1 . In a groundbreaking discovery, bumblebees (大黄蜂) have shown a previously unseen level of cognitive (认知的) ability. A new study, published in Nature, shows that they can learn difficult, multi-step tasks through social interaction, even if they cannot figure them out on their own.

Led by Dr Alice Bridges and Professor Lars Chittka, the research team designed a two-step puzzle (谜题) box requiring bumblebees to perform two separated actions to get a sweet reward at the end. Training bees to do this was no easy task, and bees had to be helped along by the addition of an extra reward at the end of the first step. This reward in the middle was finally taken away, and bees later had to open the whole box before getting their treat. Then some trained bees repeated the whole process for demonstration.

Surprisingly, while bees that worked on their own had great difficulty in solving the puzzle, those allowed to watch a demonstrator bee finished the two steps easily — even the first — while only getting a reward at the end.

This study shows that bumblebees have a level of social learning previously thought to be unique to humans. They can share and learn behaviors that are beyond their individual cognitive abilities. Professor Chittka further notes the implications, “This challenges the traditional view that only humans can socially learn difficult behavior beyond individual learning. It raises the amazing possibility that many of the greatest achievements of the social insects, like the nesting architectures of bees or the agricultural habits of ants, may have initially spread by copying clever innovators, before they finally became part of the species-specific behaviors.”

This groundbreaking research opens new possibilities for understanding animal intelligence and the development of social learning. It challenges longstanding assumptions and helps us learn more about the cognitive wonders of insects, even suggesting the exciting possibility of advanced culture amongst seemingly simple creatures.

1. What is the purpose of the study?

A．To learn how to train bumblebees.

B．To compare bumblebees with ants.

C．To develop puzzles for bumblebees.

D．To test cognitive abilities of bumblebees.

2. How did the researchers train the bumblebees to solve the puzzle?

A．By breaking it into two steps.

B．By providing an extra reward.

C．By demonstrating the process.

D．By making the puzzle interesting.

3. What do Professor Chittka’s words imply?

A．Both bees and ants are intelligent creatures.

B．Only humans are capable of social learning.

C．Individual learning may not be that important.

D．Bees’ nest-building may be a learned behavior.

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

A．Bumblebees — willing learners

B．Bumblebees — smarter than you think

C．Social learning — intelligence indicator

D．Social learning — universal across species

2 . In the eyes of many environmentalists, the world appears to be getting worse. They believe, the natural resources are running out and the air and water are becoming ever more polluted. But if we check the facts, things look different. Energy has become more abundant, not less so. Fewer people are starving. What seems to cause this gap between perception and reality?

One factor is the prejudice in scientific research. Scientific funding goes mainly to areas with many problems. That may be wise policy, but it will also create an impression that there are more potential problems than actually exist.

Secondly, environmental groups seek attention from the mass media. They also need to get continuous financial support. Understandably, perhaps, they sometimes exaggerate (夸大) their arguments. In 1997, for example, the World Wide Fund for Nature issued a statement titled: “Two thirds of the world’s forests lost forever”. The truth turns out to be near 20%.

The media can add to confusion too. People tend to be more curious about bad news than good. Newspapers and broadcasters are there to provide what the public wants. That, however, can lead to significant misinterpretations. For example, when a natural disaster happens, the media usually highlights the negative parts, giving more attention to the disaster’s details and what happens afterward. This flood of bad news can make people think that such events are more frequent or serious than they actually are. Consequently, people may develop a sense of insecurity, despite statistically low probabilities of similar events happening to them.

Another factor is people’s poor perception. People worry that vaccines can cause severe side effects or long-term health problems. Despite extensive scientific evidence demonstrating their safety and effectiveness, some individuals remain hesitant due to unfounded fears.

It is crucial that we look at the facts if we want to make the best possible decisions for the future. It may be costly to be overly optimistic – but more costly still to be too pessimistic.

1. What aspect of scientific research does the writer worry about in paragraph 2?

A．The need to produce results.	B．The selection of research areas.
C．The lack of financial support.	D．The desire to solve research problem.

2. Why does the writer quote the example from the World Wide Fund for Nature?

A．To show how influential the mass media can be.

B．To show how effective environmental groups can be.

C．To show how the mass media can help groups raise funds.

D．To show how environmental groups overstate their claims.

3. The writer suggests that newspapers publish articles that are intended to ________.

A．educate readers	B．mislead readers
C．meet readers’ expectations	D．encourage readers’ feedback

4. What does the author try to convey in the last paragraph?

A．Making decisions based on reality.	B．Balancing optimism and pessimism.
C．Being optimistic to avoid costly mistakes.	D．Addressing the environmental crisis gradually.

