1 . My PhD project is to protect a tiny species of fish, whose color is greenish. To ______eggs, Clanwilliam sandfish (沙鱼) swim to ______tributaries (支流) of the Doring river system in South Africa. Local people say it was once a ______event: The water seemed to change ______ as thousands of sandfish migrated to the shallower tributaries. Now, ______those numbers have reduced to dangerous levels.

My PhD project at South Africa’s University of Cape Town is in ______with a nongovernmental organization in saving sandfish. Human activity, climate change, etc, are drying up the rivers. As newly young sandfish try to ______to the upstream (上游), they now get ______in shallow tributaries. The sandfish population has decreased by more than 90% since we began keeping count. They’re now regarded as ______species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.When the river starts to dry up, we ______young sandfish and put them into buckets of water, then move them by truck to prepared fish nurseries (鱼种场) ______ by local people. The support from local people is amazing. Once the sandfish are large enough to be less threatened, we will ______them to the natural ecosystem.

The data so far show the project has been ______. We’ve ______ about 36,000 young sandfish over the past three years. I’m looking forward to ______those numbers next year.

1.

A．lay

B．hide

C．drag

D．lie

2.

A．shorter

B．quieter

C．shallower

D．smaller

3.

A．sad

B．puzzling

C．moving

D．wonderful

4.

A．speed

B．colour

C．environment

D．climate

5.

A．however

B．therefore

C．besides

D．moreover

6.

A．relationship

B．schedule

C．solution

D．cooperation

7.

A．keep

B．lead

C．swim

D．turn

8.

A．stuck

B．hurt

C．annoyed

D．punished

9.

A．balanced

B．injured

C．endangered

D．changeable

10.

A．keep

B．control

C．fool

D．catch

11.

A．repaired

B．donated

C．discovered

D．required

12.

A．return

B．devote

C．sell

D．show

13.

A．serious

B．extra

C．successful

D．convenient

14.

A．received

B．rescued

C．recorded

D．cleared

15.

A．resulting from

B．adding to

C．talking about

D．cutting off

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。

Researchers have been applying artificial intelligence (AI)to monitor biodiversity and enhance efforts to protect some species from     1     (threaten). Unlike conventional methods, AI has the capacity     2     (analyze)massive amounts of data effectively.

Species are disappearing     3     a rate much faster than that millions of years ago, with up to one million species on the edge of     4     (extinct). In response, the United Nations set a goal in 2020 to safeguard at least 30%of Earth’s land and oceans. “Al is imperfect     5     could promote important discoveries.” says Nicolas Miailhe, Paris-based founder of the Future Society, an international non-profit organization     6     aims to better govern AI. “We badly need human practitioners to design models and interpret data. ”

Besides monitoring biodiversity in real time, AI can also be used to model the impacts of human activities on an ecosystem. Although it     7     (document) that human activities have resulted in biodiversity loss, little is known about which environmental factors have       8       (large) impact.

“Long-term statistics will play     9     essential role in connecting changes in biodiversity with environmental changes. ”says Luisa Orsini, who     10       (study) evolutionary bio-systems at the University of Birmingham, UK.

3 . More than 170,000 people in California are unhoused. Even as the state has poured resources into fighting against the problem, the number of people without homes has ticked upward in recent years. On the surface, the state has one key advantage for people without a reliable roof over their heads: relatively consistent and livable weather. So one of my first thoughts when I heard news of a horricane attacking Los Angeles was just “What will happen to the city’s homeless population?”

City agencies quickly took action. As it became clear that the Los Angeles region could experience an extreme downpour and subsequent flooding, outreach teams fanned out across the river bank and dam areas across the city that have become home to a significant unhoused population, offering support to move them into shelters and motels (汽车旅馆).

Despite that, it’s obvious that the effects of climate change will hit the most vulnerable (脆弱的) hardest. We see this globally as extreme weather events hit countries that have contributed the least to the problem.

The most notable connection between climate change and the US housing crisis is the threat extreme weather poses to unhoused people. More unhoused people are affected as climate change drives increasingly unpredictable weather. People without homes know how to respond to expected seasonal events. But events like a near-hurricane in Los Angeles or a wildfire in ‘Maui can catch populations with limited access to information off guard.

