1 . With mounting evidence that nanoplastic particles (纳米塑料微粒) are in our bodies, there is growing concern over their potential health impacts. Now a new study finds a relation between nanoplastics in the brain and a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease.
Nanoplastics appear when the plastic packaging breaks down into small pieces. These particles can enter the blood and cross the blood-brain barrier, with European researchers reporting earlier this year that in animal experiments, it can take two hours or less for certain nanoplastics to reach the brain after being eaten.
In humans, it’s long been thought that environmental factors play a role in Parkinson’s disease but specific causes are still unclear. The new study from the Duke University School of Medicine details how nanoplastics cause chemical changes in the brain that can, in turn, make Parkinson’s and related types of diseases more likely.
That’s because the nanoplastics attract a protein (蛋白质) called alpha-synuclein, known to play a role in Parkinson’s and related disorders. In lab and animal studies, the plastic’s interaction with it leads to increases in the affected neurons in the brain. This interaction appears related to favorable conditions in which Parkinson’s can develop.
The study authors note that Parkinson’s disease existed long before nanoplastics appeared in the environment, but they think that this “nanoplastics pollution in the human brain” may prove a new poison.
Further, the Duke team led by Dr. Andrew West notes that Parkinson’s disease is among the fastest growing nervous diseases in the world, even as the amazing amount of plastic pollution builds across the planet. This is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
“The technology to monitor nanoplastics is still at the earliest possible stages and not ready yet to answer all the questions we have,” West said. “But hopefully efforts in this area will increase rapidly, as we see what these particles can do in our experiments.”
1. Where is the text most probably taken from?| A．A product advertisement. |
| B．A science journal. |
| C．An art magazine. |
| D．A travel brochure. |
| A．The conditions leading to Parkinson’s. |
| B．The cause of alpha-synuclein’s appearance. |
| C．The principle of nanoplastics’ impact on Parkinson’s. |
| D．The difference between Parkinson’s and related disorders. |
| A．Plastic pollution will by no means be avoided. |
| B．Nanoplastics are impossible to deal with at present. |
| C．Fewer people will suffer from Parkinson’s in the future. |
| D．More efforts in the study of nanoplastics will be put in. |
| A．Nanoplastics can enter the brain through blood |
| B．Nanoplastics may promote Parkinson’s disease |
| C．Alpha-synuclein plays a role in Parkinson’s disease |
| D．Nanoplastics will do serious harm to human health |
2 . Four best zoos in the UK
London ZooEstablished in 1828, London Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world. It is situated in Regent’s Park and is home to around 755 different animal species with about 16,802 animals. In addition to being famous for being the oldest scientific zoo, it’s also the very first zoo to launch an Aquarium, an Insect House, a Children’s Zoo and a Reptile House.
Ticket prices online: Children £15 and adults £21. Under 3 — free entry.
Colchester ZooThis charming child-friendly zoo has more than 155 species located within 60 acres of well-kept land. It has at least 50 displays every day, plenty of hands-on experience opportunities and 5 play areas. It remains up-to-date by expanding continuously and children are guaranteed to enjoy the Madagascar express road train.
Ticket prices online: Children £14 and adults £21. Under 3 — free entry.
Whipsnade ZooWhipsnade Zoo is the UK’s biggest zoo set in over 600 acres of beautiful scenery. It first opened in 1931 and now houses 227 different species that comprise over 10,000 animals. The remarkable feature of this zoo is the wandering herds of elephants that freely move around the zoo grounds, making it a wonderful place to take excellent natural pictures to show off to friends and family.
Ticket prices online: Children £18 and adults £25. Under 3 — free entry.
Bristol ZooThis 12-acre zoo houses more than 450 species. Moreover, it has used its space resourcefully for a small zoo — probably one of the smallest in the world. For example, the latest Gorilla House is an award-winning area with the world’s first walkable glass roof.
Ticket prices online: Children £9 and adults £14. Under 2 — no entry fee.
1. What can visitors do in London Zoo?| A．Visit the Insect House. |
| B．Experience hands-on activities. |
| C．Perform scientific experiments. |
| D．Take pictures on a walkable glass roof. |
| A．London Zoo. | B．Colchester Zoo. |
| C．Whipsnade Zoo. | D．Bristol Zoo. |
| A．£18. | B．£23. | C．£37. | D．£46. |
3 . Bonding Over Dumplings Online
In October, our student union held an online culture cafe to allow our schoolmates to learn how to make Chinese dumplings together. The international group brought together members from China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.