3 . Grand Canyon River Hike

July 28-30

The coolest thing to do in Summer! A river hike is a combination of normal hiking and hiking along the course of rivers. It often involves walking in the water and on rocks, low-level rock climbing, crossing rivers, and swimming.

River hikes are fun but require average to high fitness level, good balance and swimming skills. Climbing skills are not necessary. This activity is not recommended for those afraid of heights or water, nor for children under the age of 15.

TRIP SCHEDULE

Day I Friday

18:45 We’re going to get out of Los Angeles. I’m waiting for you at Griffith Park!

19:00 Everyone’s here, time to go!

23:30 Arrive at the Guesthouse. Let’s quickly get the room and go for some quality sleep to recharge for the hike tomorrow.

Day 2 Saturday

07:00 Get up and have breakfast.

07:30 Pack all your belongings; we’ll be on the bus for about 2 hours before reaching our drop-off point.

09:30 We will walk on the road for about 30 mins to reach the starting point. Then we have 15 mins to put our swimming suits on and wear some sun creams before getting ready for the hiking!

For the rest of the day, we will mainly be hiking on the rocks, stopping on the way for your bag lunch when you want.

16:30 Finish the hike and get on the bus waiting for us. We’re going to spend the night in the Guesthouse village.

18:30 Let’s have dinner and enjoy the night!

Day 3 Sunday

9:00 Get up and have breakfast. After yesterday’s exciting hike, today is mainly relaxing!

10:00 We reach a nice river spot for swimming and jump from rocks before going back to the village where we will have lunch. Or you can just stay in the village, walk around and relax.

13:00 After group lunch we will take our private bus and head back to Los Angeles.

19:30/20:00 Estimated arrival time in Los Angeles.

Note: For details on costs and safety measures, please refer to the next page on our website.

1. Who is most suited for the activity?

A．A 14-year-old climbing talent.	B．A lifeguard fond of extreme sports.
C．A gym goer with balance disorder.	D．An outdoor type afraid of thrill rides.

2. At about what time does the river hiking start?

A．7:30.

B．9:30.

C．9:45.

D．10:15.

3. What can we learn about the river hiking?

A．It’s a weekend getaway.	B．Two lunches are provided.
C．It takes place in Los Angeles.	D．Hiking the whole trip is required.

4 . A high school teacher and his students have discovered that an asteroid (小行星) hit by a NASA spacecraft, in a test run for saving the Earth from an impact, is behaving unexpectedly. The find could have effects on future planetary defense missions.

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is a project designed to launch and crash a fridge-sized spacecraft into an asteroid called Dimorphos, orbiting a larger asteroid Didymos. The purpose of the exercise was to see how significantly the previous path of Dimorphos could be changed by the impact. Before DART’s impact, it would take Dimorphos 11 hours and 55 minutes to complete a lap around Didymos. NASA was hoping the DART crash could change the cycle by about 73 seconds, but observations made in the weeks following the impact determined that the results were much more significant, reducing Dimorphos’ orbital period by some 33 minutes.

But California high school teacher Jonathan Swift and his students discovered that Dimorphos’ orbital period was a full minute longer than the time reported by NASA last year. They used the school’s observatory to track Dimorphos and Didymos for several months last fall. Swift presented his class’ findings at the American Astronomical Society conference in June. The DART team has since confirmed that Dimorphos did indeed continue slowing in its orbit up to a month after the impact.

Scientists aren’t sure exactly what is behind the slowdown of Dimorphos. But recent observations of the asteroid have revealed a vast field of large rocks were kicked up by the impact. It’s possible that some of the larger space rocks fell back onto Dimorphos within that first month, slowing its orbit further, DART team member Harrison Agrusa said.

The DART team plans to release its own report on the unexpected findings in the coming weeks. However, complete answers may have to wait until 2026, when the European Space Ageney’s Hera spacecraft is scheduled to investigate the crash site up closely.

1. What was the purpose of launching the NASA spacecraft?

A．To change Dimorphos’ orbital cycle.

B．To stop Dimorphos hitting the Earth.

C．To reduce Didymos’ path around the sun.

D．To make Didymos move in a bigger orbit.

2. How much did Swift and his students find the asteroid’s orbital period shortened by?

A．1 full minute.	B．2 minutes or so.
C．Nearly 33 minutes.	D．About 32 minutes.

3. What does the author intend to tell us in paragraph 4?

A．How seriously Dimorphos was damaged.

B．What happened to the rocks on Dimorphos.

