1 . Hanwengong Shrine
Now we come to Hanwengong Shrine, which is beside Hangjiang river and west of Bijia mountain.
In the year of A.D. 819, for some political reason, Han Yu was exiled (流放) to Chaozhou, a backland at that time. But he was not depressed by this, and he helped local people to develop education, agriculture, irrigation and release slaves.
The shrine was built against the mountain and divided into two parts, the front part and the back part. Now we play a small game: count the stone steps, and later I’ll tell you a secret. How many steps are there? Yes, 51 steps! Why?
A.When Han Yu came to Chaozhou, he was 51 years old. |
B.Han Yu was a Confucian figure, and there are many stories about him in Chaozhou. |
C.Although Han Yu’s ideas had no obvious practical effect at the time, they had a great impact on society decades later. |
D.Built in the Song dynasty, the shrine is the oldest and best preserved monument to Han Yu, one of the greatest literary men in the Tang dynasty. |
E.To memorize what he had contributed to the development of Chaozhou, people constructed this shrine and named him Hanwengong respectfully. |
F.There are so many tourists that, to relieve the pressure on the monuments, the scenic spot requires that a maximum of 500 people visit at a time. |
2 . The emergence of black holes undoubtedly marks the beginning of a revolution. Black holes have many peculiar properties, such as the alteration of space and time, the radiation of gravitational waves and so on. Scientists are still trying to study the properties and evolution of black holes in order to better understand the origin and evolution of the universe.
Recently, a team of astronomers may have found a solo-wandering black hole using a strange trick of gravity called microlensing (微透镜效应), but the results still have to be confirmed.
Sometimes it’s tough being an astronomer. Nature likes to hide the most interesting things from easy observation. Take, for example, black holes. Except for the strange quantum (量子) phenomenon of Hawking radiation, black holes are completely black. They don’t emit a single bit of radiation – they only absorb, hence their name.
To date, the only way astronomers have been able to spot black holes is through their influence on their environments. For example, if an orbiting star gets a little too close, the black hole can absorb the gas from that star, causing it to heat up as it falls. We can watch as stars dance around the giant black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
Even the famed pictures of the black holes in the center of the Milky Way and the M87 galaxy(星系) aren’t photographs of the black holes themselves. Instead, they are radio images of everything around them.
But surely not all black holes have other light-emitting objects around them to help us find them. To find these wanderers, astronomers have tried their luck with microlensing. We know that heavy objects can bend the path of light around them. This is a prediction of Einstein’s general theory of relativity, and the slight bending of starlight around our own sun was one of the first successful tests of the theory.
Microlensing is pretty much what the name suggests. When astronomers get extremely lucky, a wandering black hole and pass between us and a random distant star. The light from that star bends around the black hole because of its gravity, and from our point of view, the star will appear to temporarily flare in brightness.
And when I say “extremely lucky” I mean it. Despite trying this technique for over a decade, it is only now that astronomers have found a candidate black hole through microlensing. Two teams used the same data, a microlensing event recorded from both the OGLE (Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment) telescope in Chile and the MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) telescope in New Zealand. One team found that the mass was somewhere around seven times the mass of the sun – definitely black hole territory. But the other team estimated a much smaller mass, around 2-4 times the mass of the Sun. If the true mass of the object is at the lower end of that spectrum (光谱), then the wanderer is probably not a black hole.
1. Why does the author say it is hard to be an astronomer?A.Einstein’s theory is hard to understand. |
B.Many things in nature are not easy to observe. |
C.Understanding the evolution of the universe is not easy. |
D.Whether the black hole has been found remains to be seen. |
A.Stars’ wandering in black holes. |
B.Black holes’ absorbing the star’s gas. |
C.The relationship between stars’ heating and black holes. |
D.Finding black holes by observing environmental changes. |
A.People can often find black holes with glowing objects. |
B.Research groups can work together to find black holes. |
C.Glowing objects around black holes help us find them sometimes. |
D.Understanding the properties of black holes helps find them. |
A.To persevere in the end is to win. |
B.Facts speak louder than words. |
C.Failure is the mother of success. |
D.Things are not always what they seem. |
3 . Many of the world’s islands were previously unexplored places, but over time, people have come to these places with far-reaching effects, including deforestation, over-hunting and the introduction of invasive species.
