1 . Dogs may have earned the title of our best friends through their interactions with humans, but now researchers say these social skills could, be present shortly after birth rather than being learned.

To better understand the role of biology in dogs’ abilities to communicate with humans, the researchers studied 375 eight-week-old service dogs. They looked at how these dogs performed in a series of tasks designed to measure their communication skills. The puppies were still living with their littermates (同窝出生者) and had not been sent to live with a volunteer puppy raiser, making it unlikely that they had learned about his or her behavior.

In the first task, a person hid a treat beneath one of two overturned cups and pointed to it to see if the puppy could follow the gesture. Since dogs are good at using noses to find things a treat was also taped to the insides of, both cups. In the second task, puppies watched as the researchers placed a yellow, block next to the correct cup, instead of pointing to indicate where the puppy should look for the food.

The third task was designed to observe puppies’ tendency to look at human faces. The researchers spoke to the puppy in a voice people sometimes use when talking to a baby. They then measured how long the puppy fixed a stare on the human.

In the last task, researchers sealed a treat inside a closed container and presented it to the puppy. They then measured how often the puppy looked to the human for help in opening the container.

The study found that while many of the puppies were responsive to humans’ physical and verbal cues, very few looked to humans for help with the unsolvable task. Researchers said, “This suggests that while puppies may be born knowing how to respond to human-initiated communication, the ability to initiate communication on their own may come later.” The next step will be to see if specific genes that may contribute to dogs’ abilities to communicate with humans can be identified.

1. Why were eight-week-old service dogs chosen for the study?

A．They were the best age to learn.

B．They were cute and safe to deal with.

C．They were unlikely influenced by their mates.

D．They had had little contact with humans before.

2. What is the researchers’ purpose in taping food to both cups?

A．To provide clues for the puppies’ final decisions.

B．To make comparisons between different conditions.

C．To prevent the puppies from making use of their smell.

D．To check the puppies’ preference for a particular color.

3. What can we know from the study?

A．Puppies can understand our body language.

B．Puppies are good at asking humans for help.

C．Puppies are born to arouse communication with humans.

D．Puppies need specific genes to communicate with humans.

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

A．Dogs—talented performers	B．Dogs—humans’ best friends
C．Dogs—born to be able to learn	D．Dogs—born to understand humans

2 . 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。

When I adopted him, he had been rescued from death inside a tightly tied black trash bag abandoned right beside a garbage truck on the road. An alert garbage man noticed the bag moving and used a metal rake (耙子) to tear open the bag to look inside. There was my shaking puppy dog. The rake damaged the nerves in his back so he limped a little, but he could run as fast as lightning.

For my dog’s first birthday, I entered him in a fun run sponsored by our local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). I’m not much of a runner, but the run was only 3 kilometers, so I thought it would be fun for both of us.

We practiced for weeks. On our practice runs, he was always eager to go and usually dragged me along behind him. I worked on his leash (拴狗链) manners so that he wouldn’t trip me on the big day. I felt we were ready for anything.

The fun run was downtown among the big buildings, so the noise of barking dogs all around us rose to a deafening pitch at the start of the race. My dog was frightened when the starting tone went off. He had trouble running in the right direction with all the confusion around us. Soon the runners began to thin out, and my dog was running straight and fast. We were passing people and making great time. I was dreaming of a gold-medal finish.

However, when we were six blocks from the finish, my dog suddenly stopped and dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. I almost dislocated my shoulder from the sudden stop as I was pulled backward by the leash.

He was lying flat on his belly with his head down in the middle of the crossroads. At first I thought something bad had happened to him. He was shaking and sobbing. I did a quick check and couldn’t see anything wrong. I tried to get him up, but he refused. The police officer doing traffic control impatiently signed me to move away so he could release the cars.

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。
But I couldn’t get my seventy-five-pound dog to get up.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Another half-block of carrying him brought the answer—a moving garbage truck.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 . Hardscaping refers to non-organic features of a landscape such as pathways, driveways, walls, steps, and other human-made structures. The three Rs, which are common to many sustainability efforts, apply to hardscaping: reduce, reuse, and recycle.     1    

Reduce Runoff

You can reduce rainwater runoff by using permeable (可渗透的) materials that allow rainwater to get into the soil below.     2     Because, to use permeable materials, you need to dig deeper to set into multiple layers (层) of sand,tiny stones,and other materials that allow rainwater to permeate well, using them under a tree can disturb or even destroy roots that keep trees healthy and upright. It’s also a good idea to slope (倾斜) any impermeable surface to direct rainwater to your garden to save from watering it.

