1 . The world’s nations have promised to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees over pre-industrial levels, which involves shutting down fossil fuel extraction (化石燃料开采) as quickly as possible. But despite this promise, first reached six years ago during the Paris Climate Accords, the fossil-fuel producing nations are on track to extract more than twice as much coal, oil and natural gas as would be permissible under this plan, a new United Nations report says.

To have a chance of limiting temperature increases to 1.5 degrees, production of coal needs to drop by 11% every year between 2020 and 2030. while production of oil and gas needs to drop by 4% and 3%, respectively, the report finds. Instead, production of oil and gas is set to increase, while coal production is projected to drop slightly.

The so-called production gap, the difference between countries’ climate promises and their fossil fuel production plans — hasn’t changed since the United Nations first examined it in 2019, indicating that international climate accords are still closer to theoretical promises than detailed plans.

The report looks at fossil fuel production in 15 countries — including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, the U.S. and the United Kingdom — hat are collectively responsible for three-quarters of the world’s fossil fuel production. Most of these countries have promised to reach zero emissions by mid-century, but they are planning to increase their fossil fuel extraction until at least 2030.

So far, climate efforts from major fossil fuel extractors, including industry, have “focused on extracting fossil fuels in less-polluting ways, not on winding down production levels in line with climate goals,” the report says. While these efforts, such as developing carbon-capture (碳捕捉) technology and reducing methane leaks (甲烷泄露) are important. they fall far short of the changes science demands if global temperatures are to stay at a livable level.

To close that gap, the report urges governments to make realistic plans for winding down fossil fuel extraction, starting with state-owned companies, which arc responsible for more than half the world’s extraction of such fuels.

1. What does the new United Nations report say?

A．Climate promises are being made worldwide.

B．Fossil fuels arc being extracted in large quantities.

C．Global temperature will soon increase by 1.5 degrees.

D．Production of coal will drop sharply in the next decade.

2. Why are the figures mentioned in paragraph 2?

A．To imply an energy crisis.

B．To show the efforts made by now.

C．To indicate how to close the production gap.

D．To stress the goal of the Paris Climate Accords.

3. What can we say about most of the 15 countries?

A．They will achieve zero emissions by 2030.

B．They think little of carbon-capture technology.

C．They should turn to the United Nations for help.

D．They are on the way to breaking their promises.

4. Which should act first to bring us towards a livable climate future?

A．Coal mines owned by the government.	B．Gas stations run by private companies.
C．Power plants owned by the government.	D．Car factories run by private companies.

2 . In 1978, Avril and Christopher Rowlands paid £6 for a fir (冷杉), brought it to their new home in the pretty village of Inkberry. After ________ their first Christmas together, they planted the tree in their front garden to ________ their first Christmas in their new home. It has ________ grown over the years and nowadays, it ________ over their four-bedroom property—measuring about 50 feet. Each December the couple decorate their giant fir with thousands of fairy lights which they switch on for the ________ .

The tree is so ________ that a cherry picker is used to reach the top branches and add the star to the top. The lighted tree is one of the brightest landmarks (标志性建筑) in Inkberrow, which is one of UK’s darkest villages ________ there being no street lights.

Avril and Christopher’s fir now attracts thousands of people who ________ their tree every December. As a retired TV writer, Avril said, “We love doing the Christmas lights. The ________can be seen from miles around on nights and people ________ to see it. It’s become something of a (an) ________ for people in the village and beyond. It even ________ me to write a children’s book about the tree called The Laxford House Christmas Tree.“ The couple ask for people who admire the tree to make a ________ and over the years they have raised thousands of pounds for charity.

“The tree is really ________,” said the retired BBC editor Christopher. “During COVID, it was lit, like a beaco (灯塔) of ________.”

1.

A．consuming

B．enjoying

C．perceiving

D．planning

2.

A．defend

B．support

C．expose

D．mark

3.

A．initially

B．steadily

C．tightly

D．severely

4.

