1 . In the ground below a tall New York City apartment building, several machines collect carbon dioxide(CO2)from large gas-powered boilers which help heat the building but also release CO2 into the atmosphere.
Nearly 70 percent of New York City’s large buildings have steam boilers that run on natural gas or oil. Big buildings in New York City release about two-thirds of the city’s emissions(排放). New York state’s buildings also release more air pollution than any other state.
Brian Asparro, chief operating officer of CarbonQuest—the company that built the machines to capture(捕获)the CO2 in the apartment buildings—said, “Time is not on our side, and this type of solution can be cost-effective and without a major destruction.”
The machines cool the CO2 to about-23℃. At that temperature, the gas becomes liquid and can be carried away by trucks to Brooklyn, another area in New York City. There, another company turns the liquid into a solid, The solid CO2 then reacts with calcium to form calcium carbonate(碳酸钙), which goes into concrete, Once the CO2 is in concrete, ‘it will not release into the atmosphere unless the concrete is heated to about 600℃.
However, critics say, “Carbon capture doesn’t actually reduce emissions; it seeks to put them somewhere else.” Critics also worry that it is dangerous to keep large amounts of CO2 below buildings. If too much of the gas is released by accident, it could cause health problems and even death.
But supporters of capturing the CO2 say it is safe. They also argue that boilers and other gas heating systems are probably more dangerous than the machines that capture the CO2.
Under a new state law in New York, many buildings must reduce their emissions. If they do not lower their emissions, the building owners will have to pay a fine. What’s more, to help increase the use of carbon capture machines, the government lowers taxes for owners who put them in their buildings.
1. How do carbon capture machines in New York City work?| A．By heating the carbon dioxide to 600℃. |
| B．By changing the physical state of carbon dioxide. |
| C．By replacing large gas-powered boilers gradually. |
| D．By transporting the carbon dioxide to other cities. |
| A．Their cost. | B．Their occupied area. |
| C．Their safety. | D．Their harm to the environment. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear. | D．Unconcerned. |
| A．A Major Crisis of Environmental Pollution |
| B．A Disadvantage of Carbon Capture and Storage |
| C．The Development of a Company Called CarbonQuest |
| D．Carbon Capture Technology for Tall Buildings in New York City |
| A．6. | B．5. | C．4. |
3 . Olympic Games organizers in France presented the 2024 Olympic torch that will light the Summer Games in the country a year from now. In the Olympic torch tradition, many people carry the torch in turn from Greece to the current location of the Games. After it has traveled thousands of kilometers. The torch will light the Olympic cauldron(火炬台)at the Opening Ceremony of the next Olympic Games.
French designer Mathieu Lehanneur created the torch. which is 70 centimeters long and made of lightweight steel. Lehanneur said its shape is inspired by the famous Seine River, which flows through Paris. He said the torch is equal from top to bottom and all around the middle, which stands for equality between athletes. The twisting shape of the torch represents peace.
The torch was made with lightweight steel. Its lower half copies the movement of the Seine, along which the opening ceremony will take place for over 500,000 viewers.
Lehanneur said he wants the torch to represent the kind of event that Paris 2024 hopes to be. “I wanted to move away from the torch appearing as an object of conquest,”Lehanneur said. He also told reporters that designing the torch was much more technical than he thought it would be. “The magic is not the torch itself, but the flame,” Lehanneur said.
The torch will be lit up in Olympia, Greece on April 16, 2024, followed by a nine day torch relay before sailing across the Mediterranean Sea from Athens to Marseille in France on May 8. It will then pass through several important places, which include Strasbourg, the Pantheon in Paris, the Mont Saint-Michel and multiple French territories.
Tony Estanguet, the Paris 2024 chief, said that the torch is very, very beautiful. He also said, “It is very pure. It’s perfectly balanced in the hand.”
