1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1. What does the speaker usually do?

A．She cares for wildlife.

B．She trains animals for fun.

C．She does research on wildlife.

2. What is Buddy?

A．A lion.

B．A giraffe.

C．An elephant.

3. What can we learn about the animals on the farm?

A．They are friendly to visitors.

B．They can’t adapt to the environment.

C．None of them are open to the public.

2 . For future humans to survive long periods on Mars, growing food on the planet is a must. It would be too costly and risky to rely upon rocket deliveries to meet the food needs of settlers. With this in mind, scientists are exploring ways to improve space farming.

Researchers work in a controlled greenhouse. They have identified a way that could improve crop production in simulated (模拟的) Martian soil, with different crops grown together. The method is called “intercropping”, invented by ancient Maya farmers in what is now Central America.

In their experiments, the researchers grew cherry tomatoes, peas and carrots together in small, round containers. Tomatoes grown in this way produced about double the amount of tomatoes grown alone — or “monocropped” — in the same simulated Martian soil. The tomatoes were also bigger. They flowered and matured earlier, gave more fruit per plant and had thicker stems. The amounts of peas and carrots did not increase with intercropping.

Rebeca Goncalves, an astrobiologist and lead writer of the study, said the research is the first time the intercropping technique was used in space soil, and that it was a big find — one that they could now build further research on. The crops were grown in simulated Martian regolith, a soil with no organic matter — a near-perfect physical and chemical match to real Martian soil.

The researchers added useful bacteria and nutrients. They also controlled the gases, temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse to match conditions expected in a Martian greenhouse. Intercropping involves growing plants with properties that could help each other grow. The method makes the best use of resources including water and nutrients.

The researchers said the tomato plants in intercropping may have benefited from being close to the pea plants. That is because the peas are good at turning nitrogen from the air, with the help of bacteria introduced into the soil, into an important nutrient. Overall, the tomatoes, peas and carrots grew well, though not as well as in Earth soil in the same greenhouse.

1. What is the benefit of intercropping mentioned in the article?

A．Increasing crop yield.	B．Preventing soil pollution.
C．Decreasing sunlight exposure.	D．Reducing water consumption.

2. What role did the peas play in the process of intercropping?

A．Enhancing growth of carrots.

B．Increasing fruit production in tomatoes.

C．Transforming nitrogen into a crucial nutrient.

D．Improving the variety of bacteria introduced into the soil.

3. What was the key finding of the research?

A．Carrots benefited the most from intercropping.

B．The crops grew as well as they would in Earth soil.

C．The presence of peas helped tomatoes produce more fruit.

D．Peas and carrots showed significant growth improvement in intercropping.

4. What is the main idea of the article?

A．Intercropping is developed for growing crops in space.

B．The study found Intercropping resulted in higher tomato yields.

C．Scientists are struggling to find ways to improve crop production in space.

D．Researchers successfully grew some plants in imitated Martian soil using intercropping.

3 . A Sweet Soul

Hopie was a beautiful black and white dog. She was such a gentle soul. She was let out of the house in extreme heat and attacked by another dog. I tried to save her but it was too late. My heart breaks every day missing her.

Hopie used to follow me around the yard when I was mowing (割) the grass; even if it was hot. She’d take a break and go back in the shade for a while, but always felt like she had to stay near me and she’d come back and walk along behind me.

After I lost her I couldn’t even bear to go out and mow the grass. One day I finally realized I had better get out there and do it because it was looking like a field. As l walked along slowly thinking of her and missing her, a black and white dragonfly (蜻蜓) started following me and then flying in front of me. It finally landed on the handle of the mower right near my hands and just sat there looking at me. I said out loud, “Hopie, is that you?” and the dragonfly just sat there and continued to look straight at me.

I have not ever seen a dragonfly with those colors: black body, white eyes and black and white wings. I knew in my heart that it was my Hopie coming to tell me. She was still there watching over me and tears came to my eyes. 1 told her I loved her and she flew away up into the sky as free as she could be. I still miss her every day and every time I see a dragonfly, I think of her.

1. According to paragraph one, what happened to Hopie?

A．She was saved by the author.	B．She was killed by another dog.
C．She saved another dog’s life.	D．She was lost on a hot day.

2. What’s the author’s purpose in paragraph two?

A．To make us know his dog got used to hot weather.

B．To show us that he had a beautifully managed yard.

C．To tell us the sweet memories shared with Hopie.

D．To tell us how annoying it was to be followed by Hopie.

3. Why couldn’t the author bear to go out and mow the grass?

A．It was very hot out there in the yard.