A．runs

B．stands

C．swings

D．stretches

5.

A．strangers

B．passers-by

C．villagers

D．travelers

6.

A．tall

B．attractive

C．unique

D．bright

7.

A．in spite of

B．by means of

C．in case of

D．on account of

8.

A．spot

B．view

C．decorate

D．water

9.

A．tree

B．light

C．gift

D．garden

10.

A．struggle

B．crowd

C．march

D．parade

11.

A．appetite

B．fashion

C．tradition

D．trend

12.

A．inspired

B．persuaded

C．allowed

D．convinced

13.

A．difference

B．decision

C．donation

D．fortune

14.

A．rare

B．slight

C．secure

D．special

15.

A．hope

B．kindness

C．success

D．pride

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。

BEIJING — A strong earthquake hit a remote part of western China overnight killing at least 118 people and injuring more than 200, the state news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday.

The tremblor hit Jishishan County, in the southwestern part of Gansu province near the border with Qinghai province —     1    mountainous region populated, in part, by members of the Tibetan, Hui, Dongxiang and Salar ethnic groups.

Xinhua said the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2.     2    the dead, 100 were in Gansu and another 11 in Qinghai. The quake damaged water, electricity, transport, communications and other infrastructure (基础设施) in the area, it said. Chinese leader Xi Jinping quickly called for all-out efforts in search and rescue and    3     (treat) the injured. He also urged the hasty deployment of relief materials and infrastructure    4    (repair) , because the area is at high altitude and the winter weather is cold.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 5.9,     5     reported several aftershocks. Rescue teams told Chinese media that frozen roads made driving into the towns and villages in Jishishan county, the area most    6    (affect) difficult. It’s a area inhabited by numerous ethnic minority groups, including Tibetans and Salars. Rescuers are now working in average temperatures of about 14 degrees Fahrenheit, well below    7     (freeze).

About 10 hours later,     8     (far) west, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake in the Xinjiang region     9    (strike) near China’s border with Kygyzstan. The earthquake happened in a remote area. So far, no casualties or building damage    10    (report).

4 . From the age of eight, I attended a little boarding school on the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border. On Sunday afternoons, the _______ would leave us to wander the edge of the grounds where we were supposed to _______ time chatting or playing sports but my _______ was to climb over the fences and disappear into the landscape. Often, much to the teachers’ annoyance, no one knew where to _______ me.

That was the point. To walk to a(n) _______ place and, for a moment, feel the world as something new brought with it a feeling I would desire. The habit _______ with me. By my mid-20s, I was a _______ walker. Walking became a way of life that, _______, gave shape to a wandering decade and I would ease myself into new _______ the world over by setting out on foot to get ________ and then find myself again in the backstreets of Ahmedabad or Isfhanan, Ramallah or Bari.

Now I have established my home in the landscape of Devon. Here, walking ________ me and my dog Dharma as an essential daily practice. The world outside our front door is an ________ the tiring, routine aspects of our lives. It’s a place where we watch the seasons change and ________ the movement of the sun and the light around the moon. We walk the same ________, day after day, but every minute of every hour can feel like ________.

1.

A．rescuers

B．parents

C．teachers

D．artists

2.

A．record

B．waste

C．save

D．pass

3.

A．job

B．habit

C．ambition

D．response

4.

A．find

B．catch

C．meet

D．put

5.

A．bare

B．solid

C．illegal

D．unfamiliar

6.

A．conflicted

B．changed

C．stuck

D．started

7.

A．tired

B．gifted

C．committed

D．complicated

8.

A．in turn

B．in fact

C．in particular

D．in addition

9.

A．apartments

B．locations

C．opportunities

D．challenges

10.

A．involved

B．engaged

C．paid

D．lost

11.

A．accepts

B．serves

C．treats

D．strikes

12.

A．influence on

B．escape from

C．interest in

D．entry to

13.

A．block

B．control

C．adjust

D．sense

14.

A．direction

B．speed

C．path

D．campus

15.

