's closely connected with local people.

D．It suggests that the local people are well educated.

8 . For those who can stomach it, working out before breakfast may be more beneficial for health than eating first, according to a study of meal timing and physical activity.

Athletes and scientists have long known that meal timing affects performance. However, far less has been known about how meal timing and exercise might affect general health.

To find out, British scientists conducted a study. They first found 10 overweight and inactive but otherwise healthy young men, whose lifestyles are, for better and worse, representative of those of most of us. They tested the men’s fitness and resting metabolic (新陈代谢的) rates and took samples (样品) of their blood and fat tissue.

Then, on two separate morning visits to the scientists’ lab, each man walked for an hour at an average speed that, in theory, should allow his body to rely mainly on fat for fuel. Before one of these workouts, the men skipped breakfast, meaning that they exercised on a completely empty stomach after a long overnight fast (禁食). On the other occasion, they ate a rich morning meal about two hours before they started walking.

Just before and an hour after each workout, the scientists took additional samples of the men’s blood and fat tissue.

Then they compared the samples. There were considerable differences. Most obviously, the men displayed lower blood sugar levels at the start of their workouts when they had skipped breakfast than when they had eaten. As a result, they burned more fat during walks on an empty stomach than when they had eaten first. On the other hand, they burned slightly more calories (卡路里), on average, during the workout after breakfast than after fasting.

But it was the effects deep within the fat cells that may have been the most significant, the researchers found. Multiple genes behaved differently, depending on whether someone had eaten or not before walking. Many of these genes produce proteins (蛋白质) that can improve blood sugar regulation and insulin (胰岛素) levels throughout the body and so are associated with improved metabolic health. These genes were much more active when the men had fasted before exercise than when they had breakfasted.

The implication of these results is that to gain the greatest health benefits from exercise, it may be wise to skip eating first.

1. The underlined expression “stomach it” in Paragraph 1 most probably means “______”.

A．digest the meal easily	B．manage without breakfast
C．decide wisely what to eat	D．eat whatever is offered

2. Why were the 10 people chosen for the experiment?

A．Their lifestyles were typical of ordinary people.

B．Their lack of exercise led to overweight.

C．They could walk at an average speed.

D．They had slow metabolic rates.

3. What happened to those who ate breakfast before exercise?

A．They successfully lost weight.	B．They consumed a bit more calories.
C．They burned more fat on average.	D．They displayed higher insulin levels.

4. What could be learned from the research?

A．A workout after breakfast improves gene performances.

B．Too much workout often slows metabolic rates.

C．Lifestyle is not as important as morning exercise.

D．Physical exercise before breakfast is better for health.

9 . According to a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research, both the size and consumption habits of our eating companions can influence our food intake. And contrary to existing research that says you should avoid eating with heavier people who order large portions(份), it's the beanpoles with big appetites you really need to avoid.

To test the effect of social influence on eating habits, the researchers conducted two experiments. In the first, 95 undergraduate women were individually invited into a lab to ostensibly(表面上)participate in a study about movie viewership. Before the film began, each woman was asked to help herself to a snack. An actor hired by the researchers grabbed her food first. In her natural state, the actor weighed 105 pounds. But in half the cases she wore a specially designed fat suit which increased her weight to 180 pounds.

Both the fat and thin versions of the actor took a large amount of food. The participants followed suit, taking more food than they normally would have. However, they took significantly more when the actor was thin.

For the second test, in one case the thin actor took two pieces of candy from the snack bowls. In the other case, she took 30 pieces. The results were similar to the first test: the participants followed suit but took significantly more candy when the thin actor took 30 pieces.

The tests show that the social environment is extremely influential when we're making decisions. If this fellow participant is going to eat more, so will I. Call it the “I’ll have what she's having” effect. However, we'll adjust the influence. If an overweight person is having a large portion, I'll hold back a bit because I see the results of his eating habits. But if a thin person eats a lot, I'll follow suit. If he can eat much and keep slim, why can't I?

1. What is the recent study mainly about?

A．Food safety.	B．Movie viewership.
C．Consumer demand.	D．Eating behavior.

2. What does the underlined word “beanpoles” in paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Big eaters.	B．Overweight persons.
C．Picky eaters.	D．Tall thin persons.

3. Why did the researchers hire the actor?

A．To see how she would affect the participants.

B．To test if the participants could recognize her.

C．To find out what she would do in the two tests.

D．To study why she could keep her weight down.

4. On what basis do we “adjust the influence” according to the last paragraph?

A．How hungry we are.	B．How slim we want to be.
C．How we perceive others.	D．How we feel about the food.

10 . Returning to a book you’ve read many times can feel like drinks with an old friend. There’s a welcome familiarity - but also sometimes a slight suspicion that time has changed you both, and thus the relationship. But books don’t change, people do. And that’s what makes the act of rereading so rich and transformative.

The beauty of rereading lies in the idea that our bond with the work is based on our present mental register. It’s true, the older I get, the more I feel time has wings. But with reading, it’s all about the present. It’s about the now and what one contributes to the now, because reading is a give and take between author and reader. Each has to pull their own weight.

There are three books I reread annually .The first, which I take to reading every spring is Emest Hemningway’s A Moveable Feast. Published in 1964, it’s his classic memoir of 1920s Paris. The language is almost intoxicating (令人陶醉的)，an aging writer looking back on an ambitious yet simpler time. Another is Annie Dillard’s Holy the Firm, her poetic 1975 ramble (随笔) about everything and nothing. The third book is Julio Cortazar’s Save Twilight: Selected Poems, because poetry. And because Cortazar.

While I tend to buy a lot of books, these three were given to me as gifs, which might add to the meaning I attach to them. But I imagine that, while money is indeed wonderful and necessary, rereading an author’s work is the highest currency a reader can pay them. The best books are the ones that open further as time passes. But remember, it’s you that has to grow and read and reread in order to better understand your friends.

1. Why does the author like rereading?

A．It evaluates the writer-reader relationship.

B．It’s a window to a whole new world.

C．It’s a substitute for drinking with a friend.

D．It extends the understanding of oneself.

2. What do we know about the book A Moveable Feast?

A．It’s a brief account of a trip.

B．It’s about Hemingway’s life as a young man.

C．It’s a record of a historic event.

D．It’s about Hemingway’s friends in Paris.

3. What does the underlined word ＂currency＂ in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Debt

B．Reward.

C．Allowance.

D．Face value.

4. What can we infer about the author from the text?

A．He loves poetry.

B．He’s an editor.

C．He’s very ambitious.

D．He teaches reading.