1 . My wife always wanted a Vizsla, so when we got the house, the garden and everything sorted, we did some research and found a lovely breeder (饲养员) based in Scotland. He was in charge of everything, so a few months go by and the next thing I know, we’ve got a puppy!

I’ve grown up with animals all my life, and I’m so glad I have. I love the fact that I was never afraid of any animals. Although you do obviously have to be careful when introducing children to a dog they don’t know, because you don’t know how it’s going to behave, it always saddens me when I see children scared when they walk past Pedro. I think it’s great for kids to learn how to look after an animal.

And obviously for us, as a family, it’s brilliant because we take Pedro for so many walks. It’s a bit of a family bonding experience getting out in the fresh air; taking Pedro for a walk multiple times a day is just really lovely. Meanwhile, the most rewarding, I think, is just seeing how amazing he is with the kids. He is so calm, so protective, so loving, and we are his world.

I think the most challenging aspects with Pedro were when he was a puppy (小狗). He was pretty hard work. He was never aggressive, but he was quite bitey as puppies are, constantly pulling out your clothes and putting holes in them, which is very annoying. He chewed the furniture-my sofas are barely standing up; their wooden legs are almost in pieces. Obviously, the dog training in the house was quite stressful and his jumping at strangers in the park and running off was always quite scary.

As a new puppy owner, you’re overloaded with advice from social media, magazines, other dog owners and friends, so finding a source of information you trust is so important and can be a real turning point. I know what it’s like to be bombarded with conflicting information, so I would have really welcomed Royal Canin’s “One in a Billion” platform as a new puppy owner. It’s a one-stop shop for new dog owners: a single source of credible information that is so helpful in navigating the early stages of your puppy’s life.

1. What do we know about the author?

A．He is inexperienced in raising pets.

B．He is unsupportive of his wife’s desire.

C．He feels it a pity that children shy away from pets.

D．He thinks one should be cautious about raising pets.

2. How does the author think of Pedro?

A．Dangerous but loyal.	B．Playful and gentle.
C．Adorable but troublesome.	D．Annoying and fierce.

3. What can we infer according to paragraph 4?

A．Dogs are man’s best friends.

B．It is worthless to have a dog.

C．Puppies are unfriendly to humans.

D．It is challenging to train a puppy.

4. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?

A．To recommend a reliable platform.

B．To share a fun experience.

C．To offer evidence for an argument.

D．To advertise a practical product.

2 . An ancient, interdependent relationship that contributes to food systems and ecosystem stability across the globe could be changing.

Many flowering plants can self-pollinate (自花传粉), or transfer pollen between their own blossoms for seed generation and reproduction, but most of these plants have relied on pollinators such as butterflies and bees to reproduce. Now — during declines reported in many pollinator populations — a new study on the evolution of one flower species’ mating system has revealed a remarkable change that could worsen the challenges faced by the plants’ insect partners.

The flowers reproductive evolution may be linked to environmental changes such as habitat destruction and rapid ongoing decreases in pollinator biodiversity, according to Samson Acoca-Pidolle, who led the study published December 19 in the journal New Phytologist.

Comparing seeds of wild field pansies (三色堇) collected decades ago in France with the plants’ modern descendants. Acoca-Pidolle and his colleagues discovered that today’s flowers are smaller and produce less nectar (花蜜) as a result of increased self-pollination, which has direct impacts on pollinator behavior.The pansies of the past self-fertilized less and attracted far more pollinators than those of the present, according to the study.

“It seems that it’s only traits (特性) that are involved in plant-pollinator interaction that are evolving, ” said Acoca-Pidolle. The changes could restrict the plants’ ability to adapt to future environmental changes and have implications for “all of floral biodiversity” — potentially decreasing flowering plants’ genetic, species and ecosystem variation.

“This may increase the pollinator decline and cause a negative feedback cycle,” study coauthor Pierre-Olivier Cheptou told CNN.” If plants produce less nectar, there will be less food available to pollinators, which will in turn accelerate the rate at which the animals’ numbers decrease“, he explained.

