1 . 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。

The Zhenfeng Pagoda, located in Yingjiang Temple, is a renowned landmark in Anqing.     1     (original) named “Wanfo Pagoda”, it was renamed “Zhenfeng” later     2     (promote) literary style. There is a saying     3     before the Ming Dynasty, Anqing had not produced a top scholar, and its literary atmosphere was declining. To fix this, astrologers (占星家) advised     4     (build) the pagoda to retain literary talent. Upon its completion in 1570, the Zhenfeng Pagoda     5     (see) as a revival of literary excellence in the region, producing notable figures such as the father and son prime ministers Zhang Ying and Zhang Tingyu, the distinguished top scholar Zhao Wenkai, the renowned calligraphy master Deng Shiru,     6     the influential Tongcheng School of literature.

Standing at an impressive     7     (high) of 72.74 meters, the pagoda is the second     8     (tall) ancient brick and stone pagoda in China. Designated (任命) as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 2006, the Zhenfeng Pagoda remains a popular destination for tourists     9     visitors can climb 168 steps to the top     10     all-around views of the surrounding landscape.

2 . 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。

Recently, many netizens posted videos on social media claiming that Harbin has launched a “photo shoot with a white fox” project to entertain tourists. The white fox in the video     1     (have) a soft and cute appearance, and after being artificially raised and managed, its fur is clean and odorless (无气味), providing tourists with a good experience and     2     (frequent) appearing on the hot search list.

For this project, some people believe it is     3     innovative tourism experience that can increase the interactivity and participation of tourists, while others are concerned about the safety and health of the white fox. In fact, these white foxes are professionally trained to have close contact     4     humans, and they do not bite. In addition, the scenic area has taken multiple     5     (measure) to ensure the welfare and safety of the white fox.

Mr. He, the person in charge of Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival, said that the scenic area has introduced this project to     6     (well) meet customer needs. These white foxes have been bred (饲养) and domesticated (驯化), so there is no need to worry about     7     (catch) and bitten by foxes.

Mr. He said that due to the continuous     8     (popular) of the White Fox on social media, more and more tourists are taking photos with it.     9     (welcome) tourists, the scenic area often takes care of the white fox, keeping its fur clean and fresh,     10     providing visitors with a better experience.

3 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

While there is growing consumer     1     (realize) of the environmental impact of fast fashion, can the same be said about fast furniture? The chairs and tables that fill many of our homes and everyday spaces are manufactured on a mass scale, and the cheaper items often end up     2     landfills.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2020 over 12 million tons of furniture     3     (throw) out in America and some into the forest illegally. Buying furniture can be     4     (incredible) expensive. Many of us switch over to cheaper, instant brands like IKEA,     5     manufacturers use materials harder to recycle, which is likely to damage the environment.

With growing calls for sustainability, many brands are announcing to change though it remains     6     (see) whether they will keep these promises. In     7     (it) current sustainability strategy, IKEA commits itself to using only recyclable materials in all its products in an effort to practice “circular” design and cut emissions to net-zero. The concept of circular design     8     (win) increasing concern up to now. In     9     circular system, furniture products would be designed to last longer and be fully recyclable, thus forming a     10    (close) loop (环).

4 . Scientists have reported that the sea ice in Antarctica (南极) is at a record low level. Antarctica is a great, icy land, surrounded (围绕) by the huge Southern Ocean. The ice in Antarctica doesn’t just cover the land. There’s also a large area of sea ice on the ocean’s surface.

Every year, the sea ice at the South Pole goes through a cycle. In the summer, the huge sea ice melts (融化) to its smallest point. Over the colder winter months, the sea ice grows and grows until it covers a wide area. Usually, the sea ice covers the greatest area around September 23, as winter ends at the South Pole.

Scientists have been measuring the area of the sea ice in Antarctica since 1979. For most of this time, Antarctica has seemed to be almost unaffected by the changing weather conditions experienced in other parts of the globe. That began to change around 2016. Now, for several years, the area of Antartica’s sea ice has been shrinking.

This year, the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) reported that Antartica’s sea ice covered its greatest area on September 10 — almost two weeks earlier than normal. And the sea ice was at a new record low-not just by a little bit, but by a lot.

