1 . Wondering what you can do to celebrate Earth Day on April 22? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered a comprehensive list of Earth Day activities, both fun and environmentally-conscious, to help raise awareness and make a difference. If you’re ready to learn more about joining the global celebration, initiating real change, and doing your part to save our planet, read on!

·Walk or ride your bike.

    1     Plus, it’s a great way to involve physical activity into your daily routine, benefiting both your physical and mental well-being. Even one day can make a difference, but if you can commit to walking or biking more often in the future, that’s even better!

·Use a refillable water bottle.

Consider going with a stainless-steel refillable bottle for a super long-lasting option.     2     Using a refillable water bottle, meanwhile, protects the planet, saves you money, and protects your health.

·Plant a tree.

Pick a tree species that’s native to where you live. If you’re unsure, ask an employee at your local nursery or garden department. Choose the best planting spot to meet the tree’s needs, dig a properly sized hole, and water the tree well to give it a good start.     3     Try donating to a reputable environmental non-profit that will plant trees on your behalf instead.

·Visit a local farmer’s market.

Eating locally grown food is much better for the environment. For example, locally-grown food doesn’t have to be transported long distances to end up on grocery store shelves.     4    

·     5    

See if your community is holding an environmental fair. If your community doesn’t have one planned, consider starting one yourself! It’s the perfect day to get together for a fun and educational celebration of the Earth. Any money raised can go towards a local environmental restoration project or group.

A．Attend a local Earth Day event.

B．Educate your community on environmental awareness.

C．Going car-free for the day will reduce harmful carbon emissions.

D．That means your money won’t be wasted on unnecessary spending.

E．If physically doing this is unrealistic for you, there are other choices!

F．Normally, plastic water bottles end up in garbage cans after a single use.

G．You’ll also be giving back to your community by supporting local farmers.

2 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

Recently     1     agreement has been signed between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Diego Zoo in the US for giant panda conservation,     2     selects two giant pandas to be sent to the San Diego Zoo for a 10-year international conservation partnership.

    3     (ensure) the well-being of the giant pandas in the US, in March, experts from the China Wildlife Conservation Association     4     (travel) to the US to participate     5     in-depth discussions and technical exchanges with the San Diego Zoo regarding panda care, living environment, and health requirements.

In line with the agreement, both parties are     6     (active) progressing with the preparations for the pandas’ journey to the US. China     7     (select) a pair of pandas, Yun Chuan (male) and Xin Bao (female), from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, and has arranged for experienced caretakers and veterinarians to accompany them to the US.

The San Diego Zoo is one of the world’s top five     8     (zoo). In 1996, the two parties officially started panda cooperation, with Bai Yun and Shi Shi     9     (become) the first pair to live at the San Diego Zoo. Currently, the zoo has gathered a professional team with expertise in panda care, daily nursing, and related scientific research,     10     (gain) through study and exchange programs in China.

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或使用括号内单词的正确形式填空。

Homegrown nature documentary “Snow Leopards and Friends” is the first Chinese factual film about snow leopards (雪豹).

It     1     (document) how three herdsmen (牧民) photographers from Xizang, who may be the people     2     (close) to snow leopards in the world, track the trail (踪迹) of snow leopards and finally become protectors of the species.     3     addition to being about snow leopards, the film also explores a new way of coexistence between human beings and wild animals. The documentary     4     (screen) during the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival, which kicked off on June 9, and won great praise.

It took director Xi Zhinong and the photographers six years     5     (shoot) the film on the snow-covered highland,     6     the severe environment is tough not only for snow leopards, but also for other species like brown bears and antelopes.

Many of the movie’s viewers were touched by the power and     7     (strong) of life shown in the film. The documentary presents the most primitive forces of nature through its visual wonders and     8     (act) creatures. It also caused viewers to reflect on wildlife and conservation of nature.     9     movie viewer said that the film is also a course on     10     (respect) life and nature and everyone needs to learn this lesson.

