1 . Scientists have long considered the question of whether and how plants communicate. For years, the topic sparked controversy. Books like 1973’s The Secret Life of Plants suggest that plants grow well if you sing or play classical music. Such statements were later debunked: Any evidence that music helps plants grow is not convincing at all. Still, researchers firmly believe there is some sort of communication going on between plants.

Plant communication is a complicated topic. What we do know is that plants have a wide range of mechanisms for communicating with each other and their surroundings. “It’s quite clear that plants are not just unresponsive victims, but that they are very aware of nearby things,” says Richard Karban, an entomologist at the University of California. “And they respond to reliable information.”

When a plant sends out chemicals in the air in response to a perceived threat, other sensitive leavcs on that same plant, as well as the leaves of their neighbors, perceive those signals and subsequently increase their own defenses. Karban’s research, for instance, shows that plants sound the alarm when they’re attacked by pests, so that other plants respond by growing faster and stronger. Even other species, like tobacco, can sense and react to the alarm.

In a study published in the journal Cell this March, Lilach Hadany, a professor at Tel Aviv University, put tomato and tobacco plants in an isolated box and then recorded ultrasonic (超声的) sounds. They experimented with, cutting stems or leaving them without water to simulate drought. The researchers found that the plants emitted (popping and clicking sounds at around 60 decibels in response, approximately as loud as human chatter. These sounds were at an ultrasonic frequency that humans can’t naturally hear, however. Hadany’s team even matched different sounds to the plants’ environment. And each type of stress could be matched with a specific, identifiable sound.

“We don’t know if they’re using the sound, or if the sounds are emitted in a completely passive way due to physiological changes,” Hadany says. “But we do know they are in the air, and they contain information.”

1. What does the underlined word “debunked” in Paragraph 1 mean?

A．Confirmed.

B．Ignored.

C．Disproved.

D．Promoted.

2. What does Karban’s research indicate about plant communication?

A．Plants can make no response to their attackers.

B．Chemicals are sent by plants to attack the perceived threat.

C．Plants rely little on their neighbors’ information to survive.

D．The alarm sounded by one plant travels beyond plants and species.

3. What can we learn about the sounds emitted by plants from Hadany’s study?

A．The sounds are loud enough to scare away pests.

B．The sounds are produced when plants are in danger.

C．The sounds can be heard by man without equipment.

D．The sounds can be matched to the human environment.

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To inform readers.	B．To compare things.
C．To warn readers.	D．To advertise things.

2 . “I never got to choose my jobs,” John Baker reflects, his voice filled with a newfound sense of freedom. For twenty years, he worked tirelessly beneath the bustling streets in the London Underground, dedicated to his career. But upon turning sixty, he finally had the power to chart his own course. So, he became a lifeguard.

Three years prior, during a routine blood donation, Baker experienced an acute chest pain. A moment of clarity washed over Baker. “The doctor asked, ‘Do you drink?’ Yeah, probably too much. ‘Do you smoke?’ Yes.” His body, substantially burdened by tobacco and alcohol, whispered warnings. “I’m never going to be in this position again,” he made a firm resolution. Vowing to radically change his unhealthy way of life, Baker began his journey of transformation which was fueled by a switch to a vegan lifestyle. The tunnels of the underground faded into memory as Baker embraced a new horizon.

“I’ve always had to earn as much as I can for my family,” Baker reflects, his dedication evident in the lines of his weathered face. Long hours and unwavering commitment defined his career in the engineering fleet. But amidst the demands of work, he realized his family was neglected. “For twenty years, it was like they were wrapped in cling film,” he recalls, regret tugging at his heartstrings. So, he made a promise to his daughters, “If you have a child, I’ll - be a caring grandparent.” As time passed, Baker embraced his role as a grandfather, though it came with its challenges.

For the first six months after he qualified, Baker was asked at least once a day how old he was. “I was forty years older than anyone else in the lifeguard course,” he chuckles. Yet, to have young peers give you a different perspective.