After introducing the process of wrapping dumplings, we wrapped the meat filling into the center of the dumpling. Some foreign schoolmates were quite confused because they pressed the edges with the palms of their hands.
One schoolmate from Australia said she never knew how much fun it was to make dumplings before, and she was curious about why dumplings are so popular with the Chinese.
| A．The dumplings were all delicious. |
| B．The online session was meaningful. |
| C．However, some foreign schoolmates learned quickly. |
| D．There is no “one standard filling” for all types of dumplings. |
| E．Born in a traditional Chinese family, I shared my story with her. |
| F．Therefore, we Chinese people taught our schoolmates step by step. |
| G．The activity fostered an exchange of cooking skills and cultural experiences. |
4 . Since living in China, I’d always heard that Sichuan province had the spiciest cuisine. I finally made my way to Chengdu to satisfy my eagerness.
With 45% of its local people aged between 14 and 45, making it one of China’s most youthful places, it boasted an energetic atmosphere dotted with trendy shops, cafes, and live music. People wandered leisurely along the streets, enjoying the free time with those who don’t work overtime.
As the sun sets, Chengdu truly comes alive. The city buzzes (充斥着) with countless bars and music venues. I chose a bar to hear myself think. My waiter brought me a cocktail with Sichuan peppers and I asked where I could taste the most special hotpot. She suggested Long Sen Yuan Hotpot. I made a reservation. Afterwards, I took a walk along the amazing Jinjiang River. I’m not a person for solo walks typically, but I was curious about the Jiuyan Bridge, the highlight of the area, which bears the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The next day, I went to Long Sen Yuan. Having ordered some food, I asked for the spicy broth(火锅锅底) and learned I could choose from three levels of spiciness. I ordered the spiciest broth available. The waiter made eye contact to warn about how spicy it was. “Bring it on,” I challenged. The hotpot lived up to its reputation. I found the first bite bearable. However, any experienced spicy food expert will tell you that spice builds as you eat, and I had a lot of broth to get through. By the end of the meal, I was sweating all over. The experience was perfect, and I would highly recommend it, I even shot a selfie with the waiter as a memory of my spicy adventure.
1. Why is Chengdu one of China’s most youthful places?| A．Chengdu is a lively city in China. |
| B．People in Chengdu don’t work overtime. |
| C．The city has countless bars and music venues. |
| D．Nearly half of the people are between 15 and 45. |
| A．People lead a busy life. |
| B．People’s life there is diverse. |
| C．The highlight of the area is Jinjiang River. |
| D．The restaurant can make people hear themselves think. |
| A．The three levels of spiciness. | B．The process of ordering food. |
| C．The experience of trying hotpot. | D．The reason of recommending the city. |
| A．Admirable. | B．Doubtful. | C．Uncertain. | D．Worried. |
5 . How to yum cha in Hong Kong
For Hong Kongers, a quality restaurant could become a family haunt that’s visited for generations to come. Here are some of the best places for chowing down on these steam-basket goodies.
ForumFounded by a legendary abalone (鲍鱼) master, this three Michelin-star restaurant serves classic Cantonese dim sum with an attention to detail that can only be described as impeccable (无瑕疵的). If you want to know what perfect dim sum tastes like, head to Forum.
Sun HingAs the chefs begin kneading (捏) dough and wrapping buns in the middle of the night, neighbors slowly fill the seats and wait for its freshly made dumplings and stir-fried milk puffs. There is no menu or ordering sheet here. Diners choose their dim sum from the display towers located at the counter.
Golden ValleyGolden Valley offers two styles of Chinese cuisine — Cantonese and Sichuanese — on one dim sum menu. Golden Valley’s dumplings are a refreshing and sumptuous (豪华的) pocket of shrimp, mushrooms, pork and water chestnuts, while its Sichuanese dan dan noodles are flavorfully spicy.
Veggie KingdomVeggie Kingdom boasts a pretty impressive meatless dim sum experience that even non-vegetarians wouldn’t feel lacking. Helmed by a veteran dim sum chef, Veggie Kingdom makes fresh vegan dishes using traditional cooking techniques. Specially-treated vegetable oil is used to replace lard (猪油) and butter. Mushrooms are added to replace the usual pork fillings.
1. What is Sun Hing’s feature?| A．It was founded by a famed master. | B．It offers special kinds of noodles. |
| C．It offers dim sum to night owls. | D．It offers menus to order food. |
| A．Golden Valley. | B．Veggie Kingdom. |
| C．Forum. | D．Sun Hing. |
| A．Business. | B．Travel. | C．Entertainment. | D．Health. |
6 . When nine-year-olds Ella Grace Rossen and Cash Daniels met in July 2019, they immediately connected. When their moms introduced them, they had no idea that the kids were about to become an environmental-activism powerhouse pair.