4 . Dogs may understand more than they show. Pet dogs’ brains displayed neural (神经的) signs of surprise when their owners showed them an unexpected toy. The findings, published March 22 in Current Biology, suggest that dogs create mental concepts of objects.

“Anyone who has ever interacted very much with a dog probably is not that surprised to know that dogs understand that your speech is referring to at least a few common objects,” says Ellen Lau, a neuroscientist at the University of Maryland in College Park. But some people may have assumed this “understanding” is a simple reaction to the sound of the word.

Marianna Boros, a neuroscientist at Eotv’s Lorand University in Budapest, recruited 27 pet dogs and their owners. The team asked the owners to bring five familiar toys and other objects to the lab. Researchers stuck electrodes (电极) to the dogs’ heads and gave them two tasks: lieon a mat and stay awake.

Every so often, a dog would hear a recording of its owner saying things like, “Kun-Kun, look, the ball!” The dog’s owner was on the other side of a wall with a window covered by the curtains. Just after the recording played, the curtains were opened, showing the owner holding a toy—the ball or a different toy, such as a rope.

Just after seeing an unexpected object, an electrode monitoring (监测) brain activity picked up a larger-than-normal signal. This signal indicates surprise, the team says, and suggests that the dog had already formed a mental concept and expectation of the ball after hearing that word. In fact, the signal was especially strong for a mismatch involving words that the dogs reportedly knew very well. “That suggests that it is really about understanding and knowledge of the word,” Boros says.

1. Which statement best reflects Ellen Lau’s view on dogs’ understanding of speech?

A．Dogs understand speech primarily as a reaction to the sound of words.

B．Dogs understand speech, especially when it involves common objects.

C．Dogs have limited understanding of speech, mainly reacting to tone.

D．Dogs shows understanding of the deeper meaning of the speech.

2. How did researchers test dogs’ reactions?

A．By monitoring their brain activity.	B．By observing their behaviors.
C．By playing recordings.	D．By opening the curtains.

3. What does the signal mentioned in paragraph 5 indicate?

A．Dogs hear commands.	B．Dogs display behaviors.
C．Dogs show interest.	D．Dogs form expectations.

4. Which might be the best title for the text?

A．Examining Dogs’ Hearing of Words	B．Revealing Dogs’ Mental Concepts
C．Exploring Dogs’ Reactions to the Orders	D．Studying Dogs’ Neural System

5 . Natasha Tucker’s passion for fighting plastic pollution began with a shocking moment.

While working at the Vancouver Aquarium, Tucker met a rescued dolphin whose fins were partially cut off due to fishing equipment entanglement (缠绕). This heartbreaking experience made Tucker immediately search for a way to take action against the plastic pollution that caused these injuries.

“I saw immediately that this was because of us,” she says. “I knew I had to do something. Then, I found Mind Your Plastic.”

That aquarium encounter was not the only experience that inspired Tucker to action. Other experiences like working in retail management came with witnessing tons of plastic waste. “I saw how much got thrown out, and it didn’t sit well with me,” she says.

Plastic waste in business is among what Mind Your Plastic is seeking to end via its three key programs: the Circular Economy Ambassador Program(CEAP) for educators and youth, the Plastic-Free Events Policy Program for municipalities (市政当局) and the Plastic Awareness and Reduction Tool-kit s (PART) Program for businesses.

When people donate to Mind Your Plastic, their dollars directly support these programs and help them effect change. Through direct partnerships with local educators, municipalities and businesses, these programs connect Canadians with direct ways to take action. The CEAP program, for example, helps teachers educate youth about the circular economy, lead local cleanups, and track collected waste.

The blame game is another area in need of transition, according to Tucker, who says that big companies, not customers, should carry the responsibility to solve Canada’s plastic pollution problem.

“It’s felt for a long time like the responsibility is placed on the customers,” says Tucker. “That needs to stop.”

Tucker says this perspective (观点) can be shifted by individuals creating public pressures—for example, pushing for policy—and using their dollars to support more sustainable, circular alternatives until these policy changes happen.

