1 . There are few places on Earth that humans haven’t messed up. Now even Antarctica, the only continent with no permanent human inhabitants, is being altered by us. A study found that the increasing human presence in Antarctica is causing more snow melt-bad news for a frozen world already battling the effects of human-caused global warming.

Black carbon, the dark, dusty pollution that comes from burning fossil fuels has settled in locations where tourists and researchers spend a lot of time, scientists found. Even the smallest amount of the dark pollutant can have a significant impact on melting because of its very low reflectiveness: things that are light in color, like snow, reflect the sun's energy and stay cool; things that are dark, like black carbon, absorb the sun's energy and warm up.

“The snow albedo (反射率) effect is one of the largest uncertainties in regional and global climate modeling right now,” Alia Khan, a snow and ice scientist at Western Washington University, told CNN. “That’s one of the motivations for the study, to quantify the impact of black carbon on regional snowmelt, which is important for quantifying the role of black carbon in the global loss of snow and ice.”

“Antarctica is sitting there pretty much silently all year. But, if it weren’t there, in the state that it is meant to be, the balance that we have in the climate system will no longer be,” Marilyn Raphael, a geography professor said. “Antarctica’s sea ice is also important to maintain a balance in atmospheric circulation,” he added. As waters get warmer, some Antarctic creatures are finding their homes more and more unlivable.

“Everything we do has consequences,” Raphael said. “We need to educate ourselves about those consequences, especially in systems that we know relatively little about. We have to be careful that we don’t upset the climate balance.”

1. Why can the smallest amount of black carbon have huge impact on melting?

A．It is highly reflective.	B．Its dark colour absorbs heat.
C．It produces vast energy.	D．It causes much pollution.

2. According to Alia, which of the following is one reason for conducting the study?

A．To measure the impact of black carbon on melting.

B．To quantify the cost of battling against climate change.

C．To remove the uncertainties of global warming effects.

D．To urge people to pay more attention to melting problem.

3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．The change caused by Antarctic melting.	B．The methods to stop Antarctic ice melting.
C．The significance of Antarctic being in its state.	D．The sufferings Antarctic creatures are experiencing.

4. What does Raphael advise people to do?

A．Reduce tourist numbers.	B．Face the consequences.
C．Acquire professional education.	D．Stop disturbing the climate.

2 . The streets, sidewalks and roofs of cities all absorb heat during the day, making some urban areas across the United States up to 6 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than rural ones during the day—and 22 degrees F hotter at night. These “urban heat islands”   can also develop underground as the city heat spreads downward, beneath the surface. And basements, subway tunnels and other underground infrastructure also constantly bleed heat into the surrounding earth, creating hotspots. Now the underground heat is building up as the planet warms.

According to a new study of downtown Chicago, underground hotspots may threaten the very same structures that emit the heat in the first place. Such temperature changes make the ground around them expand and contract (收缩) enough to cause potential damage. “Without anyone realizing it, the city of Chicago’s downtown was deforming,” says the study’s author Alessandro F. Rotta Loria, a civil and environmental engineer at Northwestern University.

The findings, published in Communications Engineering, expose a “silent hazard (危险)” to civil infrastructure in cities with soft er ground — especially those near water — Rotta Loria says. “There might have been structural issues caused by this underground climate change that happened, and we didn’t even realize,” he adds. While not an immediate or direct danger to human lives, this previously unknown effect highlights the impacts of a lesser-known component of climate change.

Similar to climate change above the surface, these underground changes occur over long periods of time. “These effects took decades, a century, to develop,” Rotta Loria says, adding that elevated underground temperatures would likewise take a long time to dissipate (逐渐消失) on their own.

But other researchers interviewed for this story all say this wasted energy could also be recycled, presenting an opportunity to both cool the subsurface and save on energy costs. Subway tunnels and basements could be updated with technologies to recapture the heat. For example, water pipes could be installed to run through underground hotspots and pick up some of the heat energy.

1. What can we learn about the “urban heat islands”?

A．They can develop underground structures.

B．They are impacted by global warming.

C．They can destroy the ground around.

D．They only exist in the United States.

2. Why does Alessandro F. Rotta Loria mention “silent hazard” in paragraph 3?

A．To discuss structural issues.

B．To categorize climate change.

C．To explain underground heat.

D．To emphasize the neglected reality.

3. What will the author probably write about in the paragraph that follows?

A．The future of tunnels and basements.

B．The reusing approaches of heat energy.

C．The cost of maintaining structures.