Use Recycled Materials

Consider using materials that are recycled from reclaimed (再生的) concrete, glass, or other construction materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill.     3     Your local landfill might sell other usable materials as well. Recycled wood can be used to make borders between different areas. Just make sure it hasn’t been treated with chemicals, especially if you grow food nearby.

Support Local Wildlife

    4     Using permeable hardscape makes the soil below beneficial to them, whether they are earthworms, ground-nesting bees and other beneficial insects, important microorganisms, or plant roots. Between hardscaped areas, plant native trees and flowers to create wildlife habitats.     5    

With careful planning and action, you can enjoy the convenience brought by hardscaping and at the same time be considerate to the environment and local wildlife.

A．Those materials are seemingly useless.

B．All these are essential to a healthy ecosystem.

C．They aren’t suitable for all landscapes, however.

D．Don’t forget there are creatures living under the top soil.

E．You can get such things from many landscaping suppliers.

F．Rainwater is an important source of our underground water.

G．Add “support local wildlife”, and you’re ready for sustainable hardscaping.

4 . Bobbi Wilson is a 9-year-old New Jersey girl. She had recently learned that spotted lantern flies _________ trees because they feed on the sap (汁液) found in leaves and tree trunks． So she _________ her own insecticide (杀虫剂) to deal with the species from a recipe she had _________ on social media. Bobbi was walking through her Caldwell, New Jersey, neighborhood, simply _________ her insecticide when the police came and took her to the police station.

It turned out that a man _________ her spraying (喷洒) something on the sidewalk and trees. Thinking that she was a _________ little girl or someone with a mental disorder, he was _________ and called the police and told them, “There’s a little black girl walking, spraying stuff on the sidewalk and trees…”.

Bobbi was very confused and _________ about having to make a trip to the police station because she was not only doing something _________ for our environment but she was also doing something that made her feel like a(n) __________ when the man called the police. The man apologized to Bobbi and her family for the __________

__________ , the incident didn’t affect Bobbi’s spirit and has led to some great __________ for her. She has been __________ to the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. She and her family got a chance to visit with a group of black female scientists at Yale University. They showed her various labs and even invited her to __________ lantern fly specimens (样本) for the university.

1.

A．decorate

B．damage

C．recognize

D．abandon

2.

A．created

B．restored

C．purchased

D．exhibited

3.

A．got over

B．brought about

C．pointed out

D．come across

4.

A．testing out

B．mixing up

C．posting

D．improving

5.

A．heard

B．suggested

C．spotted

D．left

6.

A．beautiful

B．curious

C．hidden

D．lost

7.

A．excited

B．worried

C．relieved

D．stressed

8.

A．calm

B．hopeful

C．upset

D．anxious

9.

A．amazing

B．interesting

C．disturbing

D．annoying

10.

A．actress

B．adult

C．stranger

D．hero

11.

A．misguidance

B．misfortune

C．misunderstanding

D．mismatching

12.

A．Luckily

B．Particularly

C．Generally

D．Honestly

13.

A．attitude

B．answers

C．wealth

D．experiences

14.

A．sent

B．referred

C．invited

D．carried

15.

A．transport

B．provide

C．taste

D．keep

5 . Across the world, humans purchase around 1.3 billion single-use plastic water bottles a day. Because only about 9% of plastic is recycled, the vast majority of those bottles wind up in landfills, the ocean, or elsewhere in nature.

When beach-loving Madison noticed those plastic bottles during her family’s trips to California, the 12-year-old “just felt like this needed to change,” she told Smithsonian Magazine.

So as she began thinking about what to do for her school science fair back in 2021, the idea of a project centered on reducing plastic pollution quickly came to her mind: she would design an eatable water bottle called the Eco-Hero.

“One of my biggest ambitions for my project was wanting to help the world,” the confident young inventor said in a video on the website.

To bring her idea to life, Madison built upon the already established method by experimenting with common food materials. She also took inspiration from previous versions of eatable water bottles, though she focused on making hers bigger and more durable. She found that the combination of water, lemon juice, natural gum, and Alginic acid (褐藻酸) resulted in a gel pouch that wouldn’t break, could hold up to 3/4 cup of water, and would last in the fridge for three weeks.

Though she’d like to improve the Eco-Hero by making it able to hold more water, she believes her current version would work well as a replacement for the paper cups used by runners in races. All one needs to do is bite a hole in the water ball, drink the water, and then eat the pouch or throw it away to biodegrade.

Madison hopes the Eco-Hero inspires others to take better care of the planet. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be in a big way,” she told Smithsonian. “People can still make a difference in the world, even if it’s just in a small way.”

1. What inspired Madison’s design of an eatable water bottle?

A．Her school’s task.	B．Her family’s urge.
C．Her love for nature.	D．Her trips to the beach.