While the death of many birds since the 1500s has been
Researchers now believe 1,430 bird species — almost 12 per cent — have died out over modern human history since around 130,000 years ago, with the vast majority of them becoming extinct directly or indirectly
The study, led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and published in Nature Communications, used statistical modelling to
Lead author Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeler at UKCEH, says:“Our study demonstrates there has been a far higher
Dr Søren Faurby of the University of Gothenburg, a co-author of the study, adds: “These historic extinctions have had a major impact on the current biodiversity crisis. The world may not only have lost many fascinating birds but also their varied
Observations and fossils show 640 bird species have been driven extinct — 90 per cent of these on islands
A.To some extent | B.On average | C.As a result | D.In short |
A.confirmed | B.recorded | C.concealed | D.discussed |
A.distracted | B.disposed | C.dismissed | D.disintegrated |
A.extent | B.context | C.outcome | D.influence |
A.due to | B.other than | C.instead of | D.in spite of |
A.declare | B.illustrate | C.estimate | D.emphasize |
A.climate | B.human | C.environmental | D.natural |
A.connected | B.coped | C.lived | D.competed |
A.trace | B.route | C.change | D.proposal |
A.interactive | B.ecological | C.productive | D.social |
A.in terms of | B.because of | C.except for | D.in addition to |
A.depend on | B.interact with | C.fight against | D.stay away |
A.inhabited | B.removed | C.developed | D.killed |
A.result | B.range | C.suffer | D.date |
A.origin | B.project | C.growth | D.diversity |
A.The effects of the flood. | B.The fight against the flood. |
C.The cause of the flood. | D.The ten floods of the year. |
5 . Global surface temperatures last month were 2.25 degrees warmer than the 20th century average of 60.1 degrees, breaking previous records, from August 2016, by more than half a degree, according to NOAA researchers. “That to me is a really huge
The report
It wasn’t just the land that
“We’ve seen unheard-of warmth in the global ocean, and that’s definitely alarming because its effects
In fact, the report comes after a series of severe natural
“The scientific evidence is
A.distance | B.jump | C.travel | D.flight |
A.confirms | B.emerges | C.quotes | D.argues |
A.holds | B.touches | C.surrounds | D.includes |
A.boiled | B.cooled | C.stricken | D.disappeared |
A.contributed to | B.suffered from | C.resulted from | D.devoted to |
A.slowest | B.lowest | C.highest | D.fastest |
A.enlarge | B.discharge | C.extend | D.undertake |
A.creating | B.saving | C.remaining | D.disturbing |
A.issues | B.debates | C.events | D.proposals |
A.floods | B.disasters | C.storms | D.earthquakes |
A.Though | B.Because | C.Unless | D.When |
A.damage | B.destroy | C.decrease | D.increase |
A.irresistible | B.unchangeable | C.inaccessible | D.unbearable |
A.conveying | B.releasing | C.relieving | D.dismissing |
A.predicted | B.expected | C.doubted | D.determined |
6 . Huizhou Architecture Comes to Life
Huizhou has a long history. When successful Huizhou businessmen got old,they often went back to their hometown and built houses to spend their remaining years.
Huizhou architecture, with its long tradition and great diversity, occupies an important place in Chinese architectural landscape, says Zhang Wangnan, director of the China Huizhou Culture Museum in Huangshan. Huizhou houses tend to be built on the natural places, since Huizhou is a mountainous area with few flat areas of land, according to Zhang. Moreover, daylight is valued in Huizhou houses, reflected in the building of open interior courtyards, allowing sunshine to enter the rooms. “Huizhou businessmen also believed that water symbolizes wealth.