Today, as he watches over the water’s edge, Baker finds comfort in the rhythm of the waves. “Every day is a learning experience,” he shares, wisdom gained over the years. “I feel it even more now at sixty.” In the ebb and flow of life, he’s found balance — between work, family, and self. “This is everything I’ve wanted,” he concludes, a sense of fulfillment guiding him forward.

1. Why did John Baker decide to make significant lifestyle changes?

A．Because he had some problems with his health.

B．Because he was always in the pursuit of an ideal job.

C．Because he felt overwhelmed by his responsibilities as a grandfather.

D．Because he was under great financial pressure from his family.

2. What was Bake’s experience like while working at the underground?

A．It was physically dangerous.	B．It was associated with pressure.
C．It offered him considerable flexibility.	D．It allowed him to travel around the world.

3. What motivated John Baker to become a caring grandparent?

A．His desire to spend more time with his daughters.

B．His longing to make up for lost time with his family.

C．His eagerness to retire early and enjoy life.

D．His commitment to his newfound career as a lifeguard.

4. How does John Baker feel about his current lifestyle?

A．Regretful.

B．Nervous.

C．Relieved.

D．Satisfied.

3 . Jeremy grew up being active and involved in sports. But he never gave healthy eating too much ________ until he found himself gaining weight. In November 2019, Jeremy ________ a turning point when he found that he was so ________ that he couldn’t play in a company football game. He decided to change his eating habits.

The first step Jeremy took toward healthy eating was to stop going to fast-food restaurants, where he used to eat fast food as ________ as 4 times a week. To his surprise, he found that giving up fast food wasn’t that hard.

Since Jeremy has always enjoyed cooking, he began to experiment with ways to make recipes ________. He used whole wheat flour instead of white flour, and olive oil instead of butter. Cooking allowed him to have more ________ over his food choices. “If you’re going to prepare it yourself, you’re much better off than if you were going to buy it already ________. You know exactly what’s in it.”

He also learned to expect there would be ________ as he changed his eating habits. Accepting that things wouldn’t always go perfectly, he didn’t get ________. “Just be patient with it, and be ________ with your goals.”

Jeremy’s friends and family noticed when he started eating healthier foods. Their support helped ________ him to make a healthy eating habit. And Jeremy felt pretty good when people began to ________ his changes.

For Jeremy, there have been no drawbacks to changing the way he eats. He acknowledges that healthy eating takes planning. But he knows it’s worth the ________. As a result of his changes, he is now back to a healthy weight and has the ________ to do the activities that he wants to do. “It’s just something that’s been really ________ for me.”

1.

A．idea

B．opinion

C．thought

D．concept

2.

A．hit

B．knocked

C．marked

D．proved

3.

A．under pressure

B．on edge

C．out of shape

D．off balance

4.

A．rarely

B．frequently

C．moderately

D．precisely

5.

A．cheaper

B．spicier

C．healthier

D．tastier

6.

A．control

B．power

C．potential

D．courage

7.

A．specialized

B．packaged

C．advertised

D．delivered

8.

A．questions

B．tragedies

C．disasters

D．setbacks

9.

A．relieved

B．discouraged

C．sensitive

D．cheerful

10.

A．realistic

B．content

C．concerned

D．strict

11.

A．force

B．motivate

C．persuade

D．disturb

12.

A．make light of

B．approve of

C．keep track of

D．take advantage of

13.

A．effort

B．money

C．wait

D．risk

14.

A．interest

B．agenda

C．qualification

D．energy

15.

A．dynamic

B．fortunate

C．rewarding

D．challenging

4 . Four places to explore in northern Canada

Welcome to Canada, the land of openness. Discover True North itineraries and undeniably Canadian experiences with a coast-to-coast collection of travel packages. All you need to bring is an open mind. And maybe a light jacket. If you want to get more detailed information, please click www.travelcanada.com

Nights Under Lights
From USD $4,995 per person
6 days/5 nights

Our Nights Under Lights multi-day tours will give you some of the best chances in the world to see and photograph the beautiful northern lights. Spend days adventuring with dog sledding tours, snow-walking, visiting local historic sites and museums and spend the evenings at our award-winning location for cultural presentations, aurora viewing and photography.