Another link worth considering is the way in which climate change creates more homelessness and further stresses on housing systems. Hurricane Katrina, for example, displaced 800, 000 people. Four years later, 12,000 people remained without shelter.

Housing has been — and will continue to be — a key issue in Maui too as it recovers from the wildfire that killed more than 100 people. Maui has already had a housing crisis, the result of a high cost of living driven in large part by the tourism industry. And, now, many more are left looking for places to stay. Ashley Kelly, the chief operating officer at Hawaii’s Family Life Center, said: “Finding housing for any new clients is just not possible right now.”

1. What contributes to the increase of the unhoused population in California?

A．Its mild weather.

B．Its inclusive local culture.

C．Its limited basic facilities.

D．Its relaxed state policies.

2. What did outreach teams do in response to the hurricane in Los Angeles?

A．They built dams to prevent flooding.

B．They moved homeless people to safe places.

C．They sought low-cost housing from city agencies.

D．They surrounded the river bank to keep people away.

3. Which word can best describe Maui’s housing circumstances now according to Ashley Kelly?

A．Mysterious.

B．Exceptional.

C．Changeable.

D．Difficult.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Ways of Americans relocating disaster-affected populations.

B．The significance of timely weather updates for the homeless.

C．The link between climate change and the housing crisis in the US.

D．Approaches of homeless Americans to dealing with natural disasters.

4 . The Amazon Rainforest, often called the “lungs of the Earth”, has always mesmerized me with its biodiversity (生物多样性) and local tribes (部落). When I had the chance to join a research expedition, I took it, excited about the adventure ahead. I didn’t know it would be a great experience.

The journey into the rainforest was tough, such as the dense leaves, endless rain and the sound of insects and animals. However, the beauty of the rainforest was amazing.

One of the most exciting parts of the trip was meeting a local tribe. Their way of life, so connected to nature, was different from our urban lives. Learning about their customs and understanding their relationship with the rainforest was a special experience. It made me realize how separated from nature we have become in the technological advancement.

The trip was not without challenges. Walking in the forest, dealing with the bad weather and dealing with the fear of the unknown tested our willpower. However, every challenge we overcame brought a sense of achievement and strengthened our team bond. It taught me the importance of teamwork and adaptability.

As we left the rainforest, I recalled the impact the trip had on me. It was not just an adventure but a journey of self-discovery.

My trip to the Amazon rainforest was a meaningful experience. It was a journey that pushed my boundaries(边界) taught me valuable lessons and left me with unforgettable memories. It was not just a trip, but an exploration of the unknown and a reminder of our responsibility towards our planet. The adventure may have ended, but the journey continues, as I carry the lessons and memories with me, influencing my life and choices.

1. Which of the following best explains “mesmerized” underlined in paragraph 1?

A．Puzzled.

B．Moved.

C．Attracted.

D．Defeated.

2. Which word can describe the relation between the local tribe and the rainforest?

A．Exciting.

B．Close.

C．Relaxing.

D．Separated.

3. What can we learn about the trip from paragraph 4?

A．It’s dangerous and meaningless.	B．It’s fanny but unbearable.
C．It’s important and interesting.	D．It’s challenging but worthwhile.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The meaning of the trip.	B．The experience of the trip.
C．The memory of the trip.	D．The purpose of the trip.

5 . Parrots are prey animals, which means that other predators (捕食者) in the wild, such as hawks or snakes, are looking to make them into a meal. This one factor influences parrots’ behavior in your house more than any other.

Parrots are most easily hurt when feeding on the ground. Membership in a group plays an important function in ensuring their safety and improving their chances of survival from attacks by predators. The most common predators of parrots include hawks, snakes, cats, monkeys, and bats. Some predators make attacks only during the day while others hunt in the night.

As prey animals, parrots are constantly watching out for danger and they instinctively (本能地) react to risks. Their first choice is to take flight. However, if this is not possible, they will fight with their powerful beaks to defend themselves.

Because their biggest enemy is the hawk, parrots are especially reactive to quick movements from above and behind. For this reason, it is wise to avoid quick, sudden movements near your bird. This is a built-in reaction not subject to logic or reason. Simple and relatively harmless household objects can draw extreme fear responses from a bird. For example, a balloon may represent a hawk or a vacuum hose (吸尘器软管) may be the same as a snake in your bird’s mind.