D．The evolution of underground environment.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Warming Underground, Weakening Surface

B．A Silver Lining of Global Warming

C．Urban Silent Islands in the Making

D．A Silent Crisis in Downtown Chicago

3 . Mary thought she had seen it all when it came to horse behavior, but Stardust made her ______. The horse was always sniffing (嗅) her behind. No matter what she did, Stardust just wouldn’t ______. Her husband Jason finally ______ her confusion when he figured out the reason behind Stardust’s sniffing her ______. He knew there must be something wrong. But what could it be? ______, Jason drove Mary to the doctor for a checkup.

After a brief ______ with Jason, the doctor decided to do some tests ______ Mary to see what was really going on inside her body.

As Jason sat there, ______ waiting for the result, Mary couldn’t help but wonder what was causing him to be so on edge. She had asked him several times ______ everything was alright, but Jason had been ______. He wished he could tell her what was going on, but the ______ was that he didn’t want to scare her-the news would come soon enough.

A doctor rushed back into the room out of breath. Jason shot Mary a ______ look. As it tuned out, his guess was ______ justified-the doctor had found something! Mary was diagnosed with skin cancer! The couple couldn’t ______ it-Stardust had done something ______. They knew that Stardust’s efforts would never be forgotten.

1.

A．confused

B．bored

C．addicted

D．excited

2.

A．bother

B．quit

C．run

D．struggle

3.

A．lost interest in

B．thought little of

C．got used to

D．put an end to

4.

A．backside

B．forehead

C．shoulders

D．hands

5.

A．Out of control

B．By chance

C．Without hesitation

D．For no reason

6.

A．handshake

B．encounter

C．stay

D．talk

7.

A．in

B．with

C．for

D．on

8.

A．sincerely

B．anxiously

C．awkwardly

D．desperately

9.

A．since

B．when

C．if

D．although

10.

A．tight-lipped

B．short-sighted

C．cold-blooded

D．absent-minded

11.

A．truth

B．trick

C．story

D．news

12.

A．questioning

B．knowing

C．threatening

D．disapproving

13.

A．barely

B．totally

C．immediately

D．unexpectedly

14.

A．help

B．accept

C．believe

D．make

15.

A．adorable

B．generous

C．complicated

D．extraordinary

4 . Scientists have found a new way to break down a group of harmful chemicals very hard to get rid of. The discovery could help solve a dangerous and growing problem — how to clean up the pollution of “forever chemicals”.

The group of chemicals known as PFAS (全氟烷基物) are pretty amazing. They’re non-stick, waterproof, and oil proof. They don’t burn easily or dissolve (溶解) in water. So scientists got really excited when they were discovered. Businesses started putting PFAS in all sorts of products, from non-stick pans to waterproof clothes, and from fire-fighting spray to carpets that resist stains. Even things like food wrappers and floss for cleaning your teeth contain PFAS chemicals.

But after a while, scientists realized the same things that made the chemicals useful also caused a real problem — PFAS doesn’t break down in nature. It doesn’t dissolve in water or bum. Not even bacteria can break PFAS down. No wonder these chemicals are known as “forever chemicals”.

As a result, PFAS chemicals surge in the environment. The chemicals are found in air, water, and dirt around the world — and in animals and people. In the US, 97% of humans have PFAS in their blood.

Luckily, scientists in the US have now found a way to break down some PFAS chemicals. Their solution requires boiling PFAS with two other very common chemicals. These chemicals can be found in just about any laboratory.

Dr. Brittany Trang, one of the scientists involved, said she didn’t even want to test the idea at first. “I thought it was too simple,” she said. But the process worked.

The research involved 10 types of PFAS, including two of the most common kinds. That’s a big step. But there are over 12,000 different kinds of PFAS. It’s important to note that the new method can only break down PFAS chemicals that have already been collected. Figuring out how to remove PFAS chemicals from the environment and collect them remains a huge challenge.

1. What can we infer about PFAS chemicals from paragraph 2?

A．Scientists were so excited to invent them.

B．They were environmentally friendly at first.

C．They are really widely used in our daily life.

D．They have more advantages than disadvantages.

2. What does the underlined word “surge” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Increase fast.

B．Float everywhere.

C．Extend fully.

D．React quickly.

3. What does the author think of dealing with PFAS chemicals?

A．It’s already too late to get rid of them.

B．There’s still a long way to go about it.

C．The new method is too simple to work well.

D．It’s impossible to get them removed from the environment.