“The major message is that we are currently seeing the evolutionary breakdown of plant pollinators in the wild,” said Cheptou, an evolutionary ecologist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and professor at the University of Montpellier.

1. Which of the following may contribute to the flowers’ reproductive evolution?

A．Changed behaviour of pollinators.	B．Severe pollution to the habitats.
C．Continuing decline in pollinator biodiversity.	D．Increased plant-pollinator interaction.

2. Why were pansies in the past larger and produced more nectar?

A．They self-pollinated less.	B．They had a better mating system.
C．They attracted less pollinators.	D．They were fertilized by themselves.

3. What is the result of the changes in the flowers’ reproductive evolution?

A．The flowering plants may have more variations.

B．The evolution of wild plant pollinators is collapsing.

C．The numbers of the animals will increase more rapidly.

D．The plants will adapt to the environmental changes better.

4. Which is the best title for the text?

A．Pollinator Populations: Declining.	B．Flowering Plants: Selfing.
C．Interdependent Relationship: Maintaining.	D．Floral Diversity: Increasing.

3 . 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 an age of rapidly growing urbanization, rooftop farming has emerged as a sustainable response     1     the challenge of creating green space in cities. This innovative practice transforms rooftops into mini farms, where vegetables, fruits, and even flowers     2     (plant), providing local residents with fresh produce and adding a touch of nature to urban environments.

Rooftop farming, also     3     (refer) to as vertical agriculture, is more than just a trend; it’s a step towards environmental conservation. Green roofs with vegetation help to absorb sunlight and release moisture, cooling the air and reducing the demand for air conditioning,     4     in turn lessens energy     5     (consume) and carbon emission. Meanwhile, rooftop farms serve as educational platforms,     6     (teach) city dwellers about sustainable agriculture practices and the importance of locally     7     (source) food.

As urban populations continue to grow, rooftop farming fosters community engagement     8     promotes healthier lifestyles by providing access to fresh and organic produce. When we look towards     9     future where environmental consciousness and sustainable practices become increasingly vital, rooftop farming stands as a testament to our ability to cultivate more than just food—we cultivate hope for a     10     (green) and more resilient world.

4 . We love our pets. In fact, for most people they are more than me re pets and become more like family members. It is likely then that their owners, at some point, are going to want photographs of their furry friends. However, pet photography presents its own special problems.     1     If you’re thinking of trying pet photography, here are a few pointers to get you started.

Find out about your subject’s personality and habits. Where does it nod off if the sun is out? What is its favourite toy?     2     It’s also worth spending a little time getting to know the animal yourself. Cats, dogs, horses, they all have personality, and you need to ensure they are comfortable being around you, and you around them.

    3     If the pet is comfortable with you, and if it isn’t too nervous, fill the frame with the pet’s face. Get the eyes nice and sharp. Just like humans, this is a natural point of focus, although focusing on the nose or mouth of a dog or cat can also make for an interesting image in its own right.

See the world from pets’ perspective. If you photograph a pet while you’re standing up, all you’re going to see is the top of their head and their backs, not what you want for a portrait. Get down to their eye level. Try pre-focusing your camera and just holding it at ground level so you can look up at the pet.     4    .

Bring a flash with the owner’s permission. While greeting or playing with a new pet, fire a couple of test flashes away from them to see their reaction. In daylight particularly, they never seem to mind the flash at all.     5    .

A．Think about getting in close to your subject.

B．It’s worth a try just for a new angle on things.

C．Animals can be unpredictable, lazy, aggressive and excitable.

D．A good photograph focuses on the subject and not the background.

E．If they do mind, then stick with natural light and use a white reflector.

F．The more you shoot, the greater your chances of hitting that perfect shot!

G．Take time to chat with the owner and observe your subject to gain some insight.

5 . Astronomers have examined the stars that a new space telescope might target, to prepare for one of the most advanced searches for life on other planets. They found out which star systems might be more suitable to hunt for potential life.