Subarctic Wonders: Exploring Churchill’s Northern Lights
From USD $3,795 per person
5 days /4 nights   

Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the aurora and embark on an authentic northern lights adventure. Each evening, we journey to tranquil hideaways, far from the city lights, where the sky unfolds its awe-inspiring display. Experience the wonder of the Northern Lights in Churchill, expertly guided by our team, as you dig into the vibrant northern culture and witness nature’s breathtaking light show.

Belugas, Bears & Summer Wildlife of Churchill
From USD $7,895 per person   
7 days /6 nights

Few of nature’s marvels match the intense aliveness of an Arctic summer. More than 3.000 of these adorable white whales gather at the mouth of the Churchill River, and our motorized rafts and kayaks put us at eye level with these often-curious aquatic lives. On the surrounding land, we frequently spot polar bears wandering or napping on the banks, their creamy coats contrasting with the rocky shoreline and dark forest.

Canada’s Premier Polar Bear Adventure
From USD $7,495 per person
8 days/7 nights

When you’re standing on the outdoor platform of our Polar Rover, the chill Arctic air feels refreshing. But not as much as the sight of the huge polar bear strolling towards us. Sometimes they are shadows on the horizon, slowly moving on the vast expanse of icy land, in search of seals for meals. Join us for one of nature’s most wondrous wildlife encounters—no one does it better than Natural Habitat!

1. In which tour will you spend the most money each day?

A．Nights Under Lights.

B．Subarctic Wonders: Exploring Churchill’s Northern Lights.

C．Belugas, Bears & Summer Wildlife of Churchill.

D．Canada’s Premier Polar Bear Adventure.

2. If you go to Churchill, what activity can you join in according to the text?

A．Sled with dogs.	B．Enjoy the Northern Lights.
C．Hike on the ice.	D．Visit museums.

3. Where can you probably find this text?

A．A geographic magazine.	B．A newspaper.
C．A travel brochure.	D．A website.

5 . Mona Lisa, oil painting on a popular wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, is probably the world’s most famous painting. It was painted sometime between 1503 and 1519, when Leonardo was living in Florence, and it now hangs in the Louvre Museum, Paris, where it remained an object of pilgrimage (朝圣) in the 21st century. The sitter’s mysterious smile and her unproven identity have made the painting a source of ongoing investigation and fascination.

The painting presents a woman in half-body portrait, which has as a backdrop of a distant landscape. Yet this simple description of a seemingly standard composition gives little sense of Leonardo’s achievement. The three-quarter view in which the sitter’s position mostly turns toward the viewer, broke from the standard profile pose used in Italian art and quickly became the convention for all portraits one used well into the 21st century. The subject’s softly sculptural face shows Leonardo’s skillful handling of shading and reveals his understanding of the muscles and the bones beneath the skin. The delicately painted veil, the finely wrought hair, and the careful depiction of folded fabric demonstrate Leonardo’s studied observations and inexhaustible patience. Moreover, the visual curves of the sitter’s hair and clothing are echoed in the shapes of the valleys and rivers behind her. The sense of overall harmony achieved in the painting—especially apparent in the sitter’s faint smile—reflects Leonardo’s idea of connecting humanity and nature. In its exquisite combination of sitter and landscape, the Mona Lisa set the standard for all future portraits.

There has been much speculation and debate regarding the identity of the portrait’s sitter. Scholars and historians have given numerous interpretations, including that she is Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of the Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo. That identity was first suggested in 1550 by artist biographer Giorgio Vasari. Another theory was that the model may have been Leonardo’s mother, Caterina. That interpretation was put forth by, among others, Sigmund Freud, who seemed to think that the Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile emerged from a — perhaps unconscious — memory of Caterina’s smile.

