1 . Indonesia has said the country would be removing its capital city, in part because it's sinking into the Java Sea. Jakarta is one of the fastest sinking cities in the world, according to the World Economic Forum, due to rising sea levels and the over-extraction of groundwater. But it isn't the only city in trouble. Here's a look at some others that are also at risk.

Houston

Houston has been sinking for decades and, like Jakarta, the over-extraction of groundwater is partly to blame.

The Houston Chronicle reported that parts of Harris County, which contains Houston, have sunk between 10 and 12 feet (about 3 meters), since the 1920s, according to data from the US Geological Survey. Areas have continued to fall as much as 2 inches per year, an amount that can quickly add up.

Lawmakers have tried to address the issue, creating a special purpose district meant to regulate the withdrawal of groundwater in 1975. But the problem has persisted, with privately owned wells and water suppliers continuing to pull from aquifers (蓄水层).

Lagos

The city of Lagos sits on the coast of Nigeria, constructed partly on the mainland, partly on some nearby islands. It's also Africa's most populous city. Its geography makes Lagos especially easily flooded, and the coastline has already been eroding. As sea levels rise due to global warming, the city is increasingly at risk.

One study from 2012 revealed that, because Nigeria's coastline is so low, a sea level rise of just 3 to 9 feet (about 1 to 3 meters) "will have a catastrophic effect on the human activities in these regions."

Washington

Washington is one of the most important cities in the US — and it's also sinking. Research from 2015 showed that America's capital will drop more than 6 inches (15 centimeters) in the next 100 years.

But unlike Jakarta, Washington's sinking has nothing to do with aquifers or rising sea levels — it's actually because of an ice sheet from the last ice age. A mile-high ice sheet pushed land beneath the Chesapeake Bay upward. When the ice sheet melted, thousands of years ago, the land settled back down. The researchers now believe that the area is gradually sinking, a process that could last thousands of years.

1. What is the common reason for the sinking between Houston and Jakarta?

A．the soft land	B．rising sea level
C．the eroding coastline	D．over-extraction of groundwater

2. What does the writer’s attitude towards the result of Huston lawmakers addressing the sinking problems?

A．positive	B．indifferent
C．unknown	D．negative

3. Which of the following sinking cities has a striking different reason with others?

A．Houston	B．Lagos
C．Washington	D．Jakarta

2 . There are forests, lakes and sea around Stockholm (斯德哥尔摩). So it has the feeling of a small town. To the east, many boats pass by every day. To the west, visitors can do many kinds of water sports. Stockholm’s people are proud of their city. Their city’s blue waters are so clear. People can go swimming and fishing in the center of the city. Few cities can have places like these.

Water is very important in Stockholm in many ways. Visitors can enjoy visiting the beautiful city by boat. The boats can pass by many of Stockholm’s beautiful bridges and palaces. One of the most famous trips is named “Under the Bridges of Stockholm”.

After a boat trip of the city, the next step should be a trip to some of the 24,000 islands in Stockholm. Some of the islands are just rocks; others are green with forests. Many have people to live in. Everyone is welcome to fish, swim and go on a trip.

Every August, the city celebrates for the Stockholm Water Festival. The festival sports and other activities go on 24 hours a day swimming, music, art and dancing. In the evening, we can watch beautiful fireworks (焰火) in the sky. The King gives the Stockholm Water Prize to the person who does the most work in water.

1. Why are people in Stockholm proud of their city?

A．Because waters in their city are very clear.

B．Because forests are around their city.

C．Because the city is not very big.

D．Because it is a very old city.

2. What does the underlined word “waters” mean in the passage?

A．水	B．海水
C．湖水	D．水域

3. From the passage we know that ________.

A．bridges in Stockholm are very old

B．water is important to Stockholm

C．visitors can swim or fish far from the city

D．visitors can visit beautiful palaces on foot

4. Many ________ are on the islands of Stockholm

A．animals	B．garden worker
C．birds	D．rocks and forests

5. Which of the following is NOT true?

A．The Stockholm Water Festival is held in August every year.

