3 . Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands are remote, rocky and endlessly fascinating. The wildlife encounters are quietly breathtaking and the scenery is amazing. The chance to experience this special region on an adventure voyage is both an advantage and an inspiration, and now also an opportunity to give back by getting involved in scientific research.

Citizen science — where you help scientists collect data that feeds into important research projects — gathers valuable data for making informed decisions about urgent issues like climate change and wildlife conservation. “It gave the trip more purpose.” is in the words of one citizen scientist.

Becoming a citizen scientist is simple. All of our polar voyage partners operate citizen science programmes on their ships. Fun, interactive and informative, they are completely voluntary and no prior scientific knowledge is required. It’s about sharing new discoveries and deepening your connection to the natural world with small groups of like-minded people.

On a typical citizen science programme, you will usually be invited to participate in at least one session on most days. A typical day might involve a seabird count at 14:00 and a cloud survey at 18:00. Or you might be photographing whales and noting their unique markings. In addition, a citizen science coordinator (协调员) will arrange short lectures.

Take two examples from Polar Latitudes (the first to offer citizen science projects in the polar regions), and their ship the Seaventure: citizen scientists studying cloud formations in Antarctica have provided a great deal of information about how global warming is deeply impacting climate change. Just a few readings taken during the course of each voyage have resulted in a wealth of data. Thousands of whale tail photos taken by citizen scientists, meanwhile, provided data that was crucial to the creation of a 20,000-sq-km slow-down zone to reduce ship strikes.

There are often multiple chances to collaborate (协作) on different projects during your voyage and on-board citizen science coordinators will keep you posted on the projects you can participate in each day.

1. What is an adventure voyage in Antarctica now special for?

A．The chance to contribute to scientific studies.

B．The opportunity to experience wildlife encounters.

C．The possibility of visiting remote and rocky regions.

D．The availability of interactive entertaining programmes.

2. How can a visitor become a citizen scientist?

A．By presenting short lectures on the ship.	B．By passing a basic scientific knowledge test.
C．By making a citizen scientific research plan.	D．By volunteering to attend a citizen science project.

3. What is a typical activity for a citizen scientist during their voyage?

A．Conducting field experiments.	B．Analyzing historical weather data.
C．Organizing book sharing meetings.	D．Assisting with animal conservation efforts.

4. What does the last but one paragraph imply about citizen science programmes?

A．They require broad scientific knowledge.

B．They make a great difference to scientific research.

C．They are available on every voyage in the Antarctic.

D．They mainly focus on global warming and its impact.

4 . If you walk around the Rahway Trail (小路) in the South Mountain Reservation, you might spot more than leaves, trees and squirrels. Fairies might live among the leaves. Small _________ are hidden in the tree trunks and branches — a surprisingly sweet sight in an otherwise normal-looking forest.

The fairy homes were not built by _________ creatures, but by volunteers. The idea came from a woman named Therese Ojibway, who 10 years ago wanted her son, who has autism (自闭症), to have a safe space to _________ in nature.

“So, she found this Rahway Trail, now known as the Fairy Trail, and started leaving fairy homes _________, so that when they came, he had something they could look for and over time she _________ filling it up even more,” said Julie Gould, one of the trail keepers.

Ojibway and her son moved out of the area a few years ago, but their fairy trail _________. Gould and Kelly, officially asked to become the “Makers and Keepers” of the trail, _________ to build little wooden homes for the fairies with volunteers.

Kids visiting the Fairy Trail can spend hours _________ the nearly 100 tiny homes, but _________, they might not see fairies. “We don’t always see them since they’re shy,” explained Kelly. “But really you should see when they ride on the backs of the squirrels…So for us to be able to provide __________ for them is just wonderful.”

Still, kids __________ to see the fairies — and sometimes they’re convinced they have. If they don’t, it is __________ a day well spent out in nature. “This is really about a magic al feeling when you come here... it touches your hearts, and it gives you a sense of imagination, __________ and creativity,” Gould said. “That’s how we get paid. We get paid when we get to __________ with the children, who come here and it made their day. This is just a __________ place for them.”

1.

A．leaves

B．squirrels

C．cottages

D．kids

2.

A．imaginary

B．intelligent

C．primitive

D．tiny

3.

A．share

B．search

C．occupy

D．explore

4.

A．by accident

B．here and there

C．in a hurry

D．day and night

5.

A．admitted

B．avoided

C．risked

D．kept

6.

A．faded

B．survived

C．remained

D．twisted

7.

A．continue

B．struggle

C．intend

D．happen

8.

A．breaking into

B．tearing down

C．looking for

D．setting up

9.

A．unfortunately

B．hopefully

C．unexpectedly

D．deliberately

10.

A．food

B．suggestions

C．homes

D．privacy

11.

A．manage

B．pretend

C．hesitate

D．attempt

12.

A．hardly

B．actually

C．likely

D．still

13.

A．justice

B．identity

C．accomplishment

D．wonder

14.

A．negotiate

B．reason

C．interact

D．compete

15.

A．magical

B．typical

C．secret

D．temporary

6 . Zoo lights at the Houston Zoo

Welcome to our zoo—The Houston Zoo connects communities with animals to inspire action to save wildlife and is committed to being a leader in the global effort to save animals in the wild. We are home to over 6,000 animals for whom we provide the highest standard in animal care. Each year, we welcome over two million guests who come to experience our animals and ecosystems. Through their admission tickets or membership, we’ve been able to support 49 wildlife protection projects in 27 countries around the world. We are proud to be the second most-visited zoo in the US, and the most-attended cultural attraction in the region.

Houston’s favorite holiday lights experience is now back at the Houston Zoo! The beautiful zoo grounds are the perfect setting to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with your friends and family.

Our schedule
● November 18, 2023—January 8, 2024;
● Closed on December 7, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day;
● 5:30pm.—10:30p.m., last entry at 9:30p.m.
Tickets
● $20 per adult; $10 per child.
● Children aged 2 and under are free.
● Save 20% per ticket when you book tickets through the Member Portal.
● Tickets are only available online and will not be sold on-site at the zoo. We do not offer refunds or exchanges.
Holiday favorites
●Experience the Holiday Grove with animal-themed lanterns and flowers under the great oak trees wrapped in winter lights.
● Take a photo in front of the towering 33-foot-tall color-changing holiday tree.
● Visit the Coca-Cola Polar Bear display as you enjoy your hot chocolate.
1. What do we know about the Houston Zoo?

A．It is the second largest zoo in the US.

B．It is home to over 6,000 endangered animals.

C．It has been visited by two million guests in total.

D．It has devoted itself to the protection of wildlife worldwide.

2. At which of the following times are visitors allowed to enter the zoo?

A．5:00 p.m.

B．7:45 p.m.

C．9:45 p.m.

D．10:00 p.m.

3. How much should a couple and their 10-year-old son pay through the Member Portal?

A．$20.

B．$30.

C．$40.

D．$50.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When will the trip begin?

A．On August 15th.

B．On August 12th.

C．On August 18th.

2. What can we learn from the conversation?

A．The cost for two persons is 800 yuan.

B．The guides know nothing about English.

C．The woman will pay 1,600 yuan for the trip.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Where will the woman stay on her holiday?

A．In her uncle’s house.

B．In a camp.

C．In a hotel.

2. What may the woman NOT do on her holiday?

A．Lie in the sun.

B．Go swimming.

C．Play beach ball.

3. What will the man do this summer holiday?

A．Go to the farm.

B．Go to the beach as well.

C．Take violin lessons.