1. What aspect of Mona Lisa continues to fascinate people according to paragraph 1?

A．Its standard composition.	B．Its famous painter.
C．The sitter’s facial expression.	D．The sitter’s proven identity.

2. Which sets Mona Lisa apart from earlier portraits?

A．The handling of shading.	B．The position of the sitter.
C．The description of background.	D．The depiction of clothes.

3. What can we learn from paragraph 2?

A．Mona Lisa revolutionized portrait painting criteria.

B．Leonardo observed the skin carefully.

C．Leonardo focused on presenting humanity.

D．Mona Lisa overshadows the background landscape.

4. What is the main focus of the last paragraph?

A．Guesses on the sitter’s identity.	B．Interpretations of Freud’s theories.
C．Influence of Giorgio Vasari.	D．Role of Leonardo’s mother.

6 . Born with a disability in her right leg, Mei faced numerous challenges in her daily life. Regardless, Mei refused to let her disability define her.

From a young age, Mei harbored a deep passion for painting. With the support of her loving family, she transformed her wheelchair into a mobile easel (画架), allowing her to create art wherever she went. Every stroke (笔画) of her brush was like a witness to her growth.

As Mei grew older, her talent attracted the attention of the local community. Encouraged by their support, she decided to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional artist. However, Mei soon encountered doubt from others, even her childhood best friends, who questioned her ability to succeed in the art world.

Instead of backing up, Mei pressed on, expressing her frustration (沮丧) into her artwork. Her paintings were beautiful, reflecting the beauty she saw in the world around her. Through her art, Mei found a sense of purpose, proving to herself and others that disabilities could not put out the fire of creativity.

Eventually, Mei received an invitation to showcase her artwork at Guggenheim Museum in New York. Wild with joy, she was unsure if she was ready to face the judgement of the art world. With the support of her family and friends, Mei decided to seize the opportunity.

The show was a great success. Through Mei’s journey, she was able to reach thousands of other people with disabilities who would benefit from her experience. That’s why she is still pressing on and fighting—not because she’s broken, but because she not only has an opportunity to fully achieve her potentials as a disabled person but also the will to inspire everyone else around her.

1. What did Mei face when she decided to become an artist?

A．Apologies from her best friends.	B．Distrust in her ability to succeed.
C．Attention to her painting techniques.	D．Congratulations on her instant success.

2. How did Mei feel when she got invited by the Guggenheim Museum?

A．Saddened.

B．Astonished.

C．Uncertain.

D．Embarrassed.

3. Now that her show was a success, Mei pressed on because of her ______.

A．pursuit to be a professional	B．willingness to inspire others
C．power to transform disabilities	D．aim to make her experience known

4. What would be the best title of the passage?

A．A Challenging Life: Mei’s Story of Determination.

B．From Failure to Victory: Mei’s Valuable Life Lesson.

C．Rejecting Limits: Mei’s Story and Her Artistic Success.

D．Journey of Inspiration: Mei’s Determination to Help Others.

7 . When Howard Carter opened King Tut’s tomb (墓穴), it was full of gold and other valuables. When he and his team then attempted to remove King Tut’s mummy (木乃伊), they did a great deal of damage to the mummy while removing it.

Decades later, in 1968, experts conducted an examination of King Tut’s mummy using simple X-ray technology. Three important discoveries led to various theories about his death. First, the X-rays showed that bones in Tut’s chest were missing. Some guessed the damage was caused by a war injury or an accident. Plus, there was a small hole in the back of the skull (头骨), and pieces of bone inside it, causing many to believe that Tut was killed by a blow to the back of the head. Was he murdered by people wanting to take control of Egypt? Finally, a serious broken bone was discovered on Tut’s left leg. Tut was hurt a few hours before his death. This could have been the result of an accident. Could an infection from the injury have killed Tut?

In 2005, scientists under the direction of Zahi Hawass used new X-ray technology to study the mummy. They discovered that the damage to Tut’s chest was caused by Howard Carter, and the hole in Tut’s skull was made when the body was gotten ready for burial. While this ruled out the theory of murder, it still doesn’t tell us exactly how he died.