B．The festival sports go on 24 hours a day.

C．Visitors can watch beautiful flowers in the evening

D．The King gives the Stockholm Water Prize in the Water Festival.

3 . The Great Wall of China winds across the country like a giant stone snake. It is 1,500 miles long, the Wall crosses mountains and rivers. It reaches from the ocean on the east to the desert on the west. The Chinese began their Wall more than 2,000 years ago. They worked on it for hundreds of years. The Chinese wanted to keep out their enemies. At the bottom, the Wall is 25 feet wide. At the top it is about 15 feet wide. The sides of the wall are made of stone and brick, while the inside is filled with earth. Parts of the Wall rise as high as three-storey buildings. Every 100 yards along the Great Wall there is a watchtower where soldiers used to stand to watch for enemies approaching(到来). The road on top of the Wall is wide enough for two wagons(马车) to pass. If we were to build such a Wall now, we would use modern machines. But the Chinese had to build the Wall all by hand. If the Wall were in our country, it would reach from the state of New York to Nebraska. The Great Wall of China is the longest wall ever built.

1. The passage does not say so, but it makes you think that the Great Wall _____.

A．has a gate every 100 yards	B．is used as a road today
C．is still as useful today as it was	D．is as high as three-storey buildings

2. What is meant by the sentence " The Great Wall of China winds across the country like a giant stone snake. " ?

A．It stops the wind from blowing.	B．It can move.
C．It looks like a snake.	D．It is very long.

3. Which of these sentences do you think is right?

A．The Great Wall China was built with modern machinery.

B．The Great Wall goes from New York to Nebraska.

C．There are many snakes inside the Great Wall.

D．The writer of the passage is an American.

4 . When you think of the Arctic, you imagine an icy land of pure white snow, which is considered to be the last really clean place     1    (leave) on Earth. Yet plastic trash has now reached the remote regions of the Arctic and the Alps. A team of     2    (scientist) has discovered large quantities of microplastics(微塑料) — very small pieces of plastic waste — in the Arctic snow. While microplastics have been found in sea-water, drinking water, and even in animals over     3     past several years, this is the first study to show microplastics in snow,     4     indicates it is an airborne pollutant that must be paid attention to. 

The researchers state that microplastics in snow suggest that microplastics may be in the air that we     5    (breath). Therefore, it is really important     6    (assess) if microplastics also reach lung tissues.

Previous research has found that they flow over long distances and into our oceans,     7    (damage) ecosystems along the way. They start in our wastewater, when we wash clothes     8     plastic fibers. The wastewater then flows into rivers and out to sea, where they     9    (eat) by sea animals. If people then eat these animals, it means that we’re     10    (probable) eating the plastic as well.

5 . An international group of coffee experts has considered Ethiopia’s coffee as the best in the world.Coffee is a top export (出口物) of the country. But at home, it is seen as national pride. Ethiopians feel good about their coffee, and enjoying a drink with friends is a long tradition.

Some people say the climate produces quality beans. Morton Wennersgarrd is a coffee importer. He said, “Ethiopia has different ancient types of coffee. They are planted in places with perfect soil, perfect altitude (海拔), and climates that are really suitable for coffee processing.”

Finding the best quality beans is often an issue of taste. The process is known as   cupping — tasting and comparing coffee from different roasted beans, grading and then pricing them. But before international experts come to taste, coffee beans are studied in small coffee laboratories. Helen Assefa, a lab technician, describes   the process, “When the coffee comes to the lab, we assess (评价) its quality first by recording the details.Then we weigh the moisture (水分) level and we examine the beans for analysis. After that we grind (磨碎) the coffee beans and taste the samples. In the end, we check for defective (有瑕疵的) beans.” Mubarik Abaoli is a lab worker.He says that testing is a very difficult and long process. “We select out the defects by hand. And we select out the defect according to the defect types.”