The last time Antartica’s low sea ice set a record at the end of winter was in 1986. And this year, there’s about 398, 000 square miles less sea ice than in 1986.

Scientists are still trying to understand what is driving the change in Antarctica. One likely direct cause for the change is the rising temperatures of the world’s oceans. Ted Scambos, a research scientist at the University of Colorado, says Antarctica’s ice levels have always changed some, but the sharp loss this year is “pointing towards warmer ocean conditions around the continent.”

The new low record has concerned the scientists. Scientists are working hard to better understand Antarctica. They don’t know yet if this is just a short-term problem, or part of a long-term shift (转变) towards less sea ice in Antarctica.

1. What does the underlined word “shrinking” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Getting smaller.

B．Being flat.

C．Observed.

D．Measured.

2. Why does the author mention the record in 1986?

A．To give an example.	B．To make a comparison.
C．To make a summary.	D．To offer an argument.

3. What is the possible direct reason for the change in Antarctica’s sea ice?

A．The changing weather conditions.	B．Human activities in Antarctica.
C．Increased volcanic activities in the area.	D．The increasing temperatures of the global oceans.

4. How do scientists feel about the low record?

A．Worried.

B．Annoyed.

C．Excited.

D．Satisfied.

5 . Two years ago Lucy was saved from a rural area in New South Wales, Australia. Today, she is one of the lucky animals living in rows of trees that have been created to protect koalas and other animals by saving their smaller and smaller habitat (栖息地) , or natural environment.

The trees, planted by the local protection group Bangalow Koalas, are made up of large systems of plants. They are a lifeline for koalas and other animals. All of them are in danger of dying out, or at risk of extinction. The trees provide a safe way across the koala’s increasingly broken habitat. This protects koalas from human threats (威胁). “Our trees are actually trying to get them away from humans, cars and dogs. ”said Linda Sparrow. President of Bangalow Koalas.

The koala is expected to die out in the wild in New South Wales by 2050. Some of the biggest threats include wildfires and habitat loss through land clearing for development.

Bangalow Koalas has planted over 336, 000 trees on 119 areas, helping koala protection and improving the local ecosystem (生态系统). The group, which depends on community volunteers, aims to plant 500, 000 trees by 2025. “The neighbor would want to join and then another neighbor would want to join. ”Sparrow said. Volunteer Lindy Stacker, who has been planting trees for over five years.

A recent report by the Australian Koala Foundation said the animal was worth about S3. 2 billion per year to the tourism industry. However. the World Wildlife Fund-Australia reported a drop in koala populations in Australian states. “I can’t imagine a world where there’s no koalas in the wild. ” Sparrow said. “We’re going to do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen. ”

1. Why is Lucy mentioned in Paragraph 1?

A．To show it is important to plant trees.

B．To suggest a way to protect nature.

C．To introduce a special kind of living thing.

D．To compare koalas with other animals.

2. What does the underlined word “extinction” probably mean in paragraph 2?

A．Growing.

B．Disappearing.

C．Reducing.

D．Failing.

3. How does Sparrow feel about koalas’ future?

A．Doubtful.

B．Unclear.

C．Positive.

D．Disappointed.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A Protection Group	B．The Polluted Environment
C．Human Threats	D．More Trees, More Hope

6 . Flash floods can strike without warning. They can hit when you’re hiking in a river valley, walking through a canyon, or even simply driving to a remote destination. You can minimize your risk by knowing how to prepare for the worst and how to escape when a flood begins.     1    

Before heading out, check the weather report, look at any flood warnings and take them seriously.     2     Dr Steven Kugath, an outdoor recreation professor, notes that when people plan to travel a long way for a hike or canyon exploration, they often feel that they must follow through with the activity even if the weather isn’t promising. The smart thing to do is cancel the activity or move it to a safer location.

Be careful of any visual signs of danger and your surroundings while walking or hiking in a tight space.     3     Besides, always know where you are and where the nearest escape routes can be found in the event of sudden flooding.

What if, despite your preparations, you find yourself stuck in a dangerous place when flooding begins? Move to higher ground immediately, away from rivers and streams. If the situation is urgent, leave behind your possessions.     4     If you find yourself being carried away by powerful flood waters, fight as hard as you can to get to a tall tree, a street light or anything sturdy (结实) that you can hold onto until help arrives.