In the 2040s, NASA plans to launch the Habitable Worlds Observatory(HWO). Its big goal is to image about 25 Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of sun-like stars-where water and even life could exist. Before building the HWO, scientists are working on significant challenges it will face.

One of those is choosing stars within around 100 light years from Earth that the telescope might target. Caleb Harada at the University of California, Berkeley, and his team analyzed 164 potential stars to determine their characteristics. These stars could become some of the most studied stars ever.

Harada and his team discovered that 102 of the stars are binaries(双子星), which could make the search for life more complex. The HWO telescope will use a tool to block out the stars’ light to attempt to image planets in orbit and study the gases in their atmospheres. “If binaries are too close together, the light from the unblocked star will be so bright that it’ll cover up the planets and make them hard to see,” explains Bruce Macintosh from the University of California Observatories.

Out of all the stars, 33 have dust rings that could make it hard to see planets clearly. “This makes exploring harder,” says Harada. “Some stars also sometimes burst into bright flames, like our sun’s flares, which aren’t always deadly. But we need to check closely that they’re not too strong, because these can affect life and living conditions,” explains Harada.

1. Why is HWO to be built?

A．To take pictures of planets.	B．To find out habitable planets.
C．To identify Earth-like planets.	D．To prepare for the search for life.

2. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The application of the telescope.	B．The characteristics of studied stars.
C．The analysis of potential sun-like stars.	D．The challenge of finding the right stars.

3. What challenges planet detection around binary stars?

A．The HWO telescope.	B．Tightly spaced binary stars.
C．The brightness of unblocked stars.	D．The gases in planets’ atmospheres.

4. What factor might prevent the formation of life according to the last paragraph?

A．Space exploration.	B．Stars’ intense bursts.
C．Frequent solar flares.	D．Dust rings on planets.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What are the speakers doing?

A．Sharing ideas about animal protection.

B．Discussing something about adopting an animal.

C．Talking about the situation of endangered animals.

2. What animal does the woman want to adopt most?

A．A tiger.

B．A panda.

C．An elephant.

3. What will the woman get if she adopts an animal?

A．A soft toy.

B．A wildlife magazine.

C．A picture of the animal.

7 . Whales are celebrated for being the largest and most intelligent creatures in the ocean. Now, biologists have discovered that they also capture (捕获) tons of carbon from the atmosphere, a service with an economic value of US $1 trillion for all the great whales, according to a new study published by the International Monetary Fund. The study points out that protecting whales, normally viewed as a human good, also has a monetary motivation.

“The carbon capture potential of whales is truly incredible,” said the report. “Our conservative estimates put the value of the average great whale at more than US $2 million, and easily over US $1 trillion for the current stock of great whales.” Whales absorb carbon in their bodies during their long lives, some of which stretch to 200 years. When they die, they sink to the bottom of the ocean, taking the carbon with them. According to the study, each great whale traps around 33 tons of carbon dioxide on average. A tree during the same period only contributes to 3 percent of the carbon absorption of the whale.

Whale populations are today a smidgen of what they once were. It is estimated that there are slightly more than 1.3 million whales in the ocean, a quarter of their pre-whaling number of 4 to 5 million. Some species in particular, like the blue whale, are only 3 percent of what they used to be. “We can create financial methods to promote the restoration of the world’s whale populations,” said the report’s authors. “Rewards could help those who pay significant costs as a result of whale protection.”

With the Paris Agreement coming into force next year and the effects of climate change ever more widespread, we must prevent the harm to whales. Researchers analyzed that unless new methods are put forward, it would take over 30 years to double the number of current whales, and several generations to return them to their pre-whaling numbers. “Society and our own survival can’t afford to wait this long,” they said.

1. What does the new study reveal about whales?

A．They are money-makers for good.	B．Their intelligence is unquestionable.
C．They are a natural climate solution.	D．Their survival is threatened by carbon.