B．He couldn’t help missing his dog, Hopie.

C．His yard had no grass at all.

D．There were so many annoying dragonflies.

4. Why did the author imagine the dragonfly as his dog, Hopie?

A．The dragonfly behaved like his dog.

B．He was lacking in the common sense.

C．The dragonfly looked the same as Hopie.

D．How happy he was to see Hopie again.

4 . Four Natural Wonders

Poás Volcano, Costa Rica

Sitting more than 2,707 metres above sea level, Poás Volcano has been active for hundreds of years. Visitors can still get up close and personal with it at the national park where it’s located (with a reservation).

Tips: Dress warm and bring an umbrella, as rainfall is common at the top of the mountain due to unpredictable weather conditions.

Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora

Mount Otemanu is the main attraction on Bora Bora, an island first made popular during World War I. The massive mountain, which stands 727 metres above the lagoon of Bora Bora, is now the perfect backdrop for dreamy Tahitian sunsets. A few of the luxury resorts on the island which offer great views of the mountain have become hot spots for honeymooners.

Grand Canyon, USA

Arizona has no shortage of impressive mountains and sweeping views, but the Grand Canyon is hands down one of the most diverse geological wonders in the state. Visitors have several options to experience the beauty here: adventure seekers can enjoy an aerial view from a helicopter ride through the canyons or go whitewater rafting down the Colourado River.

Cappadocia, Turkey

You may have seen fascinating photos of colourful hot air balloons against a magical landscape of rugged cliffs, valleys and towers carved into the rocks. It’s hard to believe this place is real but it is and it’s in Cappadocia! For a good position overlooking the landscape of this natural wonder, check out Uchisar Castle or ride during sunrise in a hot air balloon.

1. What will visitors do if they want to see Poás Volcano close by?

A．Notice weather changes.	B．Take an umbrella.
C．Put on warm clothes.	D．Book in advance.

2. Where will a newlywed couple likely go?

A．Poás Volcano.	B．Bora Bora.
C．Grand Canyon.	D．Cappadocia.

3. Which two places can be viewed from high above?

A．Poás Volcano and Mount Otemanu.	B．Poás Volcano and Grand Canyon.
C．Grand Canyon and Cappadocia.	D．Mount Otemanu and Cappadocia.

5 . Natural gas, long seen as a cleaner replacement to coal and an important tool in the fight to slow global warming, can be just as harmful to the climate, a new study has concluded, unless companies can cut the leaks (泄露), since it takes as little as 0.2 percent of gas to leak to make natural gas as big a driver of climate change as coal.

The study, which involved researchers from Harvard and Duke Universities and NASA, pokes holes in the idea that natural gas is suitable energy resources to a future powered entirely by renewables, like solar and wind. “Even if gas leaks little, it’s as bad as coal,” said Deborah, the lead researcher. “It can’t be considered a good bridge, or replacement.”

When power companies generate electricity by burning natural gas instead of coal, they produce only half the amount of planet-warming CO₂. But natural gas is made up mostly of me thane (甲烷), which is, in the short term, a far more powerful planet-warming gas than CO₂, when it escapes unburned into the atmosphere. And there’s increasing evidence that methane is leaking from gas systems in far larger quantities than previously thought.

There are other balances to consider. The CO₂ produced by coal-burning power plants lasts far longer in the atmosphere than methane, whose climate effects disappear after a few decades. So focusing on methane leaks from gas systems as a way to control carbon emissions (碳排放) means the world might reduce some short-term warming, but still face a dangerous rise in average temperatures many decades into the future. That said, with the consequences of climate change already spreading around the world, controlling methane would be a way that works faster to slow warming.

“I do hope the world pays attention to this, as I fear too many remain too concentrated on simply reducing coal use, even if it results in more gas consumption,” Deborah said. “What the world requires is to move to a 100 percent renewable energy future as soon as possible.”

1. How can natural gas contribute to global warming?

A．Its huge amount of CO₂ while burning.	B．Its taking in extra heat from the atmosphere.
C．Its leaking methane warming the planet.	D．Its combination with methane to produce CO₂.

2. What can be achieved by solving the problem of methane leaks?

A．Avoid the threats of climate change.	B．Cancel out the impacts of global warming.
C．Slow down warming more immediately.	D．Balance carbon emissions with coal burning.

3. What is Deborah’s concern about the future of energy sources?

A．Lack of attention to reducing gas use.	B．Unbalanced mix of coal and renewables.
C．Shortage of renewable energy sources.	D．Difficulty in promoting renewable energy.