    5     Currents can be deceptive (误导的), and shallow, fast moving water can knock you off your feet. Moreover, don’t swim through fast-flowing water — you may get swept away or struck by an object in the water.

A．Avoid walking through moving water.

B．No bag or equipment is worth your life.

C．It takes hours for the flood waters to move away.

D．Hundreds of people die due to drowning inside their vehicles.

E．Be careful not to let your excitement drive you to take any chances.

F．Keep these tips in mind the next time you head out for an outdoor adventure.

G．The sudden arrival of dark clouds during a perfectly sunny day is one obvious sign.

7 . Jewel wasp

This wasp will happily take on creatures much larger than itself. After injecting the brains of their prey (猎物) with numbing poison, they bury it alive and lay their eggs in the tomb after the prey dies completely. The young wasps will then feed on the creature until they are fully grown.

Star-nosed mole

A geologist of the animal kingdom, the star-nosed mole can detect earthquake waves with 25,000 sensory receptors that make up the fleshy tentacles (触手) around its nose. This strange animal may also be able to detect weak electrical signals from the prey living in water. It can also smell underwater by blowing air bubbles and sucking them back into its nose.

Ghost shark

When a newly hatched baby ghost shark was found by scientists off the coast of New Zealand’s South Island in February 2022, it quickly became popular for its strange looks. These creatures are rarely sighted and very little is known about them. Despite the name, ghost sharks are not actually part of the shark family. They are a species of fish and have a skeleton (骨骼) made from cartilage (软骨), instead of bones. Having a skeleton like cartilage is important for life at depth, as it won’t be damaged under increased pressure.

Great potoo

A master of hiding itself, the great potoo is a meat-eating bird that lives mostly in tropical America. Remaining completely still, the great potoo mixes with its surroundings by copying a tree branch as it patiently waits for unsuspecting prey. And, it doesn’t even give itself away by opening its eyes. Thanks to tiny openings below their eyelids, the birds can see even when their eyes are closed, helping them spot even the smallest amount of movement.

1. Why does a Jewel wasp bury its prey?

A．To eat it later.	B．To protect itself.
C．To feed young wasps.	D．To avoid being found by other animals.

2. What can be learned about ghost sharks from the text?

A．They are very fierce sharks.	B．They have distinctive appearance.
C．They are very common in New Zealand.	D．They cannot survive huge pressure under the water.

3. Which animals can be used to detect earthquakes?

A．Jewel wasps.

B．Ghost sharks.

C．Great potoos.

D．Star-nosed moles.

8 . When most of us read the words “plant-based diet”, we tend to think of foods such as salads and grain. But there is another option — the newest super-food: seaweed. The brownish-green oceanic plant like matter that washes up on beaches is in fact edible. Nori, the papery sheets used to wrap sushi rolls, is likely the most well-known and enjoyed seaweed, but these large leafy algae (海藻) come in hundreds of colorful varieties. Seaweed helps to support other life in the ocean and to clean the water surrounding it. When out of the water, seaweed can bring more nutrition and minerals to our diets.

“Even though we try to eat healthily, we’re relying on land-based and soil-based agriculture for the most part,” said Sarah Redmond, founder and owner of Springtide Seaweed in Gouldsboro, Maine. “Seaweed is a really interesting alternative because it provides the nutrients that are really hard to find in other land plants.”

For humans, seaweed is a one-stop shop for our necessary nutrient needs. “Seaweed is an excellent source of dietary fiber and minerals,” said Mary Ellen Camire, professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine.

Though nutrition varies slightly between green, brown and red varieties, across the board seaweed contains a number of vitamins, including B,C,E and K, omega-3 fatty acids, protein and 10 times more minerals than land-based plants, according to a recent study.

However, you don’t need to pile your plate high with seaweed. “Some brown seaweed is very high in iodine (碘),” Camire said. “It has so much iodine that consumers are advised to eat it no more than three times per week.”

Seaweed is just as beneficial to the planet as it is to our personal health. Seaweed pulls carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and uses it to make more carbohydrates (碳水化合物). “We are not sure how much seaweed farming it would take to have a significant effect on global warming, but it helps,” Camire said.

