2 . For thousands of years, humans have used names to communicate with one another. We also give names to animals, especially ones we love, such as pets. Until now there has been little evidence of animals naming one another, but a new study suggests that elephants use specific noises to identify other elephants.

A few animals, including parrots and dolphins, have been known to use sounds that are similar to names. Each dolphin invents a signature whistle that is unique to it, and other members of its species communicate with it by simulating this special call. The new study, led by Michael Pardo of Colorado State University, shows that wild African elephants use names in a way that is not just copying sounds and is much closer to the way humans use names.   

For the study, the researchers recorded 625 sounds made by wild African elephants in Kenya that they called "rumbles (隆隆声)”. This is the most common type of call produced by elephants, and it can travel long distances-as far as 3. 7 miles. It takes place at a very low frequency, which means humans can't hear it.

The researchers analyzed the sounds using computers and found that certain rumbles were directed at specific elephants to get their attention They found that all the elephants in the herd used the identical call to get a particular elephant's attention -these calls were not just nicknames used by one of the elephant's friends. Also. unlike the way dolphins communicate. the rumbles were not just imitations of the elephant they were trying to communicate with.

The researchers then played back some of the recorded rumbles to the elephants. They found that elephants responded more to their own name than to other calls. coming toward it more quickly or calling back faster. Cartlin O'Connell-Rodwell, an elephant expert, said, "The study shows that elephants can still keep in touch with one another even across a large area. "She told Live Science, "The rumbles ere magical, which allow them to spread out much further and still have very close tabs（密切关注） on individuals. "

3 . The Luling Mountains in Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, used to be a deserted area without even a single tree. Now, it is a leafy paradise for birds, and tourists are flooding in. The huge transformation has occurred thanks to the consistent efforts of Tian Wangui, 67, and his wife Lu Min, 63, over nearly half a century.

In 1982, the couple contracted(承包)the land-use rights of the two mountains near their home. They intended to plant fruit trees in the mountains to make a living. Back then, the mountains were deserted with no trees at all. To help the seedlings(树苗)they planted survive in the barren(贫瘠的)land, the couple had to carry water to the mountains on their backs. They also bought whatever seeds were available from a nearby forest farm and spread them every spring, hoping to afforest the mountains. With such an extensive planting method, however, they initially failed to see many seeds take root in the barren soil. But the couple didn’t give up.

The couple’s perseverance finally paid off. They discovered that some tree species were tough enough to survive, including pine and mulberry. Now, more than 50,000 trees of over 20 species cover the land they contracted, following their consistent efforts to sow tree seeds year after year.

As the mountains became lush(郁郁葱葱), Tian and Lu were charged with a new task-patrolling(巡逻)their nearly 67 hectares of forest every day to prevent fires. The patrol even didn’t stop on the eve of last year’s Chinese Lunar New Year. Instead of watching the CCTV Spring Festival Gala on Jan. 21st like most Chinese, the couple went to patrol the mountains with the families of their son and daughter. “Many people set off fireworks to mark the arrival of the new year, so the holiday is a time when we have to stay cautious against fire threats,” Tian said.

The couple has no plans to quit their work, and they hope their children will follow in their footsteps. “We cherish the mountains and trees as we cherish our own children,” Lu said. “Even as we grow old, they will continue to patrol the woods and watch over the birds.”

Yellowstone is beautiful. No description I could give would do it in a right way. It is     1    (fascinate) and full of natural wonders. Yellowstone is     2     land rich in dates and memories. The park, 96% of     3     is in Wyoming, 3% in Montana and 1% in Idaho, is celebrating a major milestone this year.

On this 150th anniversary, the National Park Service and Yellowstone fans looked at the past, present and future with events     4     (plan) well into the year. Yellowstone National Park serves as a time capsule, a sort of ‘land that time forgot’ in terms of wildlife. It is one of the few     5     (place) where you can get a sense of a past when wildlife     6     (control) our world. The significance of the park has changed over time, but in recent history it has shown us the critical role of wild places in contemporary life. The park has been leading     7     (global) in establishing the range of approaches to     8     (care) for wild animal. It is also a place for us to find     9     (we) collective and individual centre. The importance of Yellowstone to wildlife conservation     10     preserving our wild heritage cannot be overstated.

5 . 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。

Onni always had a great time with his grandad in winter because his grandad would teach him how to ski and they sometimes went for trips in the nearby woods.

When Onni turned ten, his grandad told him he was old enough to go with him into the Finnish wilderness. Therefore, one day, they put on their skis and set off into the forest, travelling for several kilometres while the sky turned dark above them. Eventually, they arrived at a silent and beautiful wooden cabin. Grandad managed to push the door open. Inside, it was icy-cold and smelled damp and musty.

“Now we need a fire!” said grandad. He pointed at the pot-belly stove in the corner.

They collected armfuls of wood and chopped them up. Before long, a fire lighted up the cabin with a golden light! The old man pulled out a pan and began frying some sausages.