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

A．Is Natural Gas Better for the Climate?	B．How Can Carbon Emission be Controlled?
C．Is Natural Gas Taking the Place of Coal?	D．How Can Methane Speed up Global Warming?

6 . Three years after getting lost in an unexpected snowstorm in Sheffield, a cat named Oscar has been reunited with his family.

After Oscar’s _______ in January 2020, his owner Katie Salt checked CCTV (监控) put posters up around the area and _______ the word on social media. They also reported him _______ to Petlog with whom he is microchipped, and contacted various shelters and vets in vain. In a press _______ from the Kennel Club, Katie said, “We _______ concluded he must have died during the snowstorm, but we still scanned our _______ everywhere, whenever we were out driving, and to be honest this never _______ .”

Three years later, Katie received a _______ from a vet to say that they had Oscar—he had been living in a garden just six miles away! The garden’s _______ had been looking after Oscar and when Oscar was ill, this kind man, who possessed the garden, took him to a vet for ________ , where they found a microchip and were able to finally ________ Katie. Now ________ , he has been enjoying warm cuddles with his long lost family.

Bill Lambert, a spokesperson for Petlog, said, “We’re so ________ that Oscar and Katie have been reunited. Their story shows just how important it is for owners to ________ their pets, keep their contact details up-to-date with their microchip database, and to ________ hope no matter how much time has passed.”

1.

A．operation

B．disappearance

C．growth

D．emergence

2.

A．spread

B．downloaded

C．expanded

D．mentioned

3.

A．escaping

B．missing

C．dying

D．falling

4.

A．questionnaire

B．advertisement

C．release

D．database

5.

A．fortunately

B．explicitly

C．tentatively

D．eventually

6.

A．eyes

B．minds

C．monitors

D．cars

7.

A．arose

B．stopped

C．compromised

D．occurred

8.

A．call

B．contribution

C．charge

D．contract

9.

A．secretary

B．worker

C．manager

D．owner

10.

A．memorial service

B．spiritual experience

C．medical care

D．local support

11.

A．tend

B．bother

C．contact

D．motivate

12.

A．associated

B．accomplished

C．mistaken

D．reunited

13.

A．pleased

B．astonished

C．disappointed

D．puzzled

14.

A．guard

B．chip

C．raise

D．track

15.

A．hold back

B．blow up

C．blow out

D．hold out

7 . 阅读下面材料, 根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段, 使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Pot On Happy Face

Sarai was attempting to halter (给……套上缰绳) her bay (棕红色) horse, Amadore, when an unfamiliar voice caught her attention. “I know what your problem is.” said a boy from the stall doorway.

Sarai threw a look over her shoulder but her focus remained on the horse in front of her.

Holding out a hand to her horse. Sarai said. “You heard what Dad said yesterday. If I can’t get this halter on you by tomorrow, we’ll have to send you back to the rescue ranch. I don’t want to send you back.”

“I know what your problem is.” the boy persisted, introducing himself as Cody.

Sarai sighed, propped her hands on her hips, and turned enough to see the boy but keep Amadore in her sight as well.

“I haven’t seen you here before,” said Sarai, frowning. “If you don't know me or my horse, how can you know what my problem is?”

“I just do,” Cody smiled again.

Sarai rolled her eyes and turned her back on Cody. Despite Sarai’s skepticism and her insistence on working alone, he offered to stay around in case she needed help.

The following morning, Sarai’s efforts were met with the same resistance from Amadore. Seeing him push himself back into the corner even further when she approached with breakfast, she frowned again, feeling frustrated and broken-hearted.

Realizing she might need assistance after all, she sought out Cody, who was now grooming a horse named Monty, preparing him for the Great Mustang Challenge.

“How's it going with Amadore?” Cody asked.

The words stuck in her throat, “Well…I need your help. Yesterday you said you knew what my problem was.” “It’s your face,” said Cody. “Horses can read a person’s facial features and determine what might happen because of the look on the face.”

Noticing Sarai’s struggle, Cody explained that her frown, likely a result of concentration, could be misinterpreted by the horse.

“That's silly,” said Sarai skeptically.

注意:
1. 续写词数应为 150 左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

“I can prove it,” Cody smiled with a camera in his hand.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With a quick pace, Sarai went back to her own horse.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . 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。

Ancient charm of China: Huangyao Ancient Town

Located in Zhaoping County in Hezhou City, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Huangyao Ancient Town is 200 kilometers from Guilin—one of the most-visited tourist     1    (spot)in Guangxi. It is said that the town was named after two common surnames back then—Huang and Yao.     2    (cover) an area of 3.6 square kilometers, Huangyao boasts typical karst landscapes and abundant water resources.