4. Which is the best title for the text?

A．Say Goodbye to Forever Chemicals

B．PFAS Chemicals Are a Two-edged Sword

C．PFAS Chemicals Will Remain a Challenge for Long

D．Scientists Find a Way to Break down Forever Chemicals

5 . Temples have long served an important role since the early years of civilization. Whether you are seeking a sense of spiritual enlightenment or looking to learn more about a certain religion, these beautiful temples are worth a stop on your vacation.

Paro Taktsang in the Paro Valley, Bhutan

Situated on a steep cliff in Bhutan’s Paro Valley, the “Tiger’s Nest” earned its nickname from an 18th-century tale detailing Buddhist master Padmasambhava arriving to the site on a flying tiger. The journey to the cliffside is quite the challenge, requiring guests to climb two hours on a steep trail.

Seiganto-ji in Nachikatsuura, Japan

Neighboring the tallest waterfall and set against the lush trees of Nachi, Seiganto-ji dates back to the 4th century. Seiganto-ji is now the first stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, where individuals travel to 33 Buddhist temples throughout the Kansai region of Japan.

Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong

This Buddhist and Taoist temple was built to honor the god of literature and the god of war, and the inscriptions found in the temple hall imply its construction may have taken place around 1847. It is still highly active and visited by local worshippers, so it’s asked that any visitor coming to the temple is prohibited from taking photos out of respect.

Kek Lok Si Temple, Malaysia

Penang is often touted(吹捧) for its sandy beaches and emerald blue waters, but it’s also home to the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. A melting pot of cultures, the temple’s architecture showcases Chinese, Thai, and Burmese styles throughout its stunning seven stories. It’s estimated there are 10,000 statues of Buddha depicted throughout its main pagodas(宝塔).

1. If you hope to enjoy a sea view, which temple is the best choice?

A．Paro Taktsang in the Paro Valley, Bhutan.	B．Seiganto-ji in Nachikatsuura, Japan.
C．Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong.	D．Kek Lok Si Temple, Malaysia.

2. What do we know from the text?

A．Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest temple in Malaysia.

B．Paro Taktsang earned its nickname due to its unique location.

C．Seiganto-ji is a time-honored temple with magnificent surroundings.

D．Visitors tend to take photos to show their respect for Man Mo Temple.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A travel journal.	B．A tourist brochure.
C．A geography textbook.	D．An academic article.

6 . Transport is undergoing a massive transformation so it can meet society’s demands for a low- carbon economy. Introducing electric vehicles (EV) and declining gasoline use are helping, but zero-carbon hydrogen can speed up both the transition (转变) and long-term decarbonization of transport.

In the US, transportation produces the largest share of all greenhouse gas emissions (排放) in the economy at 29%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. More than 90% of transport fuel is petrol based, but if more vehicles used hydrogen, emissions of this kind would plummet.

However, hydrogen is not considered an ideal replacement for gasoline as an engine fuel for cars because it is harder to store safely. And while fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) that turn hydrogen into electricity can compete with EV performance-and even out-compete them on range and refill time, extra energy is needed to produce the hydrogen needed for fuel. Also, finding investment for storage, pipelines and fuel stations is still a challenge for many nations.

Currently, governments worldwide are backing green hydrogen projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy industries like freight (货运), steel, and energy storage. But hydrogen transport will need rapid production methods to create the fuel needed for the world’s road fleet.

Thankfully, research is advancing all the time. Nanoscale (纳米级的) thin films are applied to improving the chemical process to rapidly harvest hydrogen from the seawater. The same technology has been successfully used in solar power devices with higher efficiency-to-cost rates. Since hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and as seawater makes up about 96% of all water on Earth, there is a virtually limitless supply.

Even wastewater and solid waste can create green hydrogen. Researchers at Princeton University are using sunlight to separate hydrogen from industrial wastewater. Chemical plants that currently face high costs for cleaning wastewater could transform it into clean hydrogen supplies.

1. What does the underlined word “plummet” mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Stop.

B．Decrease.

C．Continue.

D．Disappear.

2. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Ways of storing hydrogen safely.

B．Benefits of fuel cell electric vehicles.

C．Challenges of using hydrogen as car fuel.

D．Differences between gasoline and hydrogen.

3. What makes it more efficient to get hydrogen from the ocean?

A．The application of solar power devices.

B．The method of identifying water elements.

C．The invention. of the water transport system.

D．The use of the nanoscale thin-film technology.

4. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Clean Energy Hydrogen Ready to Take Off

B．Traditional Fuels Bound to Reach a Dead End

C．How We Can Generate Energy from Hydrogen

D．What the Future of Transportation May Be Like

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

First-time visitors to Chengdu may find it to be a city with rich cultural heritage. The emblem(标志) of a gold leaf,     1     (feature) four flying birds surrounding the sun, can be seen everywhere in the city. The emblem, which represents Chengdu,    2    (choose) as the symbol of China Cultural Heritage by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage in 2005.

After the discovery of the Sanxingdui Ruins in the city of Guanghan in 1929,    3    was believed to be one of Sichuan’s most important archaeological finds, a 3,000-year-old gold-leaf sunbird was unearthed at the Jinsha Ruins in 2001. In 2018, Chengdu made the decision     4     (become) a world cultural city. In recent years, Chengdu’s efforts to globalize have accelerated,    5     a series of major international cultural and sports activities have been held, laying the foundation for it to build     6     into a world-famous tourist city.

Chengdu’s     7     (attract) range from giant pandas     8     the poetic legacy of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage. Hidden in thick greenery, the Temple of Marquis Wu was built as     9     memorial hall in honor of Zhuge Liang and now China’s personification of loyalty and wisdom. The city also offers a museum including a cottage modelled after the poetic descriptions of Du Fu, one of China’s     10     (great) poets, emphasizing his influence on Chinese literature.

8 . A new study on 26 chimpanzees (黑猩猩) from zoos around the world found that chimpanzees can recognise family members and long lost friends even after decades of separation.

The participating chimpanzees were given juice while staring at a screen flashing side by side photos of other chimps. One animal from each pair of photos had lived with the group for at least a year, while the other was a stranger. An eye-tracking camera recorded where the participants were looking and for how long. Data showed their eyes rested longer on familiar groupmates, suggesting “rich recognition of each other.”

There is also evidence that they became more intent when shown a picture of a chimpanzee with whom they’d had more positive interactions, compared with conflicting relationships.

In the most impressive case, a 46-year-old chimpanzee named Louise repeatedly demonstrated “intense” attention upon seeing photographs of her sister Loretta and nephew Erin, whom she hadn’t seen in more than 26 years. The team said Louise’s results represent the longest-lasting social memory documented in any non-human animal to date.

“We tend to see ourselves as unique special creatures with incredible intellectual (智力的) capacities that are very different from other animals on earth,” said Laura Simone Lewis, a postdoctoral fellow in Berkeley’s psychology department and lead author of the study. “This study is showing us how similar we are to chimpanzees.” She noted that the findings support the theory that long-term social memory in humans and modern day chimps has come from “our last common ancestor that lived somewhere between 5 to 7 million years ago” who also likely had long-term social memory.

Now that they have definitive evidence that these endangered species possess long-term social memories, researchers have more questions, including whether chimpanzees miss the individuals they’re no longer with, especially their friends and family. “Our study doesn’t determine they are doing this, but it raises questions about the possibility that they may have the ability to do so,” Lewis said.

1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The nature of chimps.	B．The method of the study.
C．The analysis of the recorded data.	D．The layout of experimental equipment.

2. What does the underlined word “intent” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Attentive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Hesitant.

D．Emotional.

3. Why is the example of Louise in paragraph 4 mentioned?

A．To stress chimps are as intelligent as human beings.

B．To explain where chimps’ social memory comes from.

C．To better demonstrate the chimps’ memory length.

D．To further prove the existence of chimps’ social memory.

4. What will the research team most probably continue to explore?

A．Whether chimps feel strong emotions to their long lost friends.

B．How to strengthen chimps’ long-term social memories.

C．How chimps recognised their close contacts after long separation.

D．Why chimps possess the amazing social memories.

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In southern China, there is a famous road     1    (build) across Poyang Lake, which lies in the north of Jiangxi Province, China and is known as China’s second     2     (large) lake. People in China also call it “the most beautiful road under the water.”

This road is sure     3     (attract) a lot of attention towards the end of May every year. A lot of people come out of     4     (curious). The water level of the lake is so close to the surface of the road,     5     makes the view ahead broad and bright when people drive along. It’s as though they were taking a boat across the lake. The feeling is     6     (simple) wonderful!

For the next few months, this road is not above the surface    7    under the water. When the water level of Poyang Lake starts to go up, the road surface becomes unseen. However, drivers can still drive across the lake safely     8     watching the guardrails(防撞护栏) fixed on either side of the road. For thrill-seeking motorists, it’s like     9     (drive) an amphibious(水陆两栖的) super car. Then in a few days, the entire road     10     (flood) with the continuously rising water. A few months later, the road will reappear.