A．new

B．free

C．real

D．complete

5 . Parrots consistently top the charts of the world’s smartest animals. A new discovery published by the Royal Society Open Science reveals to us what sets the intelligent individual monk parakeet (和尚鹦鹉) apart in a group.

Previously, it was thought that these birds introduced themselves to others with a sort of “catchphrase” that distinguished their identity. However, after running the vocalizations (发声) collected in this study through a machine learning program, a team led by Simeon Smeele, a doctoral student at Aarhus University in Denmark, found that the birds actually had “voiceprints” like humans that identify themselves in the group.

The researchers studied thousands of monk parakeet vocalizations from hundreds of birds in Barcelona across two years and ran these recordings through the program that identifies small differences in their calls.

“The voiceprint is the underlying quality of a voice that you can recognize in humans, and this is the first time that has been shown in another vocal learner,” Smeele said. For example, the voiceprint of your father is how you know it’s his voice, even if he isn’t present. “This is what I think could explain how they recognize each other, because it can be stable over very long periods of time.” he added.

“This shows that these birds also have that sort of information that they might be using in their complicated social interactions,” said Emily Du Val, Ph.D., a behavioral ecologist at Florida State University. “Research into animal communication has the potential to motivate the public into action to conserve animals. Recognizing who each other is and understanding how they interact with one another are important for human life,” she said.

This model can potentially be applied to other animals with vocal recognition like bottlenose dolphins, bat s and elephants. Future research will look into whether these voiceprints are recognized by all parakeets in the community or only a circle of close relatives.

1. What helps the monk parakeets recognize each other?

A．The catchphrase.	B．The intelligence.
C．The voiceprint.	D．The communication.

2. How did the researchers conduct the study?

A．By combining “catchphrase” with “voiceprints”.

B．By keeping track of the monk parakeets’ relatives.

C．By collecting vocalizations and identifying their differences.

D．By comparing humans’ voiceprints with monk parakeets’.

3. What will the future study focus on?

A．The information that voiceprints can express.

B．The potential influence that voiceprints can bring.

C．The animals among which voiceprints are identified.

D．The range where parakeets’ voiceprints are recognized.

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

A．Mon k Parakeets Are Great Vocal Learners

B．Mon k Parakeets Resemble Humans in Communication

C．“Voiceprints” Are Found in Animals’ Social Interactions

D．“Voiceprints” Help Monk Parakeets Identify Themselves

6 . Many years ago, we came across a dog at an animal shelter ( 收 容 所) while looking for a companion (同伴) for our dog, Bear. This dog seemed to be meant for us and we _______ him, so we took him home. We thought the _______ name for the new dog was Bear Junior, and so it was.

Bear Junior would wake me up every morning at 4: 30 a.m. to go for a _______. He’d touch my face with his nose and I would soon _______. I once had to _______ for two days after an illness. My wife got up to _______ him for his morning walk. He held a sit-down strike (罢工) next to me and _______ to move. It worked.

Bear Junior felt it was his _______ to help all who needed it, no matter where he went.

One day, I took Bear Junior to the dog park. We had just started our walk when a small dog was barking (吠叫) for _______. We could see a big dog cornering him. Bear Junior went into ________, placing himself between the two, facing the big dog. I shouted, “Bear Junior! This is not your ________!” But he refused to let anything ________ until the owners were able to take control.

One winter, I was playing with Bear Junior in the snow. Across the street, an elderly lady ________ on a block of ice. Bear Junior ________ me, ran across the street, and sat right against her side. She used his collar (项圈) to pull herself up. Two days later, she came to our door with dog goodies to ________ Bear Junior.

1.

A．lost

B．saved

C．remembered

D．loved

2.

A．popular

B．perfect

C．real

D．short

3.

A．walk

B．show

C．test

D．swim

4.

A．awake

B．worry

C．return

D．change

5.

A．stay

B．wait

C．rest

D．practice

6.

A．ask

B．meet

C．punish

D．take

7.