As prey animals, parrots are often frightened by exposure to new household items or strangers. It is important to expose your bird to safe experiences and changes starting at a very young age to build flexibility and improve their adaptability. Variety in diet and toys, travel, and exposure to new people and places all help to make your bird more flexible and adaptable to change.

1. What is important for parrots to better survive from attacks in the wild?

A．Living in a group.	B．Growing beautiful feathers.
C．Feeding on the ground.	D．Avoiding coming out at night.

2. What is parrots’ first response to an immediate risk?

A．To attack back.	B．To get away.
C．To protect the young.	D．To play dead.

3. Why would a balloon frighten a parrot?

A．It may explode suddenly.	B．It may be in a strange shape.
C．It may have a strong color.	D．It may move around quickly.

4. What is the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To explain wild parrots’ behavior.	B．To give advice on raising a parrot.
C．To call for action to protect animals.	D．To introduce a study on bird ecology.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the conversation mainly about?

A．Fighting fires.

B．Detecting fires.

C．Using fires.

2. How many fires did California have in 2020?

A．Around 50.

B．About 400.

C．Over 8600.

3. What size of fire can the new satellites discover?

A．Size of a car.

B．Size of a plane.

C．Size of a sports field.

4. What is more important to the woman?

A．Saving animals.

B．Saving the trees.

C．Saving humans.

7 . While many animal populations seem to dwindle, one species that is moving in the opposite direction of such loss is America’s native wildlife — wood stork.

The wood stork is the only stork that breeds in North America. In 1984, it was declared an endangered species after its population decreased sharply to just 5,000 mating pairs. At the time, scientists predicted that the bird would become completely extinct by 2000. Today, it numbers 10,000 mating pairs, and the Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a delisting of the wood stork as an endangered species. So how did the population bounce back?

The success is in part down to the resourcefulness of the wood stork. The wood stork’s native home was in the Everglades in Florida, but it migrated north as the Everglades were being destroyed by development of mankind. Wetland preservation and restoration, protection of nesting areas, and management of water flows began with the approval of the wood stork’s first recovery plan in 1986. In the following year, former Savannah Coastal Refuges biologist John Robinette noticed stork nests in Georgia as stork populations moved to safer wetlands.

According to Stephanie Kurose, a senior policy specialist at the Centre for Biological Diversity, the Endangered Species Act is also to thank for this recovery. She said, “The act saved the wood stork and it helped preserve and rebuild vital habitats throughout the southeast, which has improved water quality and benefited countless other species who call the area home.” “The Endangered Species Act has saved 99 per cent of the species that were on the list since 1973. A hundred types of plants and animals have been delisted as their populations become stable again.

If the wood stork is delisted, it will remain protected by other laws and a monitoring plan will be put in place to ensure the population remains stable.

1. What does the underlined word dwindle probably mean?

A．Boost.

B．Change.

C．Decline.

D．Explode.

2. What can we learn about the wood stork in paragraph two?

A．Its population shows a rising trend.	B．It has become completely extinct.
C．It is widely distributed worldwide.	D．It is the most endangered species.

3. What threatened the population of the wood stock?

A．Climate change of Earth.	B．Popularity of water sports.
C．Impact of human activities.	D．Arrival of other wild animals.

4. What is a direct result of the Endangered Species Act?

A．People have safer water to drink.	B．A list of species have been saved.
C．The local economy has boomed.	D．The wood stock has flown away.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What probably happened in Fountain Hills during the winter?

A．It didn’t rain much.

B．All animals died off.

C．Many chemicals were used.

2. Which was a result of the environmental damage?

A．People got sick easily.

B．Black birds were missing.

C．The farmland couldn’t produce food.

3. Why did a lot of bees disappear?

A．They were eaten by birds.

B．They were dying off themselves.

C．They were killed by the government.

4. What do the scientists offer to do?

A．Tell people the importance of bees.

B．Teach farmers how to grow food.

C．Bring bees from the town.

9 . “Unfortunately, 85 percent of what makes us attractive or less to mosquitoes(蚊子) is hardwired in our genetic circuit board,” says Winegard, author of The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator. Still, there are ways to outsmart summer’s most annoying party crashers, especially if all you want is to enjoy an evening on your patio (露台).