“This makes policy a valuable tool. And big business may say there’s no interest, but we know there is,” she says. “Let’s use our dollars to prove that, and challenge policymakers to help make change happen.”

1. What first inspired Natasha Tucker’s passion for fighting plastic pollution?

A．Working in retail management.	B．Witnessing tons of plastic waste.
C．Meeting an injured dolphin.	D．Finding Mind Your Plastic.

2. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Tucker felt uneasy about the large quantity of the plastic.

B．Tucker was unconcerned about the amount of plastic waste she saw.

C．Tucker enjoyed managing so much plastic waste.

D．Tucker thought the amount of plastic waste was acceptable.

3. According to the text, how does Mind Your Plastic aim to effect change?

A．By blaming consumers for plastic waste.	B．By providing education and partnership.
C．By quarreling with big businesses.	D．By stop ping using plastic products.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The harmful effects of plastic pollution on life in the ocean.

B．Natasha Tucker’s personal experiences and her fight against plastic pollution.

C．The programs of Mind Your Plastic to reduce plastic waste.

D．The responsibility of big companies in solving Canada’s plastic pollution problem.

6 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Who first made the nickname “The Big Easy” popular in the early 1970s?

A．A newspaper writer.

B．A crime novel writer.

C．A politician.

2. What is the way of life in New York City?

A．Gentle and slow.

B．Easy-going.

C．Quick and busy.

3. Why is New Orleans called “Mardi Gras City”?

A．For its yearly music festival.

B．For its wild celebrations each year.

C．For its shape.

4. Which of the following is not a nickname of New Orleans?

A．NOLA.

B．The Crescent City.

C．The Birthplace of Rock and Roll.

7 . If you look at the dynamic “Global Temperatures” map on NASA’s website, you can see the historic temperature change over time across the planet as the timeline goes from 1880 to the modern day. By 2019, the entire planet is in red, orange, and yellow colors, indicating temperatures much higher than the historical average in every country and human inhabitance.

If the timeline went to 2023, the map would look even worse. That’s because the summer of 2023 was the hottest ever, according to ocean monitors. July was the hottest month in recorded history. Next July could be worse. Unless we do something quickly, we face dealing with more and more dangerous and expensive natural disasters in the future.

Forest fires sent smoke from Canada across the North American continent, causing New York City to have the worst air quality in its recorded history. Heavy rainstorms fell on Vermont and the Northeastern United States in just a couple of days in the middle of July, which exceeded the amount that area would usually receive in two months and caused extreme damage to homes and businesses. Around the same time, flash flooding in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — north of Philadelphia — killed nearly a dozen people.

Erich Fischer, a researcher specializing in climate studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, is concerned that natural disasters could get much worse in the future—and in ways we cannot predict. He called for a “strike for climate justice,” which actually took place on Sept. 15, 2023. “The strategy needs to be twofold (双重的) . We need to decrease carbon emissions as much as realistically possible. That is already happening with people using electric cars and other green technologies. At the same time, we also need to find ways to predict the risk of natural disasters ahead of time,” said Erich Fischer.

1. Why does the writer mention the data on NASA’s website in paragraph 1?

A．To explain a concept.	B．To introduce a topic.
C．To provide a solution.	D．To make a prediction.

2. What does the third paragraph mainly tell us?

A．The severity of natural disasters.	B．The worst air quality in New York City.
C．The extreme damage by flash flooding.	D．The cause of the forests fires in Canada.

3. What did Erich Fischer suggest to deal with the current situation?

A．He advocated a twofold strategy.

B．He suggested forbidding carbon emissions.

C．He required people to use more electric cars.

D．He emphasized the awareness of climate changes.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The Hottest Month in History	B．Natural Disasters in the World
C．Extreme Weather Could Get Worse	D．Green Technology Would be Needed

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What has the highest temperature been in Argentina?

A．About 45 degrees Celsius.

B．About 42 degrees Celsius.

C．About 31 degrees Celsius.