Onni stared out of the window. “What animals live out here?” he asked. “Oh, the forest is full of life!” his grandad answered. “I have seen snow hares, stags, bears and snowy owls. There was only one creature we never managed to see.”

“What was that?” asked Onni. He was curious!

“Firefox! They say that during the day: his fur is inky-black. But at night, it shines with the most amazing colours! The light of his fur is supposed to brighten up the night sky at midwinter creating the wonderful glow that we call the Northern Lights, which always guide the people lost in forests.”

Grandad sighed. “I always wanted to see this beast! It is said that whoever spots the Firefox would be blessed.” Hearing this, Onni looked out of the window again in the hope of being the lucky one.

Grandad turned the sausages over as they sizzled (发出咝咝声) in the pan. “Why don’t you get some more firewood, Onni?” he suggested. Onni ventured out (冒险外出) again. As the boy was gathering more wood, he heard a sound and saw a glow in the trees.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150词左右；

2. 请按如下格式作答。

Overcome by curiosity, Onni followed the sound and the light.

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“Grandad! Come out here!” Onni called.

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6 . Bees are more than just honey-makers, They are essential pollinators (传粉者) that help maintain the balance of our ecosystems and the diversity of our crops. Bees are among the most diverse and plentiful insects on Earth, with over 20,000 species worldwide. They belong to the order Hymenoptera (膜翅目昆虫), which also includes wasps, ants, and sawflies.

Bees have evolved to feed on nectar (花蜜) and pollen from flowers, and in doing so, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, enabling fertilization (受精) and reproduction. This process, called pollination, is essential for the survival of many plants, especially those that produce fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetables that we eat.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), bees and other pollinators affect 35% of global agricultural land, supporting the production of 87% of the leading food crops worldwide.

Pollination also enhances the quality and quantity of the crops, as well as their resistance to pests and diseases. Without bees and other pollinators, our food supply and our biodiversity would be at risk.

Unfortunately, bees are facing many threats, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, diseases, and invasive species. The FAO estimates that 16.5％ of vertebrate (脊椎动物) pollinators and 40% of invertebrate pollinators, such as bees, are facing extinction. This could have serious consequences for our food security, our livelihoods, and our environment.

Therefore, it is important to protect the bees and their habitats, and to raise awareness about their role and value.

One way to appreciate and support the bees is to learn how to identify them and observe their behavior. You might be surprised by the diversity and beauty of the bees that visit your backyard, garden, or balcony.

7 . Vertical (垂直的) farming involves using vertically piled layers and other innovative resources to help your crops grow.     1     You get to grow your plants while using the small space at home. Below are some benefits of vertical farming for small house owners.

Reduce water usage. Watering a vertical garden is easy, simple, and uses less water. If your plants are grown in a traditional way, you’ll need lots of water to keep up with your plants’ growth.     2    

Save space. As a small, house owner, space is a big concern. However, vertical farming ensures that you can create a garden in your home and fully enjoy the experience.     3     So, if you aim to save space in your home and still have a garden, vertical farming is perfect.

    4     Vertical farming is mainly done indoors and entirely depends on you to provide the best conditions. With commitment, you can continuously ensure consistent food production despite the seasons.

Cut down on chemicals and pesticides. Vertical gardens will not require you to invest in pesticides and chemical fertilizers to keep your plants alive. In addition, insects will not have easy access to your plants since you’ll be gardening in a controlled environment.     5    

10 . Many of the negative impacts humans have on the environment are visible to the naked eye. Trash washes up on our beaches, the ice caps are visibly shrinking, and smog darkens our skies. But some environmental threat, such as microplastics, are nearly invisible.

The U. S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration classifies microplastics as any piece of plastic less than five millimeters. Some are as small as three microns—half the size of a red blood cell. This comes from a variety of sources, including the microbeads found in cosmetics, paint, tire dust, industrial waste, and clothing.

These tiny fragments can become fixed in animals’ tissue through taking food or breathing. Various marine species, such as deposit-feeding lugworms, are shown to have microplastics in their intestinal tracts (肠道). The production and disposal of microplastics, among other unaware actions by humans, have played a significant role in boosting the worsening of marine ecosystems. But microplastics are not just a problem for marine life. Humans are consuming them too, sometimes through eating seafood containing microplastics.

Microplastics also run uncontrollably in drinking water. A 2017 investigation by Orb Media, which looked at tap water samples from over a dozen countries, found that 83 percent of the samples were contaminated with plastic fibers. Once taken, most of the microplastics stay in our systems forever, and little is known about their long term impact on our health.

Microplastic pollution is not an easy problem to deal with, but there are small changes that you can make to reduce your contribution to the problem. One strategy is to stop fibers before they enter the wastewater stream. Patagonia announced that it will sell the Guppy Friend, a bag that you can place clothing in before tossing it into the wash, which will prevent the fibers from being flushed away. You can also avoid buying any facial scrubs (面部磨砂膏) that use plastic microbeads. Lastly, you can reduce your plastic consumption and waste altogether by buying reusable water bottles and grocery bags, and being sure to always recycle any plastics you come across.