Ethiopia has got a lot of money by exporting coffee to more than 120 countries. The country has an export revenue (税收) of more than 840 million a year. But not all the best coffee leaves Ethiopia. Forty percent of the coffee grown in the country stays there. It remains an important part of everyday life at work, at home and at ceremonies.

1. Ethiopians’ attitude towards coffee may best be described as        .

A．proud	B．relaxed
C．brave	D．doubtful

2. The third paragraph is mainly about_______.

A．the ways of making coffee

B．the process of assessing the coffee

C．the tips on planting the best coffee

D．the influence of the coffee

3. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．More than 120 countries export coffee to Ethiopia.

B．Coffee plays an important role in Ethiopians’ life.

C．40% of the coffee grown in Ethiopia is exported.

D．Ethiopians earn their living by exporting coffee.

4. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To advertise the coffee in Ethiopia.

B．To comment on coffee experts’ work.

C．To introduce the best coffee in the world.

D．To recommend tourists activities in Ethiopia.

6 . Coal burning deep underground in China，India and Indonesia is threatening the environment and human life, scientists have warned. These large-scale underground fires cause the ground temperature to heat up and kill surrounding vegetation, produce greenhouse gases and can even bring about forest fires, a panel（专门小组）of scientists told the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Denver. They warned the resulting release of poisonous elements like arsenic （砷）and mercury（汞）can also pollute local water sources and soils “Coal fires are a global disaster,” said Associate Professor Glenn Stracher of East Georgia College in Swainsboro, U.S.A. But surprisingly few people know about them.

Coal can heat up on its own, and eventually catch fire and burn, if there is a continuous oxygen supply. The heat produced is not caused to disappear and under the right combinations of sunlight and oxygen, can trigger spontaneous（自然产生的）catching fire and burning. This can occur underground in coal stockpiles（煤堆）, abandoned mines or even as coal is transported. Such fires in China destroy up to 200 million tons of coal per year, delegates were told. In comparison, the U. S. economy consumes about one billion tons of coal annually, said Stracher, whose analysis of the likely effect of coal fires has been accepted for publication in the International journal of Coal Ecology. Once underway, coal fires can burn for decades, even centuries. In the process, they release large volumes of greenhouse gases, poisonous fumes and black particles into the atmosphere.

The members of the panel discussed the effect these fires may be having on global and regional climate change, and agreed that the underground nature of the fires makes them difficult to detect(发现). One of the members of the panel, Assistant Professor Paul Van Dijk of the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation in the Netherlands, has been working with the Chinese government to detect and monitor fires in the northern regions of the country.

The remote sensing and other techniques will allow scientists to estimate how much carbon dioxide these fires are emitting. One suggested method of controlling the fires was presented by Gary Colaizzi, of the engineering firm Goodson, which has developed a beat-resistant grout designed to be pumped into the coal fire to cut off the oxygen supply.

1. According to Paragraph 2, what will happen when the underground heat does not disappear? ________.

A．Coal heats up on its own and catches fire and burns.

B．The underground oxygen will be used up.

C．Poisonous fumes and greenhouse gases will be accumulated underground.

D．There will be an increase of abandoned mines.

2. What did Stracher analyze in his article published in the International Journal of Coal Ecology? ________.

A．Annual consumption of coal in US.

B．Annual consumption of coal in China.

C．How long coal fires have lasted in the northern region of China.

D．Coal fires may have an effect on the environment.

3. Which of the following statements about Paul Van Dijk is NOT true? ________.

A．He was one of the scientists who have warned against the threats of underground fires.

B．He has detected and monitored underground fires in the Netherlands.

C．He has worked with the Chinese government on the underground fires issue.

D．He works for a research institute in the Netherlands.

4. What is the suggested method to control underground fires in the passage? ________.

A．Using remote sensing technique.

B．Controlling the release of carbon dioxide.

C．Cutting off the oxygen supply.

D．Making the soil heat resistant.

7 . The United States has a vast network of National Parks spread all around the country. Here are some National Parks for you.