2. Why is a whale compared with a tree in paragraph 2?

A．To indicate all matter regarding green efforts.	B．To illustrate whales are friendly to the oceans.
C．To highlight whales’ carbon capture potential.	D．To emphasize the importance of tree planting.

3. What can be inferred from what researchers said in paragraph 4?

A．Climate change intensifies.	B．Whale populations stay low.
C．Our survival is endangered.	D．Whale protection is a priority.

4. What is the most suitable title for the article?

A．Protect whales to protect the planet	B．How to restore whale populations
C．Live in harmony with ocean giants	D．Whales can guarantee our survival

8 . “Please would you tell me,” asks the heroine of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, “why your cat grins like that?” Alice is surprised when told that all Cheshire cats can grin and that “most of ‘em do”.

We can only wonder, then, what she would make of a new study that claims that our pet cats actually have nearly 300 facial expressions — far larger than many experts had expected and which may have evolved as a result of them living alongside humans.

The study involved dozens of cats being filmed at the CatCafe Lounge in Los Angeles, where homeless cats live together while up for adoption. More specifically, they logged each occurrence of 26 facial muscle movements, including blinks and half blinks, nose licks, and various ear positions. They identified 276 combinations of those movements, each of which represents a cat facial expression.

That was not far away from the 357 expressions a similar study had previously seen in chimpanzees, and it easily beat the 80 from gibbons (长臂猿). Dogs are said to be capable of 27 facial movements.

According to the researchers, the number of cat facial expressions was a surprise and indicates a hidden depth to how cats express themselves. “Thanks to the development of Facial Action Coding Systems, we are now able to uncover communicative complexity among mammals that may have been previously overlooked.” they said.

The studies showed that about 45 per cent of them were clearly friendly: These tended to involve eyes being closed and ears and whiskers (胡须) being tilted forwards, towards another cat, during a friendly encounter. Another 37 per cent were obviously aggressive or defensive.

The researchers suggest that pet cats have a greater range of facial expressions in part because being close to people often also means living in close places with other cats — and being able to communicate can avoid conflict. And they believe it should be possible to read more subtle messages. “We plan to study how cats produce facial signals during specific interactions, such as play, fighting, and so on.”

1. What do paragraph 1 and 2 mainly tell us?

A．Alice actually made a study on cats’ grins.

B．Cats are often heroes in famous fairy tales.

C．Alice has a cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

D．People do not know much about cats facial expressions.

2. Why does the author mention chimpanzees and dogs?

A．To show that these animals are all mammals.

B．To show that cats can express themselves in special ways.

C．To show that cats are cleverer than chimpanzees and dogs.

D．To show that cats have unbelievable quantities of facial expressions.

3. What does the study say about the cats’ facial expressions?

A．Eyes being closed to another cat is defensive.

B．Almost all the cat facial expressions are friendly.

C．Living with humans influences cats’ facial expression.

D．Cats’ facial expressions can be regarded as just simple.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Cats Pull 276 Different Faces.	B．Most of the Cats Can Grin.
C．The Ways Cats Produce Facial Signals.	D．Cats’ Facial Muscle Movement.

9 . The sun near the equator is never-ceasing, bearing down as I lead Elaine, a dark brown horse, through thick bushes. It’s been a long day on horseback. My legs ache and our camp signals across a ridge of ancient folding hills in the Lolldaiga Range of northern Kenya, a mosaic (马赛克) of twisted landscapes and communities.

Suddenly Elaine’s ears flick into alert, and the muscles of her body tense beneath me. Our guide Nicholus stretches out a lean arm toward a bush just meters away. My eyes focus, trying my best to see what the others already have: two amber balls glowing from a shadowed form. It’s a young lion, quick and strong, in the middle of the high grass.

A wild silence hangs between us.

Without the defensive hunting vehicle, I feel completely exposed. Peering into the bush, I’m suspended between wonder and terror, the distance between myself and the Savannah’s most notorious hunter unbelievably small. Usually, I’m the one tracking the lion, camera in hand. Now, the lion shifts in my consciousness from object to subject. I shift, too, strongly aware of the soft flesh of my own body.