Huizhou is famous for its stone, wood and brick carvings, which are widely used to decorate local houses. “
A.When it rains, water falling on the roof soon flows to the courtyard. |
B.Many of their houses are well-preserved today, especially in Xidi and Hongcun. |
C.To talk about Huizhou culture, we must first understand Huizhou. |
D.People carved beautiful patterns and historical stories on the walls, windows and wooden posts of their houses. |
E.Features of Huizhou houses display the characteristics of local people. |
F.Huizhou people have established many schools in the field of culture. |
7 . The world is wasting the opportunity to “build back better” from the Covid-19 pandemic, and faces disastrous temperature rises of at least 2.7°C if countries fail to strengthen their climate commitments, according to a report from the UN.
Tuesday’s publication warns that countries’ current commitments would reduce carbon by only about 7.5% by 2030, far less than the 45% cut, which scientists say is needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃, the aim of the Cop26summit that opens in Glasgow this Sunday.
António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, described the findings as a “thundering wake-up call“ to world leaders. while experts called for action against fossil fuel companies.
Although more than 100 countries have promised to reach net zero emissions around mid-century, this would not be enough to avoid climate disasters, according to the UN emissions report, which examines the shortfall between countries’ intentions and actions needed on the climate. Many of the net zero commitments were found to be unclear, and unless accompanied by strict cuts in emissions this decade would allow global heating of a potentially disastrous extent.
Guterres said: “The heat is on, and as the contents of the report show, the leadership we need is off. Far off. Countries are wasting a massive opportunity to invest Covid-19 finance and recovery resources in sustainable, cost-saving, planet-saving ways. As world leaders prepare for Cop26, this report is another thundering wake-up call. How many do we need?”
Inger Andersen, the director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said: “Climate change is no longer a future problem. It is a now problem. To stand a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5℃, we have 8 years to almost halve greenhouse gas emissions: 8 years to make the plans, put in place the policies, carry them out and deliver the cuts.The clock is ticking loudly.”
Emissions fell by about 5.4% last year during Covid lockdowns, the report found, but only about one-fifth of the economic recovery spending goes towards reducing carbon emissions. This failure to ”build back better“ despite promises by governments around the world cast doubt on the world’s willingness to make the economic shift necessary to settle the climate crisis, the UN said.
In the run-up to Cop26, countries were supposed to submit national plans to cut emissions - called nationally determined contributions (NDCs) - for the next decade, a requirement under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. But the UNEP report found only half of countries had submitted new NDCs, and some governments had presented weak plans.
1. Why were the findings described as a “thundering wake-up call” in Para. 3?A.Because the world has failed to deliver on its current promises. |
B.Because the serious problems were brought about by global fossil fuels. |
C.Because a global temperature rise of at least 2.7°C would be a disaster. |
D.Because the opportunities presented by covid-19 have been wasted. |
A.New plans will be made to protect the environment. |
B.Measures will be taken to reduce emissions in the coming ten years. |
C.Transitions will be made in response to the global climate crisis. |
D.Global sustainable environmental resources will be greatly developed. |
A.To show the number of alarm clocks required. |
B.To inquire the number of the countries attending the meeting. |
C.To explain the reason for the world’s wasting chances. |
D.To stress the need to save energy and reduce emissions. |
A.Few countries have submitted plans to reduce the emissions. |
B.Most of the countries work under the Paris Climate Agreement. |
C.Plans to cut emissions of many countries are far from satisfactory. |
D.Much progress in reducing emissions has been made these years. |
8 . Many people learn at an early age to associate the color red with danger. So might it make sense to print medication
“People are not
The researchers found that when the screen was red, subjects performed better on detail-oriented tasks. In one test,
In other tests, creative abilities seemed to be
Researchers concluded from the tests that seeing red causes people to take the extra time to think
A.instructions | B.symptoms | C.warnings | D.treatments |