Arches National Park, Utah

More than 2,000 natural stone arches make Arches National Park a special place in Utah. Travelers from around the world come to see brilliant sunsets that light up the sky each night. Hikers and rock climbers will love the endless options for exploring, while more low-key visitors are sure to love the camping.

Acadia, Maine

Super close to Bar Harbor, one of Maine's most beloved tiny towns, Acadia National Park tops travel guides for the Vacation State. Before making your way to Mt. Desert island, dine on the country's most famous fish and lake advantage of the opportunity to go whale watching on the Atlantic Ocean. When visiting Acadia, set aside some time to hike and go boating.

Mount Rainier, Washington

We couldn't leave the park with you slowly moving ice off the list. Washington's Mount Rainier National Park, found southeast of Seattle, has 25 of them (along with the famous volcano) as its attention-catching sight. The National Park says it's "the snowiest place on earth where snow is measured regularly." If snowcapped peaks aren't your thing, plan to visit the park when the weather is warmer.

Great Sand Dunes (沙丘), Colorado

You probably imagine the Rocky Mountains when you think about Colorado, but did you know that the Centennial state is also home to the United States' largest sand dunes? See them for yourself at Great Sand Dunes National Park, where you can go sand boarding or "fat biking". Though June temperatures are said to be some of Southern Colorado's best, a warm winter day can be an equally enjoyable time to see the dunes.

1. What do Arches National Park and Acadia have in common?

A．Tourists can hike in the parks.	B．They are located in tiny towns.
C．Both of the parks offer sea food.	D．They offer free guide to travellers.

2. What attracts travellers most in Mount Rainier?

A．Sunsets.	B．Whales.
C．Ice.	D．Sands.

3. Where can you go if you are fond of cycling?

A．Arches National Park, Utah	B．Acadia, Maine
C．Mount Rainier, Washington	D．Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

8 . In the Ituri rain forest in America live many different tribes (部落), one of _______ is Pygmy. Most of the Pygmies are not taller than four feet. They _______ only about eighty pounds each. In spite of their small size, they are the best _________ among all the jungle people. Even the great elephant can be _______ by them. They can shoot three or four arrows so _______ that often the last one leaves the bow _______ the first has hit its mark. If an arrow should miss its _________, the impatient Pygmy may become very angry, _________ his arrows and step on them.

Since they do not plant any crops, Pygmies are _______ moving around. They seldom sleep in one camp for more than a few days. In their camps there is no ____________ at all except some weapons (武器) such as spears (矛), bows, and arrows. There are ____________ cooking pots either. Food is eaten ____________ or smoked over a fire. So when the tribe moves to a new camp there is ____________ to carry except their weapons and babies too small to walk.

Pygmies can move on the trees almost as skillfully as ____________. Often they travel great distances through the branches without ____________ the ground.

One of the ____________ facts about the small men and women is their appetite (胃口). A Pygmy can ____________ sixty bananas at a single meal ______________ quantities of meat. After eating, they will ____________ on their hard earth bed and groan all night. But in the morning, they are ready to eat the same amount of food all over again.

In spite of the ____________ life, Pygmies are almost always good-natured and helpful. They seldom lie, steal or fight among themselves.

1.

A．them

B．those

C．that

D．which

2.

A．have

B．weigh

C．eat

D．carry

3.

A．players

B．farmers

C．workers

D．hunters

4.

A．frightened

B．beaten

C．caught

D．raised

5.

A．heavily

B．hurriedly

C．slowly

D．rapidly

6.

A．after

B．before

C．until

D．since

7.

A．animal

B．aim

C．eyes

D．sight

8.

A．got

B．put away

C．sell

D．break

9.

A．never

B．seldom

C．constantly

D．hardly

10.

A．furniture

B．things

C．tables

D．beds

11.

A．some

B．much

C．no

D．special

12.

A．uncooked

B．burnt

C．untouched

D．fried

13.

A．a lot

B．something

C．more

D．nothing

14.

A．birds

B．rabbits

C．monkeys

D．deer

15.

A．touching

B．feeling

C．falling

D．seeing

16.