Huangyao has a history of nearly 1,000 years with its origins dating back to the Song Dynasty （960-1279）. It     3    (reach) its prime in the Qing Dynasty(1644-1912) under the ruling of Emperor Qianlong (1733-1735). For this reason, there are many buildings from the Qing and Ming eras     4     remain unchanged in their architectural styles today. Now it is home to     5    (approximate) 300 folk houses,20 temples and ancestral halls, and 10 opera stages.

Traditional festivals and customs have been carried on for hundreds of years. During Chinese Lunar New Year, over 20 traditional performances     6    （hold）, including the dragon dance, lion dance and suona horn （Chinese trumpet) show.

Huangyao tofu is     7     must-try local dish when you visit, as it is exclusively made and sold in Huangyao. Also, fermented(发酵的) black soybean is often added     8     its local specialties(特色菜) to create a distinctive flavor.

It usually takes a day or two to tour around the old town due to     9    (it) small size. But you can always stay longer     10    (experience)more of its local hospitality and culture.

9 . “For thousands of years, humans have raced to be the first to climb a peak, cross a frontier, or document a new species or landscape. Now in some cases, we’re racing to be the last,” said New York Times’ Paige McClanahan.

In recent years, a growing industry has been stimulated by climate change — last-chance tourism. According to Eco Sustainable Solutions, a UK-based organic recycling and waste processing company last-chance tourism is a kind of tourism geared toward seeing the last of something due to climate change. As temperatures and water levels rise, this could mean seizing the last chance to see the Great Barrier Reef, an Arctic glacier and a remote island that is sinking.

As millions of tourists rush to imperiled destinations, some are taking advantage of the increasing demand to spread environmental awareness. One tourist spot, the Sea of Ice in France, opened an exhibit in 2021 to educate visitors on glaciers and climate change. This educational push seems to be having an impact, as a 2023 survey showed that 80% of the visitors would try to learn more about the environment and how to protect it while 77% said that they would reduce their water and energy use.

However, the last-chance tourism industry may become kind of our concern. As more and more people flood into these areas in a panic to see them before they are gone, they in fact contribute to the increased greenhouse gas emissions and over tourism, leading to their destruction. Just as many scholars put it, last-chance tourism is a paradox (悖论).

Although tourists may acknowledge the broader risks and importance of climate change, it’s even more important to connect the responsibility of the individual tourism to the future of our planet. It’s not just about understanding the need to stop climate change; it’s even more important to avoid making it worse.

1. What does the author intend to do by quoting Paige McClanahan’s words?

A．To highlight the value of New York Times.

B．To recall and memorize the good old days.

C．To channel readers’ awareness to climate change.

D．To introduce the subject of last-chance tourism.

2. What may be considered as last-chance tourism?

A．Visiting the Confucius Temple in China.

B．Taking an adventurous trip to the depths of the ocean.

C．Climbing the snow-covered mountain of Kilimanjaro.

D．Admiring the unique Spanish architecture at Cusco, Peru.

3. What does the underlined word “imperiled” in Paragraph 3 most likely mean?

A．Popular.

B．Remote.

C．Endangered.

D．Preserved.

4. Which of the following statements best describes last-chance tourism?

A．It’s a double-edged sword.	B．It’s a stone to kill two birds.
C．It’s a life jacket in the stormy sea.	D．It’s a dream that will never come true.

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。

As a world-renowned festival, Luoyang Peony Culture Festival has been held for 41 sessions     1     1983. Through the combination of horticulture and science, the flowering time of each peony variety is     2    （precise）controlled, so that the general public can enjoy more blooming peony flowers at the same time.

Peony,     3    （feature）bright colours and graceful shapes, symbolizes peace and prosperity and thus has gained wide     4    （recognize）as “kings of flowers”. For thousands of years,     5     huge mass of poems and paintings have been produced to praise the flower. In the Tang Dynasty, peonies were planted so widely in the royal gardens as “the national flower”     6     they enjoyed great popularity across the country. In the 10th century, the ancient city of Luoyang became a centre of peony planting     7     has remained as such since then. Nowadays, hundreds of thousands of domestic tourists pour in Luoyang for the annual peony festival,     8     they can both appreciate the unique beauty of the flowers and explore the history of the city which is known as the capital of six dynasties.

This year’s opening ceremony with the theme of “A Journey of Peony Petals” fell on April 1 and the festival lasted until May 5. Various performances     9    (stage), including songs and dances, acrobatic shows, and traditional Chinese music performances, among others, empowered by special effects production,     10    (present)an audiovisual feast with distinctive Chinese cultural characteristics.