Seaweed also consumes elements that can harm the ocean. It can also provide a place for smaller sea creatures to hide from their enemies, establishing environments that can help restore diverse ocean life in over-fished habitats.

1. What does the underlined word “edible” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Fit to be eaten.

B．Large in size.

C．Hard to notice.

D．Good for health.

2. What can we learn about seaweed from the text?

A．It can replace most vegetables and grain.	B．It provides people with important nutrition.
C．It attracts Mary Ellen Camire to agriculture.	D．It is bad for people’s health in the long run.

3. What does Camire remind people to do according to paragraph 5?

A．Choose seaweed low in iodine.	B．Combine seaweed with other foods.
C．Control the amount of seaweed you eat.	D．Remove brown seaweed from your plate.

4. How could seaweed help fight the climate crisis?

A．By setting up new habitats for sea creatures.

B．By releasing friendly gases into the atmosphere.

C．By providing plenty of carbohydrates for fishers.

D．By using carbon dioxide to produce useful substances.

9 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或活号内单词的正确形式。

Air pollution has largely gone under-reported by the media, yet despite     1     (it) silent nature, it’s a killer. According to the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Pediatrics and Child Health, air pollution leads to 40,000 early     2     (death) a year. The trouble is that it’s an indirect killer, which makes the issue hard to examine — meaning the actual figure could be much     3     (high).

Then how can we measure and end such a problem? The answer is     4     (surprising) simple. Diesel (柴油) is the largest contributor of nitrogen oxides (氮氧化合物) and around 40 million people in the UK live in areas     5     (pollute) by diesel. We need to stop the production of diesel vehicles as soon as possible, and replace older diesel models     6     eco-friendly alternatives, such as electric vehicles. Apart from ammonia (氨) farming, pollution is actually decreasing globally — except for cities     7     it’s on the rise. In London, nearly 10,000 people died due to the capital’s harmful air, so     8     (create) clean air zones where high-polluting vehicles     9     (ban) would decrease these harmful gases. By moving towards more greenery on rooftops, parks and city centers, big cities could easily remove     10     problem. The answers are there; we just have to start.

10 . Readers can explore the wonders of nature with Big Tree. The book was written by famous author and illustrator (插画家) Brian Selznick. It is filled with detailed black-and-white illustrations, which took years to complete.

The story introduces Merwin and Louise, two tiny Sycamore seeds (梧桐树种子) who began life during the time when dinosaurs (恐龙) travelled around the Earth. After they fell from their mother tree, they started a dangerous 147-million-year adventure to the modern day.

After reading it, I met with the famous author and illustrator at his home in La Jolla, California. Selznick explained the lessons that nature offers about helping our planet and each other. “All of us can do something to help the real seed,” Selznick said. “No matter how small you feel, there’s always something you can do.”

As for his main goal when writing Big Tree, Selznick said, “Readers feel like they are learning about interesting stories when they read Big Tree, but actually and secretly, they are learning about real science. That’s why I wrote Big Tree.”

In order to write Big Tree, Selznick went to the New York Botanical Garden, where he talked to a wonderful park manager. She walked him through the forest and talked about the way leaves work, the way trees grow and the way trees experience time.

Selznick said he learned a lot while creating Big Tree. “The manager thinks that forests are really communities. It really surprised me,” he said. “We live in communities, and when we run into trouble or danger, we communicate with each other to find solutions. Trees are doing the same thing. We’re all part of a community. And that, to me, was a really important part of Big Tree.”

1. What does paragraph 2 mainly focus on?

A．The main idea of Big Tree.	B．The discussion about Big Tree.
C．The review of Big Tree.	D．The story behind Big Tree.

2. What is Selznick’s goal in writing Big Tree?

A．To show the illustration art.	B．To share an interesting story.
C．To encourage readers to learn.	D．To make real science interesting.

3. What did Selznick do in order to write Big Tree?

A．He did some research.	B．He planted some trees.
C．He asked others’ advice.	D．He stayed in the forest alone.

4. What did the author learn when writing the book?

A．Trees are important for communities.	B．Trees can communicate with each other.
C．Trees can protect people against danger.	D．Trees run into trouble more often.