1. Why is the torch equal from top to bottom?| A．It is easy for torch-bearers to carry. | B．It is the symbol of the Seine River. |
| C．It shows equality between players. | D．It represents peace among nations. |
| A．He wishes Paris 2024 to be the best ever. | B．The torch is more important than the flame. |
| C．He thinks highly of the torch’s appearance. | D．Designing the torch is harder than he thinks. |
| A．Fifteen days. | B．Twenty two days. |
| C．Nine days. | D．Eight days. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. | C．Doubtful. | D．Intolerant. |
| A．Inside a bookstore. | B．Outside a cinema. | C．In a sports center. |
| Sunshine Club For young people from 12 to 18 years old Include games, music, dancing and more. Every Saturday: 6:30 am—9:30 pm 28 Oxford Street, London Tel: 76239652 Price: Just £3 a time |
| Cartoon Museum Come and see the best of British cartoon art. There is something for everyone, including popular cartoon characters and a great shop full of funny books and cards. Price: free Opening times: Tuesday—Saturday 10:30 am—5:30 pm Sunday 11:00 am—6:00 pm Tel: 65235873 |
| Cox’s Hotel Tel: 87058366 E-mail: info@coxshotel.co.uk Website: www.coxshotel.co.uk Opening times: Coffee shop: 9:00 am—6:00 pm Every day Tea room: 10:30 am—5:30 pm Monday—Thursday Pub (小酒吧): 8:00 am—11:30 pm Friday—Saturday |
| Hamilton Zoo Over 600 animals: tigers, pandas... Opening hours: 9:00 am—5:00 pm Monday—Sunday An adult: £15 A child (under 12 years old): £10 Tel: 23653692 |
| A．In the Cartoon Museum. | B．At Cox’s Hotel. |
| C．In the Sunshine Club. | D．In the Hamilton Zoo. |
| A．9:00 am—6:00 pm on Friday | B．8:30 am—11:30 pm on Friday |
| C．8:00 am—11:30 pm on Wednesday | D．8:00 am—11:30 pm on Thursday |
| A．£10 | B．£15 | C．£25 | D．£4 |
| A．At 5:00 a.m. | B．At 3:00 a.m. | C．At 2:00 a.m. |
| A．By lending her car to him. | B．By taking him to class. | C．By telling him the way. |
| A．Collect her tickets. | B．Book tickets. | C．See a film. |
| A．By bus. | B．On foot. | C．By car. |
10 . Here are some fantastic parks in San Antonio.
Brackenridge Park
The park was first established in 1899 and has been popular with both locals and visitors ever since. Towering trees and peaceful riverbanks will greet guests along the park’s paths, and the facilities include playgrounds, museums, a miniature train, a Japanese tea garden, and one of the oldest golf courses in the city.
Friedrich Wilderness Park
In the park, you’ll find about 10 miles of paved(铺过的)and unpaved trails(路线), with a little something for everyone. From rocky climbs to deep canyons, and enchanting forests to open views, there’s no shortage of natural beauty. The area is nationally famous for birdwatching.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
The park is the state’s only one on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers quite a large area, so it’s best to make it a full-day or at least a half-day trip so you can be sure to cover everything. While the Alamo is a separate attraction, you will get to enjoy the architectural wonders of Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. They’re all connected by a hike and bike trail, with plenty of stops along the way to picnic, climb trees, and refill water. Admission is free!
Eisenhower Park
Just a 20-to 30-minute drive from the city center, the park puts the best landscapes in the Texas Hill Country on full display, holding 6 miles of hiking trails, both paved and unpaved. Explore dried creek beds, look out over plunging canyons, and enjoy full views of San Antonio down below. You can also find playgrounds for the little ones, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities.
1. What is Friedrich Wilderness Park well-known for?| A．Birdwatching. | B．Ancient buildings. |
| C．A Japanese tea garden. | D．Unpaved hiking paths. |
| A．Brackenridge Park. |
| B．Friedrich Wilderness Park. |
| C．San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. |
| D．Eisenhower Park. |
| A．Golf courses and bicycle trails. |
| B．Museums and no entrance fee. |
| C．Birdwatching and playgrounds. |
| D．Hiking trails and barbecue facilities. |