A．forgot

B．feared

C．refused

D．continued

8.

A．chance

B．responsibility

C．promise

D．ability

9.

A．help

B．food

C．praise

D．reply

10.

A．training

B．game

C．action

D．treatment

11.

A．mistake

B．business

C．answer

D．question

12.

A．happen

B．disappear

C．stop

D．follow

13.

A．worked

B．stood

C．played

D．fell

14.

A．accepted

B．left

C．saw

D．protected

15.

A．attract

B．catch

C．guide

D．thank

7 . More than half the world relies on rice as a main food source. Yet the crop faces an worrying future as global warming increases the Earth’s temperature and adds to more storms, droughts and heat waves, because rice is sensitive (敏感的) to climate extremes and grows in places already experiencing many. Any disturbance to that food source can cause great problems.

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—which brought together 234 scientists to collect recent climate studies—warned that human-caused global warming is happening at an extraordinary pace and is adding to the deadly floods, heat and droughts that we’re already witnessing. And those events result in major risks to farming.

“Higher temperatures lead to increased water loss, resulting in soil drying, increased plant stress and impacts on agriculture, especially in regions where large amounts of rainfall are not expected,” the report states.

If greenhouse gases are not reduced, about a third of global land areas are expected to suffer from at least moderate drought by the end of the century, the report concludes. Some changes like sea-level rise are already locked in.

Rice is especially sensitive to these changes. Rice often grows in ecosystems, such as deltas (三角洲), that have low sea-level and are easy to be influenced by rising seas. Any additional temperature increase could cause sea water into the filed where a healthy crop can develop, scientists say.

A 2018 study in the Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science found that an increase in the frequency and seriousness of hot weather could reduce rice outputs by up to 40% by the end of this century.

“Most of the world’s rice is currently grown in regions where existing temperature is already close to the most suitable range for rice production,” the study states. “Therefore, any further rise in temperature or short period of high temperature during sensitive growth stages will be disastrous.”

1. Why is rice particularly weak to climate change according to the passage?

A．Rice requires large amounts of rainfall.

B．Rice is grown in regions with low sea levels.

C．Rice is hard to live in places with extreme climate conditions.

D．Rice is grown in regions with high levels of greenhouse gases.

2. What is the main concern for rice production in the future?

A．Rising sea levels

B．Increased frequency of storms

C．Global warming and climate change

D．Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

3. What attitude does the last paragraph show us?

A．Pessimistic

B．Optimistic

C．Uncertain

D．Encouraging

4. Which is the best title for the passage?

A．Rice Output Is Decreasing Heavily.

B．Climate Change is Caused by Greenhouse Gas.

C．Climate Change Resuits in Low Output of Rice.

D．Greenhouse Gas Has Great Effect on Rice Growing.

8 . 阅读下面短文，根据内容和提示，在空白处填入适当的内容(一个单词或括号内单词的正确形式) 。

The Golden Pheasant (红腹锦鸡), also known     1     the Chinese Pheasant, is a beautiful bird that can     2     (find) in the mountainous areas of southern and western China. It is     3     (common) recognized for its eye-catching feathers, making it a true symbol of beauty. The Golden Pheasant is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 90 centimeters in length, including its long     4     impressive tail. The male Golden Pheasant shows off a beautiful mix of bright colors. It is unmistakable with its golden crest (鸡冠) and bright red body. The female, on     5     other hand, has more unnoticeable colors, with brown and grey feathers. This bird is also known for its beautiful movements. It spends its time     6     (search) for berries and     7       (insect) on the forest floor.

Sadly, because of habitat (栖息地) loss, the Golden Pheasant faces challenges in the wild Protection measures are in place to save this beautiful bird and its     8     (nature) habitat.

The Golden Pheasant is a truly wonderful bird, impressing     9     (we) with its beautiful colors. It serves as a reminder of the magic of nature and the need     10     (protect) and value our unique wildlife.