C．Why Dimorphos slowed down for a month.

D．What Dimorphos looked like after the impact.

4. What can be the Hera spacecraf’s task?

A．To crash into another asteroid nearby.

B．To measure the previous impact results.

C．To affect the motion of the twin asteroids.

D．To identify the asteroids threatening the Earth.

5 . 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。

In an age of rapidly growing urbanization, rooftop farming has emerged as a sustainable response     1     the challenge of creating green space in cities. This innovative practice transforms rooftops into mini farms, where vegetables, fruits, and even flowers     2     (plant), providing local residents with fresh produce and adding a touch of nature to urban environments.

Rooftop farming, also     3     (refer) to as vertical agriculture, is more than just a trend; it’s a step towards environmental conservation. Green roofs with vegetation help to absorb sunlight and release moisture, cooling the air and reducing the demand for air conditioning,     4     in turn lessens energy     5     (consume) and carbon emission. Meanwhile, rooftop farms serve as educational platforms,     6     (teach) city dwellers about sustainable agriculture practices and the importance of locally     7     (source) food.

As urban populations continue to grow, rooftop farming fosters community engagement     8     promotes healthier lifestyles by providing access to fresh and organic produce. When we look towards     9     future where environmental consciousness and sustainable practices become increasingly vital, rooftop farming stands as a testament to our ability to cultivate more than just food—we cultivate hope for a     10     (green) and more resilient world.

6 . Many people want to grow their own food in their own backyard, but they don’t know how to start. This article will teach you how to start!

Find out what plants to get. Get plants that can grow in your area, and make sure you plant them at the right time of the year.     1     Usually you should start your garden after the last frost date in the spring t While they’re technically fruits, a good starter plant to grow is tomatoes. You can plant these in a pot or in your garden.

    2     Make sure there is enough space to grow your plants. Use a tiller (犁) and till the whole space you will be gardening. Then pull out any weeds and move any large rocks. Find out how big your plants get and space them accordingly. If your plant needs slightly acidic (酸性的) soil, get an acid metre and make sure the soil has enough acidity.     3     To grow them well, you can buy fertilizer that can add acidity to the soil.

Buy your plants and fertilizers. You can either get seeds or get plant seedlings. Go to your local nursery and see what they have. Get fertilizer as well.     4     This will make your plants grow, better and faster!

Plant your plants in the garden. Use a hand shovel and dig a small hole big enough to put your plant in. Water your plant before you put it in so you can wet the root ball. Sprinkle (撒) in a little bit of fertilizer and put your plant in.     5    

For seeds, stick your finger into the dirt where you want to plant the seed until the dirt reaches the second joint on your finger.

A．Learn how to start a garden.

B．Plan out your garden wisely.

C．Make sure to get the right fertilizer for your plants.

D．Some plants that need acidity are tomatoes and blueberries.

E．You should grow and water them in spring if you want to have a good start.

F．Then surround the plant with dirt and make a small circle around it for water.

G．If you plant them too early or too late, they could freeze and die before you can harvest vegetables.

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。

“A decade-long moratorium (中止) on fishing was imposed on the country's longest river in 2021     1     the aim of restoring its ecological health. After three years, the fish population in the river has recovered obviously, but the moratorium still faces constant threats from illegal fishing,”Tang Renjian, minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said at a news conference.

In     2     (respond) to that, Tang said, “Authorities will step up nighttime surveillance (监视) as well as patrols near river sections close to provincial borders. Relying on automatic and     3     (intelligence) monitoring methods, we are strengthening round-the-clock monitoring and supervision of critical water areas.”

Ma Youxiang, a vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, told the news conference,     4     it has increased by a quarter since 2021,     5     total fish population in the Yangtze is only     6     (slight) more than a third of the preindustrial (工业化前的) level. To restore fish populations is a long task. Tang described the ban as a long-term, complex and hard historical task closely     7     (link) to the Chinese nation's sustainable development.

“    8     you may see, the current state of the Yangtze can     9     (regard) as being in the early stages of recovery from a serious illness after decades of overfishing and pollution,” Tang said.

Ministry of Public Security data show it has solved more than 20,000 cases     10     (involve) violations of the ban since 2021. Over that period, illegal fishing in the main waterways of the Yangtze has decreased by almost a third, and less than 10 percent involves more destructive organized crimes.

8 . My parents had purchased an Island Packet 445 ten months prior, and the day to board this boat had finally come. I was 11 years old and knew absolutely nothing about this cruising (海上航游) lifestyle my father had been speaking so highly of for the previous five years. The only thing I knew for sure was that I didn’t want to leave my home. My father was excited, my mother nervous, my brother disinterested, and I sullen. I was not at all eager about this change in my lifestyle.