Nicholus nods his head in the other direction, a safer distance away. He points to shallow holes in the dust. “Look, this is a big lion, and these are young ones, some cubs,” he says. “Probably a mother.” Pawprints marked the earth, each telling the story of more lions, moving in different directions.

It was time to go.

Horseback safaris are still the most immersive way to view wildlife in Kenya. To journey on horseback is to break down the walls — meant to protect, but also to separate us from the natural world. And as we’re absorbed in the thrill of the experience, we’re vividly reminded of the importance of protecting these wild spaces.

Out here your horse is your translator, responding to the low hiss of a leopard, the soft scent of an elephant herd, the cool morning breeze descending from Mount Kenya’s glacial peaks. Your job is to learn how to listen.

1. Which words can NOT describe my horseback journey?

A．Thrilling.

B．Tiring.

C．Breathtaking.

D．Boring.

2. What can we learn from paragraph 3 and 4?

A．I regretted not having driven a vehicle.

B．I felt extremely tense in case of lions’ attack.

C．There will be a big battle between lions and us.

D．It was out of my expectation to break into a lion’s world.

3. Why do people still love engaging horseback travelling in Kenya today?

A．Horses are much cheaper than vehicles.

B．Visitors will experience the wildlife anytime.

C．It is a safe and exciting way to enjoy the wildlife.

D．It offers a chance to reconsider the connection between humans and wildlife.

4. What does the author suggest in the last paragraph?

A．Find more animals to feed.	B．Ask your horse for translation.
C．Feel nature with your heart.	D．Listen to the sound of every animal.

10 . Google recently announced that it has begun using carbon-free electricity from a geothermal (地热能) project to power data centers in the state of Nevada.

Tim Latimer is chief and co-founder of Fervo Energy based in Houston, Texas. His company is working with Google on its geothermal project. Latimer said that getting electricity on the grid from geothermal resources is an event many new energy companies never reach. He added that he believes geothermal energy will become more well-known than in the past.

The International Energy Agency(IEA) has long suggested geothermal could be an answer to climate change. The IEA said in a 2011 document that geothermal could reach 3.5 percent of global electricity production each year by 2050. The Paris-based international group says geothermal energy could prevent almost 800 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Fervo Energy is using this first test to launch other projects that will provide more electricity to the grid. The company is currently completing some work in southwest Utah for a 400-megawatt project. Google and Fervo Energy started working together in 2021 to develop geothermal power. The plant near Winnemucca, Nevada, is now operating and is sending about 3.5 megawatts to the grid.

Google announced in 2020 that it would use what it calls “carbon-free” energy every hour of every day, wherever it operates, by 2030. Many energy experts believe huge companies like Google can play a part in increasing the use of clean energy.

Terrell noted the company was also an early supporter of wind and solar projects, helping those markets grow to where they are today. “It’s a very similar situation. Now that we’ve set a goal to be 24/7 carbon-free energy, we have found it will take more than just wind, solar and storage,” Terrell said.

The United States leads the world in using heat from the Earth for electricity production. U. S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said earlier this year that advances in new geothermal systems will help introduce this form of energy to areas where it has been thought to be impossible. This makes it possible to find energy in more places.

1. What is Tim Latimer’s attitude to working with Google?

A．Supportive.

B．Disapproving.

C．Concerned.

D．Indifferent.

2. What can we learn from the text?

A．Fervo Energy has launched many geothermal projects before.

B．Geothermal energy will take the place of solar energy.

C．Getting electricity from geothermal resources has been widely used.

D．Geothermal energy has the potential to tackle environmental problems.

3. What will most energy experts agree with?

A．CO2 emission is to blame for climate change.

B．Carbon-free electricity only exists in our dream.

C．Google is setting a good example in environmental protection.

D．Wind and solar projects are more important than geothermal project.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Geothermal: an answer to climate change

B．Google: a company launching a new project

C．IEA: an organization contributing to global warming

D．CO2: the leading factor to global warming