“We knew we could make a difference together, ” says Cash from his home in Ella agrees. “It was pretty much instant best friends.”
Within a short time, their meeting transformed into action, birthing the Cleanup Kids — a youth-led non-profit determined to make waves in environmental conservation.
Ella’s passion for the environment started with an early love of sharks and many first-hand encounters of cleaning up trash along the shores of Vero Beach. For Cash, the spark was ignited (点燃) at just seven years old, when a single plastic straw on the beach caught his eye, symbolizing a much larger issue. That’s when he became aware of the crisis facing thousands of turtles, seabirds and other wildlife, which risk death from consuming discarded plastic.
“My hope for the Cleanup Kids is that it’s not hundreds of kids, it’s thousands of kids who have joined us, and for that to have a chain effect,” says Ella. Member responsibilities include conducting at least one cleanup per month, documenting and photographing the collected trash, and sorting and recycling items. It’s a lot of work, and it hasn’t gone unrecognized. In 2022, out of more than 700 applicants from across North America, Cash and Ella were chosen as one of 25 projects to receive the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.
How do you even begin to make that impact? Cash’s best advice is to start small. “I started with just a couple cleanups with my family. Don’t overdo it,” he says. “And just remember that kids may be only a small part of the population, but we’re 100 percent of the future.”
1. What do we know about Cleanup Kids?| A．It is aimed at making a fortune. |
| B．It is co-led by mothers and kids. |
| C．It helps kids make friends. |
| D．It focuses on environmental preservation. |
| A．Trash along the shores of Vero Beach, |
| B．A single plastic straw on the beach. |
| C．Turtles eating discarded plastic. |
| D．Death of the wildlife in the ocean. |
| A．Acknowledged. | B．Fruitless. |
| C．Wasted. | D．Inadequate. |
| A．A Cleaner Future |
| B．Friendship Between Two Kids |
| C．Young Geniuses in the World |
| D．Advice for Kids |
7 . Antarctica Polar Circle — Discovery and Learning Voyage
| Dates | 4 Mar — 9 Mar 2023 |
| Duration | 5 nights |
This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise (航行) passes through waters travelled by humpback whales. Stopping in various spots around the region, the journey offers the chance to hike and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Ushuaia, Argentina is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you set out from this small beautiful town on Tierra del Fuego and sail the mountainous Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.
Days 2-3: Path of the polar explorers
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered (遇到) by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt winds, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting (喷出) high into the air. After passing the Antarctic Convergence — Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters meet with warmer sub-Antarctic seas — you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone (环南极上升流区).
Days 4-5: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your return journey is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by lots of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Day 6: There and back again
Every adventure, no matter how impressive, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to get off the ship in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
1. On which day can you enjoy the same experiences as the great polar explorers?| A．4 Mar. | B．5 Mar. | C．8 Mar. | D．9 Mar. |
| A．Go hiking. | B．See seabirds. | C．Tour Ushuaia. | D．Sail the Beagle Channel. |
| A．Wildlife. | B．Education. | C．Science. | D．Travel. |
8 . Neyland Stadium
More than a century of traditionNeyland Stadium is the sixth-largest college football venue in the nation. Recent decades have brought six-figure expansion. The stadium’s seating capacity adds up to 101,915.
Other recent stadium enhancements include the restoration of the historic V-O-L-S letters along the top of the facility’s south end (2022), a second videoboard on the upper-north deck (2022) and bronze statues honoring four of Tennessee’s Black football trailblazers (2021). The upgrade also includes the widening of concourses, construction of expanded gates and entryways and provision of additional restrooms and concession areas (特许区) and more food and beverage offerings. It modernizes the fan and visitor experience through enhanced facilities and diversified seating options, improving fan safety.
HistoryThe present day Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field, had its beginning in 1919. Col. W. S. Shields, president of Knoxville’s City National Bank and a UT trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip an athletic field. Thus, when the field was completed, it was called Shields-Watkins Field in honor of the donor and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields.
The name—Neyland Stadium today was named for the man most responsible for the growth and development of Tennessee’s proud football tradition—General Robert R. Neyland.
Stadium tours• 65-minute guided tours offered at 10:00 am Monday-Thursday only.
• Pre-purchased tickets are required to participate in the tour.
• Tours are unavailable Friday-Sunday, on University-observed holidays, home football gamedays or when construction/special events happen.
• Tours begin at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium.