A．interested

B．surprising

C．moving

D．known

17.

A．get up

B．take up

C．eat up

D．put up

18.

A．including

B．but

C．except

D．besides

19.

A．lie

B．lay

C．stay

D．kneel

20.

A．comfortable

B．unpleasant

C．hard

D．happy

9 . Directions: Read the following two passages. Fill in each blank with one proper word or the proper form of the given word to make the passage coherent. Make sure that your answers are grammatically correct.

Athens----- the name brings to mind buildings with tall, white columns and statues of Greek gods and goddesses. Museums take visitors back to the time of ancient Greece. When     1     (visit) the city, visitors feel like they are in the middle of a history lesson.

The history of Athens is tied to mythology. The god     2     came up with the most valuable legacy for humans was to give the city its name. Poseidon and Athena each wanted the honor. Athena produced     3     olive tree------ the symbol of peace and wealth. Poseidon offered a strong horse needed for war. The gods decided Athena’s gift would better serve the people, and the city became     4     (know) as Athens.

The Acropolis, or “ high city”, stands on a hill overlooking the city. Western civilization’s most important ancient monument was built by Pericles, the leader of Athens from 461-421BC. He spared no expense when he constructed the buildings of the Acropolis. He used only the     5     (good) materials, architects and artists. His artists created huge statues of marble (大理石) and covered them     6     gold and jewels.

More treasure of ancient Greece lies in the National Archeological Museum. Opened in 1874, the museum contains the best collection of Greek art in the world. It is crammed with treasures ------ more     7     visitors can see in a single visit. Visitors can view treasures from all the ancient civilizations that controlled the city     8    history.

10 . In the middle of the Pacific Ocean lies the tiny island nation of Tuvalu，the fourth smallest country in the world. This group of four islands and five atolls (islands made from coral) is famous for its sandy beaches and turquoise (蓝绿色的) waters and has long been a popular tourist destination for nearby New Zealanders. However, the nation of Tuvalu is at risk of soon no longer existing; not because of war or political change, but because it will be covered by the rising ocean.

Tuvalu is experiencing the harmful effects of global warming. As global temperatures rise, so does the ocean temperature. Due to the scientific law of “thermal expansion,” when water heats it get bigger.     1     Most experts claim that the effects of climate change will make Tuvalu uninhabitable within the next 50 years. Problems are already emerging. As sea levels rise, ocean water containing high levels of salt is travelling further and further inland destroying the little amount of soil Tuvaluans have to grow crops.

Even before Tuvaluans began to suffer from the effects of climate change, lift on Tuvalu was tough.     2     Most of the land on an atoll is rock-hard arid any soil that exists on it is usually thin and poor for growing crops. The nation has always had to import food apart from fish.

More serious than Tuvalu’s lack of home-grown food has been its lack of drinking water.    3     Therefore, Tuvaluans depend almost entirely on rainwater for their water needs. Unfortunately, due to a geographical phenomenon known as La Nina, Tuvalu often suffers from long periods of drought. In autumn 2010, after seven months of no rain, the Prime Minister had to declare a state of emergency riot only because of a lack of drinking water, but also because the water left was polluted with cholera (霍乱)     4    

Tuvalu’s problems have led some of its 11, 000 inhabitants to consider migrating to Australia or New Zealand.    5     They know they’ll have to someday, but for as long as possible, they want to remain and make the world aware of what is happening to their homeland due to chimate change.

A．It was a desperate situation and, but for emergency shipments from New Zealand and Australia, many Tuvaluans would have died.

B．This is largely due to the geological makeup of atolls.

C．Unlike normal islands, atolls have no rivers or streams, which means that most of Tuvalu has no groundwater to use for drinking.

D．Tuvalu’s representatives demanded that nations should take a more responsible rote in reducing gas emissions.

E．Therefore, sea levels are rising and for low-lying Tuvalu, this spells disaster.

F．However, they ate not willing to abandon the land of their forefathers so easily.

G．And as a member of the United Nations, they are doing just that.