The Xi’an City Wall is the most complete city wall that has survived China’s long history. It
We accessed the wall through the South Gate. The wall is 12 meters high and from here you can see streams of people moving inside and outside the City Wall.
After
We
2 . A Take a view, the Landscape(风景)Photographer of the Year Award, was the idea of Charlie Waite, one of today’s most respected landscape photographers.Each year, the high standard of entries has shown that the Awards are the perfect platform to showcase the very best photography of the British landscape.Take a view is a desirable annual competition for photographers from all comers of the UK and beyond.
Mike Shepherd(2011) Skiddaw in Winter Cumbria, England | It was an extremely cold winter’s evening and freezing fog hung in the air. I climbed to the top of a small rise and realised that the mist was little more than a few feet deep, and though it was only a short climb, I found myself completely above it and looking at a wonderfully clear view of Skiddaw with the sun setting in the west. I used classical techniques, translated from my college days spent in the darkroom into Photoshop, to achieve the black—and—white image(图像). |
Timothy Smith(2014) Macclesfield Forest Cheshire, England | I was back in my home town of Macclesfield to take some winter images. Walking up a path through the forest towards Shutlingsloe. a local high point, I came across a small clearing and immediately noticed the dead yellow grasses set against the fresh snow. The small pine added to the interest and I placed it centrally to take the view from the foreground right through into the forest. |
A.Writers. | B.Photographers. | C.Painters. | D.Tourists. |
A.They are winter images. |
B.They are in black and white. |
C.They show mountainous scenes. |
D.They focus on snow—covered forests. |
A.In a history book. | B.In a novel. | C.In an art magazine. | D.In a biography. |
South Koreans have enjoyed their first close-up look of new baby giant pandas at a name-revealing ceremony that is also
What to name the twin sisters was widely discussed among netizens after they were born on July 7 in theme park Everland. The names were
The baby pandas,
Everland said it would monitor the twins’ health
4 . Scientists have been experimenting with playing sounds to plants since at least the 1960s, during which time they have been exposed to everything from Beethoven to Michael Jackson. Over the years, evidence that this sort of thing can have an effect has been growing. One paper, published in 2018, claimed that an Asian shrub known as the telegraph plant grew substantially larger leaves when exposed to 56 days of Buddhist music — but not if it was exposed to Western pop music or silence. Another, published last year, found that marigolds and sage plants exposed to the noise of traffic from a busy motorway suffered growth difficulty.
Plants have been evolving (进化) alongside the insects that eat them for hundreds of millions of years. With that in mind, Heidi Appel, a botanist now at the University of Houston, and Reginald Cocroft, a biologist at the University of Missouri, wondered if plants might be sensitive to the sounds made by the animals with which they most often interact. They recorded the vibrations made by certain species of caterpillars (毛毛虫) as they chewed on leaves. These vibrations are not powerful enough to produce sound waves in the air. But they are able to travel across leaves and branches, and even to neighbouring plants if their leaves touch.
They then exposed tobacco plant — the plant biologist’s version of the laboratory mouse — to the recorded vibrations while no caterpillars were actually present. Later, they put real caterpillars on the plants to see if exposure had led them to prepare for an insect attack. The results were striking. Leaves that had been exposed had significantly higher levels of defensive chemicals, making them much harder for the caterpillars to eat. Leaves that had not been exposed to vibrations showed no such response. Other sorts of vibration — caused by the wind, for instance, or other insects that do not eat leaves — had no effect.
“Now speakers with the right audio files are more often being used to warn crops to act when insects are detected but not yet widespread,” says Dr. Cocroft. “Unlike chemical pesticides, sound waves leave no dangerous chemicals.”
1. What can we learn about plants from the first paragraph?A.They may enjoy Western music. | B.They can’t stand Buddhist music. |
C.They can react to different sounds. | D.They can make different sounds. |
A.Plants can make a cry for help. | B.Plants evolve alongside insects. |
C.Plants are sensitive to the sounds. | D.Plants have been studied for years. |
A.They can recongnize harmful vibrations. | B.They look like laboratory mice. |
C.They can threaten the caterpillars. | D.They can release poisonous chemicals. |
A.Disadvantages of chemical pesticides. | B.Application of the experimental results. |
C.Interaction between plants and insects. | D.Warning system of widespread insects. |
5 . A physical checkup often begins with a series of questions: What foods do you eat? Do you smoke? Getting any exercise? New research suggests another telling indicator could be added to that list: What was your college major? The study finds one’s chosen field of college study is a statistically significant predictor of health in midlife.