Tickets:
• Adults: $20/person
• Youth: $10/person (13 & under)
1. What do we know about the upgrades to the stadium?
| A．It improved visitors’ comfort and safety. |
| B．It combined ancient styles with modern ones. |
| C．It were constructed by world famous designers. |
| D．The number of its seats is six times of the original one. |
| A．A football coach. | B．An athlete. | C．A historian. | D．A financial figure. |
| A．Tickets should be booked in advance. | B．They are available on a daily basis. |
| C．They last for an hour and a half. | D．Visitors are offered guides daily. |
9 . These days, more and more people go to the gym to work out. But with so many gyms out there, how do you know which one is the right one for you? We find some information about the best gyms in New York City so you can have a better idea of what each gym offers.
New York Sports Club
Initiation Fees: Neighborhood membership, $49.99; Passport membership, $49.99.
Membership Costs: Neighborhood membership, $44.99 a month; Passport membership, $ 99.99 a month.
Additional Fees: Neighborhood membership, $49.99 a year; Passport membership, S 49.99 a year.
Locations: Locations in all five boroughs.
Classes: Studio classes, athletic conditioning, boxing, kickboxing and yoga.
Planet Fitness
Initiation Fees (入会费): Regular membership, $5; Black Card membership, no initiation fee. Membership Costs: Regular membership is $10 a month and includes free fitness training and free wifi. Black Card membership is $ 22.99 a month and includes access to all Planet Fitness locations, free fitness training, free wifi, half-priced cooler drinks and worldwide travel deals.
Additional Fees: $39 membership fee a year.
Locations: Locations in all five boroughs (区).
Classes: None.
Chelsea Piers
Initiation Fees: Call to request.
Membership Costs: For a specific gym, varies by location.
Locations: Chelsea and Brooklyn.
Classes: Strength and conditioning, cycling and yoga.
24 Hour Fitness
Initiation Fees: $0 on select memberships.
Membership Costs: $79.99 for Ultra Sport.
Locations: Midtown and Madison Square Park.
Classes: Studio classes, free weights, group cycling and personal training.
1. What can you do in 24 Hour Fitness?| A．Boxing. | B．Yoga. | C．Free weights. | D．Athletic conditioning. |
| A．$39. | B．$5. | C．$10. | D．$22.99. |
| A．It has no initiation fee. |
| B．Its membership costs depend on its location. |
| C．Its gyms can be found in all five boroughs. |
| D．Its black card members can enjoy half-priced drinks. |
10 . Blind people have long desired for brightness, but scientists don’t have the technology. To bring that one step closer to reality, Zhiyong Fan, a materials scientist of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, developed a new artificial eye recently. The device, which is about as sensitive to light and has sharper vision and a faster reaction time than a real eyeball, may outperform human eyes.
The human eye owes its wide field of view and clear eyesight to the retina (视网膜) — an area at the back of the eyeball covered in light-detecting cells. The design for a new artificial eye is based on the structure of the human eye and uses a friendly light-sensitive material. At the back of the eyeball, an artificial retina is lined with Nan scale light sensors (纳米级光感器). Those sensors measure light that passes through the lens (晶状体) at the front of the eye. Wires attached to the back of the retina send signals from those sensors to the processor, similar to the way nerve networks connect the eyeball to the brain.
“In the future, we can use this to replace damaged human eyes,” says the lead designer. In theory, this artificial eye could see more clearly than the human eye, because the artificial retina contains about 460 million light sensors per square centimeter while a real retina has about 10 million light-detecting cells per square centimeter. Besides, the artificial eyeball records changes in lighting faster than human eyes can — within about 30 to 40 milliseconds, rather than 40 to 150 milliseconds. Although its 100-degree field of view isn’t as broad as the150 degrees a human eye can take in, the device can see as well as the human eye in poor light.
Hongrui Jiang, an electrical engineer at the University of Wisconsin, though, thinks engineers need a much more practical and efficient way to produce vast series of tiny wires on the back of the artificial eyeball to give it superhuman sight, which is super hard to achieve.
1. Why does Zhiyong Fan develop the artificial eye?| A．To replace people’s real eyeballs. | B．To gain a sharper vision. |
| C．To help the blind regain their eyesight. | D．To help normal eyes perform better. |
| A．The design of the artificial eye. | B．The structure of the human eye. |
| C．The advantages of the artificial eye. | D．The material used for the artificial eye. |
| A．They have the same structure. |
| B．The artificial eye may see more clearly. |
| C．The human eye sees better in weak light. |
| D．The artificial eye takes in a broader view. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Satisfied. |