The first three months on the boat had not been very easy. What my dad called an adjustment period I called a nightmare. But, after three months of traveling, we had a lucky break. In La Paz, there was another cruising boat with a 13-year-old boy aboard. Two weeks later, Glen and I could be seen endlessly boogie boarding (趴板冲浪) the crashing waves to the beach. After meeting Glen, cruising for me began to get better and better. At some point during these months, I decided to give this cruising idea a chance.

One year later, we continued touring through the South Pacific. I was learning new skills and learning how to work independently. I often took a five-hour watch during the dark hours of long passages. This was quite a bit of responsibility to hand over to a 13-year-old, especially considering I was in charge of adjusting sails as the conditions changed, and keeping an eye and ear out for any problems. Almost everybody in the cruising community treated me as an adult while still understanding I was a child, thereby giving me the flexibility to make childish mistakes.

As of this writing, my family has now been aboard for three years. We have plans to return to Canada in 12 months and, similar to how I opposed moving onto the boat, I am now completely opposed to moving off it. I have so much fun and learn so many things on this boat that I can’t imagine ever returning “home”, a place I hardly even remember.

1. What does the underlined word “sullen” in the first paragraph probably mean?

A．Upset.

B．Calm.

C．Confused.

D．Astonished.

2. What made the author start to embrace the cruising idea?

A．Overcoming the fear of nightmares.

B．Having fun with someone of his age.

C．Learning how to work independently.

D．Making a breakthrough in boarding skills.

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

A．Stubborn but reliable.	B．Childish but adaptable.
C．Inconsiderate but flexible.	D．Dependent but responsible.

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

A．Benefits of the Cruising Lifestyle

B．First Day aboard Island Packet 445

C．What Motivates a Teenager to Change His Lifestyle

D．How a Young Sailor Learns to Love the Cruising Life

9 . The birth of a male white-tailed eagle signals the success of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation (RDWF) and Forestry England project to return these iconic birds to their original widespread locations along the southern coast of England. The last time a white-tailed eagle chick grew in England, Mozart was working on his opera Idomeneo in Germany

For two centuries these amazing birds were missing from most of the UK, having been wiped out by human persecution by the early 20th century.

In 2020, the parents of the landmark bird were translocated from the Outer Hebrides and north-west Sutherland in Scotland to the Isle of Wight. This is an area with plentiful food to sustain them. It is also a location from which the birds could spread out to cliffs, lakes and forests.

Female G405 and male G471 were two of 25 eagles (16 are still alive) released by the RDWF and Forestry England as part of the ongoing project. And they are one of three pairs to have now established breeding territories in the south of England.

The chick hatched earlier this summer at a nest on private land, the exact location of which is being kept a secret to ensure the welfare of the young bird.

“This is a very special moment for everyone who has worked on, supported and followed this ground-breaking project,” Roy Dennis says, founder of the RDWF. “Restoring a breeding population in southern England, where the species was once widespread, has been our ultimate goal. Seeing the first pair reach this stage is truly incredible.”

The young white-tailed eagle has now been ringed and fitted with a satellite tag (标签) so that its progress can be tracked. A further release of young white-tailed eagles is planned for late summer from the project team’s base on the Isle of Wight.

1. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning Mozart in paragraph 1?

A．To admire the musician’s great works.

B．To celebrate the birth of the white-tailed eagle.

C．To compare the situations of England and Germany.

D．To emphasize white-tailed eagles’ centuries-long absence.

2. Which word can replace the underlined word “persecution” in paragraph 2?

A．Hunt.

B．Exploration.

C．Disturbance.

D．Training.

3. Why is the accurate position of the chick kept secret?

A．For privacy.

B．For safety.

C．For territory.

D．For support.

4. Which may be a suitable title for the text?

A．A Splendid Bird	B．A Successful Wildlife Project
C．Milestone for White-tailed Eagles	D．Restoring a Breeding Population

10 . 近年来，国内因各种原因导致的火灾频发，造成不少人员伤亡。为了增加学生的安全自救常识，提高防火安全意识，请你根据以下提示，以“How to Survive a Fire”为题为学校英语时报投一篇英文稿件。内容包括：
1. 目前火灾事故现状；
2.火灾逃生的自救建议措施；
3. 呼吁号召。
注意：1.写作词数应为120词左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节以使内容信息丰富；
参考词汇: 爬行 crawl; 电梯 elevator/lift; 消防演习 the fire drill
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