The researchers find the four majors associated with the best midlife health are architecture/engineering, biology/life sciences, business, and—here’s a surprise—communications/journalism. Perhaps chasing after big stories keeps us journalists in shape.
It has long been established that people with more education tend to be healthier. But does one’s major matter? To find out, the researchers analyzed data from the nationally representative American Community Survey.
Their sample consisted of 3.7 million United States-born adults between the ages of 45 and 64—the time of life when physical functioning problems start to appear. Participants noted whether they had difficulty walking or climbing stairs, dressing or bathing. A “yes” answer in any of those categories resulted in a grade of relatively poor health.
The researchers focused on the 667,362 participants who earned a bachelor’s degree, but went no further in their education. They noted each person’s college major, which they placed into one of 15 categories. They found substantial differences in health across majors. Two majors are particularly disadvantaged in midlife. The chances of poor health are 1.9 times greater among psychology /social work and law/public policy majors compared to business majors. The researchers argue this is likely due to several factors. Psychology majors tend to suffer from high unemployment and low earnings. Law/public policy majors often enter the field of law enforcement(执行).
The researchers say that they have discovered associations, not proof of causality(因果关系). But they make a convincing case that some majors lead people to live healthier lifestyles than others.
Their findings might even inspire a warning country song: Mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be psychology majors.
1. What can be learned from the first two paragraphs?A.Smoking can lead to poor health. | B.Diet is more important than exercise. |
C.Physical checkups keep you healthy. | D.College major chould be added to a checkup. |
A.By doing face-to-face interviews. | B.By following participants’ daily routines. |
C.By doing medical examinations. | D.By analyzing the representative data. |
A.Engineering. | B.Business. | C.Psychology. | D.Agriculture. |
A.College majors can predict midlife health. |
B.More majors in college can improve health. |
C.The annual physical exam is necessary to life. |
D.People with more education tend to be healthier. |
6 . Catherine Krestyn furnished (布置家具)her home mainly with hard rubbish, such as the chairs, doors and lamps, which have been collected from the street where she lives. And it’s a way of life she’s sharing with her community in the hope of making a difference.
Catherine leads a 6,000-strong online group called Boroondara Hard Rubbish Rehome, where members upload pictures of their hard rubbish piles for eager locals to find. She started the group in 2022 with her childhood friend Jennie Irving, hoping to build a community of thrift (节俭)where they lived. The pair have stopped more than 7,000 kg of hard rubbish going to landfill since they founded the group.
Some items are ready as they are, like chairs and lamps, and others take a bit of effort to clean up, like the old, wooden doors.
Local teacher Ruth Polgar discovered the group while surfing the Internet and has since decorated her classroom with second-hand items, including artwork she has rehomed from a neighbour. “We regularly take unneeded items from the group and use them for our school projects,” she says.
Running the group can be really challenging for Catherine. But she doesn’t resent those who have to let go of their possessions because of stressful circumstances. “If you’re downsizing or if you’re clearing an old house, quite often you’re desperate for access to easy options,” she says. “Hard rubbish piles are often that option.”
All Catherine wants to do is give her community a way to reduce their waste, and to send a message to those in charge that things need to urgently change.
“The government has big targets around sustainable development leading into 2030. We want to start speeding that up even sooner,” she says. “We’re suffering from our own waste really, so anything that we can all do on a practical level helps. We should first make lifestyle choices and be prepared to go second-hand.”
1. Why did Catherine set up Boroondara Hard Rubbish Rehome?A.To create a community of thrift. | B.To donate her collection to charity. |
C.To collect hard rubbish for locals. | D.To decorate the houses for the homeless. |
A.She prefers second-hand items. | B.She buys items on the Internet. |
C.She supports Catherine’s cause. | D.She teaches art at a local school. |
A.Feel angry about. | B.Feel pleased with. |
C.Show sympathy for. | D.Show interest in. |
A.Setting ourselves a big goal. | B.Giving throwaways a second life. |
C.Meeting the government’s requirements. | D.Replacing old furniture regularly. |
7 . Summer Badminton Camp
Our annual badminton camps are back this June holidays! Come and join us for some fun and action! All camps will be held at the Chestnut Sports Hall. There are a total of 4 fun-filled camps lined up for this amazing holiday. The aim is to allow them to understand and lift their game to the next level or just for recreation, at the same time adding fun elements in training to build a strong interest in the sport.