2. What can we know about the Eco-Hero?

A．It is a copy of the previous versions.

B．It is made from unbreakable materials.

C．It is an improvement in size and durability.

D．It has a hole and should be disposed once used.

3. Which of the following words can best describe Madison?

A．Ambitious and creative.	B．Talented and determined.
C．Courageous and confident.	D．Cooperative and committed.

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

A．A good beginning is half done.	B．Small people make big moves.
C．Where there is a will, there is a way.	D．God helps those who help themselves.

6 . 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。

I picked out Misty at a pound. “He’s going to be put to sleep in two days,” the assistant told me, sighing. “Nobody wants him — everyone says he’s ugly.” I looked into Misty’s eyes. “I’ll take him,” I said, and Misty came to live with me.

Misty was a very adorable cat - my lap was his favorite spot in the world. “How’s my boy this morning?” I asked him every day, and he’d meow back.

When I noticed he was having problems chewing, I took him to the vet (兽医). He had to have two teeth out. The bill rocked me — my income was pitiful. “Please don’t get sick anymore, Misty,” I begged.

But just six months later, Misty began meowing in pain. My heart sank. “Misty’s got bladder (膀胱) stones”, the vet said. “The surgery for that is ＄1000.” “Is there any alternative?” I asked desperately. “You could have him put down”, she said. I took Misty home. I couldn’t put him to sleep. But the vet bills had ruined my savings.

That afternoon, I let Misty out for a few minutes as always. Hearing him meow in pain, I felt terrible. “I have to do something,” I scolded myself. But when I called him, he didn’t come. “Oh no!” I searched the streets but couldn’t find him. I printed out Missing Cat posters and I cried each time I taped one to a tree. But nobody called. Misty had disappeared.

Three months witnessed my countless tears. I just had to assume Misty was dead. If he hadn’t been run over or died of starvation, those bladder stones would have taken their toll. The few extra dollars in my bank account didn’t compensate for the sadness I felt.

Then one day, I received a call from an elderly woman saying she had one cat seeming to match my poster. I rushed to her place.

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。

From her glossy (有光泽的) coat, I was sure Misty had had far better medical care.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Is that really Misty?” she asked again, a slim of sadness flashing over her face.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . 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。

Terry Townshend is an ecologist from the UK. In late October, he climbed to the roof of a building to check out a hand-sized recording device     1    (lay) there to catch the sounds of migratory birds (候鸟) at Beijing’s Olympic Park. Every two weeks, he came here to collect data and share it     2     universities’ research centres for this year’s bird tracking study.

As a birdwatcher     3     has lived in Beijing for over a decade, Townshend founded a website     4     formed a group for fellow enthusiasts. He works to raise environmental     5    (aware) among people to help save some of China’s most endangered birds, initiating projects to track some of Beijing’s celebrated birds.

Though observing the migratory birds in Beijing    6    (be) one of Townshend’s main activities now, his bond with China was established twelve years ago. At that time, the non-governmental organization Townshend once worked with was invited by the Chinese government     7    (cooperate) in boosting support for China’s general environmental laws on climate change. As the project leader, Townshend came to-China for the first time. After getting to know the country, he decided to stay here for     8    (far) research.

“China     9    (value) the recovery of nature in past decades. With the efforts to carry out various targeted protections toward nature,     10     future looks bright for China’s biodiversity. ”Townshend said.

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。

Daocheng Yading is located in the Southwest of China’s Sichuan Province. This is a kingdom     1     (surround) by breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, steep glaciers (冰川), clear lakes and thick woods. It is called the last pure land on this blue planet. Every September, the scenery here is     2     (extreme) attractive. It’s like placing people into a colorful fairy tale world which is beyond     3     (imagine).

There are three mountain peaks in Daocheng Yading. The most beautiful is called Yangmaiyong. It is about 6000 meters     4     height, and has the shape of a perfect pyramid. Back in 1931, the American explorer Joseph Rock first introduced it to the world with     5     (photo) for the National Geographic Magazine. He wrote, “She is the most beautiful snow peak my eyes have ever seen”. Next to it stand two other mountains: Xiannairi and Xianuoduoji. The top of the mountains is covered by snow most of the time. No one     6     (reach) the top up to now. They are called the “Three Holy Mountains”. It is     7     irreplaceably sacred place in the hearts of the local people. “    8     (walk) round the holy mountains three times, you will achieve your wishes for this life,” the locals say. However, it’s such a great challenge to both one’s physical ability and mind because of     9     (it) altitude. What drives them to do that? Perhaps it is simple faith. It is the last pure land     10     can purify the soul.