Know your blood type

Only female mosquitoes feed on humans, and for good reason: The proteins in your blood help them grow and mature their eggs. “She’s just being a good mom,” Wineguard says. “People with blood type O are her top of choice. They get bitten twice as much as people with blood type A, with blood type B falling in between.”

Stay cool

“Mosquitoes hunt by both smell and sight,” Wineguard says. “They can smell the carbon dioxide and see the heat signature of their target.” Avoiding alcohol can keep your body temperature lower— making you harder to find — so consider choosing a cocktail instead.

Wear light colors

Avoiding dark clothing can also keep you cooler, but that’s not the only reason it may offer relief. Mosquitoes, like many biting flies, are attracted to darker colors. The thinking behind this is that the animals they typically feed upon are larger, dark-bodied mammals(哺乳动物).

Get rid of standing water

Even a glass of drinking water left on the deck can become a breeding ground for mosquito eggs — and mother mosquitoes lay about 100 eggs at a time. “They don’t need very much at all to breed. It can be a backyard toy , like a truck that has a bit of water in it, or a crushed pop can,” says Winegard. If you get rid of it, they’ll go somewhere else to lay their eggs.

1. What’s the intention of this text?

A．To introduce a new book.	B．To offer professional tips.
C．To analyze a study of insects.	D．To suggest throwing a party.

2. Why does a female mosquito feed on human blood?

A．To hatch more eggs.	B．To raise a large family.
C．To identify blood types.	D．To fully develop her body.

3. What can we learn about mosquitoes according to Winegard?

A．They can trace the smell of alcohol.	B．They have energy-locating abilities.
C．They feed off dark-bodied animals.	D．They need abundant water to breed.

10 . Five years ago, I was a trail ride leader at a holiday farm in Victoria. My favourite horse was a warmblooded called Holly, a chestnut mare. Aged seven, she was _________, sweet-natured and well-trained; the only _________with Holly was her vivid imagination. I was constantly surprised by Holly’ s ability to be_________ by rabbits, the wind or even shadows - sometimes her own shadow!

One day, as we headed back from a ride on the beach, Holly and I were_________the way over the hilly area. When we got to one particularly long, steep hill, Holly began to twitch (抽动) her ears and step in place. So, when she_________ to sniff(嗅) and give all the _________that she believed the ‘horse-eating monsters’ were close, I became a little worried.

At the bottom of the hill as we rounded a corner, Holly_________with caution, and so I followed her gaze to the path ahead. There, sunning itself in the middle of the track, was a brown_________. This time it was my _________to get scared; I was on a nervous horse, leading a group of eight inexperienced pre-teen riders. Unexpectedly, Holly was firmly__________, ears forward. With the snake in her sight, she was no longer worried.

I have heard that horses have a better sense of__________ than dogs. I hadn't seen it __________ before that moment.__________, while we waited in reality for just a second or two - but for what felt like a century - the snake awoke and glided calmly off into the bush.

Holly then__________, leading the horses with caution and care. She had been alert to danger and had been __________for the safety of us all. Following in the footsteps or their lead mare, not one of the other horses showed any fear.

1.

A．negative

B．graceful

C．pitiful

D．aggressive

2.

A．solution

B．reaction

C．problem

D．difficulty

3.

A．frightened

B．delighted

C．touched

D．attracted

4.

A．chasing

B．leading

C．following

D．pushing

5.

A．proceeded

B．preferred

C．hesitated

D．refused

6.

A．evidence

B．truth

C．signals

D．symbols

7.

A．sped

B．rushed

C．escaped

D．slowed

8.

A．rabbit

B．horse

C．monster

D．snake

9.

A．turn

B．case

C．chance

D．rule

10.

A．sealed

B．planted

C．fastened

D．frozen

11.

A．vision

B．direction

C．smell

D．hearing

12.

A．proved

B．denied

C．ignored

D．demonstrated

13.

A．Unfortunately

B．Undoubtedly

C．Thankfully

D．Instantly

14.

A．fell off

B．went back

C．came out

D．stepped forward

15.

A．responsible

B．regretful

C．grateful

D．available