Camps Available
Beginner: For those who want to learn basic badminton skills. Date: 12 to 14 June 2024 Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fees: $80 Ages: 5-8 years old only | Intermediate: For those who know the basics of playing badminton and want to improve their skills further. Date: 15 to 17 June 2024 Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fees: $100 Ages: 7-12 years old only |
Advanced: For those who want to take up badminton as a competitive sport. Date: 19 to 21 June 2024 Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fees: $150 Ages: 11-12 years old only | Recreation: For those who want to make new friends while staying active. Date: 12 to 14 June 2024 Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fees: $60 Ages: 13-16 years old only |
Guest Speaker Badminton world champion, Adrian Goh, will address the participants at the start of each camp. He will share invaluable tips and his experience of playing badminton competitively. |
Special Camp Present All participants will receive our summer badminton camp sweater and water bottle. |
Early Bird Special First 20 participants to register will be given a pair of Yinex badminton bats. For more information, call Mr. Tan at 67892111 or visit our website at www. sbssummer camps. com |
A.The beginner camp. | B.The advanced camp. |
C.The intermediate camp. | D.The recreation camp. |
A.A summer badminton camper. | B.The badminton camp organizer. |
C.A badminton world champion. | D.A sponsor for the summer camp. |
A.To give away free badminton bats. |
B.To promote the special camp bottles. |
C.To invite people to attend Mr. Goh’s talk. |
D.To encourage people to sign up for the camps. |
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧),并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线,并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2.只允许修改10处,多者(从第11处起)不计分。
I flew back to New York from a spring break. My flight landed lately in the evening. I decided to taking an airport bus to the downtown area so that I could find a faster and cheap taxi to get home. It turned out that a bus was full of passengers but I was chatting with a few of them. I told that it was unsafe to be waiting for in the street to catch a taxi at midnight. One of the woman in the bus said that her car was parked near the station. So she offered me a ride to my home, drop me safely and did not accept a penny in return. I was so thankful for his kindness.
9 . In Jan. 2020, Teresa Hernandez was 35 weeks pregnant. One morning, she had a strange
When she got there, she learned that the baby’s heart rate was
Hernandez was
“This nurse, she took my hand and started pressing with
“When your mom is there, you feel
A.dream | B.idea | C.feeling | D.decision |
A.promise | B.ensure | C.agree | D.argue |
A.declining | B.happening. | C.appearing | D.starting |
A.immediately | B.gradually | C.extremely | D.formally |
A.comfort | B.control | C.excitement | D.shock |
A.nearby | B.inside | C.outside | D.around |
A.invited | B.introduced | C.rushed | D.recommerded |
A.anxiety | B.hesitation | C.difficulty | D.burden |
A.heart | B.surprise | C.pleasure | D.panic |
A.stepped down | B.turned out | C.stepped in | D.dropped by |
A.surprise | B.sympathy | C.dignity | D.confusion |
A.admired | B.called | C.showed | D.held |
A.placed | B.grasped | C.skipped | D.covered |
A.concluded | B.reported | C.reminded | D.recalled |
A.Due to | B.Instead of | C.Apart from | D.As for |
A.pride | B.relief | C.duty | D.concern |
A.expected | B.remembered | C.accompanied | D.arranged |
A.protected | B.affected | C.educated | D.respected |
A.exact | B.right | C.plain | D.crazy |
A.desperate | B.suitable | C.ready | D.grateful |
10 . It all began on a cold, rainy day.
Sarah, a poor single mother, was
Sarah
A man, who saw the heartwarming
Reflecting on this unbelievable journey, we can
A.helping | B.continuing | C.struggling | D.seeking |
A.left behind | B.came across | C.looked for | D.turned to |
A.clean | B.cheap | C.fancy | D.thin |
A.followed | B.approached | C.respected | D.caught |
A.complaining | B.staring | C.suffering | D.surviving |
A.Attracted | B.Confused | C.Moved | D.Shocked |
A.connection | B.appreciation | C.duty | D.kindness |
A.exchange | B.invitation | C.option | D.performance |
A.story | B.symbol | C.chance | D.hit |
A.generosity | B.courage | C.curiosity | D.patience |
A.change | B.support | C.direct | D.educate |
A.creativity | B.strength | C.significance | D.description |
A.quick | B.main | C.different | D.extra |
A.recognize | B.expect | C.remember | D.admit |
A.regularly | B.obviously | C.eventually | D.slightly |