A.create | B.relax | C.decorate | D.design |
A.skies | B.medication | C.colors | D.paint |
A.danger | B.detail | C.emotions | D.vigor |
A.distracted by | B.aware of | C.content with | D.curious about |
A.cognitive | B.intelligence | C.mental | D.memory |
A.on one hand | B.at the same time | C.for example | D.that is |
A.grey | B.blue | C.green | D.white |
A.proven | B.acquired | C.recognized | D.enhanced |
A.more abstract | B.more positive | C.more innovative | D.more valuable |
A.practical | B.academic | C.economical | D.profitable |
A.critically | B.logically | C.carefully | D.independently |
A.painting | B.memorizing | C.designing | D.brainstorming |
A.Unless | B.When | C.Since | D.Though |
A.turn up | B.stir up | C.set off | D.give off |
The Last Generation
Rising sea levels threaten the very existence of the Pacific island nations. And young people
The nations of the Pacific Islands recognize that
They plan to adopt some really cool, environmentally friendly, carbon-free technologies, including solar-powered ships and hydrogen fuel cells. Through the partnership and their efforts
Sea levels are rising, but hopes aren’t sinking in the Pacific islands, where people are fighting for life and land. The citizens of these island nations
10 . Wildlife populations around the world are facing dramatic declines, according to new figures that have led environmental campaigners to call for urgent action to rescue the natural world. The 2022 Living Planet Index (LPI), produced by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), reveals that studied populations of mammals, birds, reptiles (爬行动物) and fish have seen an average decline of 69 per cent since 1970, faster than previous predictions. The LPI tracked global biodiversity between 1970 and 2018, based on the monitoring of 31,821 populations of 5230 vertebrate (脊椎动物) species. Mark Wright of WWF says the degree of decline is destructive and continues to worsen. “We are not seeing any really positive signs that we are beginning to bend the curve of nature,” he says.
Freshwater vertebrates have been among the hardest-hit populations, with monitored populations showing an average decline of 83 per cent since 1970. The Amazon pink river dolphin, for example, has experienced a 65 per cent decline in its population between 1994 and 2016. Meanwhile, some of the most biodiverse regions of the world are seeing the steepest falls in wildlife, with the Caribbean and central and south America seeing average wildlife population declined by 94 per cent since 1970. Habitat loss and reduction is the largest driver of wildlife loss in all regions around the world, followed by species overexploitation by hunting, fishing or poaching (偷猎).
In December, governments from around the world will gather in Montreal, Canada, for the COP15 Biodiversity Framework, a much-delayed summit that aims to agree on a set of new targets intended to prevent the loss of animals, plants and habitats globally by 2030. “This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity that’s coming up,” says Robin Freeman of ZSL. He says it is vital that governments use the summit to agree on “meaningful, well measurable targets and goals”. “We need governments to take action to ensure that those goals deal with the complicated combined threats of climate change and biodiversity, in order for us to see a meaningful action,” says Freeman. But some researchers are critical of the LPI’s use of a headline figure of decline, warning it is easy to be misunderstood.
The findings don’t mean all species or populations worldwide are in decline. In fact, approximately half the populations show a stable or increasing trend, and half show a declining trend. “I think a more appropriate and useful way to look at it is to focus on specific species or populations,” says Hannah Ritchie at Our World in Data. But Wright says the LPI is a useful tool that reflects the findings of other biodiversity indicators. “All of those show they all scream there is something going really very badly wrong,” says Wright.
1. What does the underlined phrase in the first paragraph mean?A.Loving and protecting nature. | B.Preserving the diversity of nature. |
C.Underestimating the benefits of nature. | D.Destroying and changing nature. |
A.the number of Amazon dolphins is on the rise |
B.freshwater vertebrates are at risk of extinction |
C.there are no positive measures to protect nature |
D.some of the world’s wild animals are in decline |
A.It makes sense to focus on a particular species. |
B.Preventing the loss of habitats by 2030 is certain to happen. |
C.New agreement on the prevention of habitat loss will be in vain. |
D.The Caribbean wildlife has been well protected in recent decades. |
A.The COP15 Biodiversity Framework |
B.Wildlife Population Declining Sharply |
C.Urgent Action to Save the Earth |
D.Correct Interpretation of LPI |