9 . In 2014, a sophomore student at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts went with friends for a birthday celebration to Beijing Zoo. Little did he know that a chance _________ at the aquarium (水族馆) there would light a lifelong passion.

Fast-forward to today, Xu, a Beijing native, has _________ to the tropical island of South China’s Hainan province, where he serves as a coral _________ for a Sanya-based tropical biological laboratory attached to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Each day, he spends several hours diving deep under the waves to observe and _________ the growth and development of the creatures that _________ him all those years ago. Xu, who is nicknamed “coral man”, is _________ engaged on such social media platforms as Sina Weibo, where he regularly shares visually amazing photos and entertaining videos of corals. He aims to _________ individuals to take action in protecting coral reefs(珊瑚礁) and the oceans as a whole.

For Xu, who had been studying Peking Opera since childhood, becoming a coral conservationist was an _________ turn of events. After he first saw corals at the aquarium, he began to _________ the local market to learn about coral __________ from merchants who sell decorative plants, fish and corals. He also __________information online. Before long, he had set up a small fish tank at home and started cultivating a coral.

“The coral organism is quite sensitive to its environment and has extremely high __________ for water quality,” recalls Xu. “When I started growing coral, its state was not __________.” But as Xu gained more __________ about coral, including how to control factors like water temperature and pH levels, his coral gradually started to flourish. He also learned that coral reefs are known as “tropical rainforests” and “underwater gardens” of the ocean, providing a __________ for a quarter of all sea creatures.

1.

A．accident

B．encounter

C．application

D．performance

2.

A．moved

B．driven

C．appealed

D．signaled

3.

A．educator

B．ambassador

C．artist

D．conservationist

4.

A．approve

B．increase

C．document

D．smooth

5.

A．separated

B．relieved

C．preserved

D．fascinated

6.

A．actively

B．finally

C．universally

D．skillfully

7.

A．teach

B．arrange

C．encourage

D．force

8.

A．impractical

B．unexpected

C．unfortunate

D．unacceptable

9.

A．frequent

B．expand

C．manage

D．improve

10.

A．selling

B．observing

C．farming

D．decorating

11.

A．answered for

B．brought in

C．searched for

D．gave out

12.

A．requirements

B．reputations

C．periods

D．priorities

13.

A．pure

B．good

C．confusing

D．strict

14.

A．evidence

B．care

C．equipment

D．knowledge

15.

A．map

B．home

C．platform

D．container

10 . My 5-year-old daughter Kai walked around a bus stop, picking up candy wrappers and plastic bottles and throwing them in the waste bin. We were a visiting family here, but she was cleaning the sidewalk, which didn’t shock me, nor was I _________ when strangers looked at us.

Our cleanup project began when we drove past an empty field one day and Kai _________ the field was covered by _________ balloons. We had read about how animals could _________ balloons for food. “Stop,” Kai said, and I _________. Surprisingly, we found the field was full of much trash _________ the balloons. “Can we come back and clean it?” Kai asked. Then each Friday, we returned to have a(n) _________ cleaning.

However, it seems we can never _________ the trash completely. I feel something close to _________! Why are we making kids clean up our __________? It has everything to do with the planet we adults are leaving for kids. Plastic pollution is globally distributed and microplastics have even been discovered in human blood. It is not a __________ story that we have created trash but our next generation cleans up them.

Now Kai hopes to become a marine biologist to protect sharks one day. She still has many years to __________, if adults get serious about solving plastic pollution. We shouldn’t leave our next generation a __________ planet and expect them to save it.

The last time our family was at the beach, we still picked up plastic bottles. Most __________, though, we saw an octopus (章鱼) playing around our feet, a __________ of a harmonious habitat worth protecting.

1.

A．embarrassed

B．discouraged

C．concerned

D．frightened

2.

A．apologized

B．confirmed

C．spotted

D．explained

3.

A．loose

B．magic

C．processed

D．abandoned

4.

A．trade

B．mistake

C．replace

D．change

5.

A．pulled over

B．blew up

C．turned down

D．gave in

6.

A．due to

B．ahead of

C．other than

D．instead of

7.

A．official

B．serious

C．optional

D．regular

8.

A．deliver

B．remove

C．track

D．produce

9.

A．stress

B．comfort

C．anger

D．pride

10.

A．mess

B．platform

C．court

D．house

11.

A．scary

B．pleasant

C．historic

D．real

12.

A．decide

B．struggle

C．survive

D．contribute

13.

A．safe

B．giant

C．distant

D．sick

14.

A．personally

B．memorably

C．technically

D．universally

15.

A．promise

B．threat

C．reminder

D．favor