2. How did Jose Casabal cool his children down?

A．By turning on an air conditioning for them.

B．By asking them to drink much water.

C．By taking them to do a water sport.

3. What is Lucas Berengua?

A．A weather expert.

B．A local leader.

C．A weatherman.

9 . It’s now, more than ever, crucial to adopting a low-impact lifestyle since all kinds of waste, including that of the fashion industry, are piling up in landfills with astonishing speed.     1     Thankfully, the following tips can help you reduce clothing waste.

·Buy fewer clothes overall.     2     It’s a more cautious approach to shopping and consumption (消费) in general. Think twice about what you will buy and say no to over consumption. You can even try out a minimalist (极简主义的) lifestyle. Shop for what you need only when necessary, keep things simple, and go back to basics.

·Shop for high-quality clothing. High-quality clothes can cost more at first but save you money in the long run.     3     Moreover, quality clothes can make you feel more comfortable and confident, improve your fashion style, and help you look your best.

·    4     Upcycling is very beneficial to the planet and your budget (预算). Instead of throwing old clothes away, use parts of or entire old clothes to make something new and more valuable. You can even create stylish and unique pieces of clothing by upcycling.

·Donate your unwanted fashion items. Do a quick online search for your local options to donate clothes that are still in good condition. Be sure to contact organizations first and ask them what type of clothes they accept. You can donate clothing to for-profit companies or to homeless shelters and family service agencies.     5    

A．Repurpose your old clothes.

B．Upcycle everyday household objects.

C．Limit your fashion consumption in the first place.

D．Thrown clothes have had a disastrous impact on the planet.

E．They are more likely to stay in good condition for a long time.

F．Heavy coats and sweaters can go to animal shelters in your local area.

G．Reducing clothing waste is necessary for making fashion more sustainable.

10 . The morning commute (通勤) is never fun. But if you pass through Stevenage on your way to work, your morning might be a little ________ thanks to the cat Nala.

Dragging yourself out of bed in the morning and off to work is hard, ________ on dark winter mornings. However, you might ________ to come out of the house with a spring in your step if your commute started at Stevenage station, where you’d be ________ by a cat called Nala.

Usually found sitting on a ticket gate, four-year-old Nala lives close to the station with her owner Natasha Ambler, and often ________ the station at rush hour to enjoy attention from commuters. Ambler ________ a Facebook page called The Adventures of Nala where hundreds of people have voluntarily ________ photos of the adventurous cat.

Recent photos posted by commuters include Nala ________ in line for her canned food at a supermarket, napping on newspaper stands and ________ with commuters at the station barriers to get their attention.

Nala wears a GPS tracking device so that her ________ can be kept track of, and is usually found at the railway station or the ________ leisure park. As well as the usual collar with her name and owners’________ information, Nala wears a tag to let people know that she’s not ________.

According to the BBC, Ambler reported that she’s not ________ about Nala in the slightest: “She’s obviously ________ and she’s very happy doing what she does — I just hope one day she doesn’t actually try to get on a train.”

1.

A．quieter

B．longer

C．busier

D．brighter

2.

A．gradually

B．especially

C．basically

D．generally

3.

A．agree

B．fail

C．prefer

D．hesitate

4.

A．troubled

B．greeted

C．stopped

D．rewarded

5.

A．lives in

B．takes up

C．watches over

D．heads to

6.

A．created

B．found

C．bought

D．wrote

7.

A．taken

B．edited

C．shared

D．enjoyed

8.

A．hunting

B．waiting

C．working

D．playing

9.

A．posing

B．joking

C．fighting

D．communicating

10.

A．steps

B．jumps

C．activities

D．travels

11.

A．newly-built

B．family-friendly

C．next-door

D．fun-filled

12.

A．job

B．contact

C．health

D．company

13.

A．hungry

B．lonely

C．lost

D．ill

14.

A．worried

B．confused

C．unhappy

D．curious

15.

A．well-informed

B．well-equipped

C．well-educated

D．well-loved