9 . Field Trip

Minnewaska State Park

May 11

This field trip will allow senior students in Mr. Corzine’s Regents Biology class to experience the beautiful Minnewaska State Park, while learning about many concepts (概念) connected to our unit on ecosystems (生态系统). Students will be going on a two-mile walk from the Peterskill entrance to the park, down to the river and then back up to a lookout point. While there they will walk through different ecosystems and learn about the history of the park.

Students should be prepared to spend time outside:

·Wear comfortable shoes and waterproof (防水的) clothing, as there is a very small possibility of light rain. The possible rain date is May 12.

·We will be walking through grassy areas, so long trousers are recommended.

·Each person should bring enough water (at least 1 liter) , as well as lunch. Minnewaska is “carry in-carry out”, so be prepared to carry whatever rubbish is produced. A small backpack (book bag) is recommended.

·Also, the weather is pretty cool at the top of the Park, so please be sure to bring warm clothing.

We will meet at the entrance in the Gym Lobby at 7:50 and will set out at 8:00 am. We plan to return at 1:45 pm. There is no cost for this trip, as the Park will be supplying the bus for us.

1. What can students learn during the trip?

A．The history of biology.	B．Firsthand knowledge of nature.
C．The importance of state parks.	D．Different ways of physical exercise.

2. What do students need to prepare for the trip?

A．A set of sunglasses.	B．A pair of thin trousers.
C．Tickets for the park.	D．Plenty of water and food.

3. What do we know about the trip?

A．It is cost-free.	B．It is a two-day course.
C．It is for students of all ages.	D．It includes different parks.

10 . According to a new study, human noise is a “major global pollutant” that harms a wider range of animal life than we tend to think. Published in the journal Biology Letters, the study suggests noise pollution not only harms lots of animals, but also threatens the survival of more than 100 different species.

Lots of species rely on sound for communication, for example, including many amphibians, birds, insects and mammals which use sound for vital business like finding mates or warning about predators (捕猎者). If noise pollution drowns out enough of these messages. it can threaten survival and the stability of their populations.

On the other hand, noise pollution can make it harder for some predators to find food Bats and owls rely on sound to hunt, for instance, which may not work if noise pollution drowns out the sounds of their prey like insects and mice. Even if noise pollution is mild, it might still force them to spend more time and energy searching for food, which could be enough to cause a decline.

Noise pollution is a well-known risk for whales and dolphins, but it threatens other sea animals, too. The researchers cite fish larvae, which are easily drawn to the sounds of coral reefs (珊瑚礁). This is how they find suitable habitats, but if their journey features too much noise from ships and other human sources, more fish larvae may get lost or move into wrong reefs, potentially reducing their lifespan.

Similarly, noise pollution influences the way animals migrate (迁徙), which in turn can have chain effects for ecosystems along migration routes. Some migrating birds avoid areas with noise pollution, the researchers note, which may change not only where they travel, but also where they establish long-term homes and raise their young. Many ecosystems and non-migrating species have come to depend on the arrival of migrating birds, and many others may be unprepared for their sudden absence, so this could cause a series of ecological changes.

“Noise must be considered as a global pollutant and we need to develop strategies to protect animals from noise for their livelihoods,” says Kunc, the lead author of the study.

1. What is the new study mainly about?

A．The sources of noise pollution.	B．The dangers of noise pollution to animals.
C．Why people should lower noise levels.	D．How animals deal with noise pollution.

2. What can we infer about bats and owls from paragraph 3?

A．They are very sensitive to sound.	B．Their hunting abilities are weakening.
C．They are easily attracted by sounds.	D．Their populations are sharply declining.

3. How may noise pollution affect migrating animals?

A．They may abandon their young.	B．They may give up their migration.
C．They may change their migration routes.	D．They may develop new eating habits.

4. Which of the following may Kunc agree with?

A．Measures must be taken to reduce noise pollution.

B．Noise pollution affects the way animals reproduce.

C．Migrating animals will die out due to noise pollution.

D．Nature reserves should be built to stop the loss of habitats.