Then, in 2008, when Hawass and his team analyzed the DNA of the mummies and other tombs nearby, they made some shocking discoveries. They found Tut’s father and mother, who had similar DNA, were actually brother and sister. The DNA they passed on to Tut may have made it easy for him to catch a disease. Did an infection that started in his broken leg cause his death? No one knows for sure. But Hawass and his team hope they will someday have an answer to this age-old mystery.

1. Why was the examination of King Tut’s mummy conducted in 1968?

A．To determine the cause of Tut’s death.	B．To assess the condition of Tut’s coffin.
C．To discover the identity of Tut’s parents.	D．To study the treasures found in Tut’s tomb.

2. What do we know about the damage to Tut’s skull?

A．It was caused by an accident.	B．It was caused by a blow to kill.
C．It was caused by Howard Carter’s team.	D．It was caused during burial preparation.

3. The discovery of Tut’s parents implies that ______.

A．Tut’s broken leg had little to do with his DNA.

B．Tut’s DNA features might have been common.

C．Tut’s death was closely connected to their DNA.

D．Tut’s health was probably affected by their shared DNA.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

A．To analyze the cultural significance of King Tut’s tomb.

B．To entertain readers with tales of ancient Egyptian royalty.

C．To inform readers about the discoveries surrounding King Tut’s death.

D．To persuade readers to follow further research into King Tut’s life and death.

8 . Beginning your journey abroad, you’ll witness excitement fill the air. Each step brings new experiences and adventures from busy streets to beautiful landscapes. Pack your bags and welcome the thrill of discovery that awaits. Here are a few things for you to get started with before you set foot.

Do thorough research on your destination.

Conduct complete research about the country or region you plan to visit before your trip.     1    . Understanding the cultural differences and societal norms will help you travel between unfamiliar situations with respect and sensitivity. Additionally, research practical information such as transportation options, local currency, and communication networks to facilitate a smooth travel experience.

Plan your packing in a reasonable way.

When packing for your trip abroad, prioritize essentials and pack light to avoid unnecessary weight.     2    . Remember to bring important documents such as your passport, visa if required, travel insurance information, and any necessary medication. Organize your belongings efficiently to minimize stress and maximize convenience while traveling.

    3    .

Be alarmed and aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid risky areas, especially at night, and keep your belongings secure. Familiarize yourself with local emergency contact numbers, the location of your country’s embassy (大使馆), and any specific safety precautions recommended for travelers in your destination.

Welcome new experiences that come your way.

    4    . Welcome the adventure of exploring unfamiliar places, trying local foods, and interacting with people from different backgrounds. Keep an open mind and be willing to step outside your comfort zone to fully appreciate the richness and diversity of the world.

As your journey abroad comes to a close, memories of adventure and discovery will remain in your heart. Cherish (珍惜) the moments shared, the sights seen, and the lessons learned.     5    .

A．Pay attention to safety at all times.

B．Respect local customs and traditions.

C．Learn about its history, culture, customs, and local laws.

D．Stay updated on travel guidelines issued by your government.

E．Traveling abroad offers access to new cultures and experiences.

F．Though your travels may end, the spirit of exploration will live on.

G．Consider the climate and your activities, and pack proper clothing and equipment.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How long did the two men spend at sea?

A．One week.

B．About 20 days.

C．About one month.

2. What was the two men’s attitude toward their adventure?

A．Positive.

B．Ambiguous.

C．Negative.

3. What did the two men eat to survive?

A．Fish.

B．Seabirds.

C．Oranges.

4. Who saved the two men?

A．A fisherman

B．The local government.

C．A search and rescue team.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the man’s favorite player?

A．Messi.

B．Neymar.

C．Cristiano Ronaldo.

2. What does the man explain about the 2022 World Cup?

A．The influence.

B．The time change.

C．The best players.

3. Which country has won the most World Cups?

A．Italy.

B．Brazil.

C．Germany.